Track Condition Update September 2024
The maintenance team have been hard at work, continuing on with the re-benching on sections of singletrack that have suffered from gradual erosion over the years to create a more enjoyable level surface for walkers. This work is necessary to correct the impacts of erosion from animal activity and rainfall runoff. The team have to do this manually, particularly using shovels and rake hoes to re-shape the track. Benching has been undertaken in various locations from south of Mount Wee Jasper around Pompey Pillar through to Munderoo and Burra Ck near Henry Angel Trackhead.
The team has also continued to keep the track corridor clear, cutting saplings, removing blackberry bushes and debris, cutting back overgrowth, whipper snipping down the long grass and clearing vegetation. This work is always ongoing and it is a continued program of work to make the track enjoyable for walkers. With some wet and story weather through winter we also saw a large number of trees falling across the track which we have been working to clear.
Some exciting news is that the bridge replacement program has been completed with over 120 new bridges now installed throughout the track. There are now only a few lower priority bridges left to replace down near the Albury end and these will be tackled in the coming months.
Focus had moved on to the new track distance markers that have also been installed, more details about this work here.
A new hut has also been installed at Paddys River Dam by Forestry Corporation to accommodate walkers, these facilities are encouraging for hikers travelling on the Hume & Hovell Track.
While the majority of the Track is in good condition, the maintenance team have most recently been through the following areas:
Burrinjuck Nature Reserve
Fitzpatrick Trackhead to Boundary Road
Munderoo and Burra Creek
The maintenance team will now be focusing their attention on the Hume & Hovell Ultra Race section of Track in preparation of their event on the 12th & 13th October. This includes from Buddong Falls to Mannus Lake.
Some recent notices include:
Work is still being undertaken by Forestry Corporation at Paddys River Dam, see details here
Forestry Corporation are undertaking herbicide and baiting applications, see details here
The Kosciuszko National Park closure is also still in place until October 2024, see details here
The Blue-Green Algae notice for Mannus Lake is still in place, see details here
If you are planning on walking on the Hume & Hovell Track and would like to check the condition of the Track, please reach out to us via the Contact Us page.
Track maintenance work continues and is approached on a priority basis, but we encourage all users to complete a ‘report a track defect’ form via our Contact Us page on our website if there are any issues found that need actioning.
Regardless of the Track condition, we also encourage our walkers to be prepared when exploring the Hume and Hovell Track, please download mapping resources to assist with navigation, take plenty of water or be carrying a water filtration option, take a satellite phone or personal locator beacon (PLB), notify someone of your trip or register your trip with us and carry first aid supplies. For a full list of recommendations please see the hiker tips