Bryce Gorge Circuit - Alpine NP - VIC

Walk:  Bryce Gorge Circuit

Distance/Type:  Hike 8km / Return

Terrain/Rating:  Slight undulating terrain. Creek beds and cliffside walk. Easy.

Start / Finish Time:  9:15am  / 11:15am

Start / Finish Location:  Bryce Gorge Carpark.

Track Map:

Trip Summary: 
Nice easy 2 hour circuit walk following the creek valley to the Bryce gorge for views of Piemans and Conglomerate waterfalls.
Head up along the Conglomerate River then across plains and past Guys Hut back to the carpark.

Trip Details:
Driving up from the Wellington River campsite area the road changes to dirt just after the Wellington River bridge / Lake Tali Karng track. Heading up Tamboritha Road I thought we were going to have a overcast day ahead but as I found out 10 minutes later it was just low level morning fog.
(Click on images to enlarge)

Heading up Tamboritha Rd just after Wellington River crossing.

It took about 40 minutes to get to Arbuckle Junction.  Here you turn left and head up Howitt Road.

Arbuckle Junction.

You'll pass the Snowy Range airstrip and within 20 minutes you'll be at the Bryce Gorge carpark. It has picnic tables and a pit toilet.
As with most walks in the Alpine National Park there is the obligatory intentions book to sign at the start of the track.

Bryce Gorge Track start.

After 100 metres or so you come to the circuit intersection. You can either head left and do the walk clockwise which heads to Guys Hut first or anti-clockwise via the righthand path via to the waterfalls which is the way I chose.

Guys Hut left, Waterfalls right.

Veer right and the track takes you north along the Piemans creek valley for a few minutes before heading down and crossing Piemans creek and continuing along on the opposite bank.

Piemans Creek crossing in the distance.

The track continues along the Piemans Creek for 5 or so minutes before veering away and up as it gets closer to the gorge cliff edge.

Piemans Creek.

There are two fenced viewing platforms of the Piemans Falls.

Piemans Falls Lookout # 2

 I've read that there is supposedly another non-official viewing area further down the cliff but not being particularly fond of heights I wasn't willing to test the theory.

Piemans Falls

From the second lookout the path heads inland and upwards for a few minutes through forest before veering back to the gorge and opening up to the Gonglomerate Falls Lookout.

Conglomorate Falls.

A few minutes around from the lookout is a lovely treed area that has views of the gorge and falls and would be a nice place for lunch or to set up camp.

Lunch Spot

A few minutes further on we reach the Conglomerate River at the top of Conglomerate Falls.  Theres no real safe view of the lower falls from here as its a shear drop covered with bushes.

View of Bryce Gorge

The track now heads inland along the river for about 10 minutes.  There is some quite deep small pools right next to the track along here. 

Conglomerate River pond.

The track continues on before reaching a creek where it heads left and along its bank for 100m before crossing over a wooden plank bridge to the opposite side.
The track now heads over a plain for a few hundred meters before merging with the Wonnangatta Valley Track.  This track was signed as closed due to storm damage.
We continue on for another 5 minutes through the forest before reaching Guys Hut.
The hut is in quite good condition and during winter would be handy place to stay if caught in bad weather/snowy conditions.


Guys Hut.

Piemans creek flows right past the hut and there is a nice camping spot near the campfire area.
Its only a 10 minute walk back to the carpark (and toilet) across the valley from here. 
If you do this walk remember to sign off in the intentions book.