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This new multi-day alpine hike turns into a festival each night

Taylah Darnell Taylah Darnell
This isn’t just any walk, it’s an outdoor adventure unlike anything you’ve experienced before.

Global trekking company HIGHLANDER is known for its unique approach to hiking and camping, hosting numerous multi-day adventures around the world. Launched out of Croatia in 2017, it has guided groups into the Himalayas, through San Bernardino National Forest in California, along Costa Rica’s El Camino and all across Europe.

Now, HIGHANDER is officially heading Down Under for its first-ever Australian series. Unlike other popular Aussie hikes, these aren’t the kind you’ll find in the guidebooks. They’re long, challenging and demand you dig deep. But they’re also full of after-hours magic that ordinary treks can’t offer, going well beyond just clocking kilometres and sleeping under the stars.

A look at Australia’s first HIGHLANDER

Mount Hotham in Victoria
The new HIGHLANDER hike will journey through Mount Hotham.

Coming to Australia in 2026, HIGHLANDER’s inaugural hike will run from 18–22 March in Mount Hotham, Victoria. And while it may seem geared towards experienced adventurers only, HIGHLANDER is all about making multi-day hikes accessible, enjoyable and stress-free for all.

Guests can join for just one, two or three of the full five days, tailoring the trip to match personal experience and fitness levels. The one-day pass is perfect for beginners, while the two- and three-day options provide deeper immersion in nature and a stronger sense of connection with the group, as well as a taste of HIGHLANDER’s evening experiences. Opting for the entire five days gives hardcore hikers the chance to truly push themselves and test their endurance.

Mount Hoham hike with HIGHLANDER
Participants can tailor the length of their trip to match experience levels.

The guided trek will unfold across Victoria’s Alpine National Park, where you’ll explore multiple trails, historic huts, old mines and mountainous peaks, taking in some of the region’s most breathtaking views along the way. The exact route is only available upon registration, but one thing is certain – guests are in for the adventure of a lifetime.

A hiking experience with a twist

Mount Hoham hike with HIGHLANDER
Embrace the spirit of adventure with like-minded adventurers.

With HIGHLANDER, the adrenaline doesn’t drop when the day of hiking ends – and that’s what sets it apart. Camping out isn’t just about rest and recovery, it’s about connecting, reflecting and celebrating. It’s a form of passion travel, where like-minded individuals can come together, disconnect from the chaos of everyday life, immerse themselves in nature and embrace the spirit of adventure.

After a long day on foot, the communal campsite turns into a mini festival, with live music, wellness classes, educational workshops and interactive activations for all. Daily group activities can include everything from nature talks and stargazing to yoga and breathwork, all designed to help you learn something new and establish connections within the community.

Mount Hoham hike with HIGHLANDER
Join a stargazing session around the campfire come evening.

By day, participants focus on the physical side of the journey, while evenings are dedicated to nurturing the mind and spirit – an act of wellness that prioritises personal investment and self-improvement. Whether you choose to partake in every session or simply swap stories around the campfire, you’ll wrap up each day feeling refreshed and restored, ready for a well-earned rest in your private tent.

Need tips, more detail or itinerary ideas tailored to you? Ask AT.

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The fine print

The real magic of a HIGHLANDER experience lies in the smaller details. While you’re busy soaking up the adventure, the team handles everything else. Logistics like food and water, safety and camp set-up, transport and storage, are all taken care of behind the scenes.

Mount Hoham hike with HIGHLANDER
Logistics like food and water are managed by the team so you can enjoy the adventure.

However, guests will need to pack some of their own gear beforehand. Items such as hiking boots, tents, sleeping bags, a backpack, water bottle, torch, bowl and cutlery, clothing, compass and first-aid kit are all mandatory.

Safety remains a top priority on all HIGHLANDER hikes, so injury insurance, public liability coverage and access to 24-hour medical staff are all included. Participants are also given a hiker tag, which tracks location, and sweepers close the track each day to ensure nobody is left behind.

Registration for the Mount Hotham multi-day hike with HIGHLANDER is open now. Prices range from $129 for a one-day pass to $1165 for the full five days, with costs set to rise as spots fill up.

Taylah Darnell
Taylah Darnell is Australian Traveller's Writer & Producer. She has been passionate about writing since she learnt to read, spending many hours either lost in the pages of books or attempting to write her own. This life-long love of words inspired her to study a Bachelor of Communication majoring in Creative Writing at the University of Technology Sydney, where she completed two editorial internships. She began her full-time career in publishing at Ocean Media before scoring her dream job with Australian Traveller. Now as Writer & Producer, Taylah passionately works across both digital platforms and print titles. When she's not wielding a red pen over magazine proofs, you can find Taylah among the aisles of a second-hand bookshop, following a good nature trail or cheering on her EPL team at 3am. While she's keen to visit places like Norway and New Zealand, her favourite place to explore will forever be her homeland.
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Good food, beautiful nature & history: your guide to a long weekend in West Gippsland

(Credit: Rob Blackburn)

    Carla Grossetti Carla Grossetti
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    From rainforest walks and scenic drives to historic gold-rush towns and standout regional dining experiences, you can find it all in West Gippsland.

    Hover over West Gippsland on Google Earth and you’ll see vast tracts of land spread out like green velveteen around the Toorongo Falls Reserve. It’s a landscape that feels almost impossibly lush for a region sitting little more than an hour from Melbourne.

    Track southeast in late autumn and early winter and you’ll see pockets of the Mt Baw Baw Plateau dusted in snow. In addition to the forests of mountain ash veined with creeks and rivers, there are pastures and farmland cross-stitched together to form pretty patchworks.

    But West Gippsland isn’t defined by scenery alone: in addition to its awe-inspiring nature, a Venn diagram of the region includes gold-rush history and great culinary experiences.  Spend a long weekend here and it quickly becomes clear how often these three overlap.

    Getting there

    Messmates Dining west gippsland
    Spend the weekend eating and exploring in West Gippsland. (Credit: Messmates Dining)

    Getting to West Gippsland involves as easy drive – it’s just over an hour out of Melbourne along the Monash Freeway.

    Not driving? Catch the train from Melbourne on the Gippsland line, terminating at either Traralgon or Bairnsdale, and hop off at Warragul or Drouin.

    Visit historic villages

    Walhalla historic township
    Wander into Australia’s Gold Rush history at Walhalla. (Credit: Rob Blackburn)

    The West Gippsland region is on the Traditional Lands of the Kulin and Kurnai nations, specifically linked to the Bunurong, Gunaikurnai and Wurundjeri Peoples, whose connection to Country stretches back thousands of years.

    European settlement occurred in the 19th century as timber cutters, farmers and gold seekers pushed into the region’s dense forests. Small towns grew around sawmills and railway lines, and many of those gold rush settlements, timber towns and railway villages still shape the character of the region today.

    The most evocative of these is Walhalla Historic Township , a remarkably preserved gold-rush township tucked deep in the mountains. In the late 1800s, it was one of Victoria’s richest goldfields. Today visitors can step inside that history at the Long Tunnel Extended Gold Mine, where underground tours reveal the scale of the mining operation that once powered the town’s prosperity. Nearby, the Walhalla Goldfields Railway retraces part of the original narrow-gauge line through the valley, offering a slow journey past forest and river scenery.

    Further west, Noojee is a classic mountain village. It’s surrounded by dense forest and waterfalls and has become a natural base for exploring the Baw Baw region. Just outside town, Noojee Trestle Bridge stands as one of West Gippsland’s most striking relics of the rail era. The towering wooden structure is the tallest surviving trestle bridge in Victoria and today forms the centrepiece of an easy scenic walk with wide views across the valley.

    Alpine Trout Farm west gippsland
    Catch your own lunch at Alpine Trout Farm. (Credit: Nicky Cawood)

    At Alpine Trout Farm near Noojee, visitors can fish for trout in mountain-fed ponds before enjoying the catch prepared fresh onsite. It’s a simple experience that reflects the area’s long connection to the surrounding waterways.

    Back in Warragul , the region’s main service town, the story shifts from heritage to modern regional life. With galleries, restaurants and sweeping views across the rolling farmland of Gippsland, the town has become a lively hub linking the district’s past with its evolving food and cultural scene. Drive through the town and you’ll find heritage buildings, old pubs and weatherboard cottages that hint at the area’s early days as a frontier landscape.

    In other towns the past survives in quieter ways – a historic hall here, a century-old bakery there.

    Walks, waterfalls and wild places

    Toorongo Falls in west gippsland
    Stroll Toorongo Falls Reserve. (Credit: Nicky Cawood)

    Even simple roadside stops can feel cinematic in West Gippsland. The region also delivers plenty of opportunities to lace up your walking shoes.

    One of the region’s most rewarding nature escapes lies just outside Noojee at Toorongo Falls Reserve . A network of walking tracks winds through the cool-temperate rainforest where towering mountain ash trees filter the light and the air smells of rich, damp earth. The 2.2-kilometre trail to the viewing platform overlooking Toorongo Falls is short, but spectacular, as the water cascades down over moss-covered rock faces into a cool, green gully in Little Toorongo River.

    Further north, the Mount Baw Baw Alpine Resort offers year-round adventures. In winter, the mountain attracts skiers and snowboarders. The warmer months are just as compelling, with scenic drives to see alpine wildflowers, mountain bike trails and panoramic hiking routes that open across the plateau.

    Cyclists and walkers looking for a more relaxed pace can follow the Rokeby Neerim Rail Trail , which traces a former railway line through farmland and small Gippsland villages. The mostly flat trail passes rolling paddocks, creeks and historic bridges, making it an easy way to drop it down a gear when exploring the countryside.

    Taste the best eats of West Gippsland

    Hogget Kitchen west gippsland
    Taste the best of the region at Hogget Kitchen.

    For many travellers, the real drawcards of West Gippsland are the food and wine. The region sits in the heart of Victoria’s fertile dairy country, and that agricultural backdrop has helped shape a dining scene where seasonal produce and local provenance take centre stage.

    Hogget Kitchen has helped put Warragul firmly on the radar for serious regional dining in West Gippsland. Here, head chef and owner Trevor Perkins runs the kitchen alongside well-known winemakers William (Bill) Downie and Pat Sullivan. Hogget Kitchen lives up to its promise of exceptional destination dining; what lands on the table depends largely on what nearby farms have harvested that week as well as a wine list from Wild Dog Winery and other Gippsland producers.

    Warragul is also where you’ll find Messmates Dining where the kitchen team is led by Michelin-trained chefs. The Euro-leaning bistro and wine bar brings a polished edge to the local dining scene using produce sourced from across West Gippsland.

    For something more casual, the century-old Noojee Hotel is the kind of hub that every traveller dreams of finding after a long drive. Expect generous pub classics served on the sunny deck in summer or beside the crackle of a log fire in winter.  Nearby, rustic Toolshed Bar, Bistro & Cabins is the place to go for a wood-fired pizza topped with smoked local trout paired with Gippsland wine, making it a rewarding stop for lunch or an overnight stay.

    Time your visit with the Truffle Festival

    Food lovers visiting in winter should consider timing their trip to coincide with Noojee Truffle Festival , running from 10 July to 2 August 2026. The inaugural event celebrates the region’s emerging truffle industry with tastings, special menus and events built around one of winter’s most prized ingredients.

    Start planning your long weekend in West Gippsland at visitgippsland.com.au .