Hume and Hovell

The Hume and Hovell Walking Track stretches over 440km between Yass and Albury and allows walkers to rediscover the route of explorers Hamilton Hume and William Hovell on their expedition to Port Phillip in 1824.

The route offers a variety of topographies, vegetation types and land uses, as well as numerous points of historic interest. Apart from bush walking, the track gives access to other recreational activities including camping, fishing, swimming, nature study, photography and wildlife observation. See our track overview for more information and ideas for your Hume and Hovell Walking Track experience.

Important changes for walkers

There are now 3 detours on the walking track due to heavy rains and flood/storm damage.

Map 2 - Along the Goobarragandra River, both walking track bridges have been damaged and are closed. Walkers will need to follow the sealed public road between Buckleys Bridge and Thomas Boyd Track Head. Approximately 4km long .This detour will not add any distance to your walk. 

Map 3 - 1) Detour between Browns Creek Campsite and Blowering Forestry Holiday Camp. Approx 3km in length, it will shorten your distance in comparison to original route, but will require some hill climbing. The detour is signposted on the ground. The detour is required due to extensive storm damage and forestry operations.

2) Detour between Buddong Falls Picnic Area and Ben Smith Campsite. (Walking South to North) From Buddong Falls Picnic Area walk west or uphill for approx. 400 metres; turn right down Boundary Road, for approximately 14 km where you will again intersect with the Hume & Hovell Track. The track will be followed for 600 metres before you turn left on a foot pad to reach Ben Smith Campsite some 200 metres west. This detour will be approximately 3 km shorter than if walkers followed the walking track, however a little steeper.

(Directions for North to South walkers) 200 metres after leaving Ben Smith Campsite the track turns right onto Boundary Road Fire trail. Boundary Road Fire Trail is followed for approximately 9 km, on reaching a “T” intersection walkers turn left, downhill to reach Buddong Falls Picnic Area in approximately 400 metres. The detour is approximately 3 km shorter than the walking track, but a little steeper. Boundary Road generally follows a ridge immediately west of Buddong Creek. 

Kangaroos, wombats, wallabies, foxes, emus and birds of prey are just some of the wildlife you can expect to see, depending on the section of the track you walk. Fishermen will enjoy catching Murray cod, yellow belly, red fin, perch and freshwater lobster in Blowering Dam, which is also extensively used by sailing, boating and water skiing enthusiasts.

The track starts at Cooma Cottage on the outskirts of Yass and finishes at the Hovell Tree on the banks of the Murray River in Albury. It has three track heads (major access points and are ideal for car-based camping) approximately 100 kms apart - James Fitzpatrick at Wee Jasper, Thomas Boyd on the Goobarragandra River 23 kms from Tumut and Henry Angel on Burra Creek near Tumbarumba. Download the Hume and Hovell Walking Track sections map (PDF 66 kb).

The track passes through the towns of Yass, Wee Jasper and Albury and nearby the towns of Tumut, Talbingo and Tumbarumba. It has 17 primitive campsites, picnic facilities, numerous boardwalks and three major bridges over rivers.

A detailed map kit for the Hume and Hovell Walking Track is available for $20 (plus $5 postage and handling) from the LPI Map Shop, call T: 02 9236 7720 or F: 02 9221 5980. The 8-map kit includes detailed track notes, elevation and campsites, as well as notes on the original 1824 expedition and recommendations for shorter walks. You can also use the order form (PDF 739 kb) in the Hume and Hovell discovery brochure to order the map kit.

For further information see our frequently asked questions or contact contact the Hume and Hovell Walking Track Coordinator Warwick Hull on T: 02 6937 2700 or use our enquiry form.

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Accommodation options around the area:

Wee Jasper Reserves

Cooma Cottage http://www.nsw.nationaltrust.org.au/cooma.html

Elm cottage at Goobarrangandra Valley: www.elmcottage.com.au

Nimbo fork lodge: Great for fishing activities: http://www.nimboforklodge.com.au/

Accommodation arounf Tumut: http://www.tumut.nsw.gov.au/

Camping in a forest around Tumut: http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/forests/locations/tumut

Laurel Hill Forest Lodge: Tumbarumba, 1670 Batlow Road, phone:02 6948 8669 http://www.laurelhillforestlodge.com.au/

More Information also at:

Yass Valley Visitor Information Centre http://www.yassvalley.nsw.gov.au/

Wee Jasper cafe and Visitor Centre phone: 02 62279626 http://www.weejasperweb.com.au/

Tumbarumba shire council: http://www.visittumbashire.com.au/

Transport:

Yass Taxi Service (02) 6226 3111

Adventure gear:

Paddy Pallin - Canberra, 11 lonsdale st, phone: 02 62573883  http://www.paddypallin.com.au/

Mountain Design Canberra, 6 Lonsdale Street, Braddon ACT 2612 PH: +61 2 6247 7488 http://www.mountaindesigns.com/

Yass Outdoor Sports and Camping shop at 156 Comur st, Yass. Phone: 02 62 26 68 84

Kathmandu - Canberra, 20 Allara St, phone: 02 6257 5926 http://www.kathmandu.com.au/

Snowgum - Canberra, 9 Lonsdale St, Braddon, phone: 02 6257 2250 http://www.snowgum.com.au/

Outdoors and Beyond: Nowra, 207 Princes Highway, Ph 02 4421 4388 http://www.outdoorsandbeyond.com.au/