The AALC regularly monitors progress with projects conducted under the program, approves the range of projects in the annual works program, and directs the work of the Program Coordinator and Working Groups within the overall context of the Alps program. The Australian Alps Liaison Committee has overall responsibility for the efficient and effective operation of the Australian Alps Cooperative Management Program. The Memorandum of Understanding, which establishes the cooperative management program, makes provision for the AALC to be established to coordinate a strong program of cross border cooperation between the agencies involved in the management of the Australian Alps national parks. Like all ‘well-oiled’ machines there needs to be someone at the steering wheel, in the case of the Alps program it is the Australian Alps Liaison Committee (AALC), and through the AALC respective Heads of Agencies and Ministers. The various workings groups comprising of Agency staff from across the Australian Alps national parks are often referred to as the ‘engine room’ behind the success of the cooperative management program. The views from the peaks are to say the least, inspiring, and it’s in places such as these I could not disagree with the people who insist ” …you Rangers have a pretty good job.” Faces behind the Committee… The track rises and falls, following the ridgeline over the rocky escarpments and into the grassy saddles where campfire scars are all too prominent between twisted old snowgums. Prominent feature names travelling north along this section of track are Mt Magdala, Hells Window, Mt Howitt, The Crosscut Saw, Mt Buggery (I won’t even contemplate that one!), the Horrible Gap, Mt Despair, The Razor and The Viking. It’s not quite as intimate as Eagles Peaks, the track is much more than that of a foot pad in places and you are more likely to encounter other walkers and even the odd nag but it is also a beautiful place. (But don’t look North).įrom the King Billy’s to Mt Speculation and beyond is some of the most spectacular walking country we have to offer, and names to match.
It’s one of those places that has that magic feeling of isolation. Eagles Peak is a lofty place accessed by a relatively little used foot path that sneaks along the ridge from 8 Mile Gap, passing under stands of Woolybutts and mature Hickory Wattles before climbing past gnarled old snow gums and the unfamiliar Mountain Needlewoods. To the north (though I don’t often sit facing this way) is the Alpine Resort of Mt Buller and logging coupes of Mt Timbertop. To the southwest lies The Governors, Mt Darling and Lickhole Creek. From here you can see the CrossCut Saw, the Bluff and Mt McDonald where the AAWT (Australian Alps Walking Track) snakes out of the park on its journey south.
ALPUS OF THE DANGEROUS FOREST SERIES
Located on the divide between the Jamieson and Howqua Rivers, Eagles Peaks is a series of rocky crags that provides imposing views of the surrounding Alpine Park. The wooden water wheel and crushing plant were dismantled long ago but the chimney stands silent. It is not difficult to sit here and imagine the hive of activity, the din of the stampers of the crushing plant and the high expectations of the mine managers. The chimney at the site of Howqua Gold Treatment works towers over the nearby river. Amongst the Manna Gums along the river flats sits a prominent feature of days gone by. Sheepyard Flat, Tunnel Bend, Blackbird Creek, Whiskey Flat and Tobacco Flat are names familiar to the thousands of campers that descend on the area during the warmer months, but conjure up thoughts of past activities. The Great Rand, The Mountain Chief and Howqua United are names of gold mines that were used to attract investors to the fickle business of reef mining. Located around the Howqua River these features include Greenstone quarries, (where aborigines sought the stone prized for its hardness for tools and weapons), sites of early European settlement and relics of the gold mining era. Howqua Hills Historic Area, as the name implies, is an area set aside predominantly for its historic features.
The area also contains an array of thought provoking names.
ALPUS OF THE DANGEROUS FOREST PATCH
Lying at the Western end of the Australian Alps National Parks, the Mansfield Workcentre, as part of the King, Howqua Unit of the Alpine National Park, is responsible for an interesting and spectacular patch of countryside that encompasses the headwaters of the King, Howqua and Jamieson Rivers. Nigel’s “little piece of dirt” to which he has responsibility for covers a vast area including a proportion of the Australian Alps Walking Track within the Alpine National Park. Nigel Watts is a Ranger with Parks Victoria based out of Mansfield. A Little Bit of Heaven in the Victorian Alps…