Why the Victorian Alps?

The Victorian Alps are Australia's high country at its most dramatic. An Australian bush landscape of wind-sculpted ridgelines, ancient snow gum forests, and summits that feel genuinely earned. This is not polished mountain resort territory. These are wild, remote peaks where the weather changes fast, the trails demand your full attention, and the views, when they come, stop you in your tracks.

Mount Bogong is Victoria's highest peak at 1,986 metres. Mount Feathertop, the “little sister”, Victoria’s second highest and arguably most people stands at 1922 metres. The Razorback Track to the summit delivers one of the finest ridge walks on this wide brown land of Australia. Mount Buffalo rounds out the trio with granite domes, hidden waterfalls, and trails winding through one of Victoria's most loved national parks. Choosing this mountain for our ‘rest day” we take a more steady circuit than‘to uch the cairn” summit bagging. Your legs will thank you!

The combination makes up a challenge that is genuinely hard, genuinely memorable, and for the adventurous woman out there, exactly what you are looking for

The Challenge

This is a Wild Adventurers GirlsTrek experience, which means it is designed for women who are already fit, comfortable on steep and uneven terrain, and ready to put in long days on the mountain. Walking days average 10 - 12+ hours. There will be sustained climbs, exposed ridgelines, and rapidly changing alpine weather. There will also be moments of pure elation.

What the trails are like

Day 2 is the big one: the 21 km Staircase Spur circuit to the summit of Mount Bogong, climbing 1,390 metres through peppermint and snow gum forest before breaking out onto an open summit plateau with views in every direction. The descent via Eskdale Spur rewards tired legs with a different perspective on the same landscape.

Day 3 is the recovery day by comparison — a 10 km circuit of Mount Buffalo (240 m climb), preceded by a restorative morning in Bright and a visit to a nature spa on the banks of Morses Creek. Day 4 brings Mount Feathertop via the Razorback Walking Track: a 23 km return journey traversing steep slopes and a high alpine ridge, with panoramic views of the Victorian High Country stretching in every direction.

Distance and fitness

You do not need to be an experienced mountaineer. You do need to be fit, consistent in your training, and comfortable being uncomfortable on a long day out. GirlsTrek provides an at-home training program with your booking, and our guides set a pace that keeps the group together on every summit. Nobody gets left behind, and nobody gets held back.

The Three Summits

Mount Bogong — Victoria's highest peak

At 1,986 metres, Bogong is the big one, and it does not take you lightly. The Staircase Spur climb is a sustained push through beautiful alpine forest, peppermint gum giving way to snow gum as the canopy opens and the ridge narrows. The summit plateau is broad and exposed, with views reaching deep into the Alpine National Park. The descent via Eskdale Spur feels like a different mountain entirely, quieter and more remote, a fitting end to a demanding day. Its a long day at the office and you will feel every step of the last couple kilometres as you congratulate yourself on you brilliant achievement.

Mount Buffalo — granite and waterfalls

Mount Buffalo is the most approachable of the three peaks, and the most visually dramatic in a different way. Granite domes rise above tree line, waterfalls thread through hidden gullies, and the plateau above feels like another world — windswept, open, and ancient. The 10 km circuit allows you to move at a slower pace and take in the landscape around you after the intensity of Bogong.

Mount Feathertop — the Razorback

Victoria's second highest peak is its most spectacular walk. The Razorback Track is a long, exposed ridge that runs toward Feathertop's summit like a spine, with sheer drops on either side and views that justify every step of the approach. Weather on Feathertop is famously unpredictable with conditions can shifting in minutes. This really makes summiting feel like a proper achievement.

What to Expect Day by Day

Day 1 — Albury: Arrival & transfer

GirlsTrek meets you at Albury Airport at noon — at the Qantas luggage carousel (12:00pm) or at Atura Albury Hotel (12:15pm). The afternoon is spent exploring the Gorge Walks and swimming rockeries at Mount Beauty, with dinner that evening at a local pub in this sleepy country town.

Day 2 — Mount Bogong: Staircase Spur circuit

An early start and a hearty breakfast, then transfer to the base of Mount Bogong for the 21 km Staircase Spur circuit — Victoria's highest peak via one of its finest trails. Packed lunch on the mountain, descent via Eskdale Spur, and a casual dinner at the local tavern back in Mount Beauty before an early night to recharge.

Day 3 — Mount Buffalo: Bright, nature spa & summit

A lighter morning begins in the beautiful township of Bright — time to browse, brunch, and wander its leafy riverside streets. A visit to a nature spa on Morses Creek lets muscles reset before the afternoon ascent of Mount Buffalo (10 km, 240 m climb). After descending, transfer to Mount Hotham for the next two nights.

Day 4 — Mount Feathertop: The Razorback Walking Track

The third and final summit: Mount Feathertop via the Razorback Walking Track, 23 km return with 900 m of elevation gain. A high, exposed alpine ridge with panoramic views of the Victorian High Country, and weather that keeps you honest. Return to the chalet at Mount Hotham for a celebratory dinner and some well-earned reflection.

Day 5 — Albury: Farewell brunch & departure

Departing Mount Hotham, we make our way back to Albury for brunch and a stroll along the river. GirlsTrek will have you at the airport by 11:15am — earliest recommended flight departure is 12:20pm. Women consistently tell us the final morning is when they feel it most.

Is This Trip Right for You?

The Victorian Alps Three Peaks Challenge is designed for women who are:

•        Ready to push past their comfort zone. This is a genuine physical challenge, not a gentle ramble

•        Already fit and walking regularly, or following a structured training program

•        Drawn to wild, remote landscapes rather than polished resort settings

•        Travelling solo and wanting a small, like-minded group to take on something big together

•        Celebrating a milestone — a significant birthday, a personal goal, a hard year behind them

•        Experienced GirlsTrek women ready to move up from a Level 3 or 4 trip.

This is not GirlsTrek's most accessible trip, and that is entirely the point. The women who complete it describe it differently from any other trip they have done. Harder. More tiring. More alive.

Practical Information

Getting there

Albury Airport is your arrival and departure point, with regular flights from Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane. GirlsTrek meets you at the airport at noon on Day 1.

What to bring

High quality hiking boots or hiking shoes are compulsory. The trails include steep, rocky, and uneven terrain in all conditions. Bring moisture-wicking base layers, insulating mid-layers, and a waterproof outer shell. Trekking poles are strongly recommended for the descent on Bogong and Feathertop. A full trip-specific packing list is sent with your booking confirmation, with expert advice and partner discounts at Paddy Palin Outdoors and LNDR activewear.

Weather

Alpine weather in Victoria is unpredictable at any time of year. Late spring (November–December) and autumn (March–April) offer the most stable conditions and the best summit visibility. Summer days can be warm but afternoon thunderstorms are common above tree line. GirlsTrek monitors conditions in the days before departure and works with guides experienced in alpine weather management to ensure the safest possible itinerary on the day.