Alpine National Park

Infobox_protected_area_of_Australia | name = Alpine National Park
iucn_category = II

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caption =
locator_x = 233
locator_y = 195
nearest_town_or_city = Omeo
coordinates = coord|36|29|59|S|148|03|50|E|
area = 6,474.15 km²
established = 1989
visitation_num =
visitation_year =
managing_authorities = Parks Victoria
official_site = [http://www.parkweb.vic.gov.au/1park_display.cfm?park=41 Alpine National Park] The Alpine National Park is a national park in Victoria (Australia), northeast of Melbourne. It covers much of the higher areas of the Great Dividing Range in Victoria, most of Victoria's skiing, the subalpine woodland and grassland of the Bogong High Plains, and Victoria's highest point, Mount Bogong. [ [http://www.australianalps.deh.gov.au/parks/alpine.html Australian Alps National Park government website] ]

The park is increasingly affected by bushfires. Large fires in December 2006 to January 2007 and early 2003 burnt over 10,000 square kilometres each, the largest since Black Friday fires of 1939. Most facilities for tourists were relatively unaffected in 2003. Fires are a periodic feature of most Australian ecosystems. [ [http://www.cfa.vic.gov.au/about/history/majorfires.htm] Country Fire Authority (CFA) website.]

Unusually for an Australian national park, for much of its history agricultural activity was conducted in the park, with quotas of cattle controversially allowed to graze on the High Plains during the summer months. In May 2005, the Victorian state government announced plans to end this grazing. The federal government, in turn, publicly floated the idea of using national cultural heritage powers (on the basis of the cultural place given to the mountain cattleman, notably through The Man from Snowy River) to override the state decision. As of April 2008, cattle remain banned from the park, a decision which continues to anger representative bodies of the graziers [http://www.cowpad.info/Position%20statement%20April%202008%20no%202.pdf] .

The park's eastern and north-eastern boundary is along the border with New South Wales in some parts; on the other side of the border is the Kosciuszko National Park.

Alpine National Park is divided into four sections:
* Wonnangatta-Moroka
* Bogong
* Tingaringy-Cobberas
* Dartmouth

Attractions

This area is popular in summer for bushwalking, mountain biking, hunting, four wheel driving and fishing. The major drawcards are the cooler alpine weather and the stunning scenery created by the highest peaks in Victoria. The largest walking trail through the park is the Australian Alps Walking Track but many shorter walks are popular for peak bagging and the scenery and wildflowers. In winter much of the area is accessible on skis, the snow being the drawcard. Both Mount Hotham and Falls Creek are ski resorts inside the national park and bring tourism business. Other areas such as the Bogong High Plains and Mount Bogong bring backcountry skiing enthuisiasts.

ee also

* Protected areas of Victoria
* Australian Alps

Notes

References

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