Lake Tali Karng

These wonderful trips are designed to give the overnight hiker an opportunity to explore beyond the reach of just a day walk, without the anxiety of a long day carrying a heavy rucksack. They involve a pack carry on the first day, then two or three day walks with just your small bag and heading back to  your standing base camp each night. They are a wonderful opportunity to blend your love of the outdoors and the challenge of a multi-night tent experience without being too far from the safety and security that a base camp can provide.

Lake Tali Karng is a hidden jewel nestled deep in the mountains of Gippsland, fed by snowmelt waters of the Wellington Plains. The lake is believed to have been formed about 1500 years ago when a massive rock slide collapsed into the valley damming the waters of Nigothoruk Creek above Wellington River. The water runs underground from the lake to emerge as the infant Wellington River 150m below in the Valley of Destruction.

This route to Lake Tali Karng begins at the third bridge over the Wellington River, about 22 km north of Licola. The route follows the Wellington River upstream for 17 km, crossing the river 16 times. These crossings are just perfect in summer for cooling off the feet and at the higher crossings provide super cool clear water to fill up your drink bottle. Continue past Riggall Spur Track to Clive Lanigan Track which climbs steeply through the Valley of Destruction and onto the Lake.

This is a reasonably demanding walk, because the first section is reasonably flat walking, it is with a full rucksack and has many river crossings, and then the next section which has no big rucksacks is quite steep and rocky underfoot for part of the journey. Although Lake Tali karng is the destination, the walk along the river is definitely the highlight and we always make the absolute most of this beautiful feature.

We can assist with a range of equipment and planning so you don’t have to worry, and also help you out with what to bring and how much to carry, provide pack lists and may be able to help out with getting to the start location. We’d love to see you on this exciting experience to take your day walking or overnight hiking to a new level and head into the wilds with the security of a base camp and our supportive and experienced staff.