Join Upper Goulburn Intrepid Landcare & Murrindindi Hike Group for a winter hike up Mt Torbrek/Geebar.
At 1516m above sea level, Mt Torbreck offers spectacular views across the surrounding landscape. The hike will total approx 7.5km return and we will spend a couple of hours conducting the snow gum survey along on the way.
Snow gums are the iconic vegetation species of the Australian High country.
They are beautiful, vital for biodiversity and tourism, help hold snow pack which is released into river catchments, and hold deep cultural value for many people. However, we are now seeing the beginning of ecosystem collapse across these alpine forests and woodlands – drought, dieback and successive fires have altered the structure, composition, and condition of snow gum woodlands dramatically. During August 2026, resort and mountain loving communities will coordinate with Friends of the Earth to conduct a couple of hours of citizen science in order to better understand the health of local snow gum forests.
Upper Goulburn Intrepid Landcare is inviting the community to join in on one of these surveys, which will happen at Mt Torbrek/Geebar on Sunday August 30.
The logistics:
- Meet at 9.30am sharp at Taggerty General Store to then carpool to the walk's winter start location.
- 7.5km hike & approx 2hrs surveying snow gum transects
- Late lunch at Rubicon Hotel at 2pm (optional)
What to expect
· You don't need any survey experience, just a willingness to walk through snow gum forest, assessing the trees for their health. We will provide a briefing once we are on site to explain how to assess and record the data. Expect to have a fun day outdoors in a gorgeous environment adding to our knowledge about the health of these iconic trees. These surveys will be happening as part of a process to gather data about the health of snow gum forests and will be used to assist in gaining threatened species listing under federal environmental laws. You can read more here.
What to bring
· We will be hiking quite a distance and you will need appropriate boots and clothing for potentially walking in snow. Note that we will not be venturing outside of the village into the ski area. You will need warm gear, good gloves, water, rainproof jacket and over-pants to be outdoors in an alpine environment. We may get quite wet during the surveying so make sure you have a warm top to stay warm (synthetic or wool rather than down). Something to sit on (e.g. foam mat) would be good.
· WHEN
Sunday August 30th, 2026 @ 9.30am - 3pm
WHERE
Meet at Taggerty General Store (Taggerty VIC, 3711) & then we will carpool to Conn Gap Road to begin the hike (in the winter months access to Barnewall Plains Camping Area is restricted and therefore requires you to park at the gates on Conn Gap Road. Note that this adds an extra 3.5km to the Summit walk, meaning the entire hike will be approx 7.5kms.