Day 7 hiking the Australian Alps Walking Track solo

Australian Alps Walking Trail, Hiking, Trail Journal

Long, tough 32km day across grey hills, arriving at Mackay’s Hut with legs throbbing, ready to bathe and refuel for tomorrow’s shorter trek.

Four Mile Hut to Mackay’s Hut (32km, 8h) | TOTAL – 163.1km

Today, was my equal biggest day on track. I miscalculated yesterday’s distance, which meant I had an extra six kilometres to walk.

I the morning I farewelled Steven and Damien, after two nights hutting with them. It’s highly unlikely I’ll see them on trail again.

It was nice to set off on my own today and reignite my solo vibe. It was a quiet day on the trail too. I didn’t see a single soul, up until arriving at Mackay’s Hut at around 4pm. Two overnight hikers were departing as I arrived, leaving all their rubbish in the fireplace!

Today’s walk took me across rolling hills high on the great dividing range. For most of the day, the track was surrounded by grey gumtrees showing minimal growth, after a blaze swept through the area in around 2020 (I later discovered this was the result of dieback disease).* The grey trees were greeted by a grey sky, with ominous clouds lingering for most of the day but only delivering a light sprinkle.

On arriving at Mackay’s Hut, I set to work giving it a spring clean, sweeping it all out, rearranging the furniture and burning the discarded rubbish.

Someone had left behind a little bottle of body wash, so I warmed some water over the fire and enjoyed a full bird bath, and washed my nickers.

I then enjoyed a yummy laksa by the fire, and a cuppa and chocolate bar. I can feel my legs throb as I lay in bed and I’m thankful for a slightly smaller day tomorrow.