This is a backpacking adventure, not a race.

All formats finish on March 15th, 2026 at 18.00

Yes, unless the organisers or park rangers advise it is unsafe.

All participants must register in person at the event before the start to collect the Participant's Kit and food. We do not send out the Participant's Kit by mail. You will also receive an email with Registration Check-in information one week before the event.

No, all participants must come to Registration in person during open hours for the Registration Check-in and to personally sign the event waiver.

Minors are permitted at the event with a parent/guardian. Please download the document attached below, complete the document with the necessary information and save it as a PDF. Once you complete the registration and the payment for a parent/guardian and a minor, please, contact the organizer at australia@highlanderadventure.com to send the PDF file and get further instructions.

The confirmation email is automatically sent after submitting the payment. Check your inbox and spam folders, and if confirmation is not found, please contact australia@highlanderadventure.com.

If this is your first time registering for an event on the Active.com platform, you will create an Active profile. Here you will have access to all registered events, and you can edit some of your personal details.

• Log in to https://myevents.active.com.     
• Scroll through the list of registered events 
• Choose “Edit Registration Information” 
• Make changes to custom questions etc.   
• Save changes

If you need to change other information (such as an email address), please contact australia@highlanderadventure.com.

Participants need to come to the Check-in with their own transport.

Check-in will be located at Wire Plain Activity Hub in Mt Hotham.

Hercules format the start will not be at the same place as the Check-in, so there will be shuttle buses organised. Busses depart from Wire Plain Activity Hub and take participants to the start at Mountain Creek Campsite. All other formats start from Wire Plain Activity Hub.

We provide delicious, nutritious and high end camping-style food for our event. We proudly partner with Offgrid Provisions who cooks real food and packed fresh with no preservatives in camping-friendly packs. There are a range of flavour including vegan and gluten free options which will be distributed at checkpoints.

There is a specific field in the registration form that includes diet preferences.

We all have unique eating habits and feel full at different rates so if you think you need additional food or have a special diet please bring it with you.

National Parks in Australia do not allow dogs.

We are aware some of you might want to capture your Adventure of a Lifetime by using a drone, however, we must point out that drones are, unfortunately, not allowed.

Temperatures in Mt Hotham in April are between 2°C and 20°F. It rains 10.8 days in April.

To be safe, we recommend you prepare for all types of weather as well as you can.

You can view the full gear list HERE

You can view the full gear list HERE

The Highlander Mount Hotham takes place in the alpine landscapes of the Victorian High Country and is generally graded between Grade 3 (Moderate) and Grade 4 (Challenging) under the Australian Walking Track Grading System. The terrain includes alpine ridgelines, steep ascents and descents, exposed plateaus, forested trails, and rocky sections, with rapidly changing mountain weather adding to the challenge.

Carrying a multi-day pack significantly increases the level of difficulty, so preparation and training are essential. Participants can choose a format that best matches their fitness and experience, ensuring the right balance between challenge and enjoyment.

All participants should be physically prepared to tackle the route smoothly. We recommend 100 - 180km of light backpacking in the months before HIGHLANDER to prepare for the trail. Above all, you must be able to carry a heavy backpack (practice with 10kg and increase gradually to 15 - 16kg). Make sure you can walk comfortably in your backpacking shoes and break them in prior to the event.

Look out for more training info via email to registered participants and on our FB and Insta pages.

If you would like some support to get prepared and hiking fit, you can contact our partner Hike Tribe provides a Training Program.

There is spotty coverage for most of the course.

Most backpacking trails in the National Parks are well-marked, but some short sections of the route have some less-traveled paths where you need to stay more aware of your bearings. It is important to follow markers and official backpacking trails. Always keep a map on hand and follow the signposts to stay on course and arrive safely at your destination.

You must collect all the checkpoint stamps. Checkpoints are open at specific times. Staff will stamp your HIGHLANDER ID. During the checkpoints’ working hours, our staff will help you obtain your HIGHLANDER checkpoint stamp, water, and food. Please know that if you don’t manage to get the checkpoint stamp, you are disqualified and are not entitled to the HIGHLANDER Title, Pin, Patch, or Certificate. Checkpoint stamp collection is the sole responsibility of the participant.

Bivouacking is allowed only inside the designated bivouacking campgrounds.

Bivouacking or camping is only permitted within designated campgrounds. However, we won't be assigning specific spots. You’ll be free to choose your own site on a first come, first served basis.

We recommend selecting a flat area and clearing the ground of anything that could damage your tent, such as rocks or branches. Avoid pitching your tent under eucalyptus trees, as they are known to drop branches unexpectedly.

No. Sleeping is only permitted in tents and in sleeping bags which are mandatory HIGHLANDER gear for all participants. Mountain huts and huts have limited space and could not accommodate all HIGHLANDER participants. Sleeping in a tent is a special experience and one of the best parts of a true backpacking adventure.

Checkpoint staff are trained for such cases. Feel free to consult them with any gear malfunction or similar issues.

Yes. Participants sharing equipment must inform the organizing staff at Registration Check-in - Event week. Gear that can be shared includes the required tents, isobutane/alcohol stoves, compasses, and first aid kits.

Check our TEAM RULES here.

If you need to withdraw before the event, please notify us as soon as possible by email. Our cancellation policy outlines the refund eligibility.

If you have to leave during the event, you must inform a crew member immediately. Your safety is our priority, and we’ll coordinate your safe exit from the course. Please note that no refunds will be issued once the event has started.

For full details, refer to the cancellation and refund policy here.****

Please contact the organizer at australia@highlanderadventure.com.