When Tali was about a year old, we carried him into the lake he is named after, Tali Karng, tucked away in the hills south of the Wellington Plains, squeezed between the Sentinel and the alpine plains to the north. Two days in and a camp by that old lake, and two days to get out, toiling up Gillios track. His first big walk under his own steam was to Mt Howitt, late November 2005. Grey skies gave way to rain and mist, we hiked up to the summit fully enclosed in cloud. On the way out, as he tired on the trail, a brumby appeared in the mist and lead us all the way back to the car – spurring him on all those miles, the sun coming out, the flowers lifting.
a day on the hill
The Vallejo Gantner Hut is located at Macalister Springs near Mount Howitt. The hut was built in 1971 as a memorial following the death of a young man called Vallejo Gantner. Below the hut, a freshwater spring emerges in a grassy clearing, and flows over a shallow, rocky bed to the headwaters of the Macalister River
Mia's first journey to Mac Springs
an appreciation of the Bogong bioregion 
Hey, looks and sounds like an amazing trip!
The girlfriend and I are looking to plan a trip up to Mac Springs. Just wondering how far the hike is from a driving road?
Any info would be appreciated.
hi Hugh,
yes its an awesome spot. Easiest way is from the Howitt Plains on the south side – an easy walk of 6 or 7 km. But its a long drive if you’re coming from Melbourne – Gippsland – Licola to Howitt Plains.
Shorter drive, longer walk is via Mansfield to Mt Stirling ring road, then down into the Upper Howqua valley. Hard 4 – 5 hour walk from here, pretty much all up hill.
Get a copy of the SV map for the Buller area and you will find what you need