About the trek
Step back in time and walk in the footsteps of early explorers Hamilton Hume and William Hovell, who navigated this landscape in 1824 with little more than determination, a horse, and minimal supplies.
Over 4 unforgettable days, you’ll journey along Stage One of the iconic Hume and Hovell Track, from Cooma Cottage to Fitzpatrick Trackhead via Wee Jasper. From dense native forests and rolling farmland to alpine streams and striking geological formations, every step reveals a new side of Australia’s natural beauty.
You’ll immerse yourself in quintessential sclerophyll landscapes—towering eucalypts, golden wattles, and resilient banksias—while tackling rewarding climbs that open to sweeping valley views below. Along the way, boardwalks will guide you across rich swamplands, and clear snowmelt streams will wind beside you, flowing down from distant mountains.
As the kilometres unfold, you’ll form lasting connections with a group of like-minded adventurers, all driven by a shared purpose. Together, you won’t just be trekking—you’ll be making a tangible difference, fundraising to support ShelterBox Australia and helping deliver life-saving aid to communities around the world.
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The details
Distance: 72.1km
Estimated Time: 25 hours (over three days)
Grade: Moderate
Terrain: Mixed farmland, gravel roads, fire trails, and natural bush track
Cost: $500
Fundraising target: $2000
As you trek, you’ll be fundraising to support ShelterBox Australia, enabling us to continue our life-saving work around the world.
We have done our utmost to keep costs as low as possible.
Total cost of Trek: $500
What’s included: Campsite fees, luggage transfer, meals on the trek, drinking water, excursions (Cooma Cottage entry, boat transfer, distillery visit), transport back to Yass, if required.
What’s not included: Travel insurance, getting to and from Yass, camping and trekking equipment.
The cause you’ll be supporting
By trekking the Hume and Hovell track, you’ll support ShelterBox’s mission to provide emergency shelter for families who have lost their homes, enabling them to rebuild their lives. Your participation is crucial in delivering this life-saving aid, offering safety and dignity to those in crisis.
We can’t do it alone, we urgently need your help. Your trek will help ShelterBox respond to disasters, providing shelter and hope to families in crisis. Together, we can create lasting change—each step brings us closer to a world where no one is left without shelter.
The Itinerary: Hume & Hovell Track
Read below for the full, day-to-day itinerary of this epic Trek4Shelter.
Cooma Cottage Tour & Optional Walk
3:00pm – Cooma Cottage Tour & Refreshments
Join us for a guided tour of Cooma Cottage, home of Hamilton Hume, followed by a selection of local wines. For those who wish, an optional 4km walk back into Yass is available.
Yass to Captain’s Campsite (27km)
7:45am for departure at 8:00am – Meet at Yass Courthouse
Participants will gather for a briefing, group photos, and final preparations before setting off together along Laidlaw Street. The hike will then continue at a self-paced rhythm, supported by our volunteer guide and tail walker.
The track crosses undulating farming country with sweeping views across the region, including the Black Range and the iconic Bowning Hill. The first 18km follows the road, and participants will need to exercise caution and remain aware of local traffic.
Lunch Stop – Crown Reserve (18km)
After lunch, we continue to Captain’s Campsite, where our support crew will meet us with dinner and water refills. This is where we setup camp for the night. Facilities include a basic drop toilet, tables, and a peaceful bush setting.
Captain’s Campsite to Burrinjuck (22km)
We continue toward the impressive Burrinjuck Dam, walking a mix of gravel roads, fire trails, and bush track, including sections along the water’s edge. A packed lunch will be provided and enjoyed around the 10km mark along the route.
Arriving at Burrinjuck Dam Reserve, participants will have access to excellent facilities including hot showers, toilets, and a camp kitchen, all set within a peaceful bush setting near the water. The evening includes a relaxed BBQ dinner and time to unwind, taking in the expansive lake views and surrounding natural landscape.
Burrinjuck to Fitzpatrick Trackhead via Wee Jasper (23km)
The day begins with a boat transfer across Burrinjuck Dam to Cathedral Rock (Crown Reserve).
From there, the track continues along Cave Road through rural and bushland landscapes, passing limestone formations, fossil-rich areas, and the distinctive karst terrain and cave systems of Wee Jasper. As we approach Wee Jasper, keep an eye out for local birdlife, including wedge-tailed eagles. The area is also known for hosting the Dragon Dreaming Festival. At Wee Jasper, we will stop at the local distillery for tastings.
The final stretch takes us to Fitzpatrick Trackhead, marking the completion of Stage One. Participants will then be transferred back to Yass for a celebratory gathering at Cliftonwood Historical Homestead, another historic Hamilton Hume–owned property.
This trek raises funds for ShelterBox Australia, supporting emergency shelter and aid for communities impacted by disaster worldwide, while also promoting community connection, wellbeing, and appreciation of the region’s natural and historical significance.
What previous Trek4Shelter participants have said…
I always wanted to do an adventure like this, I wanted to challenge myself and support a great cause. The best part of the adventure was the beauty of the rainforest and the terrain, and the great people I met along the way. If you’re considering doing an adventure like this, just do it.
— Helen, Trek4Shelter participant
