Poulter River Track

Poulter River Track is a 20 km one-way shared route from the Poulter River access on Mt White Road to Trust/Poulter Hut. Walkers and mountain bikers use the same 4WD track and open river-flat paths. I’d choose it for a long backcountry approach to two huts, not a quick scenic walk. Budget about eight hours on foot one way. Trust/Poulter Hut has no road exit, so retracing makes this a 40 km trip; plan the overnight and return before setting out.

The track leaves Mt White Road where it reaches the Poulter River, then follows a 4WD track across terraces and fans for about 13 km through Mt White Station to the park boundary. This is working station land under an easement, and the access can be closed at times. A gate may be locked, so check access before the drive and respect stock and farm activity. The start is at the Poulter River, not Andrews Shelter, which belongs to a different route.

Past the boundary, an old 4WD track runs over river flats to Casey Hut, on a terrace above the Poulter River. The final 1.5 km was rerouted along the river instead of through beech forest. Casey is a serviced 12-bunk hut and needs a booking; its tap water is untreated, so boil it. It makes a useful overnight stop if you’re breaking up the long approach.

Beyond Casey Hut, cross Casey Stream and follow another roughly 4 km of 4WD track over river flats to Trust/Poulter Hut. That’s the endpoint represented here. The hut has six bunks, stream water and no booking system, so beds are first come. The longer continuations toward Poulter Hut or Lake Minchin aren’t part of this 20 km line.

Casey Stream can rise quickly, and this remote route depends on a safe crossing. Turn back if you can’t find safe entry and exit points or aren’t sure about the flow. A stock-exclusion fence spans the lower Poulter River and can snag people in the water. Dogs aren’t allowed on this route.