The Bogong High Plains (), part of the Victorian Alps of the Great Dividing Range, are a section of plains located in the Alpine National Park in the Australian state of Victoria and are situated south of Mount Bogong. In winter this area is one of the largest snow-covered areas in Australia and can be easily accessed from the Hotham Alpine Resort and Falls Creek ski resort. The area is very popular for both summer and winter time activities. Ski touring and all types of cross-country skiing are possible through most winter months. A trail called Australian Alps Walking Track is popular for hiking in summer and cross-country skiing in winter. Mountain biking and bushwalking are common in summer. Local towns and villages provide the best possibility for exploring the areas, including Mount Beauty and Harrietville. History The traditional custodians of the land surrounding the Bogong High Plains are the indigenous Australian Bidawal, Dhudhuroa, GunaiKurnai and NindiNgudjam Ngarigu Monero peoples. Europeans first explored and settled in the area as graziers sought pastoral land mainly for cattle. The biggest early development for the area was the Kiewa Hydroelectric Scheme which began construction in the 1940s. Two dams were constructed, Pretty Valley Pondage and Rocky Valley Dam, and a series of aqueducts built to capture streams and bring their flows across into the catchments of the Kiewa Scheme. McKay Creek and West Kiewa Power Stations supply most of the electricity generated. Since completion of the Scheme, the area has become much more based around tourism, particularly skiing. Scientific research Systematic scientific research began in 1947, when Miss Maisie Fawcett [later Mrs S.G.M. Carr] set up two grazing exclosures to directly investigate the impacts of animal grazing on Australian alpine and sub-alpine vegetation. These original plots have been monitored ever since, and represent the longest continuous series of ecological data of any site in Australia. All grazing was finally excluded from the area by the Victorian government in 2005, in part because of the compelling evidence provided by this particular experiment. The Bogong High Plains continues to have an important place in scientific research. In summer, large numbers of scientists conduct research in the area, including studies of hydrology, vegetation change, fire response, weed invasions, occurrence of native animals (mountain pygmy possum, alpine skink) and introduced species (such as hares, horses and sambar deer). The area is also home to a component of