This is one of the world's great national parks, and the largest in New South Wales. Covering almost 675,000 hectares, the park contains the highest mountains in Australia, the famous Snowy River and all NSW ski fields. Its many and varied attractions include walks through alpine herbfields; spectacular caves and limestone gorges; scenic drives; and historic huts and homesteads.
One of the Australian Alps national parks, this park is nationally and internationally recognised as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. It contains six wilderness areas, and its alpine and sub-alpine areas contain plant species found nowhere else in the world. The park is also home to the rare mountain pygmy possum and corroboree frog.
Kosciuszko is one of the best known and best loved national parks in Australia, attracting around three million visitors each year. The park is named after Mount Kosciuszko, which at 2228 metres is Australia's highest mountain.
The park is approximately 150 kilometres in length, running from the Victorian border to the west of the ACT's Namadgi National Park. At 690,000 hectares it is the largest park in New South Wales and the Australian Alps.
The area was reserved as Kosciusko State Park in 1944. In 1967 it became a national park under the control of the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service. In 1977 the park was declared a World Biosphere Reserve under the UNESCO Man and the Biosphere program.
Kosciuszko lies astride the Great Dividing Range. The north-south line of the range cuts across the moisture-laden westerly air streams, bringing much more rain and snow to the western escarpment than to the lower rain-shadow areas to the east. The park contains the headwaters of some of Australia's major rivers including the Snowy, the Murrumbidgee and the Murray.
The park also contains most of Australia's snow and all of NSW's alpine zone, glacial features and ski fields. Many of the park's plants above the tree line are found nowhere else in the world.
A feature of the park is its large area which enables viable wildlife populations to survive. Species found in the park include the mountain pygmy possum Burramys parvus, which was thought to be extinct until 1966. The possum is only found in Kosciusko National Park above 1500 metres and in the high country of Victoria. Another endangered species found in the park's alpine sphagnum bogs is the northern corroboree frog Pseudophryne corroboree.
Kosciuszko has a long and rich history of land use, including Aboriginal occupation thought to date back 20,000 years. Since European occupation of Australia, exploration, grazing, mining, skiing, tourism and the construction of the Snowy Mountains Hydro-electric scheme have all had an impact on the landscape.
Natural environment Kosciuszko National Park is nationally and internationally recognised as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.
Alpine area The alpine area has quite distinct features, with glacial lakes such as Blue Lake, Lake Albina and Hedley Tarn, and large granite boulders dominating the area.
The vegetation varies from herbfields of snow grass and and snow daisies, heaths, feldmarks (consisting of bare, stony ground between plants), and alpine bogs. There are a number of walks you can take across the alpine area.
Wilderness The park contains six wilderness areas covering about 300,000 hectares - the Byadbo, Pilot, Jagungal, Bogong Peaks, Goobarragandra and Bimberi wilderness areas. Its alpine and sub-alpine areas contain rare plant species found nowhere else in the world, and are also home to the rare mountain pygmy possum and corroboree frog.
Walks
Alpine area: Dead Horse Gap Track - 5 km, 2 hours, difficult
From the top of the Crackenback chairlift the track passes through alpine herbfields and heath below the craggy peaks of the Rams Head Range. It then winds down a ridge through snow gums until the Thredbo River is reached near Dead Horse Gap on the Alpine Way. Always take a wide-brimmed hat, sunscreen, insect repellent and water and be prepared for all weather conditions in the alpine area.
Alpine area: Kosciuszko Walk - Thredbo to Kosciuszko lookout
2 km, 45 minutes, medium difficulty
The walk begins at the top of the chairlift at Thredbo. It runs beside the rocky outcrops of Rams Head Range and passes through herbfields and heath to Kosciuszko lookout. Always take a wide-brimmed hat, sunscreen, insect repellent and water and be prepared for all weather conditions in the alpine area.
Other features: Lookouts
Alpine area: Kosciuszko Walk - Thredbo to Mount Kosciuszko
6.5 km, 2.5 hours, medium difficulty
The walk begins at the top of the chairlift at Thredbo. It runs beside the rocky outcrops of Rams Head Range and passes through herbfields and heath to Kosciuszko lookout. It then crosses the headwaters of the Snowy River, climbs to a saddle above Lake Cootapatamba and continues past Etheridge Range to Rawson's Pass. From here it is a gradual climb up the old road to Mount Kosciuszko's summit. Return to Thredbo along the same route. Always take a wide-brimmed hat, sunscreen, insect repellent and water and be prepared for all weather conditions in the alpine area.
Other features: Lookouts
Alpine area: Main Range Track - Charlotte's Pass to Blue Lake lookout 5 km, 2 hours, difficult
After crossing the Snowy River below Charlotte's Pass, the track climbs through alpine herbfields past Hedley Tarn lookout to Blue Lake lookout. Always take a wide-brimmed hat, sunscreen, insect repellent and water and be prepared for all weather conditions in the alpine area.
Other features: Lookouts
Alpine area: Main Range Track - Charlotte's Pass to Mount Kosciuszko 12.5 km, 4.5 hours, difficult
After crossing the Snowy River below Charlotte's Pass, the track climbs through alpine herbfields past Hedley Tarn Lookout to Blue Lake Lookout. It then climbs Carruther's Peak which provides spectacular views to the west. It continues along the exposed ridge of the Main Range above Club Lake and Lake Albina until it meets the Summit Walk between Rawson's Pass and Mount Kosciuszko. Turn right to climb Kosciuszko before returning via the old road to Charlotte's Pass. Always take a wide-brimmed hat, sunscreen, insect repellent and water and be prepared for all weather conditions in the alpine area.
Other features: Lookouts
Alpine area: Porcupine Track 5 km, 2 hours, medium difficulty
This track starts at the Perisher Valley reservoir. To reach the start of the track, turn left beside the Man from Snowy River Hotel, take the first turn right and follow the road until you reach the reservoir. The track wanders through snow grass, snow gums and small shrubs until a large group of granite boulders is reached. These boulders provide an extensive view of the Main Range and Thredbo Valley.
Other features: Lookouts
Alpine area: Snow Gums Boardwalk 0.5 km, 15 minutes, easy
The boardwalk starts at the Charlotte's Pass lookout. You will see many of Australia's highest peaks and superb views. The walk traverses sub-alpine woodland on the Guthrie Range.
Other features: Lookouts
Alpine area: Summit Walk - Charlotte's Pass to Mount Kosciuszko 9 km, 3.5 hours, difficult
This walk follows the old road to Mount Kosciuszko. In 1976 the NPWS closed the road to public vehicles at Charlotte's Pass because of safety concerns, environmental problems and lack of parking. The walk passes through snow gums, heath and herbfields and provides extensive views of the Main Range and Snowy River. After crossing the Snowy River the track climbs gradually to Seaman's Hut, Rawson's Pass and Mount Kosciuszko's summit. Always take a wide-brimmed hat, sunscreen, insect repellent and water and be prepared for all weather conditions in the alpine area.
Other features: Lookouts
Alpine area: Summit Walk - Charlotte's Pass to Rawson's Pass
8 km, 3 hours, difficult
This walk follows the old road to Mount Kosciuszko. The walk passes through snow gums, heath and herbfields and provides extensive views of the Main Range and Snowy River.
After crossing the Snowy River the track climbs gradually to Seaman's Hut and Rawson's Pass. Always take a wide-brimmed hat, sunscreen, insect repellent and water and be prepared for all weather conditions in the alpine area.
Other features: Lookouts
Alpine area: Summit Walk - Charlotte's Pass to Seaman's Hut
6 km, 2.5 hours, difficult
This walk follows the old road to Mount Kosciuszko. The walk passes through snow gums, heath and herbfields and provides extensive views of the Main Range and Snowy River.
After crossing the Snowy River the track climbs gradually to Seaman's Hut. Always take a wide-brimmed hat, sunscreen, insect repellent and water and be prepared for all weather conditions in the alpine area.
Other features: Lookouts
Alpine area: Summit walk - Charlotte's Pass to Snowy River
4.5 km, 1.5 hours, medium difficulty
This walk follows the old road to Mount Kosciuszko. The walk passes through snow gums, heath and herbfields and provides extensive views of the Main Range and Snowy River. Always take a wide-brimmed hat, sunscreen, insect repellent and water and be prepared for all weather conditions in the alpine area.
Alpine Way area: Bob's Ridge Walk 10 km, 3.5 hours, medium difficulty
From the Alpine Way the Cascade Trail follows the Thredbo River upstream for about 2km before crossing it and climbing to the top of Bob's Ridge from where there are views over the Murray River into Victoria. Return the same way.
Other features: Lookouts
Alpine Way area: Bullock's Track - via Bullock's Hut 4.5 km, 1.5 hours, medium difficulty
This track begins from either the Thredbo Diggings camping area or from the western side of the Bullock's Flat car park opposite the Skitube terminal. Both routes are signposted.
The track goes to Bullock's Hut, which was built in 1934 as a holiday cottage for Dr H. Bullock.
Alpine Way area: Bullock's Track - via Muzzlewood Flat 3.3 km, 1 hour, medium difficulty
This track begins from either the Thredbo Diggings camping area or from the western side of the Bullock's Flat car park opposite the Skitube terminal. Both routes are signposted.
Alpine Way area: Thredbo River Track 4 km, 1.5 hours, medium difficulty
This track begins opposite the Cascade Trailhead. It crosses the Thredbo River several times as it follows the river downstream to the Thredbo golf course. Along the way it passes cascades and still pools which provide habitat for both introduced trout and native platypus.
Other features: Waterfalls
Kosciuszko Road area: Pallaibo Track 5.6 km, 2 hours, medium difficulty
This track starts at the Sawpit Creek picnic area and finishes at Thredbo River picnic area near the Kosciuszko Road entrance station. Most visitors arrange to be picked up from the Thredbo River picnic area. The first part of the walk follows the Sawpit Track. When the Sawpit Track branches off to the right, continue along the creek down past Sawpit Falls and Charlie's Cascades. As the track drops down towards Thredbo River (steep in sections) it crosses former grazing land. After crossing Sawpit Creek the track follows the river downstream to the picnic area.
Other features: Waterfalls
Kosciuszko Road area: Rainbow Lake Walk 3 km, 1 hour, easy
The track begins at a gate on the left side of the road towards Perisher from Sawpit Creek, 1.7 kilometres past Sponar's Chalet. The track winds through snowgrass and snow gums to Rainbow Lake. The lake is a dam which was built to supply water to the Hotel Kosciusko. Sponar's Chalet had been the staff quarters for the hotel which burnt down in 1951. The old fences near a large boulder just before you descend to the lake are a legacy of the period when this area was leased for grazing.
Kosciuszko Road area: Rennix Walk 13 km, 4.5 hours, medium difficulty
This relatively flat walk through sub-alpine woodland provides views over the Snowy River to the west and Lake Jindabyne to the east. Turn back at SnowyHydro's adio repeater tower and return the way you have come.
Other features: Lookouts
Kosciuszko Road area: Sawpit Track 2.6 km, 1 hour, easy
You can start this walk from the southern end of the Kosciuszko Education Centre or from the northern end of the Sawpit Creek picnic area. The track follows Sawpit Creek downstream through woodland (candlebark, white sallee, manna gum and mountain gum). The thick shrub growing beside the creek is predominantly woolly tea tree. After about one kilometre, a track junction is reached. The Sawpit Track takes a sharp turn to the right while the Pallaibo Track continues following the creek. The Sawpit Track climbs back up to the Kosciuszko Mountain Retreat (cabins/camping area). Walk through this complex to return to the picnic area.
Kosciuszko Road area: Waterfall Track 6 km, 2 hours, medium difficulty
This track starts at the Sawpit Creek picnic area and passes under the road. It runs roughly parallel to Sawpit Creek until it crosses the creek at a cascade or small 'waterfall'. The tall trees with fibrous bark growing near the falls are alpine ash. Alpine ash was logged in this area late last century. On the return, the track passes between huge granite boulders before returning to the picnic area.
Other features: Waterfalls
Kiandra area: Goldseeker's Track 3.5 km, 1 hour, medium difficulty
The track begins opposite the southern entrance to Three Mile Dam. Among its features are snowgrass flats, snow gum woodland and an abandoned ore-crushing battery.
Kiandra area: Kiandra Heritage Track 1 km, 5 hours, easy
Kiandra was the scene of one of the shortest gold rushes in Australian history - from November 1859 to March 1861. It has been claimed that by March 1860 there were up to 10,000 people on the diggings. Within a few years the population had stabilised at about 300. This self-guiding track begins at the RTA depot (former courthouse) and a number of signs along the way provide information about many of the major buildings and life in historic Kiandra.
Talbingo area: Blowering Cliffs Walk 5 km, 2 hours, medium difficulty
The track starts from the parking area at the bridge over the Snowy Mountains Highway at the Log Bridge Creek picnic area. The track, which goes to Blowering Falls, is quite steep in sections and passes through dense vegetation which grows on the damp, sheltered hillsides. The last section of the walk involves negotiating rock slabs which have fallen from the cliff above.
Talbingo area: Buddong Falls Track 3 km, 1 hour, difficult
From Talbingo go to the Tumut 3 Power Station, follow the sealed road up the hill for one kilometre then turn off to the right over a cattle grid and onto a gravel road. This road follows the powerline easement through to the Elliott Way. The Buddong Falls turnoff is 10.7 kilometres along this road and is well signposted. From Batlow, follow the signs to Lake Blowering along Forest Road and into Bago State Forest. Turn right into Snubba Road nine kilometres from Batlow, then left into Browns Road five kilometres further on. It is 10 kilometres from this intersection to Buddong Falls and the road is well sign-posted but is suitable for 4WD vehicles only. It may be impassable during winter. There are two sets of falls. The walk to the lower falls is about three kilometres. The lower section is quite steep and is slippery during wet weather. The upper falls are about 20 metres high. The lower falls are cascades about 60 metres high. They occur where harder granite meets softer shales and slates. The shales have been worn away by Buddong Creek.
Talbingo area: Jounama Creek Walk 6 km, 2 hours, easy
This walk starts at the Jounama Creek camping area, 500 metres off the Snowy Mountains Highway, three kilometres from Talbingo. It runs parallel to Jounama Creek. From the camping area walk to the end of the gravel road where the walk begins. It runs parallel to Jounama Creek and ends at a large pool. Return the same way.
Talbingo area: Landers' Creek Walk 14 km, 5 hours, difficult
From Talbingo proceed along the Snowy Mountains Highway towards Cooma. You will come to a gate on the right signposted 'Cumberland fire trail', approximately 10 kilometres from Talbingo. Park your car on the left-hand side of the highway. Walk five kilometres along the management trail until you come to the Mount Talbingo trail. Turn left at the trail and cross Landers Creek via the traffic bridge. 20 metres across this bridge on the right is the turn-off for the track that leads to the falls. Walk for another 1.5 kilometres to the cliffs which overlook the falls, Talbingo Reservoir and the ranges to the west. Return by the same route.
Talbingo area: Old Mountain Road Walk 4 km, 1.5 hours, medium difficulty
This walk follows the first road up Talbingo Mountain, built in 1860 during the Kiandra gold rush. It starts at the RTA stockpile, which, if you were travelling toward Cooma, is 5.5 km past the Talbingo turn-off on the left side of the highway. It involves a steep descent, so organise a car shuttle at the bottom. The first part of the walk provides excellent views of the Bogong Peaks and Jounama Creek valley. After two kilometres the track turns sharp right and descends 350 metres in altitude to Jounama Creek. Turn left at the creek to reach the picnic area.
Talbingo area: Warogong Sugarloaf Walk 11 km, 4 hours, difficult
Park opposite the trailhead 2 km south of the park boundary on the Snowy Mountains Highway. The walk includes some steep sections. At 1.3 km along, a branch to the right takes you to a lookout area on Bald Hill. Further on from Warogong Sugarloaf, there are extensive views over the Tumut valley to the north and Blowering Reservoir to the west.
The walk passes through areas which were originally cleared for grazing. The dry sclerophyll forest consists generally of stringy bark with an understorey of grass trees.
Other features: Lookouts
Yarrangobilly area: Jennings Walks - Clark Gorge Track
2 km, 1 hour, medium difficulty
The Jennings walks commemorate the work of Dr Joseph Jennings who carried out research in this limestone karst area for 30 years. An information display at Blue Waterholes camping ground provides a map of both walks and information signs have been installed along the way.
Yarrangobilly area: Jennings Walks - Nicole Gorge Track
7 km, 4 hours, medium difficulty
The Jennings walks commemorate the work of Dr Joseph Jennings who carried out research in this limestone karst area for 30 years. An information display at Blue Waterholes camping ground provides a map of both walks and information signs have been installed along the way.
