Kosciuszko is one of Australia’s great national parks. The park encompasses Mt Kosciuszko (the highest mountain in Australia at 2228m), the headwaters of the famous Snowy River, spectacular limestone caves and all New South Wales alpine resorts. The park covers over 690,000 hectares of diverse landscapes.The highest parts of the park are stunning snow country where the alpine herb fields have spectacular displays of flowers in summer.

In the west, the dramatic steep fall from the highest peaks extends down through pockets of cool temperate rainforest to drier forests and woodlands on the lower slopes. To the east are sub-alpine woodlands of snow gums giving way to tall forests of alpine ash and mountain gum. In the dry rugged areas along the lower Snowy River, woodlands of native cypress pine and white box are found. To the north are extensive treeless plains formed mainly by cold air drainage.

Rare plants and animals inhabit the park Kosciuszko’s alpine and sub-alpine areas contain plant species found nowhere else in the world. The park is also home to rare animal species such as the tiny mountain pygmy-possum and the corroboree frog. Aboriginal people have continuing connections with the park.

Aboriginal people lived on the plains, river valleys and foothills of the mountains for tens of thousands of years. On the highest mountains, important spiritual ceremonies were attended by groups from southeast New South Wales, north-east Victoria and west of the mountains. The mountains also form an important part of a complex network of ceremonial, song and story lines which run across the country. While the whole of the landscape is important to Aboriginal people, areas within Kosciuszko continue to have special significance.Kosciuszko has a rich cultural history following European exploration, Aboriginal people continued to live and work in the mountains. They worked with the graziers, miners, loggers and dam builders that came to the area. Many sites throughout the park remind us of this rich history of human occupation and use.

Popular walks in the Kosciuszko National Park.

Jounama Creek Walk

This 6km 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.

Main Range Track

Charlotte’s Pass to:

Blue Lake Lookout – 5km one way
Mt Kosciuszko – 12.5km one way

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 Mt Kosciuszko’s summit. Turn right to climb the mountain before returning via the old road to Charlotte’s Pass.

Summit Walk

Charlotte’s Pass to:

Snowy River – 4.5km one way
Seaman’s Hut – 6km one way
Rawson’s Pass – 8km one way
Mt Kosciuszko – 9km one way

This walk follows the old road to Mt Kosciuszko. In 1976 the National Parks and Wildlife Service 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 Mt Kosciuszko’s summit.

Kosciuszko Walk

Thredbo to:

Kosciuszko Lookout – 2km one way
Mt Kosciuszko – 6.5km one way

The walk begins at the top of the Kosciuszko Express chairlift at Thredbo. After crossing Merritt’s Creek 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 Ethridge Range to Rawson’s Pass. From here it is a gradual climb up the old road to Mt Kosciuszko’s summit. Return to Thredbo along the same route.

More fantastic walks to explore in the Kosciuszko National Park

Kosciuszko National Park Use Fees 2011

Winter surcharge is from the June long weekend to the end of October long weekend.

Free of charge entry for NSW Pensioner Concession Card Holders