Kosciuszko & Thredbo
The Snowy Mountains region around Mount Kosciuszko, Australia's highest peak: ski at Thredbo and Perisher in winter, and in summer ride the chairlift towards the summit and cycle around Lake Jindabyne.
Kosciuszko & Thredbo lies in the Snowy Mountains of southeastern New South Wales, centred on Kosciuszko National Park and Mount Kosciuszko, at 2,228 m the highest peak on the Australian mainland. Visitors usually base themselves in Jindabyne on the shores of Lake Jindabyne; Thredbo is about 33 km to the west and Perisher about 30 km, while about 60 km to the east is Cooma, home of the Snowy Mountains Hydro-Electric Scheme. Winter (mid-June to September) is ski season: Thredbo is known for its long runs and big vertical, Perisher is the largest ski resort in the Southern Hemisphere, and Charlotte Pass can only be reached by snowcat. Snow chains must be carried on the mountain roads, or you can switch to the Skitube train at Bullocks Flat. Summer (Dec–Mar) is all about hiking: taking the Thredbo chairlift towards the summit is the easiest route, while fitter walkers can tackle the Main Range circuit past glacial lakes such as Blue Lake and alpine wildflowers; the Thredbo Valley Track and Lake Jindabyne are good for mountain biking. Alpine weather changes quickly, and temperatures can drop and even bring snow in summer. It is about a 5–6 hour drive from Sydney and about 2.5 hours from Canberra, with coach services in winter. A vehicle day pass is required to enter the national park. Allow 3–5 days in winter and 2–3 days in summer.
Top sights
- Mount Kosciuszko Summit Walk – A classic trail to the summit of Australia's highest peak (2,228 m). Ride the chairlift up from Thredbo, then walk the metal boardwalk on a…
- Thredbo Village & Resort – Australia's ski resort with the greatest vertical drop, set in an Alpine-style valley village. In summer it turns into a mountain biking pa…
- Perisher – The largest ski resort in the Southern Hemisphere, made up of four areas (Perisher Valley, Blue Cow, Smiggin Holes and Guthega) with more t…
- Charlotte Pass – Australia's highest resort village, reachable by car in summer, with a lookout over the main range and the starting point of the Main Range…
- Main Range Walk – Australia's classic one-day alpine hike, a loop of about 22 kilometers past glacial lakes, the source of the Snowy River and the country's…
- Blue Lake – One of the largest glacial lakes on the Australian mainland, with deep blue water in an alpine basin, reachable on foot from Charlotte Pass.
- Lake Jindabyne – A large reservoir lake in the snowy mountains, with a lakeside walking and mountain bike trail network around the town of Jindabyne, and ka…
- Thredbo Valley Track – A 37-kilometer mountain bike and walking trail along the Thredbo River, running from Thredbo through snow gum forest to Lake Crackenback.
- Skitube Alpine Railway – Australia's only alpine rack railway, which runs through a mountain tunnel from Bullocks Flat to Perisher and Blue Cow, avoiding mountain r…
- Dead Horse Gap – An alpine pass west of Thredbo known for snow gum forest and sunrise views, with trails back to Thredbo or up the main range.
- Guthega – The smallest and quietest ski area in Perisher, beside Guthega Dam, the first dam of the Snowy Mountains Scheme, and a walking access point…
- Snowy Hydro Discovery Centre – A Snowy Mountains Scheme exhibition centre in Cooma, telling the story of the 1949–1974 project and the 100,000 migrants who built it. Free…
Where to eat
- Eagles Nest – Said to be the highest restaurant in Australia, at the top of the Kosciuszko Express chairlift at 1,937 metres, with 27…
- Candlelight Lodge Restaurant – A long-established Austrian-style lodge in Thredbo, run for more than 50 years, known for its cheese fondue and Jägersc…
- Berntis Mountain Inn Bar and Grill – One of the best-rated grill restaurants in the Thredbo village, with a lively downstairs bar and a menu built around st…
Itineraries
- Southern Highlands, Canberra & Snowy Mountains – A summer route from English-style highlands to capital museums, ending with a climb up Australia's highest peak