Mount Kosciuszko

Elevation: 7,310 feet (2,228 meters)

Location: Great Dividing Range, New South Wales, Australia.

First Ascent: First ascent by an expedition led by Polish explorer Count Pawel Edmund Strzelecki, 1840

The Summit

Mount Kosciuszko is Australia’s highest peak standing at 2228 metres above sea level. The Europeans were the first to scale the mountain, with Polish explorer Paul Edmund Strzelecki naming the peak after its similarity to the tomb of the Polish patriot Kosciuszko. A plaque on the summit commemorates his early achievements. The aboriginal name for the mountain is Tar Gan Gil.

Mount Kosciuszko is located in the southern section of the Kosciuszko National Park, latitude -36º 27' 26", longitude 148º 15' 44". The closest access point to Mount Kosciuszko is from the top of the Kosciuszko Express Chairlift in Thredbo. The relevant 1:50,000 topographical map is 'Mount Kosciusko 8525 - 11 & 111" and adjoining map 'Thredbo 8524 - N'.

Mount Kosciuszko is only slightly higher than the other major peaks: Townsend, Carruthers, and Twynam that form the spine of the spectacular Main Range, backdrop to mainland Australia's only glacial lakes. On your journey to the roof top of Australia you’ll cross the spectacular head waters of the Snowy River, discover the amazing and truly unique flora and fauna, and be taken away by the magnificent 360 degree views at the summit. The view takes in the Victorian High Country, the Main Range & the Monaro tablelands.

Official exploration of the mountains came with the detailed surveys of Thomas Townsend in 1846-7. Clement Wragge, of Queensland, established a meteorological station on the summit in 1898 and this was manned and operated for several years. Later still, under the administration of NSW Premier, Sir Joseph Carruthers, the 50-kilometre road from Jindabyne to the summit, The Creel at Thredbo and the Hotel Kosciusko were completed in 1909. The latter famous resort was destroyed by fire in 1951.

During the last ice age, glaciers tore at the granite of the Main Range, leaving lakes and huge boulders in their wake as they slowly moved across the landscape. Miniature replays of this action occur each summer as the compacted snow drifts from the winter collapse in slabs upon the waters of the Lakes known as Blue, Albina, Club, Cootapatamba & Headly Tarn.

There are no refreshments available along the track so be sure and take a picnic lunch and at least 1 litre of water per person. There are toilets at Rawson Pass. The return distance from the top of the Kosciuszko Express Chairlift is 13kms and the trip takes about 5 hours.

Kosciuszko National Park

The Kosciuszko National Park is Australia’s highest national park, covering 1.5 million acres of magnificent alpine terrain. The Park is host to a wonderful variety of flora and fauna, including many alpine plants, which are found nowhere else in the world. More than 200 species of birds have been sighted in the Park - almost 40 percent of the known bird species in NSW. The awesome wedge-tailed eagle is a common sight as are kestrels, emus, cockatoos and magpies.

The Parks outstanding natural features received international recognition in 1977 when it was made a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.

Camping is permitted virtually anywhere in the Park except:

1. in the catchment areas of the glacial lakes 

2. in the resort areas 

3. at Yarrangobilly Caves

Basic facilities such as pit toilets and fireplaces are provided in the picnic /camping areas. Elsewhere camps should be out of sight of the roads and well away from water courses. Mountain biking is permitted on all fire and maintenance trails within the Park.

Park use fees are payable when entering the Park on the Kosciuszko Alpine Way from Jindabyne or Khancoban.

The Kosciuszko Alpine Way

This is one of Australia's greatest scenic drives, winding through the magnificent Kosciuszko National Park. You’ll pass by snow capped peaks, fields ablaze with wildflowers and deep blue lakes teaming with trout. The diverse array of wildlife is sure to keep you enthralled.

The Southern Section

When leaving Albury the route crosses the Hume Weir and then heads towards the quaint town of Walwa, nestled on the banks of the Murray River. The route follows the Murray and affords magnificent views of the western faces of the Snowy Mountains.

Begin to discover what Australia's High Country really means. Just before Corryong the route turns off to Khancoban and Thredbo. Khancoban was built as a construction town for the Snowy Mountains Hydro-electric Scheme.

The Scheme is one of the great feats of world engineering with massive pipes, power stations, and information centres dotted along the route. The displays at the Murray One power station, near Khancoban, give an overview of the Scheme.

There are all types of accommodation along the route, from camping facilities to guest houses, farm stays, historic hotels to 5 star resorts.

Khancoban - Thredbo – Jindabyne

This stretch is filled with magnificent alpine vistas and pristine picnic spots. In summer you can explore the Snowy trails by horse or on foot. Wet a line and tackle the rainbow and brown trout in the sparkling lakes and streams. The adrenalin junkies can have a crack at white water rafting or hammer downhill on a mountain bike.

In winter snow riding action takes the slopes by storm, with something for first timers right through to the hard core mountain machines.

Thredbo provides the most convenient access point to Mt Kosciuszko, Australia's highest mountain at 2228m above sea level. The walk to the summit of Mt Kosciuszko is easy, particularly if you take the chairlift up the Ramshead Range from Thredbo.

The Snowy Mountains boasts Australia's highest golf course, tennis courts, guided walks, mountain bike hire and tuition, fly fishing, abseiling, music and adventure festivals, and much, much more.

Situated on Lake Jindabyne, the town of Jindabyne is home to the Snowy Region Visitor Centre and two modern shopping centres, offering everything from supermarkets to specialty shops.

The Northern Section

The northern section of the route travels through the Monaro Plains, Cooma and then on to Canberra, Queanbeyan and Goulburn. Cooma, known locally as the capital of the Snowy Mountains, is the retail and business centre of the region.

Visit villages, historic huts and homesteads dating from days when the first Europeans drove their stock across the Monaro Plains, and wander around the National Trust listed streets.

The route includes Australia's national capital, Canberra. Experience the history and culture of Parliament House, the National Library, the National Gallery, the High Court and the Australian War Memorial.

Take the alternative scenic route and enjoy the Snowy Mountains - Australia's High Country.