Kosciuszko National Park is a year-round destination with plenty of activities to keep the whole family entertained. Whether it’s hiking, biking, fishing, kayaking or camping, there’s so much to do and love once the snow melts. Here are our top picks for enjoying your summer visit to Kosciuszko National Park…
Want to create your own unforgettable summer experience in Kosciuszko National Park? Explore what’s on offer for yourself here.
Experiences: What To Do In Kosciuszko National Park
There’s no shortage of stunning, awe-inspiring experiences waiting to be enjoyed within Kosciuszko National Park. If you’re after an action-packed adventure, or maybe a slower scenic experience is more your style, you’ll find what you’re looking for in the ‘KNP’, plus so much more!
Walking And Hiking
Known as a walker’s paradise, Kosciuszko National Park offers options to suit all levels, ranging from short 1-2 hour walks, to full day and even overnight options.
If you’re looking for an easy, scenic stroll our top picks are the Thredbo River Walk and Rainbow Lake Walk. But one of our all-time favourite short walks is Porcupine walk, a family-friendly walking track leaving from Perisher. Spot wildflowers as you climb to Porcupine Rocks for breathtaking views of the Thredbo Valley and Main Range.
Feeling a little more adventurous? Take in the Australian high country on the Dead Horse Gap Walking Track or Illawong Walk. And if you’re up for a really rewarding challenge, you simply can’t beat the Main Range Walking Track where you will take in glacial lakes, historic huts and summit Mount Kosciuszko, all in a day!
You can see the full list of spectacular walks here.
Mountain Biking The Thredbo Valley Track
One of the most popular 2-wheel adventures in the Kosciuszko National Park, there’s a little something for everyone on the iconic Thredbo Valley Track. This world class trail stretches 35km from Thredbo Resort, right down to The Gaden Trout Hatchery just 9km from Jindabyne.
If you’re looking for an easy mountain bike ride, the TVT has a number of easy, family-friendly sections stretching from Thredbo Village to historic Bullocks Hut. Or, if you’re an experienced rider, you can tackle some of the adventure rides like the remote lower TVT for a challenging and uninterrupted 18.4km ride between Bullocks Flat and the Hatchery.
Fishing On The Thredbo River
The Snowy Mountains offer some of the most picturesque fishing backdrops, but we can’t look past the stunning, easy to access spots on the mighty Thredbo River… Plus, catching a Rainbow Trout on the iconic Thredbo River offers the kind of bragging rights that last a lifetime!
Some of the best fishing spots along the Thredbo River can be easily accessed from Thredbo Village, Ngarigo Campground, Thredbo Diggings Campground and historic Bullocks Hut.
Fishing season runs between the October and June long weekends in Kosciuszko National Park, you’ll need a current NSW recreational fishing licence to fish in all waters.
Whether you want to learn the basic skills or are looking to find some new favourite spots, a private fishing tour is an unforgettable way to experience fishing in the region.
Guided Kosciuszko National Park Tours
With so much to see and do in the mountains, a guided tour is a great way to experience the vast and plentiful experiences on offer in the Kosciuszko National Park.
Whether you join a guided Mt Kosciuszko sunset e-bike tour, paddle your way down the mighty Snowy River on a kayaking tour, scramble up and over granite tors on a rock-climbing and abseiling tour, or channel some Man From Snowy River vibes with a guided horseback tour, there are some awesome tour operators with the right kind of local knowledge to ensure you have a fun and safe experience.
A full list of guided tour operators can be found here.
Explore Heritage Alpine Huts
Dotted throughout Kosciuszko National Park are beautiful historic huts. Managed by the NPWS and volunteers from the Kosciuszko Hut Association,each tells their own story of rich Snowy Mountains history.
Choose your own adventure, from easy to access Bullocks Hut and Seamans Hut along the Mount Kosciuszko Summit Walk, or full day adventure biking to Cascades Hut. There are also many huts like Geehi Hut and Long Plains Hut that have campgrounds nearby and are a great place to base yourself whilst you explore the surrounding area.
Accommodation: Where To Stay In The Kosciuszko National Park
Camping
Some of Australia’s best camping spots can be found in Kosciuszko National Park – no bias here! Whether you’re pitching a tent or pulling up a camper, you can choose from a range of options to suit your camping style.
There are easy to access locations such as Ngarigo Campground on the Thredbo River, secluded Island Bend Campground towards Perisher, or Tom Groggin Campground on the banks of the Murray River. There are also 4WD only accessed campsites such as the Gungarlin River Campsite, or try your hand at an overnight camping tour in the Kosciuszko Main Range for a truly unforgettable camping experience!
You can see all camping options here. Please note – all campsite within Kosciuszko National Park require a booking, which can be made through the NPWS website.
Hard-roofed Stays
If camping isn’t your style, there are a number of other accommodation options available within Kosciuszko National Park.
One of our favourites is the Creel Bay Cottages, set in bushland with views of Lake Jindabyne, it’s the perfect base to enjoy and explore the Kosciuszko National Park. Another favourite year-round accommodation option is Guthega Inn, offering awesome views of Mount Kosciuszko, Mount Twynam and Guthega Dam from its mountainside location.
For proximity to the park, Lake Crackenback Resort is an awesome family-friendly option, with Jindabyne and Thredbo Village providing a range of accommodation options to suit every budget.
Safety: What You Need To Know About Staying Safe In Alpine Areas
An enjoyable time in the mountains is a SAFE time! Conditions and weather in alpine regions can be unpredictable and change quickly, so it’s important to be careful and knowledgeable before setting out on any adventure in the Kosciuszko National Park.
Stay safe by planning your trip for all conditions and telling someone about it. THINK Before You TREK is an awesome bush safety initiative between NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service and NSW Police, helping you plan ahead for a safe and enjoyable bushwalking experience or remote adventure.
ALWAYS plan ahead and check the NPWS website for alerts and closures before visiting. Remember the TOP 5 before setting out on any Kosciuszko National Park adventure:
- Plan ahead
- Travel in a group
- Tell somebody where you are going
- Be water smart
- Pack for all conditions
Here is the full alpine safety checklist.