Kosciuszko Main Range Circuit

Walk Overview

This walk is located in far south-east New South Wales in the heart of the Snowy Mountains. The Snowy Mountains are part of the Kosciuszko National Park and are renowned for three main reasons: (1) they’re home to Australia’s highest mountains, (2) they house the headwaters of the mighty Snowy River system, and (3) they’re the source of a rich vein of Australian bush folklore.

The Snowies’ contribution to Australian folklore stems from the fact that from the mid-1800’s their high alpine plains were used as summer grazing grounds for cattle. The horse riding feats and resourcefulness of the colourful characters that oversaw this activity became legendary. Many of the mountain huts they built for those months of remote living can still be seen today.

One of Australia’s most famous poets, Banjo Patterson, wrote numerous poems and ballads about the region and its inhabitants, including the much-loved ‘The Man from Snowy River’. On this walk you too can hurtle down the mountain “like a torrent down its bed…through the stringybarks and saplings, on the rough and broken ground”.

This walk starts and finishes in the ski resort village of Thredbo. Thredbo lies at the bottom of a steep valley. The first 2.1 kilometres out and the last 2.1 kilometres on the return you have a choice of the steep track or the Kosciuszko Express Chairlift. Most people take the chairlift!

Mount Kosciuszko itself can be climbed towards the start of the first day or towards the end of the second day. If the weather is good on the first day, it’s preferable to do it then as the first day is shorter and the weather might not be good the next day.

Further information:

• A three day itinerary is described below.

• For more information on walking in the Kosciuszko National Park, click the button below.

Itinerary

The Kosciuszko Main Range Circuit is the first two days of the itinerary below. The third day is an optional extra half day for those with the time.

Day 1

Thredbo to Charlottes Pass

Distance: 14.4 km

Time: 4.5 hours

Accommodation: Camping, hotel, apartment

Day 2

Charlottes Pass to Thredbo

Distance: 20 km

Time: 7 hours

Accommodation: Camping, hotel, apartment

Day 3

Thredbo - Dead Horse Gap - Thredbo

Distance: 10 km

Time: 4 hours

Accommodation: Camping, hotel, apartment

Walk Options

Guided

Several tour operators offer guided walking trips that cover this walk. Generally, the trips are between four and seven day staying in ski lodge accommodation in one or more of the resorts in the area.

Typically, the package offered by these operators includes:

• Transfers to and from Canberra 

• One or two guides

• Accommodation

• All meals

• Small groups

Assisted self-guided

Some of the tour operators offering self-guided services. With this option, the package is akin to the guided option but without the guides or the Canberra transfers. An information pack, including walk notes and maps are provided. 

Independent

There are campsites at various places on the walk, making camping feasible.

Essential Information

Access

The Kosciuszko Main Range Circuit is a circuit walk that starts and finishes in the attractive ski resort village of Thredbo. Thredbo is located approximately 200 km south-west of Canberra (2.5 hour drive). It’s a 6.5 hour drive from Melbourne and a 5.5 hour drive from Sydney.

Park entry

Park entry fees are payable, but no permits are required for bushwalking.

Best time

The best time to do the walk is November through to May. Most of the area traversed by the walk is usually snow covered in the winter months. Walkers need to be aware that conditions can change rapidly in the alpine areas and snowfalls can occur at any time of the year.

Difficulty

The walk is rated at moderate. If you use the Kosciuszko Express Chairlift to avoid the steep climb out of Thredbo, the walk is made significantly easier.

Accommodation

There are a number of very appealing, comfortable accommodation options available in Thredbo village and other nearby alpine resorts, such as Smiggin Holes, Perisher Valley and Charlotte Pass.

Some of the accommodation providers are attuned to walkers’ needs or offer amenities suited to walkers. 

We can assist walkers in choosing the accommodation options which best suit their needs.

Other activities

As a popular holiday destination, Kosciuszko National Park offers many summertime activities and attractions in addition to walking. Mountain bike riding is very popular and there are some spectacular caves in the northern portion of the park. Many walkers choose to add extra days to their trip so that they can enjoy some of these.

Assistance

We can assist walkers with various aspects of their walking holidays.