Introduction
Kosciuszko National Park protects the highest country in Australia, including Mount Kosciuszko, alpine and subalpine landscapes, snow gum woodlands, glacial lakes, wildflower meadows, ski resorts, mountain rivers, historic huts, and long-distance walking routes in the Snowy Mountains of New South Wales.
For broader background on the park's history, geography, and protected landscapes, see the Kosciuszko National Park Wikipedia page.
The park is busy in both summer and winter. Summer visitors come for alpine walking, cycling, camping, fishing, and wildflowers, while winter visitors use the Thredbo, Perisher, Charlotte Pass, and Selwyn areas for snow sports. Check NSW National Parks alerts, road conditions, resort access, weather, and seasonal entry fees before traveling.
Top Hikes
The official NSW National Parks walking track listings include short alpine walks, summit routes, and longer backcountry trails. Distances and elevation gains below are rounded; snow, wind, lightning, low cloud, river crossings, and winter closures can change plans quickly.
Mount Kosciuszko Summit Walk from Charlotte Pass is a classic alpine route on the old summit road, passing Snowy River crossings, Seaman's Hut, Rawson Pass, and open views across the Main Range. NSW National Parks lists the route as 18.6 km / 11.6 mi return. Approximate elevation gain is about 465 m / 1,525 ft.
Kosciuszko Walk from Thredbo to Mount Kosciuszko is the shorter summit option when the Kosciuszko Express chairlift is operating. The route follows an elevated metal walkway and alpine track through fragile high-country vegetation. NSW National Parks lists the walk as 13 km / 8.1 mi return from the top of the chairlift. Approximate elevation gain is about 300 m / 985 ft.
Main Range Walk is the more difficult choice and one of Australia's best alpine day hikes. The loop from Charlotte Pass crosses the Snowy River, climbs toward Blue Lake and the Main Range, reaches Mount Kosciuszko, and returns by Rawson Pass and the old summit road. NSW National Parks lists the route as 22 km / 13.7 mi loop. Approximate elevation gain is about 900 m / 2,950 ft.
Camping and Lodging
Kosciuszko National Park has a mix of campgrounds, hut areas, nearby alpine villages, resort lodging, and backcountry options. NSW National Parks maintains current Campgrounds and accommodation listings, and some areas require bookings, winter access planning, or specific road and vehicle preparation.
Entry Fees and Seasonal Access
NSW National Parks lists seasonal motor vehicle entry fees for Kosciuszko National Park. Vehicle fees are higher in winter from the June long weekend through the October long weekend and lower during the rest of the year. Walking or cycling into the park is generally free, but camping, accommodation, tours, and resort services can cost extra.
Webcam Notes
The Kosciuszko webcam cards use current image feeds from Thredbo within Kosciuszko National Park. These cameras are especially useful for checking alpine visibility, snow cover, cloud, and wind-exposed high-country conditions. Perisher also publishes snow cams on its official camera page, but those images may not load reliably when embedded. Camera availability can change because of provider maintenance, severe weather, daylight, or resort operations.