Kosciuszko walk - Thredbo to Mount Kosciuszko

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Safer Bushwalks
Before you start any bushwalk ensure you;
• Tell someone you trust where you are going and what to do if you are overdue
• Have adequate equipment, supplies, skills & knowledge for the whole journey
• Consider the impact of weather forecasts, park/track closures & fire dangers
• Can respond to emergencies & call for help at any point
• Are healthy and fit enough for this journey
If not, change plans and stay safe. It is okay to delay and ask people for help.

Getting There

Start	(-36.5042278,148.3045161)
Mode	Car (A park entry fee is required for driving into the park.)
Directions	From Monaro Highway, A23, District of Tuggeranong. Turn on to Polo Flat Road then drive for 690 m Turn right onto Yareen Road and drive for another 1.6 km Turn left onto Monaro Highway, B23 and drive for another 1.2 km At roundabout, take exit 2 onto Sharp Street, B72 and drive for another 230 m At roundabout, take exit 2 onto Sharp Street, B72 and drive for another 6.8 km Continue onto Kosciuszko Road and drive for another 53.8 km Turn left onto Munyang Street and drive for another 115 m Turn right onto Gippsland Street and drive for another 450 m Turn left onto Snowy River Avenue and drive for another 275 m At roundabout, take exit 1 onto Kosciuszko Road and drive for another 700 m At roundabout, take exit 2 onto Kosciuszko Road and drive for another 1.9 km Keep left onto Alpine Way and drive for another 17.5 km Keep left onto Alpine Way and drive for another 13.3 km Turn right onto Friday Drive and drive for another 910 m At roundabout, take exit 3 onto Friday Drive and drive for another 970 m

Track Notes

Getting started
This walk heads into the 'Valley Terminal' building, where you can buy a ticket for the lift. Continue through the building and up the steps, where this walk turns right to find the bottom terminal of the 'Kosciuszko Express'. Walk up to the platform as directed by the chairlift operator and sit down in the seat, letting it scoop you up. Once seated, pull down the safety bar and enjoy the ride to the top of the ridge. :) At the top step of the chair lift and turn left to find the restaurant (now on your right) and track information signs ahead.....

Turn map	Directions & comments
	Start. Cascades (about 55 m back from the start). There is a picnic table (about 30 m back from the start). There is an artwork (about 20 m back from the start). There is a car park. Find the artwork at the start. After another 7 m cross the bridge (about 25 m long) After 40 m find the "Kosciuszko Express Chairlift" (25 m on your left). Kosciuszko Express Chairlift Kosciuszko Express Chairlift This is one of the few lifts operating in the summer months at Thredbo, and is made quite popular by thousands of people walking to the summit of Mt Kosciuszko each year. Lift tickets can be purchased from the store at the bottom of the chairlift. Lift tickets are $31 return ($25 one way) per person. This lift is generally closed during November and May for maintenance each year, but the the Snowgum chair can be used at this time instead, this will add extra walking time to you walk. + - This is one of the few lifts operating in the summer months at Thredbo, and is made quite popular by thousands of people walking to the summit of Mt Kosciuszko each year. Lift tickets can be purchased from the store at the bottom of the chairlift. Lift tickets are $31 return ($25 one way) per person. This lift is generally closed during November and May for maintenance each year, but the the Snowgum chair can be used at this time instead, this will add extra walking time to you walk. After another 10 m pass the toilet (10 m on your left)., male. Then pass the toilet (15 m on your left)., female.
	After another 15 m turn right. Then head up the steps (about 20 m long) Then pass the shelter (10 m on your left).
	After another 10 m turn left.
	After another 9 m catch the aerial cable car (about 1.8 km long) After another 30 m find the "Eagles Nest Restaurant" (10 m on your left). Eagles Nest Restaurant Eagles Nest Restaurant This is Australia's highest restaurant, providing great food and outstanding views. It is easily accessible, nestled on the mountain directly opposite the top of the Kosciuszko Express chairlift, and is open year-round. For more information, call (02) 64576019. + - This is Australia's highest restaurant, providing great food and outstanding views. It is easily accessible, nestled on the mountain directly opposite the top of the Kosciuszko Express chairlift, and is open year-round. For more information, call (02) 64576019.
	After another 6 m turn right. After another 15 m pass the sign (4 m on your right). After another 25 m pass the "Eagles Nest" (20 m on your right). After another 15 m pass the toilet (10 m on your right). After another 310 m (at the intersection of Kosciuszko Walk & Dead Horse Gap Walking Track) continue straight, to head along Kosciuszko Walk (a walking track). After another 175 m cross the bridge (about 25 m long)
	After another 540 m continue straight, to head along Kosciuszko Walk.
	The starting point of an optional sidetrip. An optional side trip to Kosciuszko lookout. To start this optional side trip turn right here. On returning from this side trip turn sharp right when you get back to this intersection. Details below. After another 730 m continue straight, to head along Kosciuszko Walk. After another 280 m cross the ford. After another 65 m cross the ford.
	Continue straight, to head along Kosciuszko Walk. After another 130 m cross the ford. At the intersection of Kosciuszko Walk & Snowy River continue straight, to head along Kosciuszko Walk. After another 830 m come to the "Cootapatamba Lookout" (25 m on your left). After another 730 m pass the sign (5 m on your left). Then find the "Lake Cootapatamba lookout" (25 m on your left). Lake Cootapatamba lookout Lake Cootapatamba lookout Situated on the Kosciuszko walk, this platform looks down over Lake Cootapatamba, in the valley on the western side of the path. This is a pleasant place to stop and enjoy the mountains and views. + - Situated on the Kosciuszko walk, this platform looks down over Lake Cootapatamba, in the valley on the western side of the path. This is a pleasant place to stop and enjoy the mountains and views.
	After another 740 m (Rawson Pass) continue straight, to head along Kosciuszko Walk. After another 9 m find the "Rawson Pass" (15 m on your right). Rawson Pass Rawson Pass Rawson Pass is where the old Kosciuszko Road, from Charlotte Pass, meets the metal walkway from Thredbo. It is home to the highest public toilet in Australia, this recently-added facility is perfectly positioned for those taking the walk up to the top of Kosciuszko. Rawson Pass is well signposted and 500m southeast of Mt Kosciuszko (by a straight line). There is also a place to park mountain bikes for those cycling along the old road from Charlotte Pass. + - Rawson Pass is where the old Kosciuszko Road, from Charlotte Pass, meets the metal walkway from Thredbo. It is home to the highest public toilet in Australia, this recently-added facility is perfectly positioned for those taking the walk up to the top of Kosciuszko. Rawson Pass is well signposted and 500m southeast of Mt Kosciuszko (by a straight line). There is also a place to park mountain bikes for those cycling along the old road from Charlotte Pass. After another 15 m continue straight, to head along Kosciuszko Walk.
	After another 640 m (at the intersection of Kosciuszko Walk & Main Range Walking Track) continue straight, to head along Kosciuszko Walk.
	After another 940 m continue straight, to head along Kosciuszko Walk. After another 50 m pass the sign (on your left). "Mt Kosciuszko". Mt Kosciuszko Mt Kosciuszko Mt Kosciuszko is the highest peak on the Australian continent, at 2228m above sea level. It was named by the Polish explorer Count Paul Edmund Strzelecki and named in honour of the Polish national hero General Tadeusz KoÅ›ciuszko. Now a popular tourist attraction, thousands of people walk up to the summit each year. On a clear day, the 360-degree views from the summit across the roof of Australia are fantastic. There are higher mountains elsewhere on Australian territory. 'The highest mountains in Australian Antarctic Territory are Mt McClintock (3490 meters) and Mt Menzies (3355 meters).' . + - Mt Kosciuszko is the highest peak on the Australian continent, at 2228m above sea level. It was named by the Polish explorer Count Paul Edmund Strzelecki and named in honour of the Polish national hero General Tadeusz KoÅ›ciuszko. Now a popular tourist attraction, thousands of people walk up to the summit each year. On a clear day, the 360-degree views from the summit across the roof of Australia are fantastic. There are higher mountains elsewhere on Australian territory. 'The highest mountains in Australian Antarctic Territory are Mt McClintock (3490 meters) and Mt Menzies (3355 meters).' . About 35 m past the end is "Wragges Observatory Hut". Wragges Observatory Hut Wragges Observatory Hut Wragges Observatory Hut which the remains of a barely visible was built upon the top of Mt Kosciuszko by a government meteorologist named Clement Lindley Wragge, to help take weather readings from the high summit. + - Wragges Observatory Hut which the remains of a barely visible was built upon the top of Mt Kosciuszko by a government meteorologist named Clement Lindley Wragge, to help take weather readings from the high summit.
	Turn around here and retrace the main route for 8.1 km to get back to the start.

An optional side trip to Kosciuszko lookout.

Turn map	Directions & comments
	Start. After another 50 m come to "Kosciuszko lookout". Kosciuszko lookout Kosciuszko lookout Kosciuszko lookout is about 30m off the main Kosciuszko walk, along a metal walkway. At the lookout, there is a larger platform with an information sign about how the landscape was formed over the years. Granting a great view of the Snowy Mountains to the summit of Mt Kosciuszko. + - Kosciuszko lookout is about 30m off the main Kosciuszko walk, along a metal walkway. At the lookout, there is a larger platform with an information sign about how the landscape was formed over the years. Granting a great view of the Snowy Mountains to the summit of Mt Kosciuszko.
	Continue another 0 m to find Kosciusko Lookout at the end. Turn around and retrace your steps back the 50 m to the main route.

Turn map

Directions & comments

Start.

After another 50 m come to "Kosciuszko lookout".

Kosciuszko lookout

Kosciuszko lookout is about 30m off the main Kosciuszko walk, along a metal walkway. At the lookout, there is a larger platform with an information sign about how the landscape was formed over the years. Granting a great view of the Snowy Mountains to the summit of Mt Kosciuszko.

+

-

Kosciuszko lookout is about 30m off the main Kosciuszko walk, along a metal walkway. At the lookout, there is a larger platform with an information sign about how the landscape was formed over the years. Granting a great view of the Snowy Mountains to the summit of Mt Kosciuszko.

Continue another 0 m to find Kosciusko Lookout at the end.

Turn around and retrace your steps back the 50 m to the main route.

Terrain

Kosciuszko walk - Thredbo to Mount Kosciuszko

Grading

	Class 4/6 Hard track
Length	16.2 km
Time	4 h to 5 h

Quality of track	Clear and well formed track or trail (2/6)
Gradient	Short steep hills (3/6)
Signage	Clearly signposted (1/6)
Infrastructure	Generally useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats) (1/6)
Experience Required	No experience required (1/6)
Weather	Foretasted & unexpected storms and severe weather may impact on navigation and safety (4/6)

Some facilities on route

Shelter: There is one 115 m from the start.

Toilet: There are 3 on route, on average they are 4.1 km apart with the largest gap of 14.2 km.

Order of key facilities on route

Item	From Start	Name & link to notes
Toilet	80 m	[toilet]
Toilet	85 m	[toilet]
Shelter	115 m	[shelter]
Toilet	2 km	[toilet]

Articles

Covered in snow part of the year
This walk leads through an extreme alpine environment and all walkers must be well prepared. During summer, be prepared for both very hot and cold weather, high winds, rain, snow, extreme UV levels and some sections of snow or ice on the ground. Before starting this walk, check advice with Snowy Region Visitor Information Centre (02) 6450 5600, the weather forecast and the snow conditions then change your plans as needed. These notes, grades and walking times have been written for use in the summer months only. Between May and the end of October, this walk is likely to be covered in snow/ice, visitors should be carrying and be prepared to use snowshoes or cross country skis. When there is a chance of significant snow on the ground, visitors will need particularly strong navigation and snowcraft skills - tracks and signage may not be visible. For most visitors, it is best to consider this walk closed during the colder months.

Kosciuszko Express Chairlift
This is one of the few lifts operating in the summer months at Thredbo, and is made quite popular by thousands of people walking to the summit of Mt Kosciuszko each year. Lift tickets can be purchased from the store at the bottom of the chairlift. Lift tickets are $31 return ($25 one way) per person. This lift is generally closed during November and May for maintenance each year, but the the Snowgum chair can be used at this time instead, this will add extra walking time to you walk.

Eagles Nest Restaurant
This is Australia's highest restaurant, providing great food and outstanding views. It is easily accessible, nestled on the mountain directly opposite the top of the Kosciuszko Express chairlift, and is open year-round. For more information, call (02) 64576019.

Kosciuszko lookout
Kosciuszko lookout is about 30m off the main Kosciuszko walk, along a metal walkway. At the lookout, there is a larger platform with an information sign about how the landscape was formed over the years. Granting a great view of the Snowy Mountains to the summit of Mt Kosciuszko.

Lake Cootapatamba lookout
Situated on the Kosciuszko walk, this platform looks down over Lake Cootapatamba, in the valley on the western side of the path. This is a pleasant place to stop and enjoy the mountains and views.

Rawson Pass
Rawson Pass is where the old Kosciuszko Road, from Charlotte Pass, meets the metal walkway from Thredbo. It is home to the highest public toilet in Australia, this recently-added facility is perfectly positioned for those taking the walk up to the top of Kosciuszko. Rawson Pass is well signposted and 500m southeast of Mt Kosciuszko (by a straight line). There is also a place to park mountain bikes for those cycling along the old road from Charlotte Pass.

Mt Kosciuszko
Mt Kosciuszko is the highest peak on the Australian continent, at 2228m above sea level. It was named by the Polish explorer Count Paul Edmund Strzelecki and named in honour of the Polish national hero General Tadeusz KoÅ›ciuszko. Now a popular tourist attraction, thousands of people walk up to the summit each year. On a clear day, the 360-degree views from the summit across the roof of Australia are fantastic. There are higher mountains elsewhere on Australian territory. 'The highest mountains in Australian Antarctic Territory are Mt McClintock (3490 meters) and Mt Menzies (3355 meters).' .

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