Clarke Gorge walking track
High Plains area in Kosciuszko National Park
Overview
Extended closure in 2024
This area will be closed from 4 April 2024 to 4 October 2024 (inclusive) for critical feral pest control operations. Read more about this closure.
The 5km Clarke Gorge walking track follows Cave Creek downstream through limestone gorges and cave formations. Stop along the way to do some fishing and birdwatching.
- Where
- High Plains area in Kosciuszko National Park in Snowy Mountains
- Distance
- 5km return
- Time suggested
- 3hrs 30min - 4hrs 30min
- Grade
- Grade 5
- Trip Intention Form
-
It's a good idea to let someone know where you're going. Fill in a trip intention form to send important details about your trip to your emergency contact.
- Personal Locator Beacon
-
If you're planning to loan a Personal Locator Beacon (PLB) from one of these locations, wait and fill out your trip intention form in person.
- Opening times
Clarke Gorge walking track is open between the October and June long weekends, but may have to close during these times due to poor weather or fire danger.
- What to
bring - Drinking water, hat, sunscreen, sturdy shoes, topographic map, compass, personal locator beacon, clothes for all weather conditions
- Please note
This walk is medium to hard difficulty, requiring several water crossings and scrambling over rock surfaces. Please take care on uneven and wet surfaces and ensure you have good boots and appropriate clothing.
As you hike through the narrow gorge cut by Cave Creek, spectacular limestone cliffs, and cave formations on either side, you’ll never imagine that Clarke Gorge walking track could get any better. But it does, finishing at the top of Cave Creek Falls . There’s a 15m drop of water as well as views down Wilkinsons Gorge. Unsurprisingly, this walk is very popular with photographers.
As well as the beauty of the rock features, some of which were formed more than 400 million years ago, the landscape is dotted with snow gums and black sallee (another high-altitude eucalypt with dark bark), rare discaria shrubs, and vibrant yellow billy buttons. You’ll likely see grey kangaroos bounding in the distance and wedge-tail eagles circling overhead. Fishermen might also want to bring their lines with them because there are a few waterholes along Cave Creek where they can try their luck catching trout, before returning to the walk's starting point at Blue Waterholes campground.
Subscribe to Naturescapes
Subscribe to our Naturescapes e-newsletter which is packed with the latest information, experiences and events in NSW national parks. Your next park adventure starts here.
Conservation program:
Southern corroboree frog conservation project
An iconic endangered species, the southern corroboree frog, found only in Kosciuszko National Park, faces the grave threat of extinction. Saving Our Species aims to prevent this from happening by battling chytrid fungus, protecting frog habitat from pests, and fostering a captive breeding program.
General enquiries
- National Parks Contact Centre
- 7am to 7pm daily
- 1300 072 757 (13000 PARKS) for the cost of a local call within Australia excluding mobiles
- parks.info@environment.nsw.gov.au
Operated by
- Tumut Region Visitor Centre
- 9am to 5pm daily. Closed Christmas Day.
- 02 6947 7025
- tumutrvc@environment.nsw.gov.au
- The Old Butter Factory, 5 Adelong Road, Tumut NSW 2720
Park info
- in the High Plains area of Kosciuszko National Park in the Snowy Mountains region
Long Plain Road and Tantangara Road (beyond the dam wall) are closed in winter from June to October long weekends. This period may be extended so it’s a good idea to contact the Tumut Visitor Centre. Areas may have to close at times due to poor weather or fire danger.
-
No park entry fees apply in the High Plains area. See vehicle entry fees for other areas in Kosciuszko National Park.
Buy annual pass