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Thredbo-Perisher area

Kosciuszko National Park

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Visitor info

All the practical information you need to know about the Thredbo-Perisher area.

Getting there and parking

Get driving directions

Get directions

    To get to the Thredbo-Perisher area of Kosciuszko National Park:

    From Canberra via Jindabyne to Thredbo:

    • Travel 95km along the Monaro Highway to Cooma
    • Drive through Cooma for 7km
    • Continue onto Jindabyne Road (signs for Kosciuszko Road) for 45km to Jindabyne
    • Follow Kosciuszko Road 3km out of Jindabyne and turn left onto Alpine Way. Thredbo Village is around 32km:

    From Jindabyne to Perisher and Charlotte Pass:

    • Follow Kosciuszko Road for around 33km to Perisher Valley or 41km to Charlotte Pass
    • Access to Charlotte Pass during winter is by Oversnow Transport from Perisher, or Skitube from Bullocks Flat, along Alpine Way

    From Hume Highway via Khancoban:

    • Take Murray Valley Highway from Albury for 15km, or Jingellic Road from Holbrook for 121km, towards Corryong and Khancoban
    • From Khancoban follow Alpine Way 76km to Thredbo
    • Allow around 3.5hrs

    In summer, Mount Kosciuszko is accessed on foot from Thredbo via the Kosciuszko Express chairlift, or take Summit trail or Main Range walk from Charlotte Pass turning circle, at the end of Kosciuszko Road.

    Park entry points

    Parking Show more

    Winter road access

    Road closures Perisher to Charlotte Pass

    • Kosciuszko Road is closed between Perisher and Charlotte Pass from June to October long weekends.
    • You can use the free overnight parking at Bullocks Flat Skitube terminal, off Alpine Way (no park entry fees in this section of Alpine Way). Then ride the Skitube to Perisher and Blue Cow resorts.
    • Charlotte Pass oversnow transport departs from Perisher Skitube terminal.

    Snow chains

    It's compulsory for all 2WD vehicles to carry snow chains in winter, between June and October long weekends, on:

    • Kosciuszko Road (to Perisher)
    • Guthega Road
    • Alpine Way between Thredbo and Tom Groggin

    The Roads and Maritime Service (RMS) recommends snow chains are carried by all vehicles driving in the park in winter, including 4WD and AWD, in the event of extreme weather.

    Read our snow driving safety tips. Visit the Live Traffic website for current conditions. Learn more about winter access to NSW alpine resorts.

    Winter parking restrictions

    If travelling to Perisher or Charlotte Pass in winter, there's no public overnight parking beyond Sawpit Creek. Check car parking options with your Perisher accommodation before arrival, or park for free at Bullocks Flat and take the Skitube to Perisher.

    Public transport

    NSW TrainLink Regional train and coach services run between Sydney and Cooma, Jindabyne and Bombala, via Canberra, with additional services between Sydney and Tumut and Tumbarumba, via Cootamundra. For more information on public transport to and around the Snowy Mountains check Transport NSW.

    Best times to visit

    The Thredbo-Perisher area spoils you with some of Kosciuszko National Park's most beautiful scenery and exhilarating activities. Here are some highlights:

    Autumn

    Lace-up for a hike in the Main Range or Ramshead Range without the summer flies. Take to 2 wheels on a mountain bike, and marvel at the snow gums' bark striped with orange and green. It's an ideal time for boating or paddling on Lake Jindabyne, or a last attempt to catch that fish before the cool weather and snow sets in.

    Spring

    Spring is a great time to rediscover the outdoors on a bushwalking, riding or camping getaway. The first wildflowers awaken, rivers run fast with snow melt and the days aren't too hot to explore the country's highest mountains. Late season snow on the high slopes also offers some great cross-country skiing in the back country, if you're well-prepared.

    Summer

    Come summer, the high country is blanketed in wildflowers like yellow buttercups, white snow daisies, and purple hovea, reaching their peak in January. This is festival season, when jazz and blues music fills Thredbo's hills and world-class athletes tackle the roads and trails. Summer's also a popular time to learn more about the unique alpine landscape on a guided tour, or the Kosciuszko Education Centre's special school excursions.

    Winter

    In winter, from the June to October long weekends, the Snowy Mountains live up to their name. Take your pick of ski resorts from vast and varied Perisher, snowbound Charlotte Pass, or Thredbo with its alpine village vibe. Snow sports include skiing and snowboarding, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. There's also plenty of apres ski entertainment.

    Facilities

    Toilets Show more

    Picnic tables Show more

    Barbecue facilities Show more

    Boat ramp

    Cafe/kiosk Show more

    Drinking water Show more

    Public phone

    Showers

    Electric power

    Maps and downloads

    Fees and passes

    Park entry fees apply on Alpine Way and Kosciuszko Road

    Winter (June to October long weekends): $29 per vehicle per day (24hrs from purchase); motorcycles $12; bus passengers $11.45 per adult, $3.60 per child per day. Find out more about the winter entry surcharge.

    Rest of Year: $17 per vehicle per day (24hrs); motorcycles $7; bus passengers $6.60 per adult, $2.20 per child per day.

    Passes: Day passes, multi-day passes and annual All Parks Pass available from NPWS visitor centres, local agents and operating vehicle entry stations. Single and Multi-Day passes are also available via the Park'nPay app. Short Breaks Pass: $68 for 5 days park entry at price of 4 days (not valid winter).

    Read our Annual Pass FAQs for information.

    • All Parks Pass - For all parks in NSW (including Kosciuszko NP) $190 (1 year) / $335 (2 years)
      Buy now | More info

    Safety messages

    All Kosciuszko National Park visitors planning a long hike, off-track or overnight adventure, or visiting a remote part of the park, are recommended to fill in the trip intention form and carry a Personal Locator Beacon (PLB). Find out more about hiring a PLB and completing a trip intention form on the dedicated iPads available at Snowy Region Visitor Centre, Tumut Visitor Centre and the Perisher NSW National Parks office.

    Alpine safety

    Alpine areas present special safety issues. Conditions can be extreme and may change rapidly, particularly in winter. It’s important to be prepared and find out how to stay safe in alpine areas.

    Mobile safety

    Dial Triple Zero (000) in an emergency. Download the Emergency Plus app before you visit, it helps emergency services locate you using your smartphone's GPS. Please note there is limited mobile phone reception in this park and you’ll need mobile reception to call Triple Zero (000).

    River and lake safety

    The aquatic environment around rivers, lakes and lagoons can be unpredictable. If you're visiting these areas, take note of these river and lake safety tips.

    Permitted

    Cycling

    Cycling is permitted on public roads, and on all management trails outside wilderness areas. Within the Pilot Wilderness Area you can cycle on Cascade trail, Ingeegoodbee trail, and Nine Mile trail. Please note cycling is permitted on Kosciuszko Summit trail from Charlotte Pass only as far as Rawson Pass. Riders please give way to walkers.

    Fishing

    You can go fishing in the Thredbo-Perisher area in summer only. Fishing is not permitted between the June and October long weekends. A current NSW recreational fishing licence is required when fishing in all waters.

    Prohibited

    Drones

    Flying a drone for recreational purposes is prohibited in this area. Drones may affect public enjoyment, safety and privacy, interfere with park operations, or pose a threat to wildlife. See the Drones in Parks policy.

    This area may be a declared Drone Exclusion Zone, or may be subject to Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) rules for flying near airports, aerodromes and helicopter landing sites. See CASA's Drone Flyer Rules.

    Commercial filming and photography

    Commercial filming or photography is prohibited without prior consent. You must apply for permission and contact the local office.

    Pets

    Pets and domestic animals (other than certified assistance animals) are not permitted. Find out which regional parks allow dog walking and see the pets in parks policy for more information.

    Smoking

    NSW national parks are no smoking areas. The alpine resorts of Thredbo, Perisher, Charlotte Pass, Ski Rider and Kosciuszko Tourist Park are exempt, though some commercial and outdoor places within these resorts may have no smoking areas.

    Thredbo-Perisher area

    Contact

    • in Kosciuszko National Park in the Snowy Mountains region
    • The Thredbo-Perisher area is open all year, but some roads and trails may close due to weather conditions or park management issues. Kosciuszko Road is closed between Perisher and Charlotte Pass in winter (June to October long weekends).
    • Park entry fees apply on Alpine Way and Kosciuszko Road

      Winter (June to October long weekends): $29 per vehicle per day (24hrs from purchase); motorcycles $12; bus passengers $11.45 per adult, $3.60 per child per day. Find out more about the winter entry surcharge.

      Rest of Year: $17 per vehicle per day (24hrs); motorcycles $7; bus passengers $6.60 per adult, $2.20 per child per day.

      Passes: Day passes, multi-day passes and annual All Parks Pass available from NPWS visitor centres, local agents and operating vehicle entry stations. Single and Multi-Day passes are also available via the Park'nPay app. Short Breaks Pass: $68 for 5 days park entry at price of 4 days (not valid winter).

      Read our Annual Pass FAQs for information.

      Buy annual pass
    • More
      • Perisher Valley office
        02 6457 4444
        Contact hours: Winter (June to October long weekends): Daily 8.30am to 4pm. Closed 12 to 1pm. Rest of year: Monday to Friday 8.30am to 4pm. Closed 12 to 1pm weekdays, all day Saturday and Sunday.
      • 9914 Kosciuszko Road, Perisher Valley NSW 2624
      • Email: perisher@environment.nsw.gov.au
      More

    Visitor centre

    Nearby towns

    Jindabyne (8 km)

    For those heading to the Snowy Mountains snowfields, Jindabyne is a great place to hire or buy all of your skiing and snowboarding essentials from equipment to fashion.

    www.visitnsw.com

    Cooma (65 km)

    The Snowy Hydro Discovery Centre is a state-of-the-art visitor facility showcasing the story of the Snowy Mountains Hydro-Electric Scheme from the early construction days to the role the scheme plays today in the development of Australia.

    www.visitnsw.com

    Khancoban (70 km)

    Plan ahead for your Snowy Mountains getaway and check out what's on in Khancoban. Extreme athletes love the Upper Murray Challenge that consists of a 38-km bike ride, a 26-km paddle and a 25-km run. The annual Khancoban TroutFest takes place every November at several area fishing holes.

    www.visitnsw.com

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