Daffodil Cottage
High Plains area in Kosciuszko National Park
Overview
Rustic Daffodil Cottage offers heritage accommodation in the Currango Homestead precinct with walking, fishing and horse riding in Kosciuszko National Park.
Accommodation type | Cottage |
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Where | 306 Port Phillip Trail, Tantangara, NSW, 2629 - in High Plains area |
Bedrooms | 2 |
Maximum guests | 5 |
Facilities | Picnic tables, barbecue facilities, drinking water, showers, toilets, balcony, indoor fireplace, kitchen, plates and cutlery, pots and pans, outside shower |
What to bring | Bed sheets, blankets, pillows, towels, toilet paper, torch |
Opening times | Daffodil Cottage is closed in winter between June and October long weekends. |
Price | |
Entry fees |
Park entry fees are not required to access Daffodil Cottage but do apply in other areas of Kosciuszko National Park. |
Please note |
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Daffodil Cottage was once the overseer’s residence for the historic Currango Homestead. Located high in Kosciuszko National Park, it now offers a glimpse of life on a pastoral station in the rugged high country, over 100 years ago. With no mobile phone reception, it’s the perfect getaway from the modern world.
Have a cuppa on the shady verandah and watch the kangaroos grazing on the lawns. Explore the majestic plains and rugged mountains of the Australian Alps along a range of walking tracks, or experience Yarrangobilly Caves. Try your luck at fishing in the crystal clear mountain streams, or saddle up your horse and ride the trails in true pioneer fashion.
In the evening, you’re bound to taste the difference as you’re tucking into a mouth-watering roast cooked on the heritage woodstove. Round it all off with a log fire, a bottle of the finest red and a selection of your favourite after-dinner munchies.
Map
Map legend
Local alerts
For the latest updates on fires, closures and other alerts in this area, see https://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/camping-and-accommodation/accommodation/daffodil-cottage/local-alerts
Bookings
- 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.
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No park entry fees apply in the High Plains area. See vehicle entry fees for other areas in Kosciuszko National Park.
Buy annual pass.
Visitor info
All the practical information you need to know about Daffodil Cottage.
Getting there and parking
Get driving directions
Daffodil Cottage is part of a historic complex of buildings that include Currango Homestead and The Pines Cottage. Located in northern Kosciuszko National Park, the properties are about 3 hours drive from Canberra, 1.5 hours from Tumut and 2 hours from Cooma.
To get there from Cooma/Adaminaby:
- Take the Snowy Mountains Highway via Adaminaby for approximately 46km
- Turn right onto Tantangara Road (unsealed) for 18km, then continue past Tantangara Dam onto Pocket Saddle Road for 6km.
- Turn left onto Port Phillip trail for 2km and turn right into Currango
To get there from Tumut:
- Access is not possible via Long Plain Road if Tantangara Dam has flooded crossing. Contact Tumut Visitor Centre on (02) 6947 7025 for the latest water levels.
- From Tumut, take the Snowy Mountains Highway for approximately 111km
- Turn left onto Tantangara Road (unsealed) for 18km, then continue past Tantangara Dam onto Pocket Saddle Road for 6km.
- Turn left onto Port Phillip trail for 2km and turn right into Currango
Road quality
Tantantgara Causeway can sometimes be closed due to flooding. Please contact the Tumut office on (02) 6947 7025 prior to setting out.
- Unsealed roads
Vehicle access
- 2WD vehicles
Weather restrictions
- 4WD required in wet weather
Parking
Parking is available a short walk from the cottage.
Facilities
- Bedding configuration: 2 bedrooms. 1 queen bed and 3 single beds.
- There's no hot water at this cottage. For hot showers, you can heat water on the stove to use in the shower.
- There's no television, DVD player or stereo.
- Please clean and tidy the property when you leave or additional fees may apply. Cleaning products are provided.
- Rubbish bins are not available. Take all rubbish with you on departure, or additional fees may be charged. Bring your own garbage bags.
- The cottage has eco-friendly solar power for lighting. There is no power for personal electrical devices, including phone chargers, hairdryers and electric blankets.
Toilets
A private pit toilet is located 20m from the back door of the cottage. There is no outside lighting and toilet paper is not provided.
- Non-flush toilets
Picnic tables
Barbecue facilities
There's a private shelter outside with gas barbecue, gas hotplate and picnic table. There's also a fire ring. Firewood is for indoor use only. Guests are responsible for splitting the firewood and supervising fires.
- Fire rings (bring your own firewood)
- Gas/electric barbecues (free)
Drinking water
The cottage has eco-friendly solar power for water. All water must be boiled or treated before drinking.
Showers
- Cold showers
Balcony
The verandah has an electric fridge with freezer.
Indoor fireplace
Open fireplace in the lounge room.
Kitchen
Wood stove oven, kettle, kitchen table and chairs.
Plates and cutlery
Pots and pans
Outside shower
Outdoor shower room with bucket shower (cold water) on the verandah.
Maps and downloads
Accessibility
Disability access level - no wheelchair access
Daffodil Cottage is not wheelchair accessible.
Permitted
Horses
A maximum of 5 horses are permitted under the Daffodil Cottage booking at any one time. Please read and comply with the code of practice for horse riding in parks. There is a horse yard (1 paddock) a short drive from the accommodation. You’ll need to provide feed and water. There is a limit of 1 horse per guest, subject to availability. Horses must be booked when the accommodation is booked. A nominal fee applies.
Prohibited
Amplified music, candles and unregistered vehicles/motorbikes are not permitted.
Camping
Caravans and camping are not permitted within the Currango precinct.
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.
Generators
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.
Learn more
Daffodil Cottage is in High Plains area. Here are just some of the reasons why this park is special:
Experiences and facilities
The vast grassland plains, with their hidden huts, are a superb backdrop for walking tracks, mountain bike trails and scenic drives. Blue Waterholes campground is a favourite summer destination to explore stunning walks, creeks, and gorges. There are plenty of campgrounds to choose from across the plains, and with horse riding popular here, many offer facilities for camping with horses. These include: Cooinbil Hut, Long Plain Hut, Ghost Gully, Old Snowy, Wares Yards, Rocky Plain, and Bullocks Hill campgrounds. You can also bring your horse if you’re staying at Currango Homestead, Daffodil Cottage or The Pines Cottage (fees and limits apply, bookings required).
Unique landscapes
As you explore the High Plains area you’ll see plains of snow grass, herbs and heath. Snow gums and black sallee eucalypts dominate the woodland, while mountain gum, candle bark and alpine ash also appear at higher elevations. The karst environment of the Cooleman Plain is best seen in the steep cliffs, narrow gorges, limestone caves and remarkable blue-tinged spring around Blue Waterholes.
- Clarke Gorge walking track 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.
- Nichols Gorge walking track The 7km Nichols Gorge walking track, suitable for experienced hikers, follows Cave Creek and passes some karst features before rejoining Blue Waterholes trail.
- Snowy Mountains adventures with Cochran Horse Treks Join Cochran Horse Treks for an unforgettable adventure in Kosciuszko National Park. Their 3 to 7-day guided tours are a great way to experience stunning Snowy Mountains landscapes on horseback.
High country huts and heritage
From the mid-1800s into the 1950s, the high plains of Kosciuszko National Park attracted summer graziers who constructed timber and tin huts as shelter throughout the area. More than 20 of these photogenic high country huts are dotted along the many tracks and trails of the plains. Larger properties, like Currango or Coolamine Homesteads, became permanent residences and now provide a fascinating window into pioneer life.
A wonderland for wildlife
The complex karst environment of Cooleman Plain supports a rich community of animals and plants. Platypus, wombats, brushtail and ringtail possums, eastern grey kangaroos and red-necked wallabies are commonly seen along tracks and at campgrounds. The caves provide an important roosting site for the vulnerable eastern bentwing bat, and winter refuge for one of Australia’s highest populations of eastern water dragons. Keep an eye out for the leafy anchor plant along the banks of Cave Creek - it’s one of Australia’s only deciduous native plants.
- Clarke Gorge walking track 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.
World-class wilderness
In recognition of Kosciuszko's unique value as a conservation area, it's been named a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. More than half the area of the park, over 350,000ha, has been declared wilderness and includes the Goobarragandra, Bramina and Bimberi wilderness areas, which cover 61,500ha.
- Snowy Mountains adventures with Cochran Horse Treks Join Cochran Horse Treks for an unforgettable adventure in Kosciuszko National Park. Their 3 to 7-day guided tours are a great way to experience stunning Snowy Mountains landscapes on horseback.
- Snowy Mountains multi-day horse ride treks Immerse yourself in the wild beauty of the Snowy Mountains on a multi-day horse riding trek guided and supported by Reynella Rides. You'll enjoy hearty mountain food and roomy tents as you explore the High Plains area in Kosciuszko National Park.
Plants and animals protected in this park
Animals
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Eastern bentwing-bat (Miniopterus schreibersii oceanensis)
Eastern bentwing-bats congregate in caves across the east and north-west coasts of Australia, in colonies of up to 150,000. These small Australian animals weigh around 13-17g and can reach speeds of up to 50km per hour. Eastern bentwing-bats use both sight and echolocation to catch small insects mid-air.
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Swamp wallaby (Wallabia bicolor)
The swamp wallaby, also known as the black wallaby or black pademelon, lives in the dense understorey of rainforests, woodlands and dry sclerophyll forest along eastern Australia. This unique Australian macropod has a dark black-grey coat with a distinctive light-coloured cheek stripe.
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Common ringtail possum (Pseudocheirus peregrinus)
Commonly found in forests, woodlands and leafy gardens across eastern NSW, the Australian ringtail possum is a tree-dwelling marsupial. With a powerful tail perfectly adapted to grasp objects, it forages in trees for eucalypt leaves, flowers and fruit.
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Superb lyrebird (Menura novaehollandiae)
With a complex mimicking call and an elaborate courtship dance to match, the superb lyrebird is one of the most spectacular Australian animals. A bird watching must-see, the superb lyrebird can be found in rainforests and wet woodlands across eastern NSW and Victoria.
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Eastern water dragon (Intellagama lesueurii lesueurii)
The eastern water dragon is a subaquatic lizard found in healthy waterways along eastern NSW, from Nowra to halfway up the Cape York Pensinsula. It’s believed to be one of the oldest of Australian reptiles, remaining virtually unchanged for over 20 million years.
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Bare-nosed wombat (Vombatus ursinus)
A large, squat marsupial, the Australian bare-nosed wombat is a burrowing mammal found in coastal forests and mountain ranges across NSW and Victoria. The only other remaining species of wombat in NSW, the endangered southern hairy-nosed wombat, was considered extinct until relatively recently.
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Yellow-tailed black cockatoo (Calyptorhynchus funereus)
The yellow-tailed black cockatoo is one of the largest species of parrot. With dusty-black plumage, they have a yellow tail and cheek patch. They’re easily spotted while bird watching, as they feed on seeds in native forests and pine plantations.
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Platypus (Ornithorhynchus anatinus)
One of the most fascinating and unusual Australian animals, the duck-billed platypus, along with the echidna, are the only known monotremes, or egg-laying mammals, in existence. The platypus is generally found in permanent river systems and lakes in southern and eastern NSW and east and west of the Great Dividing Range.
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Short-beaked echidna (Tachyglossus aculeatus)
One of only 2 egg-laying mammals in the world, the short-beaked echidna is one of the most widespread of Australian native animals. Covered in spines, or quills, they’re equipped with a keen sense of smell and a tube-like snout which they use to break apart termite mounds in search of ants.
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Common brushtail possum (Trichosurus vulpecula)
One of the most widespread of Australian tree-dwelling marsupials, the common brushtail possum is found across most of NSW in woodlands, rainforests and urban areas. With strong claws, a prehensile tail and opposable digits, these native Australian animals are well-adapted for life amongst the trees.