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Clarke Gorge walking track

High Plains area in Kosciuszko National Park

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Overview

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.

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.

For directions, safety and practical information, see visitor info

 

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A family walk a boardwalk section of Bouddi coastal walk, Bouddi National Park. Photo: John Spencer/OEH.

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. 

Southern corroboree frog (Pseudophryne corroboree), Kosciuszko National Park. Photo: John Spencer

General enquiries

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