Why You Should Visit Australia's Kosciuszko National Park

Australia’s highest mountain, Mount Kosciuszko, is located within the Main Range of the Snowy Mountains and is a part of the Australian Alps National Parks and Reserves in New South Wales. The smallest of the Seven Summits, Mount Kosciuszko stretches 2,228 metres above sea level and offers panoramic 360-degree views from the summit.

History

Formed 355 to 490 million years ago, Mount Kosciuszko is a low profile granite mountain that was first summited in March 1840 by Polish explorer Count Pawel Edmund Strzelecki, who named the peak in honour of Polish national hero and hero of the American Revolutionary War, General Tadeusz Kościuszko. The area was deemed a national park in 1906 and was designated a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in 1977; however, the mountain was misspelt as Kosciusko until 1997.

Hiking

Approximately 100,000 people visit Mount Kosciuszko each year, with the majority of visitors choosing to hike during the summer. The Kosciuszko Express Chairlift from Thredbo is 1.8 kilometres, extending 560 metres and takes around 15 minutes to reach the top, terminating at the foot of Eagles Nest Restaurant. From the restaurant, there is an elevated metal track which passes by Rams Head Ridge and leads to Mount Kosciuszko. The walk is 6.4 kilometres one way. Throughout the summer months, it’s possible for anyone with a moderate fitness level to reach the summit thanks in part to the raised metal walkway which was installed to protect vegetation and prevent erosion; however, there are sections of the ascent which are steep and rocky and may be difficult for some. From June until late October, the Australian Alps are blanketed by heavy snowfall, making the ascent challenging, and the climb should only be attempted by avid hikers with the appropriate footwear and hiking gear.

Getting There

Mount Kosciuszko is located halfway between Melbourne and Sydney and is three hours south-west of Canberra. The drive from Sydney takes five and half hours, while it will take you six and half hours to drive up from Melbourne. Culture Trip Melbourne recommends flying into Canberra and staying at the nearby town of Jindabyne or the Thredbo Alpine Village. See the beauty of the Kosciuszko National Park below.
Mount Kosciuszko, Kosciuszko National Park, New South Wales, Australia

A spectacular view across the valley on the Kosciuszko

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.