Mount Kosciuszko in the Snowy Mountains in New South Wales is Australia’s highest point, peaking at 2,228 metres above sea level. This hiking guide explores the three walks to the summit of this iconic mountain peak.
While Mt Kosciuszko is primarily known as a busy ski destination during winter, the area is also popular for hiking and mountain biking during the warmer summer months.
Are you visiting soon? Keep reading to learn more about this beautiful area and the walking tracks leading to the summit.
About Mount Kosciuszko
Mount Kosciuszko was discovered and climbed in 1840 by Sir Paul Edmund Strzelecki, a Polish explorer and scientist who surveyed large parts of NSW, Victoria and Tasmania.
Strzelecki named the mountain in honour of Tadeusz Kosciuszko, a Polish-Lithuanian statesman and military leader.
In later years, it was determined that the mountain peak known as Kosciuszko was actually lower than its neighbour, Mount Townsend.
In 1892, the NSW Lands Department decided to swap the names of the mountains so that Mt Kosciuszko could keep the status of being the highest peak in Australia.
Mount Kosciuszko is part of the Australian Alps, which consist of the Snowy Mountains and the Victorian Alps. The Snowy Mountains region is situated in New South Wales and the ACT, and the Victorian Alps region is situated in eastern Victoria.
| Snowy Mountains | |
|---|---|
| Elevation: | 2,228 m |
| Highest Point: | Mount Kosciuszko |
| Parent Range: | Australian Alps |
Where to Stay
To walk to the summit of Mount Kosciuszko, the best place to stay is in Thredbo, situated within Kosciuszko National Park.
The park has a vehicle entry fee of $29 during the peak winter months (from June to October) and $17 during the rest of the year.
Three good hotel options in Thredbo:
Alternatively, if you prefer to stay a bit further away, Jindabyne also offers plenty of accommodation options, while still within driving distance from the three walks to the summit of Mount Kosciuszko.
Three good hotel options in Jindabyne:
Perisher and Charlotte Pass aren’t very lively during the off-season, and we don’t recommend staying there if you’re travelling in the summer months.
3 Summit Walks
Three walking tracks lead to the summit of Mount Kosciuszko:
- Thredbo to Mount Kosciuszko (13 km return) (map)
- Mount Kosciuszko Summit Walk (18.5 km return) (map)
- Main Range Walk (22 km loop) (map)
The Thredbo to Mount Kosciuszko Walk starts from the Eagles Nest Restaurant at Thredbo, while the Mount Kosciuszko Summit Walk and the Main Range Walk start from Charlotte Pass. To reach Eagles Nest, you will need to take the chairlift.
All three walking tracks intersect at Rawson Pass, close to the summit. This also means it’s possible to combine all three walks into one mega walk.
For reference, the map below highlights the following landmarks:
- Kosciuszko Chairlift
- Eagles Nest Restaurant (start of the walk)
- Rawson Pass
- Mount Kosciuszko Summit
- Charlotte Pass
1. Thredbo to Mount Kosciuszko
The shortest, easiest, and most popular walking track to the top of Mt Kosciuszko starts at the Kosciuszko Chairlift in Thredbo.
While some sections along this walk are steep, most of the walking track consists of a comfortable metal walkway.
Kosciuszko Chairlift
You can buy a one-way ticket and return to the base via a walking track, or purchase an all-day pass. While the trip with the chairlift is a bit pricey, it’s quite an adventure in its own right.
The best option is to buy an all-day pass online in advance, which is cheaper and easier than buying at the ticket counter.
At the top are two restaurants where you can have a drink and some food while enjoying great views of the surrounding area. The top restaurant, Eagles Nest, is Australia’s highest restaurant.
The actual walking track starts right behind the chairlift station.
Lake Cootapatamba
One of the most interesting sights along this walking track is Lake Cootapatamba, a post-glacial mountain lake located 800m below the summit of Mt Kosciuszko.
Lake Cootapatamba is one of several lakes in Kosciuszko National Park, created by a natural damming process.
The lakes are the highest in Australia and have no fish, are very low in nutrients, and are covered with ice in the winter months.
Rawson Pass
Rawson Pass is where the Summit Walk on the old Kosciuszko Road meets the Thredbo to Mt Kosciuszko walking track. The last section to the summit starts at this Rawson Pass intersection.
This is also the location of Australia’s highest public toilet.
It was built in 2007 to deal with the increasing number of hikers and cyclists visiting the mountain each summer.
Mount Kosciuszko Summit
The walking track winds around the summit of Mt Kosciuszko until you reach the peak, the perfect spot for a picnic and, of course, the obligatory selfie.
The views of the surrounding landscape are breathtaking and make you feel tiny. Keep an eye out for Mount Townsend, officially only 18 metres lower than Mt Kosciuszko.
| Thredbo to Mount Kosciuszko | |
|---|---|
| Distance: | 13 km (return) |
| Time: | 4-5 hours (depending on stops) |
| Grade: | Moderate / hard |
2. Mount Kosciuszko Summit Walk
The 18 km Mt Kosciuszko summit walk starts at Charlotte Pass, at the end of Kosciuszko Rd. The longer Main Range Walk starts at the same location.
Until 1977, it was possible to drive from Charlotte Pass to a point past Rawson Pass, but the road was closed that year due to environmental concerns. The track is open to hikers and cyclists only.
Cyclists will need to leave their bicycles at Rawson Pass and complete the last stretch to the peak of Mount Kosciuszko on foot.
The track crosses the Snowy River bridge and passes the Seaman’s Hut, a small cottage on the road to Mount Kosciuszko.
It was built in 1929 by the parents of a skier who died during a blizzard the year before. The purpose of this hut is to provide emergency shelter to those who need it to prevent the recurrence of a similar tragedy.
| Mount Kosciuszko Summit Walk | |
|---|---|
| Distance: | 18.5 km (return) |
| Time: | 6-7 hours (depending on stops) |
| Grade: | Hard |
3. Main Range Walk
The Main Range Walk is a full-day outdoor adventure, experiencing the best of the Australian Alps scenery.
It’s the length that makes this once-in-a-lifetime walking track challenging, but the track overall is reasonably flat and well-maintained.
The walk crosses the Snowy River twice and offers panoramic views of several alpine lakes along the way.
A major highlight is Blue Lake, one of only four cirque lakes on mainland Australia. In 1996, Blue Lake and its surroundings were recognised as a wetland of international importance.
| Main Range Walk | |
|---|---|
| Distance: | 22 km (loop) |
| Time: | 8-10 hours (depending on stops) |
| Grade: | Hard |
Hi, I am planning to do a day hike in early January (the shortest route 13 km). How do I go about getting a guide (group tour)?
Hi Dorene,
I’m not sure if there are guided tours for hikes up to Mount Kosciuszko. But if you’re concerned about getting lost, there’s no need to be. It’s a well-maintained path, very easy to follow, and there will be lots of people around.
I like it. I have done the walk from Thredbo. The Main Range Track looks quite good. I was contemplating the walking track via Hannels Spur.
That’s awesome David. The Main Range track is a great adventure, so that would be a good excuse to go back to the Snowy Mountains one day!
Hey there, great to read the article.
Could you please advise if walking in December to the summit or to Blue Lake via the Main Range Track would require to include any precautionary items like snake protection gaiters etc. in list of items to carry due to the summer season. Not sure if required.
Hi there, to our knowledge snake bites are rare in the Mount Kosciuszko region, but there’s nothing wrong with extra protection for peace of mind. Another thing to consider is the climate there. Weather conditions can change rapidly, from cold to warm, and vice versa, not to mention the strong winds. It’s best to wear a few layers of clothes that you can take off during hiking when it gets warmer. The sun can also be very strong, so make sure you bring sun protection.
Have a great trip!
I visited Mt Kosciuszko a few years ago. I chose the Thredbo to Mt Kosciuszko walk by chair lift. it is quite pricy for 4 of us; $49 pp now which is almost $200.
If without taking a chair lift, the only challenging section is from the Thredbo to Eagles Nest. From the Eagles Nest onwards, it is quite flat.
This time, I would like to try to go via the Summit Walk. Is there any difficult section in this routine?
Hi there,
The Summit Walk isn’t much harder than the stretch between Eagles Nest and the summit; it’s just longer (18.5 vs 13 km).
Make sure you bring food and water, good hiking shoes, and check the weather forecast before you go.
My hubby and I are planning to do the Mt Kosciusko Summit Walk in mid May. Are we leaving it too late for the walk? Don’t mind the cold but don’t want to get lost in snow.
Hi Joy,
May is a bit of a hit and miss, but you’re probably going to be fine. Cold for sure, but heavy snow is unlikely.
Hi,
We are a small group of 3 boys planning on doing the main range walk during Easter Break 2022, i.e. from 15th April to 18th April.
Could some of the experienced hikers recommend or share any tips please?
Hi Ragz,
Most important thing is to prepare for all kinds of weather. Warm, cold, dry, windy, rain, snow, you have to prepare for everything.
The hike itself is very doable for young and fit people. Make sure you bring plenty of water and food.
What should we pack for the Thredbo to Kosciuszko walk (March hopefully) and do you think it’s comfortable for a 7 yr old?
Hi Sandy, it’s always best to prepare for cold and windy weather in the Snowy Mountains. Wear multiple layers so that you can always take one or more layers off when it gets warmer during the day.
The track to Mount Kosciuszko from Thredbo is well maintained and injuries are highly unlikely, but a small first aid kit is always a good idea. Definitely bring a good amount of water, and a couple of energy bars, pieces of fruit and perhaps some sandwiches to keep you going during the hike.
Kids that age can certainly do this walk, but everyone is different. It will depend on how much hiking the child has done and if he or she is comfortable and happy being outdoors for quite some time. It’s a fun and safe hike, but it’s also very long and a young child needs to be mentally ready for that if you know what I mean.
Hi, great guide!
I’m planning on doing the hike for the first time late December. Trying to work out whether to do the Thredbo to Mount Kosciuszko or the Mount Kosciuszko Summit Walk. Which would you recommend in terms of best scenery? Outside of scenery and distance, are there other considerations I should factor into my choice?
Thanks,
Sarah
Hi Sarah,
The scenery is actually quite similar, with the main difference being that the Mount Kosciuszko Summit Walk is mostly on an old gravel road, and the Thredbo walk has long sections on boardwalks.
Choosing between the two walks will mainly depend on how much time you have and how much you want to hike. Apart from the distance, there is not much difference in terms of difficulty. You may even want to consider combining both, if you have someone available to pick you up at the other end.
Have fun!
Hi!
Do you think this hike to the summit from eagles nest is possible first week of June? That’s without snow shoes.
Thanks
Yikes!
I personally wouldn’t but anything is possible of course. It’s definitely going to be cold, but snowfall is a bit unpredictable. Most of that walk though is on boardwalks so even if it snows a little the track should still be walkable.
Let us know how you go.
Thanks for the great information. Heading there next week.
Del
Enjoy, it’s beautiful out there!