Overnight Experience On Mount Kosciuszko - Australia’s Highest Mountain

Mount Kosciuszko is Australia’s highest mountain at 2,228m. The best time to come here is between December and March when the alpine wildflowers bloom.

Getting there

You can start/end the hike from Thredbo and Charlotte Pass. From Melbourne, it is a 6-7 hour drive to Thredbo and a 7-8 hour drive to Charlotte Pass. The entrance fee into the National Park outside of winter months is $17 per vehicle per day. 

For an alternative drive back other than the Hume Hwy, you can head east and drive through Bondi Forest, several national parks and Bairnsdale. It adds approx 30 minutes to your drive. However, there are not many petrol stations. After hiking with minimal and bland food we were craving some greasy food. The first fast food restaurants we passed was 5 hours into our drive in Bairnsdale. Be warned! 

Hiking from Charlotte Pass

Summit Walk

The return hike is 18.6km and takes between 6-8 hours. At the halfway point we crossed the Snowy River Bridge. The water is clear and instead of using the bridge to cross you can stone hop. 6km into the hike we reached the historic Seamans Hut which is used as an emergency shelter. 7.6km of the hike is a gradual slope and bikes are permitted. Beyond the point, the track becomes steeper and rougher.

A stone monument marks the summit at 2228m and when we arrived there was a long line for photos. However, there are other spots for better photo opportunities. On a clear day, you can see magnificent mountain ranges in every direction.

The Summit Walk and Main Range tracks meet up approx. 30 minutes from the summit. We took the Summit Walk up and Main Range down.

The only toilets are located where Rawsons Pass meets Summit Walk, 30 minutes to 1 hour from the summit

Main Range 

The return loop hike that we did is 22km and takes between 7-9 hours. Main Range is more challenging than the other tracks as it is mountainous with many steep inclines and declines. Some of the track is along an exposed ridge with spectacular views to the west. The track also takes you to alpine lakes (Blue, Club, Albina). 

At the bottom of the Main Range, we to cross a 40m wide section of the Snowy River by walking on stepping stones. When we crossed at mid-morning it was very busy and we had to wait to cross.

Hiking from Thredbo

Merritts Nature Track 

You can also hike up to the top of the chairlift. This hike is 3.7km and takes 2-3 hours uphill.

Kosciuszko Walk

This 13km takes you to the summit and back, it takes 4-5 hours. The track starts at the top of the Kosciuszko Express Chairlift. The chairlift runs between 9am-4.30pm, takes 15 minutes and costs $45. If you buy early here you will save 15%. 

Where to camp?

After reaching the summit we walk down along Muellers Pass (part of Main Range Track) for 30 minutes to find a camping spot. There were only about 15 tents on the mountain. 

Alternatively, you can walk off the main track to Wilkinsons Creek, this is a flat area nestled between Mount Kosciuszko and Mount Townsend. There are some restrictions on where you can camp. For example you must camp away from alpine lakes/rivers and the summit. Also, no fires are allowed.

After 5 pm we felt like we had the mountain to ourselves. We set up the tent on a ridge close to the track with incredible views. However, it wasn’t protected from the wind. Clouds rolled over the mountains and the temperature rapidly dropped once the sun went down. It was a clear night so the sky was full of stars and the milky way.

We hope this blog helped you with your planning. If you have any questions, don't be afraid to ask!