Snowy Mountains, 5 Day Walking Tour
(Ex Canberra) Australian Capital Territory - Mon 7th January 2019

After a couple of hours travelling, we have our morning tea stop at a local cafe in Jindabyne. After a brief visit to the Information Centre in Jindabyne we then continue onto Thredbo. We check into our Lodge style accommodation, have lunch and then get organised for the first walk of the tour. Today’s walk follows alongside the cascading, icy waters of the Thredbo River from Dead Horse Gap back into Thredbo village.

On this signposted river track walk, you will see gums growing around granite boulders and watch the river race beneath your feet as you cross the footbridges. Stroll through the snow gum woodlands and enjoy the views down to the river. Keep your eyes on the river for trout and platypus – look for circular ripple patterns.

Return to our lodge and settle in for pre dinner nibbles, followed by a delicious two- course dinner prepared by your guides.

Meals: Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Lodge

After breakfast and lunch making we depart the lodge and head out for a delightful walk to the Porcupine.

Starting at the Perisher Valley Reservoir, this 5 km (2 hour) walk heads up through Rock Creek valley to the panoramic views from Porcupine Rocks. On this walk, you will wander through button grass plains and among groves of snow gums whilst passing some granite tors. From the top of this walk, there are great views down both Perisher Valley and Thredbo River Valley as well as to Mt Duncan.

Rainbow Lake is our next destination. There are some gentle climbs and small creeks to cross before catching first glimpses of sun sparkling upon Rainbow Lake, but it’s all part of the adventure. Here we can take our pick of lakeside picnic spots, and bask in the sunshine while enjoying our lunch.

During the next 6 km walk, you’ll pass through a variety of settings, including tall eucalypt forest, outcrops of hefty granite boulders, and flowering and fruiting heath land. Then, of course, there’s the waterfall itself, which is wonderfully peaceful. Head to the platform on the south side for great scenic views. Be sure to check out the tall, fibrous-barked alpine ash trees nearby, which were logged in the area late last century and can grow to 90m tall.

Then its off to Kosciusko Education Centre at Sawpit Creek to view a range of hands-on displays and innovative programs to engage visitors wanting to learn more about the natural, cultural and historic heritage of Kosciuszko National Park.

Back to the Lodge for the evening and a two-course dinner prepared by your guides.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Lodge

After rock-hopping across the Snowy River below Charlotte Pass, we have a challenging climb up to the top of the Main Range through alpine herb fields past Hedley Tarn Lookout to Blue Lake Lookout. Blue Lake is arguably the jewel in the crown of the Kosciusko National Park. It then climbs Carruthers Peak which provides spectacular views over the western slopes of the Main Range.. It continues along the exposed ridge of the Main Range above Club Lake and Lake Albina until it meets the Summit Walk between Rawson Pass and Mt Kosciuszko.

It is a challenging day of walking and we return to our accommodation in the afternoon for some well deserved nibbles followed by a lovely two course dinner prepared by your guides.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Lodge

After the usual breakfast and lunch making our day starts with a bit of a difference. We’ll make our way to the highest point in the country, Mt. Kosciuszko. We take a chairlift ride to the top of the Thredbo ski fields, walk to the top of Mt. Kosciusko and return via Dead Horse Gap.

Enjoy the chair lift from Thredbo Village to Main Range. Pass snowdrifts that survive year round and soak up the awesome splendor of our surrounds on top of Mt. Kosciuszko.

Our return journey follows along a beautifully shaded trail that affords us superb views over the southern end of Australia’s High Country.

Dinner at local restaurant (own expense). Please have cash on hand, as the restaurant may not split the bill.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation: Lodge

After breakfast, we pack up our belongings and the guides will pack the trailer.

This morning we take a walk alongside the river down to the Thredbo Diggings. It is a short easy walk. Wallabies and kangaroos are also a common sight along the track and, during spring, wildflowers such as the yellow bossia and purple hovea are in bloom. Be sure to keep a look out too for platypus in the pools around dawn and dusk.

Lunch is in Jindabyne (own expense)

We are usually back in Canberra around 4.30 pm and can drop you back to the airport around 5.00 pm.

Meals: Breakfast