Snowies Alpine Walk and Mount Kosciuszko - 5 Days

Snowies Alpine Walk and Mount Kosciuszko - 5 Days

5 Days
Moderate

Snowies Alpine Walk and Mount Kosciuszko - 5 Days

from $1,860 / person

Overview

The Snowy Mountains and Mount Kosciuszko National Park rank among Australia's most breathtaking landscapes. This five-day walk crosses the high alpine plateau via Guthega, Perisher, Blue Lake, and Charlotte Pass to Thredbo, through rugged scenery, beautiful wildflowers, and sweeping views at every turn.

The route follows the Snowy River through undulating valleys before climbing above the treeline onto the open alpine plain and to the summit of Mount Kosciuszko itself. On the final day, the chairlift returns walkers to the top for the descent to Thredbo via Dead Horse Gap.

Highlights

  • Summit the highest mountain in Australia, Mount Kosciuszko
  • Witness millions of years of glacial, ocean and volcanic activity
  • Walk through snow gum woodlands and colourful alpine wildflower-carpeted meadows
  • Enjoy lunch beside pristine glacial lakes, at the summit of mountains or alongside crystal-clear creeks
  • Panoramic 360-degree views over vast valleys and the Great Dividing Range
  • Look forward to being cooked and cared for by our mountain lodge hosts

Itinerary

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What's Included

Accommodation

3-star Hotel (4 nights)

Meals

3 breakfasts, 2 lunches, and 3 dinners

Transfers

  • Luggage Transfers
  • Private Vehicle Transfers

Guidance & Support

  • Itinerary & Walk Notes
  • Walking App for Navigation
  • 24/7 on-trip support

How We Rate This Walk

3

Auswalk Walking Grade

Moderate

Rated by our team — we walk every route before we recommend it.

Expect some hills and longer walking days. A reasonable level of fitness will help you enjoy the experience.

View Fitness Guide

3

Days on the trail

10-13 km

Daily distance range

121-714 m

Daily ascent range

9/10

Trail difficulty

Where You'll Stay

Ski lodges and hotels provide four nights of comfortable accommodation on this walk, all with en-suite facilities and sitting right within the park. The locations are excellent, putting you close to the landscape you have spent the day walking through and making the most of the time available to explore.

What You'll Eat

Meals are well covered on this tour, with four cooked breakfasts, three chef-prepared two-course dinners and two walker's lunches included throughout. Breakfasts and dinners are prepared by in-house chefs at your accommodation, with dinners a generous two-course affair after a day in the mountains. Walker's lunches are provided on the trail and vary but typically include a high-protein salad, a roll or wrap, a muesli bar, something sweet and fresh fruit. On day two, lunch is picked up independently in Jindabyne at a cafe, bakery or supermarket. Please advise us of any food allergies or intolerances at the time of booking. If you have severe allergies, bringing some of your own snacks is recommended, as specialist ingredients can be harder to source in more remote parts of the walk.

Note: Drinks and alcohol are not included with meals, with the exception of tea, coffee and juice served with breakfast

More About This Trip

The walk starts and finishes in Jindabyne, in the Snowy Mountains of New South Wales, roughly halfway between Sydney and Melbourne. The most practical public transport option is the bus from Canberra (Kingston) Station, which runs three days a week on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, arriving in Jindabyne at 2.30pm. Canberra Airport is around 11 minutes from Kingston Station. The return service departs Jindabyne at 8.20am on the same days. Those travelling on other days may need to arrange a private transfer or add an extra night. A bus from Cooma to Canberra also connects with a Jindabyne service, departing at 9.00am Monday to Friday.

Driving is the most flexible option, with car hire available in both Sydney and Canberra. A shuttle transfer from Thredbo back to Jindabyne is included at the end of the walk. Transfers to Cooma or Canberra can be arranged on request at an additional cost.

This walk is available from 1 December to 1 April, with no fixed start days. December and March are the finest months, with mild temperatures, fewer crowds and the alpine wildflowers at their most spectacular. January and February are warmer and more popular, with long days and excellent conditions on the summit. Bear in mind that this mountain environment is 10 to 15 degrees cooler than Sydney or Melbourne, and weather can change quickly at altitude. Pack warm layers and waterproofs, whatever the forecast says.

This walk is graded moderate. Daily walks average 14 kilometres with around 504 metres of ascent and descent, and a terrain difficulty rating of 9 out of 10. Tracks are generally good underfoot, though some days include notable elevation. Two longer optional days reach up to 20 kilometres for those who wish to push further. A good level of walking fitness is needed to enjoy this walk comfortably.

Incorporate regular hill work and back-to-back walking days into your preparation, building up to around 20 kilometres comfortably in a single day. Sturdy walking boots with reliable grip and ankle support are essential.

Daily walk notes, maps, and GPX tracks are provided.

You must hold adequate travel insurance for your trip, including cover for personal liability and accidental injury and illness. For all trips involving international travel, your policy must also include emergency medical treatment, evacuation and repatriation cover. We strongly recommend your policy also covers trip cancellation and curtailment, and loss of or damage to luggage.

A cancellation fee usually applies if you cancel after your booking is confirmed. Travel insurance with cancellation cover will generally cover this fee, so it's worth arranging your policy at the time of booking.

Full insurance requirements are set out in our booking terms and conditions.

A detailed information pack and itinerary will be sent to you around six weeks before departure, covering everything you need to know for a seamless experience. In the meantime, our team is always on hand to answer any questions.

For your safety and well-being, we are unable to accept bookings for solo walkers on our self-guided Australian Alpine High Country walking trips. The remote nature of some tracks and limited mobile reception mean that walking alone presents a higher risk in case of emergencies.

The Snowy Region Visitor Centre in Jindabyne has interpretive displays on the Kosciuszko landscape, its Aboriginal heritage and the history of the Snowy Hydro scheme, alongside a rotating gallery of local art.

Dates & Pricing

Choose Your Start Date

Pick any available date — this is your trip, your schedule

December 2026

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Available
Limited
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Out of season

Prices shown are per person, twin/double share basis.

Snowy Mountains & the Snowies Alpine Walk reviews

4.9
42 reviews
5 Star
38
4 Star
4
3 Star
0
2 Star
0
1 Star
0

Peter A
5 months ago

Good varied walks. Great scenery. Our guides Nadia and Peter did a great job.

Paula C
6 months ago

I had a great time hiking with lovely people in beautiful countryside. Naomi was fantastic and is a real asset to your business. She took great care of us, was always there is snacks, treats and drinks at the end of a long walk and was super knowledgeable on birds and wildlife. This was my first hike and I thoroughly enjoyed it. The guides were great and always made us feel safe and secure.

Sandra O
6 months ago

Naomi and Marcus were great, very knowledgeable about the area, plant life and animals. Both were sensitive to the individual needs of each member of the group, and helped everyone feel part of the adventure. They were enthusiastic and fun. Entire trip went extremely well.

Elizabeth G
6 months ago

It’s the first time my sister and I have used Auswalk and we were not disappointed. Everything from the pre trip information to departure was well organised. The walk was fantastic and we had a most enjoyable trip. Kathleen and David were wonderful guides. They went ‘above and beyond’ to ensure a fabulous trip. Even when the weather conditions (including fire risk) was not favourable, Kathleen and David worked hard in working out different options. Despite this we did make it to the top of Kosciuszko!

Christine B
6 months ago

Food was just perfect in the accommodation and the quality and variety of the "Scroggin"/Treats was excellent. It was particularly helpful with the very hot weather. The hosts were lovely and very helpful. The guides were excellent. They had some very challenging situations which they handled safely, kindly and with aplomb.

Leslie L
6 months ago

I had a wonderful time and thoroughly enjoyed the walk. Georgie and Marcus amended the itinerary to help fit in with the extreme heat we experienced. This worked out extremely well as they gave everyone many options from which to choose. Loved the selection of snacks (scroggin) on offer each day and the quality of all meals was excellent.

Frequently asked questions

The prime season for walking in the Snowy Mountains is during the summer and autumn months, from November to April. Outside of this window, the high alpine tracks are often covered in snow. Summer (December to February) is a particularly spectacular time to visit. The alpine meadows burst into life with an astonishing display of wildflowers, which must be seen to be believed. The weather is generally warm and suitable for hiking, though conditions in the mountains can change rapidly at any time of year. Autumn (March and April) offers cooler temperatures, clearer skies, and fewer crowds, making it an excellent time for dedicated hikers to enjoy the crisp mountain air and expansive views.

This is a world-class, fully-inclusive group-guided walking experience. What's Included: Expert Guides: You will be led by two engaging, knowledgeable, and experienced guides. Accommodation: 3 nights' comfortable accommodation at Valhalla Lodge in Perisher Valley, with private ensuite rooms. All Meals: The trip is fully catered with high-quality meals prepared by an in-house chef. This includes cooked breakfasts, comprehensive walkers' lunches, and excellent two-course dinners. All Transport: Return transport from Canberra to the Snowy Mountains is included, as well as all transport during the walk and luggage transfers. Fees & Passes: All National Park admission fees and any necessary chairlift passes are included in the price. What's Excluded: Drinks: Alcohol and other drinks with meals are not included (except for tea/coffee and juice with breakfast). The lodge has a range of wines and beers available for purchase.

For the three nights of this walk, you will be based at the modern and comfortable Valhalla Lodge in Perisher Valley. A key advantage of this lodge is its location right inside the Kosciuszko National Park, offering stunning views and allowing you to walk directly in and out of the accommodation on some days, minimizing travel time. All rooms have private ensuites. The lodge features a welcoming common area with a lobby fireplace, perfect for relaxing after a day on the trails. The in-house chef provides superb meals, including cooked breakfasts to start your day and delicious two-course dinners in the evening, making for a comfortable and restorative stay in the heart of the mountains.

This walk is graded as Moderate (Grade 3). It involves hiking on well-formed alpine tracks, but the terrain can be uneven and the walks are reasonably long, with some arduous sections. The mountain environment means you need to be prepared for variable weather and some challenging ascents. As a group-guided walk, the pace is managed by the expert guides. They are skilled at catering to the needs of the group, offering plenty of options and advice to ensure everyone feels comfortable and supported. While the group moves together, the presence of two guides often allows for some flexibility, ensuring a comfortable pace for all participants without anyone feeling pressured.

This guided walk operates on specific, scheduled departure dates throughout the summer and autumn season. You can check current departure dates here. Because the trip is guided and group sizes are kept small to ensure a high-quality experience, places are limited. We recommend booking several months in advance to secure a spot on your preferred date, especially for popular holiday periods like January.

Want to Know More?

The Snowy Mountains & the Snowies Alpine Walk experience

Wonder
Summit Mount Kosciuszko at 2,228 metres, Australia's highest peak, on a clear alpine ridge
Cross the Spencers Creek Suspension Bridge, the highest altitude suspension bridge in Australia
Walk through glacier-carved landscapes of Blue Lake, Headley Tarn, and the Main Range in one journey
Wellness
A linear alpine hike through Kosciuszko National Park from one alpine village to the next, pack-free
One of the least-walked national parks in the world, with vast solitude even in peak season
Mountain lodge hosts cook dinner each night in comfortable alpine village accommodation
Nature
Snow gum woodlands, alpine wildflower meadows, and granite boulder formations across the Main Range
Ramsar-listed wetlands and the source of the Snowy River are part of the high-altitude ecosystem
Alpine wildflowers carpet the meadows from November to February in one of Australia's great seasonal spectacles