Mount Kosciuszko

Mount Kosciuszko stands 2,228 metres above sea level, making it the highest peak on the Australian mainland. It sits on the Main Range in Kosciuszko National Park, in the Snowy Mountains of New South Wales.

The mountain lies in Kosciuszko National Park in southern NSW, with Jindabyne the nearest service town. Sydney is roughly a 6 hour drive south via the Hume and Monaro highways, and Canberra is about 2.5 hours away on the Monaro Highway.

Yes. NSW NPWS charges a vehicle entry fee for Kosciuszko National Park, currently $29 per vehicle per day in the snow season and $17 per day off-peak, with motorcycles and bus passengers paying less. If you visit often, an annual All Parks or Kosciuszko-specific pass is better value, and you can buy day or annual passes at entry stations, visitor centres or via the Park n Pay app.

Most people start from Thredbo, riding the Kosciuszko Express chairlift to Eagles Nest and then walking the elevated steel mesh track to the top. The longer, more traditional route starts at Charlotte Pass and follows the historic Summit Trail past Seamans Hut and Rawson Pass.

From the top of the Kosciuszko Express chairlift the summit walk is 13km return and takes around 4 to 6 hours. The raised track is gently graded to protect the alpine soils, so it suits most reasonably fit walkers including families.

The Charlotte Pass route is 18.6km return and NPWS suggests 6 to 8 hours, rated Grade 3 (hard). It is the older approach to the summit and crosses the Snowy River near its source before climbing past Seamans Hut to Rawson Pass.

The summit walks are typically snow free from November to April, which is also when the alpine wildflowers are at their best. Outside that window the tracks are snowbound and need cross country ski or snowshoe skills, with no snow poles marking the route.

The official Australian ski season runs from the King's Birthday long weekend in early June through to the October long weekend, although natural snow cover varies year to year. Perisher and Thredbo both rely heavily on snowmaking to extend the season at either end.

Thredbo and Perisher are the two large resorts inside Kosciuszko National Park. Perisher is the largest ski area in the southern hemisphere with four linked villages (Perisher Valley, Smiggin Holes, Blue Cow and Guthega) and around 47 lifts, while Thredbo offers Australia's longest vertical drop and is the gateway for the chairlift summit walk.

Yes. From late spring through summer the alpine herbfields put on a major display, with silver snow daisies, marsh marigolds, mountain roses and buttercups carpeting the slopes around Rawson Pass and Seamans Hut. January and February are usually the peak weeks for wildflowers.

Even in summer the summit can be cold, windy and exposed, with snow possible in any month and quick changes from sun to whiteout. Carry warm and waterproof layers, sun protection, plenty of water and a map, and turn back if conditions deteriorate.

The high country around Mount Kosciuszko is the traditional Country of the Ngarigo people, with Monero and Walgalu (Wolgalu) groups also connected to the wider Snowy Mountains. Their ongoing cultural connection to these mountains stretches back tens of thousands of years.