As part of a road trip we decided to visit Mt Kosciuszko. For the highest peak in the country it is a surprisingly easy walk, albeit fairly lengthy at around 18km. The mountain stands 2228m, with a walking elevation gain of about 400m.
We left Canberra after breakfast and got to Charlotte Pass just in time for dinner. As we neared the trail-head snow appeared on the distant mountain tops and along the edge of the road. We cooked under the annoyingly watchful eye of a currawong and retired for the night to our Landcruiser, with a handy public toilet nearby.
After breakfast we started along the wide, flat gravel track which had been a public road until 1977, when it was closed to prevent environmental damage from the many overloaded Holden Kingswoods. The scenery was vast and impressive with the snow-covered ranges all around. After about 4.5km we crossed the Snowy River, conjuring foggy recollections of grade 7 English classes and Jack Thompson in an Akubra.
Distance marker Alpine vegetation Our destination in the distance Snowy River Snowy River
After another 2km we arrived at Seaman’s Hut. The track was covered in snow for a couple of hundred meters as we approached, but compact and easy enough to walk on. We continued, with the next section of track becoming slightly steeper and more exposed to the westerly breeze. The cold wind and short, hardy alpine plants were starting to make us feel at home.
Snow covered track Seaman’s Hut Inside Seaman’s Hut
We managed to take a wrong turn at the junction that heads to the Thredbo chairlift, thankfully realising before too long. As we backtracked there was a lone walker making his own way straight up the snow covered mountain. We decided to stick with the track feeling less adventurous after having already gotten ourselves lost once.
This walker abandoned the track
The final stretch of track loops around the back of the peak, where we found some steeper snowy bits but nothing more challenging than a wet sock or two. We got to the peak after 2.5 hrs of walking. The view was clear in all directions and we spent a pleasant half hour with the mountain all to ourselves, contrary to expectation.
Nearing the peak Snow covered track Slightly off the track due to the snow View from the peak View from the peak The peak; with the track in the background
Back at Seaman’s hut we had lunch and chatted to a Parks guide who was heading up with a school group. The wind was starting to pick up by this stage, but we were about to drop into the more sheltered valley.
Overall it’s a leisurely but blister-inducing walk. It was nice to have ticked off Australia’s highest point, and the cold air was a welcome change after a fortnight in the deserts and backwoods of NSW and Victoria.