Kosciuszko National Park Summit walk

• Start: Thredbo for 13km return or Charlotte Pass for 18.6km return.
• Duration: Thredbo 4 to 5 hours return or Charlotte Pass 6 to 8 hours return.
• Best time: December to March, after the snow melts.

Climb Mount Kosciuszko, Australia's highest mountain, on the acclaimed Mount Kosciuszko Summit Walk and experience breathtaking panoramic views over the Snowy Mountains. Explore trails dotted with wildflowers in early summer and see historic settler huts, weathered snow gums and stunning rock formations.

Flora, Kosciuszko National Park

There are two trails to choose from to get to the top of Mount Kosciuszko. Both offer spectacular views of Kosciuszko National Park along the way, one starting in Thredbo and the other in Charlotte Pass.

In Thredbo, take a scenic ride aboard the Kosciuszko Express Chairlift to the start of the 13km return Kosciuszko Walk, which takes four to five hours to complete. A popular day walk, the track winds up above Lake Cootapatamba, Australia’s highest lake. Take in the views from the Cootapatamba Lookout above the lake.

Summer Scenic Chairlift, Thredbo

The alternative Summit walk departs from Charlotte Pass, an 18.6km return trip taking six to eight hours. For mountain bikers, leave your bikes at the stands at Rawson Pass and walk the 1.4km to the summit, which stands at 2,228 metres.

Thredbo Valley Track in Kosciuszko National Park

The best time for both walks is from December through to March, when the alpine wildflowers bloom after the snow has melted. Weather in the mountains can change quickly though so check forecasts and read these bushwalking safety tips before your walk. Always prepare thoroughly for your safety and comfort.

Experienced hikers can also tackle the challenging Main Range Track, which winds past glacial lakes Hedley Tarn and Blue Lake. The glacier-carved landscapes along the Main Range Track are part of a UNESCO-protected Biosphere Reserve.