Mount Kosciuszko: Hiking Australia’s highest mountain!

Want to climb Australia’s highest mountain? It might sound intense, but at Mount Kosciuszko it can be surprisingly easy. In this blog I tell you everything about the hiking routes, our own experience and why this mountain range feels so different from the rest of Australia.

Mount Kosciuszko is the highest point on the Australian mainland, and offers plenty of beautiful hiking routes and viewpoints. Locals also call it the ‘Snowies’ – Kosciuszko National Park doesn’t sound very Australian.

Where is Mount Kosciuszko (Snowy Mountains) and how do you get there?

Mount Kosciuszko is located in southeastern Australia, in the state of New South Wales. The mountain area is part of the Snowy Mountains and lies within Kosciuszko National Park. You reach the mountain area from the town of Jindabyne, a perfect base.

A day earlier we arrived late in Jindabyne after a long drive. Mount Kosciuszko is a bit inland (where most tourists stick to the coast) and so you have to cover quite a few kilometers to get there. But it was worth it. The drive there is already beautiful. But as you can see in the photo above, long straight stretches, haha!

From the mountain town of Jindabyne, at the foot of the Australian Alps, we head early the next morning towards Kosciuszko National Park. Jindabyne is the perfect base for visiting the area – a cozy town by a beautiful lake with all the facilities you need. We choose to drive to Charlotte Pass. There are 2 places where you can enter the park, but this one has especially the beautiful route. The other place is mainly for the popular summit walk.

The route to the park already gives us a first impression: you climb higher and higher until there is almost no greenery left to see. In winter this is of course Australia’s premier ski area – we see ski accommodations and lifts everywhere that now stand deserted in summer.

At the park entrance we pay $17 entry. With our day pass in hand we drive further into the park, higher and higher into the mountains towards Charlotte Pass.

What is Australia’s highest mountain? The facts at a glance

For those wondering: Mount Kosciuszko at 2,228 meters is the highest mountain on the Australian mainland. Compared to the European Alps or the Himalayas this is of course not particularly high, but in relatively flat Australia (when talking about peaks) Koszie literally towers above everything! The mountain was climbed in 1840 by Polish explorer Paul Edmund Strzelecki and named after Polish freedom fighter Tadeusz Kościuszko.

The highest point of all of Australia, if you include the territorial islands, is actually Mawson Peak (2,745 meters) on Heard Island – a remote island in the Southern Ocean. But since hardly anyone goes there, Mount Kosciuszko is generally considered the ‘roof of Australia’. Given the hike to get there is quite doable, you can soon say you’ve stood at the highest point of a continent!

Does Australia have many mountains?

Absolutely! The Australian Alps in the southeast of the country are Australia’s most famous mountain range. Here you’ll also find Mount Kosciuszko, the highest peak on the mainland. Although the mountains here aren’t as high as in Europe or Asia, the views and hikes here are at least as special. You can even ski here in winter!

Our hiking adventures in the park

We start the morning with long clothing on, although the jackets come off quickly. It’s 7 degrees, but it’s windless with a clear blue sky and lovely sunshine. Perfect hiking weather! Due to the altitude it’s a bit colder than elsewhere in Australia, so keep that in mind.

The Porcupine Walk

Our first hike of the day is the Porcupine Walk. This recently renovated route is a beautiful way to get to know the alpine landscape of the park. The path winds through open plains dotted with granite boulders and offers at the highest point a surprisingly expansive view over the various mountains and rocks of the Snowy Mountains.

The walk is well signposted and despite some steeper sections quite doable for almost everyone. Many plants here are adapted to the extreme climate with cold winters and warm summers. Also watch for the small lizards hiding between the rocks. We even came across a little crab under the constructed path!

Due to the altitude the park is completely different from the rest of Australia. And because it’s a ski area, the facilities are top-notch!

The Stillwell’s Walk

This hiking route starts at the Charlotte Pass lookout and takes you to Mount Stillwell, one of the higher peaks in the area with great views of Mount Kosciuszko and the neighboring highest mountain peaks of Australia. The path climbs gradually upwards and along the way you encounter the end of the ski lift (which of course stands still in summer).

The highlight of this walk is literally the highest point: a panoramic view over the Kosciuszko Range with its mountain peaks, alpine grasslands and deep valleys. On a clear day like today you can see endlessly, with perfect sight of Mount Kosciuszko itself! Along the way you’ll find an information board with all the peaks and their names that you see.

The popular Summit Walk

Although we didn’t do it ourselves due to time constraints, the Summit Walk is the most popular hike in the park. You can hike to Mount Kosciuszko from two sides, and each route has its own charm. Sounds cool right? Hiking to Mount Kosciuszko, the highest point on the Australian mainland.

The first option is via Thredbo, where you can take a chairlift that brings you a good way up already. From there it’s still about 13 kilometers (round trip) to the top.

The second option is from Charlotte Pass, a slightly longer but in many eyes more beautiful walk of 18 kilometers round trip. We chose Charlotte Pass as starting point for our other hikes because the road to get there is beautiful – you drive all the way to the end of Kosciuszko Road, where you can park your car (with difficulty). There is no official parking lot at Charlotte Pass, so everyone parks on the roadside. It works in practice too.

The Summit Walk from Charlotte Pass starts with a descent to the Snowy River, which you cross via a small bridge. After that follows a gradual climb through alpine landscapes to Rawson Pass, where the route joins the path from Thredbo. From there it’s one last climb to the top of Mount Kosciuszko at 2,228 meters altitude.

For those seeking even more challenge, there is the Main Range Walking Track. This 22-kilometer loop (8-10 hours) also starts at Charlotte Pass but takes you past various alpine lakes, including the beautiful Blue Lake, before returning via the Summit.

Anyone planning to go to the top should definitely leave early. The parking at Charlotte Pass is limited, and later on a busy (weekend) day cars are often parked kilometers along the road!

Relaxing at Lake Jindabyne

The rest of the afternoon we enjoy the beautiful weather. We drive back to Jindabyne and take a short walk along Lake Jindabyne, where our campsite is right on the lake. The water of the lake, which comes fresh from the mountains, contrasts beautifully with the brown mountains around it.

We stayed at NRMA Jindabyne Holiday Park campsite ourselves. With lake views, good facilities and central location it’s the perfect place to recover after a day in the mountains. We end the day with a barbecue by the camper.

Practical tips for Kosciuszko National Park

• Check the weather carefully before you leave. The weather in the mountains can change quickly, even in summer.
• Bring plenty of water, food, sun protection and warm clothing. It can be surprisingly cold due to the wind, even on a sunny day. You hardly encounter any eateries along the way.
• Start your hike early if you’re going to Charlotte Pass. Parking spaces are very limited.
• Stay on the paths to protect the fragile alpine vegetation and avoid venomous snakes.

Where to stay in Jindabyne?

1. NRMA Jindabyne Holiday Park (budget & camping)
A popular campsite right on Lake Jindabyne. You can camp here or choose a simple cabin. Perfect if you’re traveling with a camper or like to stay close to nature.
💰 From about €55 per night (powered site), cabins from €90
🔗 Check on Booking.com

2. Alpine Resort Motel (mid-range)
Comfortable rooms with lake or mountain views. Free parking and within walking distance of Jindabyne center.
💰 From about €110 per night
🔗 Check on Booking.com

3. Lake Crackenback Resort & Spa (luxury)
Luxury lodge just outside Jindabyne, closer to the Kosciuszko National Park entrance. Ideal for relaxing with spa or open fireplace after a day of hiking.
💰 From about €250 per night
🔗 Check on Booking.com

Was Kosciuszko National Park worth it?

Absolutely! The combination of beautiful hiking trails, breathtaking views and the unique alpine environment makes this a completely different setting from what you find elsewhere on Australia’s south coast. Experienced hiker or shorter walk? In Kosciuszko National Park it can all finally happen.

Your biggest consideration is rather whether you think it’s worth driving so far inland. It took us about 4 hours to drive there and back (on our route). But we thought it was worth it!