One of the best mountains to climb in Australia is Mount Kosciuszko. This is the highest peak in the nation, and is named after a similar mountain located in Krakow, Poland. Because it’s considered to be one of the highest mountains in the Oceania continent, it’s no wonder that Kosciuszko is sought after by avid mountain climbers from around the world.
Despite its size and very chilly weather, the Kosciuszko is not as difficult to climb as other mountains like Mt. Everest. To reach the top of Mount Kosciuszko, hikers usually follow a route that begins on top of the Kosciuszko Express chairlift at Thredbo. The route then takes you through the Rams Head Range, the Snowy River headwaters, the Rawson Pass, before ending on the summit.
Even if you’re not a mountain climbing enthusiast, there are other recreational things you can do around the region of Mount Kosciuszko. The entire area including the mountain is a designated as a national park, which houses a number of hiking trails, ski resorts and natural attractions. Known for its stunning yet rugged alpine landscape, Kosciuszko National Park offers visitors a great range of recreational activities and outdoor sports all throughout the year. At resorts like Thredbo and Perisher, you can experience an enjoyable skiing and snowboarding vacation. There is also the opportunity to do cross country skiing at the Snowgum Woodlands.
During summer, the most popular activities are boating, fishing, mountain-biking and rock climbing. You can conduct most of these activities on your own, or you also have the choice of booking a guided tour with a certified outfitter. Summer is also the best time to conquer the peak. Kosciuszko National Park has plenty of walking tracks for you to choose from. The long walks and management trails are quite popular for seasoned hikers. If you want to do one of these walks on your own, you can buy a guide book from information centers and shops in the area.
One of the more difficult yet famous hiking tracks in the national park is the Buddong Falls track, which leads to the park’s north western corner. There are actually two tracks to the falls, which bring adventurers to the upper and lower cascades respectively. Another notable trail is the Snow Gums Boardwalk, which starts at the Charlotte Pass Lookout. This particular journey, which passes through sub-alpine woodlands and heathlands, allows you to get incredible views of the highest peaks of Australia. Other notable tracks include the beautiful Rainbow Lake walk, and the Kiandra heritage track, which features the Australian gold rush history.
The Yerrangobilly Caves and Thermal Pool are also prime attractions that you should also consider visiting. The thermal pool, which offers a consistent 27ºC, is situated in the Yerrangobilly Caves surrounded by a picturesque mountain river setting. The pool is only about 2.5 meters deep and 20 meters long and is a great place for a nice swim and picnic. Kosciuszko National Park is close to cities like Tumut, Adaminaby and Jindabyne. It is about 190 kilometers from the capital city of Canberra. You do need to purchase a Park Pass to gain access to the area. Annual passes are also available for those planning to visit more than once in a year.
