Mount Koscuiszko NSW

We decided to do a 10 day tent camping trip to Koscuiszko National Park in NSW.  

 

We left home 29th December 2011 and stopped at Goongerah Camp 1 hour North of Orbost. We stretched our legs with a walk and had a refreshing dip in the river.

The next day we drove along the Monaro Highway enjoying the lovely scenery. 

We stopped to have a look at an old hut. 

We also tried to find platypus in Bombala with no luck.

In Jindabyne we purchased the National Park pass and paid for our campsite for the next few nights at Island Bend on Guthega Road (-36.323443 148.474811).

 Views around Island Bend Camp.

On New Years Eve we did the Summit Walk from Charlotte Pass. It was 9km/2Hours to Mount Koscuiszko along a well formed path. 

Halfway there we stopped to admire the Snowy River. 

We had a look inside Seaman's Hut, built in 1929. 

We carried on to Rawson Pass.

 And then climbed up to the summit (2228m).

After a rest we returned to Charlotte Pass via the Main Ridge Track (12.5km/3.5hours).

Nearly back... one more hill to go.

Although it was a more challenging walk, we were rewarded with some beautiful views. Needless to say we welcomed the cool river water back at camp for our tired legs and enjoyed a few drinks to celebrate the start of a New Year.

On the 1st January 2012 we began the day with a 5km walk from Guthega Village to Illawong Hut and a suspension bridge through lovely alpine heath and majestic snow gums. The hut is one of the oldest buildings in the park.

We had a look at the Guthega Power Station which was the first of the initial seven  stations that comprise the Snowy Mountains Scheme.

Later we went to visit Perisher Ski Resort and the small village Smiggin Holes.

The next day we did a 4km walk to Mount Stilwell which offered some great views and beautiful wildflowers.

We had lunch and explored Charlotte Pass. 

We then did a picturesque 2.5km walk to Rainbow Lake.  which was created in the early 1900's to supply water to the Hotel Koscuiszko.

It was time to move on, so we packed up and drove through Thredbo to Tom Groggin and found a nice grassy campsite. After a dip in the river we enjoyed a quiet night.

On our 7th day (4th Jan 12) we explored the Geehi Area. 

We drove up to Olsens lookout.

We took in the amazing views at Sammells Lookout.

We looked at the Murray 1 Power Station at Khancoban also part of the Snowy Mountains Scheme.

We walked 4km return to Round Mountain Hut in the National Park.

We also spotted more wildflowers.

We stopped to have a look at Tumut dam too.

We then drove to Cabramurra 1488m the 3rd highest permanently inhabited town in Australia (after Dinner Plains and Charlotte Pass). 

That night we slept at 3 Mile dam.

The next morning we drove through Sewlyn Snow Field.

We stopped to have a look a the Kiandra Goldfield and village site.

We went to explore a couple of huts.

We then looked at Lake Eucumbene and Adaminaby.

We arrived in Cooma in the early afternoon.

We then travelled along the Barry Way to Pinch River Camp back in the National Park.

In the morning we continued on to Suggan Buggan and then along the Limestone Road to Native Dog Flat Camp in the Victorian Alpine National Park

We enjoyed a short walk from camp and loved the wild flowers that were around.

Lovely little red breast bird

We drove through Benambra and had a look at the suspension bridge at Taylors Crossing. 

After Lunch in Omeo we drove along the Alpine Highway and stopped at McMillans Lookout.

We then decided to continue home as the forecast was for heavy rain which is not much fun in a tent.