Kosciuszko National Park: Wilderness, Caves and History

In Kosciuszko National Park, the range of experiences spans alpine landscapes, Kiandra’s history, caves, and backcountry ski trails. When planning your trip, you can start by deciding which of these interests you most. Locations within the park also vary depending on your destination.

Wilderness and alpine landscapes

More than half of the park—over 350,000 hectares—is designated as wilderness. This includes the rugged Western Fall Wilderness of the Main Range. The designation reflects the vast extent of protected wilderness in the park.

Above the snow gum tree line, an alpine landscape features alpine herbfields, grasslands, bogs, and mountain pools. Alongside the extent of the wilderness, specific landforms and the transition above the tree line shape the scenery.

Kiandra: Skiing history and the gold rush

Kiandra holds a special place in Australian skiing history: in 1861, Norwegian gold miners made skis from fence palings there. Kiandra is regarded as the birthplace of skiing in Australia.

The Kiandra Heritage Track offers another way to explore the town’s history. The short, easy loop walk is 1.2 kilometres long, lies in the central park area in the Selwyn area, and offers insights into Australia’s gold rush history. The track has reopened, but some infrastructure remains damaged. Take this into account when planning your visit.

Caves and thermal pools at Yarrangobilly

The Yarrangobilly Caves are in the northern part of Kosciuszko National Park. Visitors can explore South Glory Cave independently; Jersey Cave has a guided tour every day. Jillabenan Cave is the smallest of the Yarrangobilly Caves and can also be visited on a guided tour. It features delicate formations. The cave visits therefore differ in that South Glory can be explored independently, while tours are offered for Jersey and Jillabenan. If you’re planning a seasonal or on-request tour, check availability in advance; you should also check the latest operating details for Jillabenan before your trip.

The area also has a thermal pool fed by a natural spring. The mineral-rich water stays at 27°C year-round. In winter, visitors can bathe in it as steam rises above the water and snow covers the surrounding ground. The year-round water temperature and the winter setting offer two different points to consider when planning a visit.

Backcountry ski trails in the Perisher alpine area

Around 58 kilometres of marked trails and backcountry ski trails run through the park’s high country in the Perisher alpine area. They include groomed loops of 2.5 and 5 kilometres, as well as longer, more remote routes. The loops and longer routes therefore differ both in distance and in route type. Operations are seasonal, and local closures may vary. Check the current status before planning a trip.

Discover more destinations: Providence Portal, Jindabyne, Moonbah, Beloka, Thredbo Village, Adaminaby, Ingebirah

Back to the broader travel overview: Snowy River Shire Council.