Destination Guide — New South Wales

Snowy Mountains: Kosciuszko, Thredbo & Perisher

Australia's highest country — ski slopes in winter, wildflower walks in summer, and the peak itself year-round.

By Frank Adam Burns

The Snowy Mountains, part of the Great Dividing Range in southern New South Wales, hold Australia's highest peak — Mount Kosciuszko, at 2,228 metres — along with the country's main ski resorts. Most of the range sits within Kosciuszko National Park, the largest national park in NSW.

It's a genuine two-season destination: snow sports from around June to early October, then alpine wildflowers, walking trails and mountain-bike terrain once the snow clears.

Highlights

Thredbo

NSW's premier ski resort, with the country's longest ski runs — and a chairlift-accessed summer walking trail to the top of Kosciuszko.

Perisher

Australia's largest ski resort by terrain, spanning four interconnected resort areas.

Mount Kosciuszko Summit Walk

A relatively gentle walk to Australia's highest point, especially from the top of the Kosciuszko Express chairlift at Thredbo in summer.

Lake Jindabyne

The main base town for the region — accommodation, dining, and a lake for water sports in the warmer months.

Summer Is Underrated

Most people think "ski season" when they think Snowy Mountains, but summer brings wildflowers across the alpine meadows, genuinely good walking and mountain biking, and far quieter roads than the winter peak.

Cooee Tours acknowledges the Ngarigo people as the Traditional Owners of the land on which the Snowy Mountains sit, and pays respect to their Elders past, present and emerging.

Planning a Snowy Mountains trip?

Get in touch and we'll help plan your New South Wales itinerary.

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