Not far short of 700,000 Hectares in size, Kosciuszko National Park the biggest in New South Wales and one of Australia’s most substantial. There is plenty to see and do in the park but nobody could possibly hope to see everything in a single visit. Here are just a few of the very best and most beautiful must-see spots:
1. Blue Waterholes. This gem is well hidden on Cooleman Plain, well off the main road. Just when they think the bumpy track won’t ever end, travellers arrive at a basic but neatly kept campsite just above one of the most beautiful creeks in Australia. The Blue Waterholes of Cave Creek are blue because of the mineral content, but they’re quite safe to swim in if you can stand the chill. The creek emerges from underground not far from the campsite so they are icy cold even on the hottest summer day.
Walk a little further down the creek and the water soon warms up but it stays beautifully clear and blue. Look down from the path that winds through Clarke Gorge- the limestone walls are pretty spectacular in their own right- and you might see trout cruising lazily through the water. Carry on and before long you’ll arrive at a small but lovely waterfall, the perfect place for a picnic.
2. Mount Townsend. Although Mount Kosciuszko is slightly higher and much more famous, Townsend is the steeper and more challenging walk. From the top you get excellent views of Kosciuszko and the surrounding countryside and because you won’t be climbing Australia’s highest mountain you’re far more likely to have the path to yourself.
Devotees of Mount Townsend are utterly convinced that it’s the better mountain, to the point where some walkers take a stone from near their starting point and lay it on top when they get to the summit. The idea is that if everyone does it, Townsend will one day end up higher than its famous sibling.
3. Yarrangobilly Caves. One of the most extensive and best tourist attractions in the park, Yarrangobilly is the place to go if you want to see world-class caves in all their crystalline splendour. Visitors can take a self-guided tour through one of the larger caves (there are lights, walkways, safety rails, and information panels) or go on a guided expedition.
Unlike many Kosciuszko hotspots, Yarrangobilly can be enjoyed by anyone, even those not able walk long distances or handle rough terrain. One of the best show caves is even wheelchair-accessible and this is a great place to take little kids.
Once you’ve finished exploring the caves, those who can handle a steep track can take the walk down to the natural thermal pool for a dip. The water stays around 27C all year round even when there’s snow on the ground.
4. Lake Jindabyne. Right on the edge of the Park, Lake Jindabyne is actually not a natural feature of the landscape. It was created as part of the Snowy Mountains Scheme, a massive hydroelectric power generation project. However, that doesn’t mean it’s not a beautiful lake in a beautiful location. It’s popular with sailors, canoeists, and other watersports enthusiasts (and anyone who’d like to give this kind of activity a try). The lake is also an excellent place to catch trout.
Jindabyne town sits just above the lake level but what you see is technically New Jindabyne. The Original Jindabyne is actually under the water, and signs of the old town can still be seen when the water is low.
Jess Spate was born just outside Kosciuszko National Park and has spent countless happy days there. Although she now works for an American camping and hiking gear company and lives in Europe, she still returns to Kosciuszko on a regular basis.
