Bushwalking on the Main Range track

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Kosciuszko NP (South)

Main Range track

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Bushwalking track notes, photographs, maps and more for Main Range track are found in each of the tabs below

Main Range track

Time:	9 hrs 15 mins Walking time Please allow extra time to rest and to explore	0.5 km NW of Charlottes Pass
Length:	23.1 km Walk Length As this is a Circuit style walk, the 23.1 km includes the walking distance from the start around the loop and back to the start again	Kosciuszko National Park
Climb:	999 m
Style:	Circuit

This full day walk explores some of the greatest alpine country on offer in NSW. The walk grants views of Blue Lake and Lake Albina, climbs to the top of Kosciuszko and crosses the famous Snowy River. This main range circuit is one of the classic walks in New South Wales, as the views in clear weather extend all the way over the mountainous landscape to the distant horizon.

Map of Walk

Location

Sponsor of Main Range track bushwalking tracknotes

Map of Main Range track
PDF has larger maps for easy printing
Map Controls - Contours | Hide Path | Hide Distances | Hide Names
Map Scale

5 km

Base maps are used under licence and is © Department of lands Panorama Avenue Bathurst 2795 www.lands.nsw.gov.au

Maps that cover the walk area (please always carry maps of the area)

Print a map and track notes here

Perisher Valley

1:25 000 Map Series

NSW-85252S

Suggan Buggan

1:50 000 Map Series

NSW-8524S

Kosciuszko

1:100 000 Map Series

8525

Photo Gallery




	following the footpath




	charlottes pass




	looking out at the maing range track




	crossing the snowy river




	following the main range track




	traversing the remaining snow along the track




	intersection of the blue lake track




	view of blue lake from track




	the lake




	blue lake lookout




	wildflowers




	following the side of the ridge




	albina lake




	winding along the ridgetops




	climbing up to the kosciuszko summit




	the highest point in australia




	path to seamans hut




	Australia's highest public toilet




	seamans hut




	inside seamans hut




	following the old kosciuszko road back to charlottes pass

Terrain

Cross sectional view of the Main Range track bushwalking track

Cross Section of the Main Range track bushwalking track

Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Main Range track bushwalking track

Summary of the gradients over the the lenght of the Main Range track bushwalking track

Track Notes

NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service
NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service
NPWS is a proud sponsor of Wildwalks. For more information on the spectacular parks and reserves of NSW Visit www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au

Drive to End of Kosciuszko Road
Drive to End of Kosciuszko Road
A park entry fee is required for driving into the park. You can drive or ride to the start of this walk Use these links to plan your trip to the start of this walk. Plan your trip from --> Castle Hill\|Chatswood\|Dural\|Epping\|Gosford\|Hornsby\|Katoomba\|Manly\|Parramatta\|Penrith\|Strathfield\|Sutherland\|Sydney\|

(0 km) End of Kosciuszko Road to Snowy River crossing Track: Moderate - bushtrack	Length = 785 m	Time = 18 mins
	Climb = 1 m	Descent = -122 m
From Charlottes Pass, this walk follows the 'Main Range Track' sign north-west, along the paved footpath. The walk winds down the hill, past some information signs and through lightly scattered snowgums. The track continues down the long hill to the bottom of the valley, where it then crosses the Snowy River at the stepping stones. The track then comes to the intersection with the Foremans Chimney track on the left, between the two streams. (Do not cross the river if the water is flowing over the stepping stones).

(0.79 km) Snowy River crossing to Int of Main Range and Blue Lake Lookout tracks Track: Moderate - bushtrack	Length = 3.23 km	Time = 1 hr 7 mins
	Climb = 306 m	Descent = -33 m
From the intersection, this walk heads north along the rocky path, crossing Club Lake Creek at the stepping stones, then continuing up the long hill. The track follows the ridge line as it winds steadily up and out of the valley. Along the way, the track passes an information sign and continues to the top of the ridge, where it becomes less steep but still heading uphill. After a while, the track heads down to cross Carruthers Creek and then heads up the other side of the valley along the paved footpath, passing an information sign about half way up. Shortly after reaching the top of the hill, this walk comes to an intersection with the Blue Lake Lookout track.

(4.02 km) Int of Main Range and Blue Lake Lookout tracks to Blue Lake lookout Track: Moderate - bushtrack	Length = 643 m	Time = 14 mins
	Climb = 8 m	Descent = -72 m
From the intersection, the track heads east off the footpath, following the rocky bush track winding down and around the northern side of the ridge towards the lake, down to a platform with an information sign and a fantastic view of Blue Lake.

(4.66 km) Blue Lake lookout to Blue Lake Optional sidetrip: Track: Moderate - bushtrack	Length = 413 m	Time = 8 mins
	Climb = 0 m	Descent = -37 m
From the lookout platform, this walk heads east down the rocky bush track, to the bottom of the valley at the eastern end of the lake, and into the shallow gully, where the walk comes to the intersection of the Little Twynam track a short while later.

(4.66 km) Blue Lake lookout to Carruthers Peak Track: Moderate - bushtrack	Length = 2.39 km	Time = 49 mins
	Climb = 231 m	Descent = -17 m
From the platform, the track heads west, winding up the side of the ridge (keeping Blue Lake to the right) and heading to the top of the ridge, where it meets a paved footpath at the intersection of the Main Range track. From the intersection, this walk heads west up the hill and along the side of the ridge, which it follows as it climbs the ridgeline away from Blue Lake. The track winds around into a saddle, coming to the intersection of the Mt Twynam track at the 'Main Range Track' signpost. From the intersection, this walk follows the 'Main Range Track' signpost along the rocky path, winding out of the saddle and zigzagging up to the very top of Carruthers Peak.

Carruthers Peak	Alt = 2139 m
Carruthers Peak
Carruthers Peak is a prominent mountain that is found along the Main Range track, from which you can see great views down over Club Lake and out across the valley to Charlottes Pass. Carruthers Peak was named after the NSW Minister for Lands and Premier, Joseph Carruthers. This name was given in 1991 by Richard Helms, who had previously named it Crummer.

(7.05 km) Carruthers Peak to Int of Main Range track and Kosciuszko walk Track: Moderate - bushtrack	Length = 5.87 km	Time = 2 hrs 11 mins
	Climb = 267 m	Descent = -244 m
From the top of Carruthers Peak, this walk heads west, zigzagging down the rocky hill until it turns to the south. The walk continues down the long hill, passing a 'rarest alpine plant community' information sign, and heading down on the right-hand side of the ridge. The track then comes to an intersection with the faint northern Lake Albina track (it is found when in line with the first large spur winding down to the northern end of the lake). From the intersection, the walk follows the main range track south, keeping the valley to the right. The track then winds around into the flat saddle, before tending to the right, across the very steep slope, keeping Mt Northcote to the left. The track then crosses another saddle to reach the intersection with the faint southern Lake Albina track (winding up towards Mullers Peak). From the intersection, the walk follows the rocky track south. The track steadily winds around until it climbs over the end of a ridge into the saddle, reaching the intersection with the Muellers Peak track. From the intersection, this walk heads south, down into the bottom of the saddle, where it comes to the intersection of the Wilkensons Creek track. From the intersection, this walk heads south along the footpath, climbing up out of the saddle and around the ridgeline. The walk heads up some rock steps, then up and along the ridge where it continues up the hill to the intersection of the Kosciuszko Walk.

(12.92 km) Int of Main Range track and Kosciuszko path to Mt Kosciuszko Track: Hard - footpath	Length = 971 m	Time = 23 mins
	Climb = 75 m	Descent = -15 m
From the intersection, this walk follows the dirt path, winding steadily up and around the mountain, to the southern end before reaching the peak.

Mt Kosciuszko	Alt = 2222 m
Mt Kosciuszko
Mt Kosciuszko is the highest peak on the Australian continent at 2228m above sea level. It was named by the Polish explorer Count Paul Edmund Strzelecki and named in honour of the Polish national hero General Tadeusz Kościuszko. Now a popular tourist attraction, thousands of people walk up to the summit each year. On a clear day, the 360degree views from the summit, across the roof of Australia are fantastic. There are higher mountains elsewhere on Australian Territory. 'The highest mountains in Australian Antarctic Territory are Mt McClintock (3490 meters) and Mt Menzies (3355 meters).' .

(13.89 km) Mt Kosciuszko to Rawson Pass Track: Hard - footpath	Length = 1.65 km	Time = 39 mins
	Climb = 23 m	Descent = -126 m
From the peak of Mt Kosciuszko, this walk follows the dirt path, heading down the hill and winding around the mountain until coming to the signposted intersection with the 'Main Range Track'. (Signpost only in place in summer) From the intersection, this walk follows the dirt track winding south, down and around Mt Kosciuszko, to the signposted intersection with the old Kosciuszko Road.

Rawson Pass	Alt = 2119 m
Rawson Pass
Rawson Pass is where the old Kosciuszko Road, from Charlottes Pass, meets the metal walkway from Thredbo, and claims the title of having the highest public toilet in Australia. This recently-added facility is perfectly positioned for those taking the walk up to the top of Kosciuszko.

(15.54 km) Rawson Pass to Seamans Hut Track: Hard - servicetrail	Length = 1.62 km	Time = 31 mins
	Climb = 15 m	Descent = -114 m
From the intersection, this walk follows the 'Seamans Hut' sign along the rocky management trail. The walk passes Australia's highest toilet block, and continues along the trail as it winds down the gentle hill, around to the end of the ridge-line at Seamans Hut.

Seamans Hut	Alt = 2020 m
Seamans Hut
This hut was erected in 1929, after a young skier named Laurie Seaman perished in a blizzard when he was separated from his group. The hut was built using money donated by Seaman's parents, for the use of those who might need emergency shelter in the mountains. More info

(17.16 km) Seamans Hut to Snowy River bridge Track: Hard - servicetrail	Length = 1.5 km	Time = 27 mins
	Climb = 0 m	Descent = -95 m
From the hut, this walk follows the service trail heading down the hill, winding all the way down to the bottom of the valley, where it comes to the Snowy River bridge.

(18.66 km) Snowy River bridge to End of Kosciuszko Road Track: Hard - servicetrail	Length = 4.48 km	Time = 1 hr 27 mins
	Climb = 73 m	Descent = -164 m
From the bridge, this walk follows the service trail south, past the snowy river sign, soon coming to the unsignposted Merritts Creek bridge. From the bridge, this walk heads away from the Snowy River, going uphill along the service trail, keeping the snow poles on the left. The walk soon passes a 'CP 4' sign on the left. The walk gently undulates along the side of the ridge, with great views of the Snowy River off to the left. The walk passes a few creeks and some more 'CP' signs along the way. Soon after the 'CP 1' sign, the service trail enters a nice grove of snow gum trees. This walk continues to wind through the snow gums before coming to the turning circle at the end of Kosciuszko Rd at Charlotte's Pass (with the toilet block on the right).

Drive from End of Kosciuszko Road
Drive from End of Kosciuszko Road
A park entry fee is required for driving into the park. You can drive or ride from the end of this walk Use these links to plan your trip from the end of this walk. Plan your trip to --> Castle Hill\|Chatswood\|Dural\|Epping\|Gosford\|Hornsby\|Katoomba\|Manly\|Parramatta\|Penrith\|Strathfield\|Sutherland\|Sydney\|

Getting there

Plan your trip to the start of the walk and back from the end of the walk

Driving Directions

	To the start of the walk Drive from:		From the end of the walk Drive to:

Near by

A list of 15 walks that share part of their track with this one

Walk Name	Park	Style	Length (km)	Time	Grade	km from the start of this walk
Main Range Track - Charlotte's Pass to the Snowy River return	Kosciuszko National Park	Return	1.6 km	45 mins	3 / 6	0.0 km
Summit walk - Charlotte's Pass to Snowy River	Kosciuszko National Park	Return	9.0 km	3 hrs	4 / 6	0.0 km
Main Range Track - Charlotte's Pass to Blue Lake	Kosciuszko National Park	Return	9.3 km	4 hrs	3 / 6	0.0 km
Summit walk - Charlotte's Pass to Seamans Hut	Kosciuszko National Park	Return	12.0 km	4 hrs 30 mins	4 / 6	0.0 km
Charlottes Pass to Thredbo via Rawson Pass	Kosciuszko National Park	One way	12.2 km	5 hrs	4 / 6	0.0 km
Summit walk - Charlotte's Pass to Rawson Pass	Kosciuszko National Park	Return	15.2 km	5 hrs 30 mins	4 / 6	0.0 km
Kosciuszko walk - Thredbo to Mount Kosciuszko	Kosciuszko National Park	Return	12.4 km	5 hrs 45 mins	4 / 6	8.3 km
Summit walk - Charlotte's Pass to Mount Kosciuszko	Kosciuszko National Park	Return	18.5 km	7 hrs	4 / 6	0.0 km
Guthega to Blue Lake via Little Twynam	Kosciuszko National Park	Return	17.4 km	8 hrs	5 / 6	6.8 km
Guthega toThredbo camping overnight at Wilkensons Creek	Kosciuszko National Park	One way	25.8 km	2 Days	5 / 6	6.8 km
Main Range Track - Loop from Charlottes Pass camping near Mt Townsend	Kosciuszko National Park	Circuit	25.4 km	2 Days	5 / 6	0.0 km
Main Range Circuit from Guthega	Kosciuszko National Park	Circuit	42.8 km	4 Days	5 / 6	6.8 km

The next 10 closest walks

Walk Name	Park	Style	Length (km)	Time	Grade	km from the start of this walk
Snow Gums Boardwalk	Kosciuszko National Park	One way	0.2 km	15 mins	3 / 6	0.0 km
Charlottes Pass to Mt Stilwell return	Kosciuszko National Park	Return	3.8 km	1 hr 45 mins	3 / 6	0.0 km
Charlottes Pass Village and Mt Stilwell loop	Kosciuszko National Park	Circuit	4.2 km	2 hrs 15 mins	4 / 6	0.4 km
Charlottes Pass to Village Dam	Kosciuszko National Park	Return	0.8 km	30 mins	3 / 6	0.5 km
Charlottes Pass to Village Lookdown	Kosciuszko National Park	Return	2.2 km	1 hr 30 mins	4 / 6	0.5 km
Guthega to Mt Twynam	Kosciuszko National Park	Return	14.8 km	6 hrs 45 mins	5 / 6	6.8 km
Guthega to Snowy River Suspension Bridge	Kosciuszko National Park	Return	6.4 km	2 hrs 30 mins	3 / 6	6.8 km
Thredbo to Village Weir return	Kosciuszko National Park	Return	2.2 km	1 Hr	3 / 6	8.3 km
Merrits Nature Track	Kosciuszko National Park	Circuit	3.7 km	2 hrs 30 mins	3 / 6	8.3 km
Thredbo to Kosciuszko lookout return	Kosciuszko National Park	Return	3.8 km	2 hrs 30 mins	4 / 6	8.3 km

Campsites in the park
Black Perry Rest area
Blue Waterholes Picnic and camping Grounds
Bradneys Gap Camping area
Buddong Falls
Clover Flat camping area
Cooinbil Camping area
Cooleman Mountain Camping Area
Coonara Point Camping Area
Denison Camping area
Geehi Picnic Camping Ground
Ghost Gully Camping Ground
Half-way Flat camping area
Humes Crossing Camping area
Island Bend Camping area
Jacobs River Picnic And Camping Area
Jounama Creek Camping Area
Leather Barrel Picnic And Camping Area
Log Bridge Creek Camping area
Long Plain Hut Camping Area
Ngarigo Picnic And Camping Area
OHares Rest Area
Pinch River Camping area
Ravine Camping area
Rock Flat Camping Area
Rocky Plain Camping Ground
Running waters Camping area
Scotchies Yard Camping area
The Pines Camping Area
Thredbo Diggings Camping area
Three Mile Dam Camping area
Tom Groggin Picnic And Camping Area
Wares Yards Camping Ground
Willis Camping Area
Yarrangobilly Village Camping Area
Yatching Point Camping area
Yolde Camping Area
No Name camping area

Nearest know Outdoor Stores near the start of this walk

Store	Address	Phone	Distance (straight line)
Paddy Pallin Adventure Centre	Thredbo Turnoff, Jindabyne	(02) 6456 2922	24 km
Wilderness Sports	Nuggets Crossing, Jindabyne	1800 654 168	26.1 km
Larry Adler Ski & Outdoor	3 Nuggets Crsng, Jindabyne	(02) 6457 2233	26.1 km
Snowy Camping World	106 Sharp St , Cooma	(02) 6452 2729	74.8 km
Tumuts Fishing Camping & Outdoor	56 Wynyard St , Tumut	(02) 6947 1100	126.1 km

A list of the nearest UHF CB repeaters I found to Main Range track.

Channel	Call sign (more info)	Site	Distance and dir from Main Range track Click to re-center search
2	KHN02	Fire Tower MT YOUNGAL	19 km (to the WNW)
2	1227833	Commsite INGEBIRAH TRIG	26 km (to the SSE)
1	1227830	Country Energy/Monaro County Council Site JINDERBOINE HILL	30 km (to the E)
3	EUC03	Bald Hill via EUCUMBENE	41 km (to the NNE)
3	MTI03	Broadcast/Comms Site Mt Ikes via TUMBARUMBA	68 km (to the NNW)