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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 There is car access and parking near the start and end of this walk
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.




Please note: There are closed areas in Kosciuszko National Park

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
End of Kosciuszko Road
Snowy River crossing
Int of Main Range and Blue Lake Lookout tracks
Blue Lake lookout
Blue Lake lookout
Int of Main Range and Blue Lake Lookout tracks
Int of Main Range and Mt Twynam tracks
Carruthers Peak
Int of northern Lake Albina and Main Range tracks
Int of southern Lake Albina and Main Range tracks
Int of Main Range and Muellers Peak track
Int of Main Range and Wilkensons Creek track
Int of Main Range track and Kosciuszko path
Mt Kosciuszko
Int of Main Range track and Kosciuszko path
Rawson Pass
Seamans Hut
Snowy River bridge
Merritts Creek bridge
Starting point for this hiking track: End of Kosciuszko Road

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
 
following the footpath
 
 charlottes pass
 
charlottes pass
 
 looking out at the maing range track
 
looking out at the maing range track

 
 crossing the snowy river
 
crossing the snowy river
 
 following the main range track
 
following the main range track
 
 traversing the remaining snow along the track
 
traversing the remaining snow along the track

 
 intersection of the blue lake track
 
intersection of the blue lake track
 
 view of blue lake from track
 
view of blue lake from track
 
 the lake
 
the lake

 
 blue lake lookout
 
blue lake lookout
 
 wildflowers
 
wildflowers
 
 following the side of the ridge
 
following the side of the ridge

 
 albina lake
 
albina lake
 
 winding along the ridgetops
 
winding along the ridgetops
 
 climbing up to the kosciuszko summit
 
climbing up to the kosciuszko summit

 
 the highest point in australia
 
the highest point in australia
 
 path to seamans hut
 
path to seamans hut
 
 Australia's highest public toilet
 
Australia's highest public toilet

 
 seamans hut
 
seamans hut
 
 inside seamans hut
 
inside seamans hut
 
 following the old kosciuszko road back to charlottes pass
 
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


Drive to End of Kosciuszko Road
You can drive or ride to this start of this Bushwalk 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 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 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 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
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
You can drive or ride from this end of this Bushwalk 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)

Weather and Park info

Fire Danger
This walk passes Monaro Alpine fire area which currently has a LOW-MODERATE rating and No Ban in place. (Checked 54 minutes ago)
This walk passes Southern Slopes fire area which currently has a LOW-MODERATE rating and No Ban in place. (Checked 54 minutes ago)
Please Note: Each park may have its own fire ban status, this rating is based on information from the RFS and BOM.

Weather and Climate
Weather and Climate summary detailed weather and climate information here
Mostly sunny.
Mostly sunny.
4.6°C (feels like 2.4°)
4 km/h from the W
91% humidity     (as at 12/09:00am)
A graph displaying the average daily temperature range for the year

Kosciuszko National Park Link to official closures and fire bans page

Cost to drive a car into the park (if you do not have a valid pass)

      $22

Camping is available in the park

$0

Public toilets are available in the park

A kiosk is available in the park

Region: South Coast & Highlands
Park fees
Camping
Facilities


Current Park Closure information for Kosciuszko National Park
Closure information last checked Friday 12th of March 2010 02:00 PM

Closed areas

Olsen's lookout

Olsens Road closure information

  • Road within Kosciuszko National Park
  • Geehi Dam Road (also known as Olsens Road) off Alpine Way is CLOSED (for entire length from intersection with Alpine Way to Geehi Dam). There is no access to Olsens Lookout or Geehi Dam for closure period.
  • Closure period – 6 days a week (Monday to Saturday inclusive) from 19 February to 31 May 2010
  • Open Sundays from 6am to 6pm and over Easter period from 6am Friday 2 April closing at 6pm Monday 5 April
  • Reason for closure - Snowy Hydro undertaking essential repairs to Snowy Scheme assets.

For further information please contact the local office on (02) 6450 5555 or the Snowy Hydro Limited at www.snowyhydro.com.au.


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