This snowshoe walk follows a winter-only route. From Perisher Valley, you walk up along the Kosciuszko Rd to a gap, just past the last ski lift. Here you leave the road to follow the snow pole line up along the Wheatley Link among the snow gums and crossing some open plains. This link leads up to a valley below Porcupine Rocks, where you follow the snow poles and valley back down towards Perisher. A great walk for people comfortable on snowshoes and wanting to explore a more remote area near Perisher Valley.
Cross sectional view of the Wheatley Circuit bushwalking track
Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Wheatley Circuit bushwalking track
Overview of this walks Grading - Based on the AS 2156.1 - 2001
These details are new. This new feature still requires more testing and refining. Please use the 'Walker Feedback' for report specific issues. Please e-mail Matt if you have any general comments. Hope you find it helpful.
Under this standard, a walk is graded based on the most difficult section of the walk.
Length
7km
Time
3 hrs
.
Grade 4/6
Track: Hard
AS 2156.1
Gradient
Short steep hills (3/6)
Quality of track
Formed track, with some branches and other obstacles (3/6)
Signs
Directional signs along the way (3/6)
Experience Required
Moderate level of bushwalking experience recommended (4/6)
Weather
Forecast, unforecast storms and severe weather may impact on navigation and safety (4/6)
Infrastructure
Limited facilities, not all cliffs are fenced (3/6)
*This summary of grading information is new and still in testing
Some more detail of this walks Grading
Here is a bit more details explaining the grading looking at sections of the walk. Gradient
4.8km of this walk has short steep hills and another 2km has gentle hills with occasional steps. The remaining (480m) is flat with no steps.
Quality of track
4.8km of this walk follows a formed track, with some branches and other obstacles and another 2km follows a clear and well formed track or trail. The remaining (480m) follows a smooth and hardened path.
Signs
Around 4.3km of this walk is clearly signposted, whilst the remaining 3km has directional signs at most intersection.
Experience Required
2.9km of this walk requires some bushwalking experience and another 2.5km requires no previous bushwalking experience. The remaining (1.9km) requires a leader a with moderate level of bushwalking experience.
Weather
4.3km of this walk is affected by forecast, unforecast storms and severe weather events that may impact on navigation and safety and another 2.1km is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation). The remaining (860m) is affected by storms that may impact your navigation and safety.
Infrastructure
Around 5km of this walk has limited facilities (such as not all cliffs fenced), whilst the remaining 2.3km is close to useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats).
Walk with a club - Enjoy bushwalking and make new friends (community announcement) The NPA is more than just a bushwalking club. We are a conservation group that helps protect natural places As a member you can join any of our 1000 guided walks each year and enjoy our quaterly Magazine 'Nature NSW'. Membership fee is just $65 per year, concession fee also available. Learn More...
Here are some tips to help you share the snow with skiers. Please avoid snowshoeing on ski trails, whether groomed or ungroomed - it is fine to walk right next to the ski trail. When crossing a ski trail, please do so in a single file and on a flat, more visible, section. These tips aim to minimise trail ruts and collisions. Visit Wilderness Sports for snowshoe hire.
Winter only route
Alt = 1724 m
This walk follows an over-snow only route. During the warmer months, this walk crosses important and sensitive bogs that can be significantly damaged, even by light footed walkers. Please only walk this track when it is well covered with snow.
Perisher Valley Village
Alt = 1720 m
Perisher Valley village is centred about the Skitube[1] building, Perisher Centre[2] and the National Park Visitor Centre[3]. Just outside the Skitube is the shelter for the shuttle bus service to Smiggins. Perisher Centre is accessed by the long metal bridge - inside, you will find food shops, toilets and skiing-related shops. Inside the Skitube building is the train station, kiosk, medical centre and some other services. The National Park Visitor Centre provides a warm shelter, toilets, seats and information about the park. Most of these services only operate during the ski season, but the NPWS visitor centre is open most of the year and a food outlet is generally open for lunch Monday-Friday.
(0 km)
Int Kosciuszko and Porcupine Rds
to
Rock Creek Ski Club intersection Track: Moderate - road
Length = 179 m
Time = 3 mins
Climb = 0 m
Descent = -2 m
From the intersection, this walk heads west along the main Kosciuszko Rd, away from the 'The Man from Snowy River Hotel'[4] and keeping the main valley to your right. The walk soon crosses Rock Creek, then continues beside the road to an intersection marked with a 'Rock Creek Snowshoe Track' sign[5] just after the 'Rock Creek Ski Club' hut[6](both on your left).
Rock Creek Ski Club
Alt = 1722 m
This building was first opened for use in 1948 then destroyed by a lighting strike in January the next year. In 1959, a few men drove down from Sydney most weekends over a few years to build the current lodge[7]. Still owned by the builders' families, the lodge is available to the public for hire[8]. The lodge has two bedrooms and sleeps 6 people[9]. The lodge can be hired[10] in winter or in summer and makes for a great base with its central location in Perisher Valley. rockcreek.org.auinfo@rockcreek.org.auMore info
(0.18 km)
Rock Creek Ski Club intersection
to
Int Wheatley Link Track and Kosciuszko Rd Track: Moderate - road
Length = 2.12 km
Time = 40 mins
Climb = 111 m
Descent = -25 m
Continue straight: From the Rock Creek Ski Club intersection[11][12], this walk follows Kosciuszko Rd gently uphill[13], away from the main village. After about 50m, this walk continues along the road, passing a track (which leads to bridge[14] over Perisher Creek, on your right) and continuing for about another 60m to find an intersection with Wheatley Rd, just before 'Corroboree Restaurant & Bar'[15][16] (on your left). Continue straight: From this intersection, this walk follows the Kosciuszko Rd east gently uphill, out of town. The walk immediately passes 'Corroboree Restaurant & Bar'[17] (on your left) and continues up the hill past a series of other lodges [18][19] (up to your left). The road steadily begins to climb a bit more steeply, then soon after passing the last ski lift (in the valley on your right[20]), the road comes to a high point and a clearing[21] with a large metal sign and map[22] (on your left).
(2.3 km)
Int Wheatley Link Track and Kosciuszko Rd
to
Int of Porcupine Trail and Wheatley Link Track Track: Hard - undefined
Length = 1.88 km
Time = 39 mins
Climb = 127 m
Descent = -41 m
Turn left: From the grassy clearing on the south side of Kosciuszko Road[23], this walk follows the 'Wheatley Link' sign[24] uphill following the snow-poles. The track leads through a narrow grove of snow gums[25], then climbs up to a flat clearing[26] to follow the line of snow poles[27] up through the trees. After dipping down a bit, the poles wind up the hill to pass through a gap in the ridge[28], revealing a large fairly flat plain[29] (with a view back over Perisher, behind you[30]). The walk continues to follow the poles down and across the plain[31]. The poles soon lead right, rounding a rocky outcrop[32] (on your right) and passing a open section, where the poles then tends left and up the hill. The walk soon comes to a intersection in a large saddle[33], near a sign pointing back down 'Wheatley Link' track[34].
(4.19 km)
Int of Porcupine Trail and Wheatley Link Track
to
Porcupine Saddle Optional sidetrip: Track: Hard - bushtrack
Length = 319 m
Time = 8 mins
Climb = 25 m
Descent = -7 m
Turn right: From the intersection, this walk follows the 'Porcupine' trail signs[35][36] north-west over the top of the saddle and towards the large rocky pinnacle[37]. The track soon begins to steepen through a rocky area and, just after passing a large rocky outcrop[38] (on your left), the track leads up to a three-way intersection beside the gap[39] (on your left) between the two main peaks[40]. (Retrace your steps back to the main track, then continue straight to continue along this walk.)
Porcupine Rocks
Alt = 1910 m
The Porcupine Rocks are a large granite outcrop on the ridge, south of Perisher Valley. There are two main peaks[41][42], and a rock scramble[43] leads to the top of the southern peak, providing fantastic views of Perisher Valley[44], Mt Duncan[45], Thredbo River Valley[46] and Bullocks Flat. The gap between the two summits provides some shade and protection from the wind. An amazing place to visit - allow time to just relax and enjoy this place. The summit can be slippery and icy, and there is a shear drop and other hazards. Much care is required.
(4.19 km)
Int of Porcupine Trail and Wheatley Link Track
to
Int of Porcupine and Link Track Track: Hard - bushtrack
Length = 1.34 km
Time = 31 mins
Climb = 7 m
Descent = -109 m
Turn left: From the intersection, this walk heads north-east, downhill, following the old timber 'Perisher Valley 3km' sign[47]. The track leads down through the wide valley past the newer sign (pointing back up to 'Porcupine Trail'[48]), over some metal grates and through a grove of old dead snow gums to come to a signposted intersection with the Porcupine Link Track (on your right)[49].
(5.52 km)
Int of Porcupine and Link Track
to
Perisher Reservoir intersection Track: Hard - undefined
Length = 1.1 km
Time = 22 mins
Climb = 2 m
Descent = -58 m
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the 'Perisher Valley 2km' sign[50] north-east along the track that soon leads across an flat timber bridge[51] over Rock Creek. Now, the walk leaves the creek for a while and heads downhill, following the series of snow-poles[52] on a groomed trail towards the Perisher Valley Resort[53]. After about 1km and just before the Perisher Valley Reservoir[54], the snow poles lead left[55] across a valley (near the stone pump house building[56]) to head up the rise to a three-way intersection with another snow-pole line[57], near the pole with the second yellow sign[58].
(6.62 km)
Perisher Reservoir intersection
to
Int Kosciuszko and Porcupine Rds Track: Moderate - undefined,road
Length = 676 m
Time = 12 mins
Climb = 4 m
Descent = -16 m
Veer right: From the intersection, this walk follows the snow-pole line (with the yellow signs, facing away) over the gentle rise[59], whilst keeping Rock Creek a short distance to your right. The track leads over the hill, keeping the poles to your right, and soon passes a large green timber lodge[60]. The walk leads down closer to the creek[61] and continues following the snow-poles, soon passing straight through an intersection (ignoring the bridge over Rock Creek to your right[62]). The poles lead over another small rise past the Rock Creek Ski Club building[63], then under the power-lines to find the 'Rock Creek Snowshoe Track' information sign[64]. Here, the walk heads the short distance towards the main ski field to an intersection with Kosciuszko Rd[65]. Turn right: From this intersection near the 'Rock Creek Ski Club' hut[66], this walk follows the main road gently downhill[67] towards the resort centre, where the road soon crosses Rock Creek[68]. The walk crosses the creek[69] and passes a few buildings to come to an intersection with Porcupine Road[70] (on your right), just before 'The Man from Snowy River Hotel'[71] (and the ski tube station on your left[72]).
Fire Danger This walk passes Monaro Alpine fire area which currently has a NONE rating and No Ban in place. (Downloaded 40 minutes ago) Please Note: Each park may have its own fire ban status, this rating is based on information from the RFS and BOM.
Region: South Coast & Highlands Park feesCampingFacilities Current Park Closure information for Kosciuszko National Park Closure information last downloaded Saturday 25th of May 2013 10:00 PM CLOSED AREAS Bridge washed away on Buddong Falls Track - Buddong Falls track
Storms have washed away the bridge on the Buddong Falls Walking Track and a diversion is now in place.
Land slips have closed the track below the upper falls meaning there is no access to the lower falls until further notice.
The upper falls can still be viewed.
Caution is required on the Power line access road due to land slips.
Access to Buddong Falls via the State Forest road coming from Batlow is not recommended.
Olsen's Road/Geehi Dam Road Closed
Olsens Road/Geehi Dam Road is closed due to ongoing road works until Tuesday 8th October 2013. The Tin Mines Barn in the Pilot Wilderness Area closed due to construction
The Tin Mines and its immediate surrounds will be closed to the general public from Monday 3 December until 5pm Friday 12 April.
The NSW NPWS along with Illawara Alpine Club and Kosciuszko Huts Association will be undertaking reconstruction work of the fireplace and chimney of the Tin Mines Barn during this time. Note: construction vehicles will be using the management trail between the Alpine Way and Tin Mines.
The adjoining Managers Hut (Carters Hut) and its fireplace is still available for use.
Hiking near Sydney 
NEW
Track: Hard
1 km
not too much longer now :)