Hiking★ 5.0
Mount Kosciuszko Summit Walk
ModerateAbout 13 km return to Australia's highest peak (2,228 m), 4-5 hours, starting from the top of the Kosciuszko Express chairlift at Thredbo. Check conditions, as weather can turn quickly.
Destinations
New South Wales, AU
THREDBO & PERISHER (JINDABYNE)
Australia's highest mountains: two big ski resorts in winter, lift-served downhill biking and the Mount Kosciuszko walk in summer, with Jindabyne's lake as the base.
5
Sports
915 m
Elevation
2,986
Population
Thredbo and Perisher sit in Kosciuszko National Park in the Snowy Mountains of New South Wales, with Jindabyne (about 3,000 people on Lake Jindabyne) as the gateway town. Perisher bills itself as the Southern Hemisphere's largest ski resort, spread over four linked areas (Perisher Valley, Blue Cow, Smiggin Holes, Guthega); Thredbo has the longest vertical (672 m) and a lively village. In the warm months Thredbo runs Australia's only lift-served downhill bike park, the Thredbo Valley Track runs down to Lake Crackenback, and a chairlift gives easy access to the walk to the summit of Mount Kosciuszko (2,228 m), Australia's highest peak. The 2026 ski season runs about 6 June to 5 October.
5 sports to explore
ADVENTURE SPORTS IN THREDBO & PERISHER (JINDABYNE)
SkiingJun-OctBoth resorts: about 6 June to 5 October in 2026; best July to August. Snow depth varies by year.Mountain BikingNov-MayThredbo Mountain Bike Park opens in November; lift-served riding through about May, with limited lift days. Valley trails around Jindabyne are rideable most of the snow-free year.HikingNov-AprKosciuszko Walk and Main Range Track in the snow-free months; summer afternoon storms possible.RunningNov-AprTrails around Thredbo and the lake; the Thredbo Valley Track is runnable.KayakingNov-MarLake Jindabyne in the warmer months.
Leave no trace
TREAD LIGHTLY
- The area is inside Kosciuszko National Park: stay on tracks, keep to boardwalks over fragile alpine vegetation, carry out all rubbish, and do not feed wildlife.
The hit list
TOP SPOTS
The places you can't miss in Thredbo & Perisher (Jindabyne), best rated first.
Skiing★ 4.5
Thredbo
Beginner to expertAlpine resort with 672 m of vertical, the longest in Australia, and a village at the base of the lifts. Season about 6 June to 5 October 2026.
Skiing★ 4.5
Perisher
Beginner to advancedFour linked areas (Perisher Valley, Blue Cow, Smiggin Holes, Guthega); the Southern Hemisphere's largest ski resort by area, with 355 m of official vertical. Reached by road or the Skitube railway.
Skiing★ 4.5
Blue Cow
IntermediatePerisher's higher area at the top of the Skitube, with the longest continuous run at the resort (Ridge chair).
Mountain Biking★ 4.5
Cannonball Downhill Trail
ExpertSerious downhill trail (about 3.3 km) at Thredbo Mountain Bike Park, Australia's only lift-served downhill park. Park opens in November and runs to about May.
Mountain Biking★ 4.5
Kosciuszko Flow Trail
IntermediateAbout 4.5 km flow trail at Thredbo, an easier way into the lift-served park than the downhill runs.
Mountain Biking★ 4.5
Thredbo Valley Track
Beginner to intermediateDual-use river trail from Thredbo toward Lake Crackenback and Jindabyne, roughly 17-22 km depending on the source, mostly gentle and suitable for families. Rides can be done in short return sections.
Hiking★ 4.5
Main Range Track
HardLong alpine loop from Charlotte Pass past glacial lakes and the Main Range, a full-day or longer walk for experienced hikers.
Plan the trip
GETTING THERE
A car is the easiest way in, but in the ski season the park entry fee applies and snow chains must be carried on the Alpine Way and Kosciuszko Road (check NPWS road alerts). Winter buses run from Jindabyne to Thredbo and Perisher. The Skitube Alpine Railway links Bullocks Flat to Perisher Valley and Blue Cow, so you can stay in the lower valley and skip the mountain road. Thredbo is about 30 minutes from Jindabyne by road. In summer you can drive to Thredbo village and use the chairlift and trails on foot or by bike.
Airports
- OOMCooma-Snowy Mountains Airportabout 35-48 km · about 45m to Jindabyne drive
Regional service; the usual route in is a connection through Sydney. Schedules change, so check with the airline. Distance and drive time vary by source.
- CBRCanberra Airportabout 175 km · 2h to 2h15m to Jindabyne drive
Domestic hub with flights from Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and other capitals; the most common air gateway for the snow. Rental cars and winter shuttles available (check operators).
- SYDSydney Kingsford Smith Airportabout 460 km (estimate) · about 5h30m (estimate) drive
Main international gateway for the region, with direct flights from the US West Coast and many other hubs. Continue by connecting flight to Cooma or by road via Canberra.
- MELMelbourne Airportabout 650 km (estimate) · about 7h30m (estimate) drive
International hub; many Victorian skiers drive from Melbourne instead. Long drive, so most overseas visitors fly via Sydney or Canberra.
Drive from
| City | Distance | Drive to Thredbo & Perisher (Jindabyne) |
|---|---|---|
| Canberra (ACT) | about 175 km | about 2h15m |
| Sydney (NSW) | about 460 km (estimate) | about 5h30m (estimate) |
| Melbourne (VIC) | about 650 km (estimate) | about 7h30m (estimate) |
| Wollongong (NSW) | about 380 km (estimate) | about 4h30m (estimate) |
| Cooma (NSW) | about 63 km | about 45m |
Field notes
KNOW BEFORE YOU GO
What a trip to Thredbo & Perisher (Jindabyne) costs, what to sort out ahead of time, and how to stay safe.
What it costs per day
Daily Costs
—
Estimates only. Budget A$150-250 (about US$100-165): hostel or self-catering, bus, no lift ticket. Mid A$500-900 (about US$330-590): lodging plus a day lift ticket (Thredbo A$157-259, Perisher A$193-253, about US$100-170) and meals. Luxury A$1,200+ (about US$790+): on-mountain lodging, lessons, dining. Park entry is A$29 per vehicle per day in winter (about US$19) and A$17 the rest of the year (about US$11). Converted at roughly 0.65 USD per AUD.
Permits & reservations
Kosciuszko National Park entry
Park entry fees apply on the Alpine Way and Kosciuszko Road: A$29 per vehicle per day in winter (June to October long weekends), A$17 the rest of the year; motorcycles A$12 / A$7. Pay at the entry station, online or at the Snowy Region Visitor Centre in Jindabyne. Confirm current rates with NPWS.
Entry, health & culture
- Entry & visas
US citizens need an Australian visa before travel; for tourism it is normally the Electronic Travel Authority (ETA, subclass 601), applied for through the official Australian ETA app (about A$20, roughly US$13, stated by third-party sites; confirm on homeaffairs.gov.au). Typically valid 12 months with stays up to 3 months per visit.
- Health
Cold and wind in winter; the high main range can have snow, fog and sudden storms even in summer, so carry layers and navigation for the Kosciuszko walks. Sun and UV are strong at altitude. Altitude is modest (summit 2,228 m).
- Local culture
Laid-back Australian ski-town culture; English spoken; the area is Ngarigo Country.
Stay safe
Cold & snow
Weather in the Snowy Mountains changes fast; check NPWS alerts and road closures, carry snow chains in winter on the Alpine Way and Kosciuszko Road, and ski within your ability.
The Cannonball Downhill is for…
The Cannonball Downhill is for experienced riders only.
Avalanche and backcountry…
Avalanche and backcountry hazards apply off-piste.
Honest take
THE GOOD & THE REAL
Why Thredbo & Perisher (Jindabyne)
5- Highest mountains in Australia, with two big ski resorts and a summer bike and hiking season
- Thredbo is the only lift-served downhill bike park in the country
- Mount Kosciuszko can be reached on a day walk using the chairlift
- Skitube railway and winter buses make car-free winter stays possible
- Jindabyne lake gives a lower-cost base and water sports in summer
Know this
5- Snow is far less reliable than in North America or Europe; seasons depend on natural and made snow
- Peak-weekend lift tickets are expensive (about A$157 to A$259 at Thredbo)
- Long transfer from Sydney or Melbourne (5 to 7+ hours) and limited regional flights
- Park entry fee and winter snow chains add cost and hassle
- The Alpine Way and park roads can close in storms
For Families
FAMILY FRIENDLINESS
7/10
Good for families
Both resorts suit families: Thredbo has Thredboland for children and a Thursday-night kids' flare run, and Perisher is often rated the better of the two with small children. Summer has easy valley trails and the chairlift to the summit walk. Prices are high and the drive is long. Score is a judgement call from the sources.
Family-friendliness is scored from real web evidence across multiple sources — trail difficulty, access, and how families describe each spot — not a single opinion.
Best bets with kids
Perisher beginner areas
8/10medium confidence
Perisher's snowsports school takes children from age 3 and is often called the better of the two resorts for small kids; tubing, tobogganing and night skiing add non-ski options.
Thredboland
8/10medium confidence
Thredbo's dedicated kids' ski school takes children from age 3 or 4 and has Animal Hideouts on the beginner slopes plus a weekly kids' flare run on Friday Flat.
Thredbo Valley Track
7/10medium confidence
A mostly gentle, dual-use river track that families can ride in short sections from Thredbo.
Mount Kosciuszko Summit Walk
6/10medium confidence
A 13 km return walk of 4-5 hours from the chairlift; fine for fit older children in good weather, long for little ones.
By Sport
SEASON BY SPORT
| Sport | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Skiing | — | — | — | — | ~ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ~ | — |
| Mountain Biking | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ~ | — | — | — | ~ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hiking | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ~ | — | — | — | — | ~ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Running | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ~ | — | — | — | — | ~ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Kayaking | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ~ | — | — | — | — | — | ~ | ✓ | ✓ |
✓
Peak~
Shoulder—
OffPeak — Go now
Core of the ski season, with the deepest base and all lifts open; very busy in the July school holidays. Natural snow varies a lot from year to year.
Shoulder — Strategic
June and September to early October are the ski-season edges (season about 6 June to 5 October 2026). November to May is the lift-served bike park and hiking season; February and March are often the most settled hiking months.
Avoid — Skip it
Between seasons: ski lifts are closed and bike park hours are limited, and cold snaps and early snow can close tracks. Judgement call from the season dates.
Where to Stay
NEIGHBORHOODS
Jindabyne
$$Lakeside gateway town with supermarkets, restaurants, gear and hire shops, and the cheapest beds in the region. Lake sports and mountain biking in summer.
Stay here if: You want value, services and a base for both resorts and for summer lake and trail activities.
Thredbo Village
$$$-$$$$Compact alpine village at the foot of the lifts with the best nightlife of the two resorts. Ski-in/ski-out lodges in winter, bike park and walks in summer.
Stay here if: You want to walk to the lifts and the Kosciuszko walk, and don't mind paying for it.
Perisher Valley / Smiggin Holes
$$$-$$$$On-mountain lodges within the largest ski area, quiet outside the ski day; park entry and (in winter) Skitube access needed.
Stay here if: You want the biggest ski area and good beginner terrain with small children.
Crackenback / Thredbo Valley
$$-$$$Valley resorts and cabins on the Thredbo Valley Track, between Jindabyne and Thredbo.
Stay here if: You want a quieter stay near the river trail, with a drive or bus to the lifts.
On the Ground
LOCAL RESOURCES
storefrontGear Shops
- Thredbo Resort rentalbike and ski hire
Resort-operated bike rental in summer and ski/snowboard hire in winter at Thredbo village.
- Perisher resort hire shopsski hire
Resort-run ski and snowboard hire at Perisher Valley, Blue Cow and Smiggin Holes.
- Jindabyne hire and gear shopsski and bike hire
Jindabyne has several independent ski, snowboard and bike hire businesses; names not verified in this research.
tourGuide Services
- Thredbo Snow School / Perisher Snowsports Schoolskiing
Official resort ski and snowboard schools; children's lessons from age 3 or 4 depending on the source.
- Thredbo guided hikeshiking
Thredbo runs guided walks from the village in summer, including Kosciuszko-area walks. See thredbo.com.au.
- NPWS guided tours (Kosciuszko National Park)hiking
National Parks and Wildlife Service runs guided tours and Junior Ranger programs in the park.
restaurantFood & Drink
- Eagles Nestrestaurant
At 1,937 m at the top of the Kosciuszko Express chairlift; billed as Australia's highest restaurant.
- Thredbo Village restaurants and barsrestaurants and bars
Thredbo has the livelier apres-ski of the two resorts.
- Jindabyne Town Centrecafes, pubs, supermarkets
Most food shopping and cheaper dining for the region is in Jindabyne.
Plan it
GO TO THREDBO & PERISHER (JINDABYNE).
You've got the field notes. Time to put it on the calendar.