Current Available Tour Descriptions

Kosciuszko Multiday Wilderness Adventure
(inc. Mount Townsend and Rams Head Range)
and Yarrangobilly Caves and Thermal Pool

Why not join Hikeandseek on a memorable multiday hiking tour experience to Australia’s Highest Peak and surrounds? At 2228m high, Mount Kosciuszko stands as Australia’s highest mountain but there is so much more to see in NSW biggest National Park ! Be guided on a wilderness adventure around the highest peaks of Australia and to venture to some of the lesser known endless beauties that Kosciuszko National Park has to offer.

Four Day Kosciuszko Trip including a multi-day adventure in Kosciuszko National Park including a final day spent seeing other aspects of Kosciuszko from outside the Snowy Mountains Ranges. Ideal for participants who have experienced overnight hikes before with a sound level of fitness. First time Overnight Hikers with previous hiking experience can enquire!

Fitness levels are expected be of at least a moderate level. The experience will involve use of the Thredbo Chairlifts. At the peak of the walk you will be carrying your overnight pack (~15kgs +) for up to 7km a day before pitching camp and switching to day packs for more extended walking. Day packs and Overnight Packs will be alternatively used in over the course of the Multi-day Hike.

The event will be over 4 days over the 22-25 December (including Christmas Day holiday). As with any Hikeandseek Tour, I will strive to introduce more features and highlights of the hike that may not be necessarily discoverable via the main trails or following the beaten path as well as prevalent on social media platforms.

Some places visited on the trip will include several other peaks of Kosciuszko National Park (as well as the summit of Mount Kosciuszko, visits to other rock formations and waterways as well as a wilderness camping experience. The Yarrangobilly Thermal Pool and Caves of Kosciuszko National Park will also be visited.

Basic Itinerary

Day 1 – You will be driven down to Kosciuszko National Park whilst stopping at a few notable scenic points of interest with information of the surrounding areas along the long drive to Kosciuszko. Once reaching Kosciuszko National Park with a stop by Jindabyne town centre around midday and having lunch, the tour will commence at the Thredbo Chairlifts. Multiday hike begins on Day 1 - This day will begin with thorough bag checklists and packing for the three days hike.

Multiday Hike - Day 1

Upon leaving the chairlifts at Eagles Nest with multiday packs, you will be guided to Rams Head Range and set up camp. After switching over to day packs, we will venture around the Rams Head Range area until dinner. Highlights include Rams Head North, Aries Tor, Stargazing in Rams Head Range (weather permitting)

Day 2 –

Multiday Hike - Day 2

After waking early for sunrise, replenishing water stocks and breakfast, we will pack tents and gear away back into multiday packs and set off on a 5km walk set for Muellers Pass with a few rest stops and scenic views along the way. We will set up camp and have an early lunch. Once in day packs, you will be guided towards the peaks of Mount Kosciuszko, Mount Townsend and Muellers Peak before heading back to camp for the night.

Day 3 -

Multiday Hike - Day 3

You will wake early to be guided on a 2.5km pre sunrise walk to Etheridge Ridge to capture the sunrise over the Snowy River Valley. After sunrise and additional viewing of Lake Albina, we will head back to camp for breakfast with some time to relax and and pack up camp for a slow return to the chairlifts with multiday packs including a stop over for lunch.

After reaching the bottom of the chairlifts and finishing the multiday hike we will head back towards Jindabyne with a stop by a few places of interest including views over Lake Jindabyne. We will have dinner at the Banjo Patterson Inn at Jindabyne before we head our cabin accommodation for the night.

Day 4 – After an early breakfast we will begin the return drive home via Yarrangobilly Thermal Pool and Caves and a few other POIs such as Tumut River, Blowering Dam and Adelong Falls (Gold Mill Ruins) - time permitting. Cave Entry will be at the decision of individual participants and only a limited time will be allocated in total for the Caves and Thermal Pool.

Gear to Bring

· It is important to note that the elevated terrain of Kosciuszko National Park means that 4 seasons can be expected even in the middle of summer and weather predictions can be volatile. An update on weather and clothing can be expected frequently until the departure date.

· 3 Seasons Tent

· Sleeping Gear – Sleeping Bag, Sleeping Mat, Pillow

· Cooking Gear & Food (These items can be supplied/hired at an extra cost)

· Water Bladder (recommended), Bottle(s), flasks up to 3L storage.

· Hiking Clothes and socks – Certain Conditions will require changes in clothes required and I will update this with confirmed participants. The night time will require a warm jacket

· Recommended Swimwear for Kosciuszko main streams and Thermal Pool

· Optional Walking Poles

· Optional warm gloves (recommended)

· Hiking Shoes

· Food and snacks (These can be arranged as an extra package for the overnight hike portion of the trip)

· Overnight Hiking Backpack – minimum 50L

· Optional Battery Pack for electronics

· Headlamp/Torch

For participants looking for their first overnight hiking experience (for those with plenty of hiking experience) or perhaps a one off event, Hikeandseek can provide advice on budget options and/or provide most equipment for hire when still available. Please enquire further.

Included in costs are

· Private and intimate Ecopass Certified Guided Tour with Hikeandseek

· High Quality Snapshots from the 4 days of Tour – You’re encouraged to ask for photos!

· A general guide of the location and other features of the Australian bush flora and fauna, history and culture

· All park entry and guide fees.

· Transportation and fuel

· Basic Cabin Accommodation for one night with hot showers (3rd Night)

· Kosciuszko National Park entry fees including Chairlift tickets (Usually around $55 per day)

· 4 x overnight hiking meals and a choice of snacks – (freeze dried or other) 2 x lunch, 1 x dinner, 1 x breakfast

· Hikeandseek Guiding Fee and Tour (includes navigation and basic orienteering introduction)

· Full extensive Itinerary

· Packing List + Check List for Participants - Free advice and recommendations to equip for overnight hiking

· Some overnight hiking items are available for hire.

Cost

$990 per person (2 person minimum for trip to go ahead) ($250 Deposit)

8 persons max

Additional costs may occur with equipment lending etc.

Additional Miscellaneous Costs to the participant

· Equipment hire

· Extra Food for the overnight hike inclusive of meals outside 4 provided.

· Accommodation Upgrade for the night of the 28th (Saturday)

· Participants are responsible for all other meals and drinks occuring outside of the Multiday Hike duration of the Tour

· Optional Cave Entry Fees at Yarrangobilly Caves

· Fast Food/Quick Food Options only during the drive to and from Kosciuszko National Park from Sydney

WEATHER CONTINGENCY PLANS

As outlined in the terms and conditions, weather may play a part in the going ahead of this trip, especially in the mountainous altitude of Kosciuszko National Park. Your Health and Safety will always be prioritized and the trip may be cancelled (or ammended at the agreement of both Hikeandseek and the participant to a more weather friendly itinerary) if conditions become unsafe. Small deterrents such as (but not limited to) light rain, scattered showers and light winds may not constitute as a reason to cancel if deemed safe for walking. Contingency plans will be discussed with confirmed participants. Multiday hiking days may be switched around to accommodate best conditions.