Alpine, a village in New South Wales, stretches from the ACT to the border of Victoria along the spine of the Great Dividing Range. Kosciuszko National Park lies at the centre, protecting the continent’s highest mountain, its only glacial lakes, some of its rarest native species, and the headwaters of legendary rivers. Nestled in the mountains are world-class ski resorts which attract hundreds of thousands of skiers each winter. In spring and summer, brilliant wildflowers cover the fields, mountain streams run full with melting snow, and groups of bushwalker, campers, anglers, whitewater rafters and mountain-bike riders come to savour the warm-weather delights of this diverse and spectacular ‘roof’ of Australia.
Alpine Way
Stretching 111 km from Jindabyne to Khancoban, this spectacular route winds around the Thredbo slopes, passes through Dead Horse Gap, and crosses the valley of the Murray headwaters. It is best driven during spring and summer, although the winter scenery is superb.
Snowy River Power
This once mighty river was dammed and diverted for the Snowy Mountains Scheme. Some 100 000 men from 30 countries worked for 25 years on the largest engineering project of its kind in Australia. Drop in at the Snowy Mountains Authority Information Centre in Cooma, or visit the power stations near Khancoban.
Thredbo
This charming alpine village with its peaked European-style lodges makes for an unusual sight in the Australian landscape. Packed and brimming with life during winter, it is also popular in summer with wildflower enthusiasts, anglers, mountain-bike riders and bushwalkers wanting to tackle Mt Kosciuszko. A chairlift drops people at the beginning of a 6 km walk to the summit.
To discover more travel destinations in New South Wales and more travel tips like this, do not hesitate to call Random and Wild Hiking today!