Mount Kosciuszko from Thredbo

Take the Kosciuszko Express chairlift from Thredbo village to its top station near Eagles Nest, where the walk starts. The track heads north-west across the alpine plateau, most of it on a raised steel walkway, past the granite tors of the Ramshead Range to Kosciuszko Lookout and the first view of the summit. It crosses the headwaters of the Snowy River and climbs above Lake Cootapatamba to Rawson Pass. From the pass a broad track winds up the last 1.6 km to the summit at 2,228 m. Return the same way.

It is 12.9 km there and back with 309 m of ascent; allow about 4 hours. The grade is Moderate: an easy surface for its height, with a steady climb at the end. The walk starts at about 1,920 m, where the sun is strong.

This is a summer walk. Snow can cover the track in winter and spring, and alpine weather can turn to wind, cloud, sleet or snow at any time of year, so carry warm and waterproof clothes. The toilets at Rawson Pass are the only shelter. Thredbo's chairlift is weather dependent: check its lift status before you go.

Kosciuszko National Park charges $17 per vehicle per day from 6 October 2026 until the June long weekend, and $29 in the winter peak. The chairlift is a separate ticket from Thredbo.

Route drawn by Global Adventurer along OpenStreetMap paths (© OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL), with figures worked out from it. Check the forecast and the ground on the day: paths change.