The Australian Alps trip is a guided group-walking holiday. From Jindabyne, nestled in the sunny foothills, we travel to a different section of the Australian Alps National Park each day.
Tour Type Guided group tour (only available for private groups)
6 day itinerary Millions of years of weathering has eroded the once massive mountain tops of Australia's highest mountains down to a gently rolling plateau containing plants and animals found nowhere else on earth. Glacial cirque lakes grace the heads of picturesque valleys, colourful alpine heathlands carpet the hillsides and gnarled, twisted snow gum trees cloak the lower slopes.
The walking is exhilarating and relatively easy for a mountain environment. Follow the Aqueduct Trail, learning about the mighty Snowy Mountains Scheme. Step back in time as we visit an historic cattleman's hut. High above the tree-line we'll learn how delicate plants can thrive in such challenging conditions and gain an insight into the geology of this rugged landscape.
The Australian Alps grand finale is a walk to the summit of Mt Kosciusko, the highest mountain in Australia. At 2228 metres, Kosi (as local residents know it) is a mecca for walkers from all around the world. Fortunately a chairlift ride to start of this walk saves 550 metres of climbing!
Location This trip starts and finishes in Canberra. We travel to the Snowy Mountains, two hours from Canberra and approximately half way between Melbourne and Sydney.
Travel Air-conditioned mini bus. Total travel distance is about 650km.
Grading A typical walking day will involve 4-5 hours of walking at a moderate pace with plenty of rest stops along the way. Walking is 40% easy, 50% moderate, 10% more strenuous, with a chairlift used on steepest section. Longest day has 5 hours walking. This holiday is suitable for healthy people of all ages.
Accommodation Resort style apartments on the waterfront in Jindabyne. The resort is well equipped with an indoor heated swimming pool, tennis court, gym, bar, bistro and lounge.
Regional wine & food highlights The area is noted for fresh Snowy Mountains trout and tender high country beef, and also boasts the highest winery in the country.
Included Guiding, all transport ex Canberra, 5 nights accommodation, 5 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 3 dinners, chairlift ride, National Park fees, information booklets, insulated lunch bag, map case, maps.
Not included Alcohol, additional meals.
Departure dates Only available for private groups
Itinerary guide - 6 days Day 1: Starts at Canberra airport at 10.00am. Travel to Jindabyne for lunch (not included). Afternoon walk featuring a beautiful section of the Thredbo River, superb wildflowers and an historic hut. Accommodation: Jindabyne for 5 nights Day 2: Walk the Aqueduct Trail and learn about the wonders of the mighty Snowy Mountains Scheme. Built in the 1950s and 60s to change the direction of the rivers and provide irrigation for farmers on the dry inland plains, it is still considered to be one of the world's greatest engineering feats. The path meanders beside the scheme's aqueducts, rivers and dams that opened up this isolated country. Day 3: Step back in time today as we walk through snowgum country steeped in pioneer history. This walk leads through pristine Australian bush to arrive at an historic cattleman's hut where we'll explore relics of a by-gone era. Marvel at the ingenuity of the rugged early settlers who battled untold hardships to settle this remote country. No hardships for us though as we enjoy a gourmet picnic lunch! Day 4: Did you know that Australia has glacial lakes? See several on this walk above the tree line. Cross the famous Snowy River, walk through fields carpeted in wildflowers, stroll along high grassy ridges and chill your drink in an icy lake. Our knowledgeable guide will explain the intricacies of this unique alpine environment. Learn how delicate plants can thrive in such challenging conditions, discover how vital spaghnum bogs are to our ecology and gain an insight into the geology of this rugged landscape. Day 5: The day you've been waiting for - a chance to stand on the highest spot in Australia! Sounds tough, but let the chairlift do the hardest part! The summit area of Mt Kosciuszko is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, with 20 species of plants that occur nowhere else in the world. Discover how Strzelecki determined that this peak was the highest in Australia, long before the days of altimeters, and learn about the first visitors to this area, the Aboriginal tribes who ventured here to conduct corroborees and feast on Bogong moths. This mountain is a Mecca for walkers and we'll share the summit with people from all around the world. The walk ends with some time to explore charming Thredbo Alpine Village. Day 6: After breakfast, travel back to Canberra, arriving at 11am.
