The Ultimate Motorhome Guide to Kosciuszko National Park

The Kosciuszko National Park is all about outdoor exploration and adventures. It is home to the tallest mountain in Australia - Mount Kosciuszko - and is replete with opportunities for fun all year round.

The park covers almost 7,000 square kilometres, so to get around it all and see everything you want to see - your best bet is to rent a campervan in Melbourne or Sydney, which are both just over five hours away. The drive there is scenic and stunning by itself, and once you arrive, you can visit with your campervan hire in Australia.

If you’re planning on heading away on an adventure with a campervan, read our guide on everything you need to know to explore the Kosciuszko National Park with a motorhome.

Image: MD111, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Flickr

Things to see and do in the Kosciuszko National Park

Kosciuszko National Park is not a place where you’ll sit back and relax on a beach with a book for the entire trip. Here, it’s all about getting out and exploring on foot, or by bike, ski, snowboard, and more!

Here are some of the best things to see and do in the park.

Image: russellstreet, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Flickr

• Yarrangobilly Caves: The Yarrangobilly Caves are approximately 440 million years old, and you can pay a visit to explore six of them. The caves are limestone and feature a dazzling array of stalactites and stalagmites, as well as cave corals. You are permitted to take a self-guided tour through the largest cave - South Glory - but must book a guided tour for the rest.

• Perisher: Perisher is Australia’s largest ski resort, located within the Kosciuszko National Park. There are 47 ski lifts, as well a tube park and cross-country ski trails. Even if you’re not a skier, you can still go up and enjoy the view and have a cuppa in the hut. Visiting in summer? The resort turns into a hub for hiking and biking all summer long.

• Waterfall Walking Track: The Waterfall Walking Track is a 6-kilometre loop that will take roughly 90 minutes to 2.5 hours. You’ll need some fitness, but it’s not a tough trail, and the reward is huge - you’ll pass granite boulders, a eucalypt forest, and eventually come to a spectacular waterfall. Be sure to bring plenty of water and a snack for when you arrive.

• Kiandra Heritage Track: This 1.2-kilometre walking track will give you a scenic introduction to some of the history of the park. It will take just 30 to 60 minutes and passes through Kiandra, which saw one of Australia’s shortest gold rushes. The walk takes you past the former courthouse and through the heritage precinct where numerous signs will teach you about the area.

Campervan-friendly campsites in the Kosciuszko National Park

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Kosciuszko National Park is well set up for campervan travellers. In fact, there are no fewer than 18 campervan-friendly campgrounds throughout the park. All of these are suitable for 2WD vehicles, and some are even free.

Here’s a quick breakdown of campervan grounds in the Kosciuszko National Park.

Free campgrounds

• Ngarigo Campground - Next to the Thredbo River, good for hiking, fishing, or skiing/mountain biking.

• Thredbo Diggings Campground - Next to the Thredbo River, suitable for hiking, mountain biking, and skiing through winter.

• Waratah Gully Campground - 4 sites, close to walking tracks.

• Tom Groggin Campground - A great base for exploring on foot, mountain biking, and 4WD.

• Geehi Flats Campground - On the Swampy Plains River, good for hiking and kayaking.

• Three Mile Dam Campground - Next to a lake, good for cross-country skiing in winter, and fishing in summer.

• Wares Yards Campground - Close to the Tantangara Dam with basic facilities.

• Humes Crossing Campground - Close to the northern attractions, suitable for families.

• Jounama Creek Campground - On the creek, best for boating and fishing.

• O’Hares Campground - Peaceful area with boating, fishing, and water skiing nearby.

• The Pines Campground - Ideal boating and sailing on the Blowering Reservoir.

• Yarrangobilly Village Campground - Riverside camping, close to heritage sites.

Paid campgrounds

• Depot Beach Campground - 59 sites, good for swimming and fishing.

• Bungonia Campground - Bushland setting close to walks and caves.

• Gillards Campground - 70 sites, close to the beach and great for families.

• Hobart Beach Campground - 66 sites, great for swimming, fishing, and walking.

• Congo Campground - Close to two beaches and a river, with excellent facilities.

• Gambells Rest Campground - Ten sites, close to the southern highlands, features walking and cycling trails.

Best times of year to visit the Kosciuszko National Park

Image: Mcclelcj (Own work), CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

With adventure activities all year round, there really is no bad time to visit the Kosciuszko National Park!

• Summer (December–February): A beautiful and warm time of year to visit, with exceptional weather. This is also the busiest time of year, especially due to the long summer holidays.

• Autumn (March-May): A good option for a shoulder season visit, as the region is still quite warm, but there are fewer people around.

• Winter (June–August): A spectacular time of year for skiing, snowboarding, cross-country skiing, and simply sightseeing. Note that some hiking trails are closed at this time of year, but the caves are still open for exploration.

• Spring (September–November): As the weather warms up and the snow melts, the many waterfalls around the park are at their most impressive. It can still be chilly in the mountains and you may find snow on the higher walking trails, but this is a beautiful and green time of year in the park.

Useful tips and advice for visiting the Kosciuszko National Park with a campervan

Keep these notes in mind before visiting the Kosciuszko National Park with your motorhome.

• While a 4WD is not necessary for the campgrounds, you may wish to rent a 4WD campervan to be able to explore off-the-beaten-track areas in the park.

• Not all campgrounds have toilet and shower facilities, so consider a self-contained motorhome to ensure you have the freedom to camp where it suits you best.

• It is strongly advised that you carry snow chains during any winter visits in case of severe weather. You can rent a set with your hire company.

• You will need to purchase a pass to enter the park. This is a per-day cost that changes depending on the time of year you visit. Your campground will double-check that you have one on arrival.

• Read our tips on campground etiquette to ensure you’re a good neighbour.

• No pets are allowed to be brought into the park.

• Smoking is banned in all areas of this national park. There are a handful of exceptions for the alpine resorts.

• You need a current NSW recreational fishing licence if you plan to fish in the park. Fishing in rivers and streams is only permitted between October and June long weekends.