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The Alpine Way and Thredbo Valley
The Alpine Way is the road that connects Jindabyne with the Ski Tube and Thredbo Alpine Resort. The road continues on to Kancoben and onto Victoria. The road beyond Thredbo was first constructed in the 1950's as access to Murray 1 & 2 power stations located on the western side of the Snowy Mountains.
0km BEGINNING OF THE ALPINE WAY: The
Alpine Way begins at the shores of Lake Jindabyne, opposite the
Snowline Caravan Park, 3 kms from the town centre. Jindabyne is known
for its trout fishing, yachting, and boating. Elevation 960m.
Population 3500 during the summer months increasing up to 20,000 to
30,000 during the winter months.
3km The Rankin family one of the early settlers family’s still living in the area.
9km CRACKENBACK COTTAGE: Explore the maze have a lunch break or just a cup of tea or coffee.
9km THE DISTILLERY – Wild Brumby Schnapps – locally produced schapps made from local in-season produce.
10 km PENDERLEA CHALETS: Accommodation is available. Horse riding on the property.
12km
EARLY HOMESTEAD: Early in the 1830’s this area was settled by the
Pendergast family, the first white settlers in the Southern Monaro .
Several old pioneer type buildings can be seen on either side of the
road for the next few kilometres.
13.8km THE SADDLE: As you
cross the Saddle, the gently undulating plains of southern Monaro
stretch behind you. The Thredbo River runs in a remarkable straight
course to its confluence with the waters of Lake Jindabyne. The saddle
formed as a result of ‘step faulting’ during the Kosciusko uplift at
the end of the Miocene period approximately 30 million years ago.
16km NOVOTEL LAKE CRACKENBACK RESORT:
46 one, two and three bedroom apartments, offering a variety of
activities - archery, golf, fitness centre, sauna, tennis, badminton,
volleyball as well as horseriding and a conference centre. Something
for nearly everyone.
17km SKI TUBE : T- BULLOCKS FLAT TERMINAL
The ski tube was constructed from October 1984 to March 1988. This rail
link through the mountains gives people access into Perisher and Blue
Cow Mountain. Trains are operating daily throughout the winter months.
Check with the Information Centre for the dates and times. Known as
Australia’s highest railway, it is the longest transport tunnel in the
Southern Hemisphere. The terminal provides free parking. Car park C is
the beginning of the walk into Dr Bullock’s hut.
18km VISITOR ENTRANCE STATION: PARK TICKETS ARE AVAILABLE HERE.
Welcome
to Kosciusko National Park, through which you will be travelling. Check
on road conditions; ask our staff for an update especially during wet
or snowy conditions.
19km THREDBO DIGGINGS REST AREA : Beside
the Thredbo River. Bullock’s Nature Track starts and finishes at the
rest area. You have a choice of a 3.3km or 4.5km walk. Watch for our
wombats and keep an eye out for roaming emus.
23km NGARIGO REST
AREA: On your right can be seen the Lubra Rocks, a conspicuous granite
outcrop. Note the line of demarcation between the upper ‘snow gum zone’
and the lower forest of Mountain Gum and White Sallee. This line would
be at a level of approx. 1400m.
26km RANGER STATION BASE THREDBO:
31km THREDBO VILLAGE
: T-F-Thredbo is both a summer and a winter resort . The chairlift
operates daily from the village. Check the times, price and conditions
before you leave. Park entry tickets are available at the newsagency.
Weather conditions in the mountains are extremely changeable so be
PREPARED for anything summer and winter. You will need very warm,
waterproof clothing if you venture out. Toboggans are not permitted in
the resort area. Bobsled open daily, accommodation and shops, Thredbo
Leisure Centre open 7am- 7pm. Electric BBQ available at the picnic
areas. The Thredbo River is a well-known trout-fishing stream during
the summer months only.
37km DEAD HORSE GAP : This is the
highest point on the road at 1580 metres. “Brumbies” (wild horses) live
in this area. Unexpected snowfalls in the past have trapped them
causing numbers to perish. The Gap is the divide between the Snowy and
the Murray River Systems.
The road leading from Thredbo village to
Dead Horse Gap follows the ancient track used by the aborigines of the
“Ngarigo” tribe which inhabited the Monaro Plains and the mountains
east of the Great Divide. During summer months, members of the tribe
would make the annual pilgrimage to the highest ranges to feast upon
the Bogong Moths, a tasty and nourishing delicacy.
40km WINTER
ROAD BARRIER : CHAINS MUST BE CARRIED HERE IN WINTER Steep, narrow,
winding road for the next 15kms. Travel with caution. Large caravans
are not recommended beyond this point. Wattles and banksias abound.
Keep an eye out for the pretty Rosellas.
42km PILOT LOOKOUT :
VP- The magnificent view is dominated by The Pilot (1828m), and the
Cobberas (1883m) to the south. The NSW / VIC border runs between the
two mountains, a windy and narrow section ahead. The stands of tall
trees are Alpine Ash (a fire sensitive eucalypt). Caution for ice, snow
or slippery patches ahead on winter days.
47.8km LEATHER BARREL
CREEK : C-T-PA-FP- In early summer, the surrounding bush shows a
variety of flowers. White and purple Veronica grows in the damp and
shaded areas; ti-tree will be seen along the creek. The mixed eucalypt
forest shows example of Mountain Gum, Candlebark and the Eurabbie,
which can be identified by its extremely long leaves.
55km TOM
GROGGIN REST AREA. C -T PA-FP-TF Derived from the Aboriginal word
“tomarogin “ meaning - water spider, the rest area is on the banks of
the Murray River (the NSW and Vic border) as close as you can get to
the headwaters of the Murray River in a standard vehicle.
57km TOM
GROGGIN STATION TURNOFF: (Victoria) is on the right. The NSW and
Victorian border runs between the road and the cattle station. Watch
for cattle, kangaroos and emus on the road.
76km GEEHI CAMPING
AREA : C-T- PA-FP-VP-TF- Swampy Plains River. Take some time to read
the information display in the area, enjoy the wheelchair access
walking track, the wildlife and the huts. The first Hut was built by
Harry Tyrellin 1938 the other hut was built in 1952. Listen for the
Cicadas. They sound like large crickets and look like a large fly. The
noise can be deafening. Please do not enter the historic hut, which was
damaged by the January 2003 bushfires.
82km TURN OFF TO OLSEN’S LOOKOUT : TF-VP- Travel cautiously on the narrow, winding, unsealed section.
83km
BOGONG CREEK: Named after the Bogong moths a delicacy for the
aboriginals. This moist environment provides an excellent reptile
habitat. The native mint bush is in flower (pale purple) from October
to early November. The yellow and brown egg and bacon plant and white
rice flowers can also be
90km SCAMMELL’S SPUR LOOKOUT : T-VP
Here is provided a spectacular panorama of the western face of the Main
Range. Mt Kosciusko (2228m) hides behind the second peak from the right.
91km
GEEHI WALLS : To the right you will see the famed Geehi walls and
behind them, the India Range. The original route to Tom Groggin was
over the Geehi Walls. 4WD dry weather track via Major Clews Trail.
92km
CLEWS RIDGE: The ridge was so named by the Snowy Mountains Authority in
recognition of the outstanding survey work carried out for the scheme
by the late Major Clews. The ridge is covered with an impressive stand
of Alpine Ash (Eucalyptus delegatensis).
93km PEPPERMINT FOREST
: The Alpine Way is now winding through a forest that is largely
composed of peppermint gums (and acacias). They are easily identified
by the distinct eucalypt scent.
101km MURRAY 1 VISITORS CENTRE:
This centre offers an exciting interactive experience with a wide range
of displays and exhibits. There are BBQ’s and picnic areas by the water
that are open to the public. Light refreshments are available in the
Café.
102km MURRAY 1 POWER STATION VIEWING AREA : VP-The white pipes
carry water through the mountains from dams as well as to the power
stations.
104km KOSCIUSKO NATIONAL PARK BOUNDARY: Thank you for
visiting the Kosciusko National Park we hope you enjoyed your visit and
will return again soon.
108km ENDING OF THE ALPINE WAY :
Khancoban, built as a construction town for the Snowy Mountains Scheme
is becoming a popular tourist centre. Population is approximately 420.
It is a tidy town award winner and there is a variety of accommodation
and restaurants available. The Information Centre shows film of the
Snowy Scheme and Kosciusko National Park on request. The airport is a
snowy airstrip.
