Hiking to the summit of Mt Kosciuszko has been on my bucket list for quite some time now and I was finally able to tick it off this summer. At 2,228 metres above sea level, Mt Kosciuszko is Australia's highest mountain located on the Main Range of the Snowy Mountains in Kosciuszko National Park. Its summit lookout offers sweeping 360-degree views across the high country.
The 6.5-kilometre hike from Thredbo's Kosciuszko Express Chairlift to the summit took me just over two hours. It follows an elevated track for most of the way and is the easiest and shortest option available. The climb is rather gradual and there's also quite a fair bit to see as you walk. I particularly enjoyed the stunning sights of rocky granite outcrops and impressive views of the highest glacier-formed lake in the county.
Standing on the rooftop of Australia soaking in the alpine air is truly an incredible experience. I did the hike on my own, but you could do it with a guide too. The guided hike costs $59 per adult and includes access to the chairlift. If hiking by yourself, you'll need to buy a chairlift pass which starts from $49 per adult. For first-timers, the
MyThredbo Card is an additional $5. All bookings can be made via the
Thredbo website. Also, do note that vehicle entry fees apply for
Kosciuszko National Park as you're driving in.
