The Snowies Iconic Walk project (working title) proposes a world-class, multi-day trek across the alpine roof of Australia, in Kosciuszko National Park. It reflects the growing visitor demand for nature-based walking experiences in New South Wales, Australia and throughout the world.
Featuring remote days and comfortable nights, the 55-kilometre 4-day walk will extend existing walks across the park's spectacular alpine area to link the resorts of Thredbo, Charlotte Pass, Guthega, Perisher and Lake Crackenback. The walk will also cross over the summit of Mount Kosciuszko.
The walk has great potential to become a landmark ‘must-do’ experience for both domestic and international tourist markets.
What the project involves
The Snowies Iconic Walk concept aims to showcase the unique alpine ecosystems and breathtaking views of the Kosciuszko summit precinct and provide better experiences for visitors. It arose from a need to better disperse visitors to reduce overcrowding issues around Rawson Pass and the summit of Mount Kosciuszko and to provide a diversity of walking experiences. The concept reflects the vision for Kosciuszko National Park to be recognised as the premier destination for walking in Australia, with world-class sustainable facilities that protect the alpine environment, as outlined in the draft Kosciuszko summit precinct walking tracks strategy.
This project involves linking existing resorts, accommodation and services at Thredbo, Charlotte Pass, Guthega, Perisher and Lake Crackenback with the existing Main Range and Summit walking trails to provide a 55-kilometre, 4-day hiking experience.
The work includes 27 kilometres of new walking track and realignment of existing tracks to protect threatened alpine grasses. Each new track section is approximately 6–12 kilometres long. Walkers can choose to do any section of the track as single day walks or longer overnight walks.
This iconic walk has been awarded $17 million funding by the Regional Growth – Environment and Tourism Fund, funded through Restart NSW, that provides funding for infrastructure that supports regional economic growth, creates local employment opportunities, and drives growth in the visitor economy.