For a few years I have had an aspiration to do the walk to the highest mountain peak in Australia, (no I can’t spell it without spell check either) Mt Kosciusko. At the grand height of 2,228m (7,309ft) it is on a small scale compared to significantly higher peaks of other continents. The great thing about that is that it is relatively easy for visitors to ascend this mighty peak and still be able to claim that they have stood on top of the highest peak in Australia! And there is even a chairlift to help you get there…
And if you are feeling really keen there is a walk you can do in about 2-3 days on the Snowy Mountains Main Range where you can ascend the ten highest mountain peaks in Australia. About 6 years ago I planned to do this walk as part of a group but we had to amend our outing when blizzard conditions moved in a couple of days before our departure day.
As a result of a fortunate confluence of events including school holidays and a visit by relatives we are currently planning to visit the Snowy Mountains and Canberra for a four day mini road trip during the September spring school holidays.
Australia Travel Planning Facebook Group
Check out our Australia Travel Planning Facebook Group – you are welcome to join and it is a great resource to enable you to ask questions about your Australian trip!
Visiting the Snowy Mountains
Family members are keen to visit Cooma, which is only 100kms away from Thredbo which is the easiest access point to Mt Kosciusko. As a result I have managed to put the possibility of ascending Mt Kosciusko on the agenda.
The easiest option will be to catch the all year chairlift from Thredbo to enable us to do the ~12 km mostly gently undulating return walk to the peak, and then catch the chairlift back down again. The weather will also be a contributing factor to whether we can ascend the peak on the one day in our plan that we will be in the area but at least we now have the possibility of doing the walk. In September there can still be snow on the ground but the Australian skiing mountains have usually finished their relatively short snow seasons by then.
We can also look for other smaller bushwalks around the area as we travel.
Visiting Canberra
We then plan to visit Canberra where there is quite a lot going on over the September period. First is the spectacle of the Floriade spring flower festival. We last visited Floriade about 6-7 years ago (some photos below) and had a great time. This time they have also introduced a NightFest event which looks like a great additional option.
Additional places we are interested in visiting include:
- The Australian War Memorial, which was recently awarded the Top Landmark in TripAdvisor’s 2014 Travellers Choice awards.
- Questacon, the National Science and Technology Centre which has a great science based activities for both adults and children.
- The Old Bus Depot Markets which are held every Sunday.
I always feel excited when we plan a trip, however big or small. The sense of anticipation as you put a plan together and then see it come to fruition is one of the things I love about travel.
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Australia Travel Planning Facebook Group
Check out our Australia Travel Planning Facebook Group – you are welcome to join and it is a great resource to enable you to ask questions about your Australian trip!
Anne Sutherland-Smith is the creative force behind Pretraveller.com, a travel blog that specializes in offering insightful guidance for exploring Japan, South Korea, Australia, Hong Kong, and Singapore. Her passion for these diverse and dynamic regions shines through in her expert advice, particularly in helping travellers stay connected with the latest in SIM cards, pocket WiFi, and eSIMs.
With an unquenchable thirst for Asian and Oceanian cultures, Anne has carved out a niche as a knowledgeable guide for those venturing into the bustling streets of Tokyo, the historical alleys of Kyoto, the vibrant scenes of Seoul, the scenic landscapes of Australia, the vibrant markets of Hong Kong, or the futuristic cityscape of Singapore. Her articles are full of practical tips and detailed information, ensuring travellers are well-equipped for their journeys.
Anne’s approach is grounded in providing reliable, authoritative travel content that enhances the travel experience. From navigating the complexities of digital connectivity on the go to immersing in the local culture, her advice is designed to make travel both enjoyable and seamless.
I made it to Canberra but not into the countryside in that area of Australia. This is definitely something I’d like to see if I make it back!
Arianwen, thank you for your comment. The Australian Capital Territory has a surprising number of places to visit once you start having a closer look at the options. Hopefully you will have a chance to get back there one day!
How I happened upon this great site, don’t quite know, but boy am i glad i did. I am planning to see a lot of OUR great land, on my own, and I am going to study every comment and plan quickly to start the road trips. Thank you to all of the kind and generous people who have taken the time to comment on all these wonderful places. While I am on my great adventure I will be thinking of you all. Thank you hugs and kisses from Sherie
Sherie, thank you for your comment. It is great that you have been inspired to see more of Australia – there is so much to do and see!
just stumbled onto your blog re trip to Sydney via Moree – we take off on Wed for similar trip but going on to Canberra and Kosciusko – love to read any further blogs so have signed up
Linda, thanks for your comment. It is great to hear that you are also visiting Moree – it is a really interesting part of Australia. We have also been to Canberra and Thredbo – unfortunately we were unable to do the walk to Kosciusko as there was still too much snow when we visited. have a great trip!