Khancoban area
Kosciuszko National Park
Visitor info
All the practical information you need to know about the Khancoban area.
Getting there and parking
Get driving directions
To get to attractions in the Khancoban area of Kosciuszko National Park:
South of Khancoban:
- Alpine Way connects Khancoban with Jindabyne via Geehi, Tom Groggin and Thredbo
Northeast of Khancoban:
- Follow the scenic Khancoban-Kiandra route along Swampy Plains Creek Road and Tooma Road to Cabramurra (road closed June to October long weekends)
- Then connect with Link Road to Kiandra and Snowy Mountains Highway
The nearest fuel and supplies are located in Khancoban and Tumbarumba.
Park entry points
- Alpine Way via Khancoban See on map
- Swampy Plains Creek Road - Closed Winter See on map
Parking Show more
- Geehi Flats campground See on map
- Geehi huts walking track See on map
- Khancoban Visitor Centre See on map
- Leatherbarrel Creek picnic area See on map
- National trail: Tom Groggin to Geehi See on map
- Olsens lookout See on map
- Scammells Ridge lookout See on map
Road quality
Alpine Way is steep, narrow and winding between Khancoban and Thredbo, and subject to rockfalls after rain. This section is not recommended for vehicles towing large caravans.
Winter season road closures
The scenic Khancoban-Kiandra drive, along Swampy Plains Creek Road and Tooma Road, is closed between Khancoban and Cabramurra from the June and October long weekends.
Snow chains
It's compulsory for all 2WD vehicles to carry snow chains in winter, between June and October long weekends, on:
- Alpine Way between Tom Groggin and Thredbo
- Kosciuszko Road (to Perisher)
- Guthega Road
The Roads and Maritime Service (RMS) recommends snow chains are carried by all vehicles driving in the park in winter, including 4WD and AWD, in the event of extreme weather. Visit the Live Traffic website for current conditions.
Best times to visit
The Khancoban area is packed with activities and experiences. Here are some of the highlights.
Autumn
Enjoy the fresh air on a walk to Geehi’s many historic huts, or horse ride with the majestic Western Fall as a backdrop. Hike amongst the plains and snow gums of the Jagungal Wilderness back country, which rises over 1700m. If you’re lucky, there might be early snow on the mountains. Now’s your last chance to see what’s biting in the rivers and streams before fishing season closes for winter.
Spring
Snowmelt fills the rivers and the first wildflowers carpet the lower valleys, attracting plenty of animals - great for birdwatching. It's time to unpack the tent to camp under the stars and enjoy the show as the roos, red-necked wallabies, and wombats come out to graze and the sunset turns the Western Fall pink and orange.
Summer
Cool off on hot summer days with a swim in the Swampy Plains River at Geehi or Tom Groggin’s Murray River. You may even see young wombats with their mums between June and September. Lower water levels make this the safest time to explore by 4WD. Wildflowers peak in early summer in the high country along the scenic Khancoban to Kiandra drive. The short walks to historic Round Mountain Hut and Patons Hut are a perfect introduction to this remote area, if you’re not prepared to tackle back country hiking.
Winter
Stop by Scammells lookout as you drive Alpine Way towards the Thredbo ski fields. Take time to absorb the marvellous views of the Main Range’s Western Fall blanketed in snow. The 10km gravel road to Olsen’s lookout gets you even closer. It’s the ultimate wide-angle view of tall mountain ash forest giving way to jagged rock slopes that climb to the rooftop of Australia. Selwyn Snow Resort can be reached via the Elliott Way.
Facilities
Toilets Show more
- Geehi Flats campground
- Geehi huts walking track
- Khancoban Visitor Centre
- Leatherbarrel Creek picnic area
- National trail: Tom Groggin to Geehi
- Old Geehi campground
- Scammells Ridge lookout
- Tom Groggin campground
Picnic tables Show more
- Geehi Flats campground
- Geehi huts walking track
- Khancoban Visitor Centre
- Leatherbarrel Creek picnic area
- National trail: Tom Groggin to Geehi
- Old Geehi campground
- Olsens lookout
- Scammells Ridge lookout
- Tom Groggin campground
Barbecue facilities Show more
Drinking water
Maps and downloads
Fees and passes
Park entry fees apply on Alpine Way
Winter (June to October long weekends): $29 per vehicle per day (24hrs from purchase); motorcycles $12; bus passengers $11.45 per adult, $3.60 per child per day. Find out more about the winter entry surcharge.
Rest of Year: $17 per vehicle per day (24hrs); motorcycles $7; bus passengers $6.60 per adult, $2.20 per child per day.
Passes: Single and Multi-Day passes available from Khancoban Visitor Centre's 24-hour vending machines, or via the Park'nPay app.
See vehicle entry fees for other areas in Kosciuszko National Park.
Permitted
Camping
Vehicle-based camping is only permitted at designated campgrounds. If you’re planning to go back country camping in the Jagungal Wilderness please read our back country safety tips. Huts are for emergency use only.
Cycling
Cycling is permitted on public roads, along fire trails in the Geehi and Tom Groggin areas. Please take care if road cycling along the narrow and winding Alpine Way. Within the Jagungal Wilderness Area, you can cycle only on Round Mountain trail, Dargans trail, Hellhole Creek trail, Valentine trail, and Grey Mare trail. Riders please give way to walkers.</p>
Fishing
You can fish in rivers and streams between the October and June long weekends. A current NSW recreational fishing licence is required to fish in all waters. Fishing in dams and lakes is permitted year-round, but some waterways may close temporarily or have restrictions. Refer to the NSW Recreational Freshwater Fishing Guide for information.
Horses
An upgraded section of the well-signposted National trail runs from Tom Groggin, via Geehi, into the Selwyn area of the park.
Prohibited
Firearms, chainsaws and fossicking are not permitted in Kosciuszko National Park.
Drones
Flying a drone for recreational purposes is prohibited in this area. Drones may affect public enjoyment, safety and privacy, interfere with park operations, or pose a threat to wildlife. See the Drones in Parks policy.
This area may be a declared Drone Exclusion Zone, or may be subject to Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) rules for flying near airports, aerodromes and helicopter landing sites. See CASA's Drone Flyer Rules.
Commercial filming and photography
Commercial filming or photography is prohibited without prior consent. You must apply for permission and contact the local office.
Pets
Pets and domestic animals (other than certified assistance animals) are not permitted. Find out which regional parks allow dog walking and see the pets in parks policy for more information.
Smoking
NSW national parks are no smoking areas. The alpine resorts of Thredbo, Perisher, Charlotte Pass, Selwyn, Ski Rider and Kosciuszko Tourist Park are exempt, though some commercial and outdoor places within these resorts may have no smoking areas.
Contact
- in Kosciuszko National Park in the Snowy Mountains region
The Khancoban area is open all year, but access along the Khancoban to Cabramurra Road is closed in winter (June to October long weekends).
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Park entry fees apply on Alpine Way
Winter (June to October long weekends): $29 per vehicle per day (24hrs from purchase); motorcycles $12; bus passengers $11.45 per adult, $3.60 per child per day. Find out more about the winter entry surcharge.
Rest of Year: $17 per vehicle per day (24hrs); motorcycles $7; bus passengers $6.60 per adult, $2.20 per child per day.
Passes: Single and Multi-Day passes available from Khancoban Visitor Centre's 24-hour vending machines, or via the Park'nPay app.
See vehicle entry fees for other areas in Kosciuszko National Park.
Buy annual pass -
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Khancoban Visitor Centre
02 6070 8400
Contact hours: Winter (June to September): Open 9am to 4pm Monday to Friday and 10am to 2pm on weekends. Rest of year: Open 9am to 4pm daily. Closed Christmas Day. - 2 Scammel Street, Khancoban NSW 2642
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Email: info.khancoban@environment.nsw.gov.au
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Khancoban Visitor Centre
Visitor centre
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Khancoban Visitor Centre
2 Scammel Street, Khancoban NSW 2642 - Winter (June to September): Open 9am to 4pm Monday to Friday and 10am to 2pm on weekends. Rest of year: Open 9am to 4pm daily. Closed Christmas Day.
- 02 6070 8400
Nearby towns
Khancoban (3 km)
Plan ahead for your Snowy Mountains getaway and check out what's on in Khancoban. Extreme athletes love the Upper Murray Challenge that consists of a 38-km bike ride, a 26-km paddle and a 25-km run. The annual Khancoban TroutFest takes place every November at several area fishing holes.