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.

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.

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.

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

• Geehi Flats campground
• Geehi huts walking track
• Leatherbarrel Creek picnic area
• National trail: Tom Groggin to Geehi
• Old Geehi campground
• Olsens lookout
• Tom Groggin campground

Drinking water

• Khancoban Visitor Centre

• Khancoban area factsheet
• Khancoban area map (5.7MB pdf)
• Khancoban area walks and rides brochure (3.4MB pdf)
• Southern Kosciuszko drives (1.7MB pdf)
• Kosciuszko alpine safety brochure (775.2KB pdf)

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.

• All Parks Pass - For all parks in NSW (including Kosciuszko NP) $190 (1 year) / $335 (2 years)

• Scammells Ridge lookout Scammells Ridge lookout, 1000m above sea level, offers marvellous views of the rugged Western Fall of the Main Range, and makes a scenic picnic spot just off Alpine Way.

• Geehi huts walking track Explore Geehi huts walking track by foot, bike, horse or 4WD. This short track, near Khancoban, boasts historic huts, river crossings and magnificent views of the Snowy Mountains in Kosciuszko National Park.
• National trail: Tom Groggin to Geehi Ride, cycle, or hike 21km of National trail in Kosciuszko National Park. Saddle up your horses for a day of high-country adventure on this epic ride from Tom Groggin to Geehi horse camp.
• Round Mountain Hut walking track Round Mountain Hut walking track winds through the Jagungal Wilderness Area in central Kosciuszko National Park. A great Snowy Mountains walk or ride, it offers view and spring wildflowers on its way to the rustic hut.

• Khancoban to Kiandra drive Picturesque Khancoban to Kiandra drive links Alpine Way with Snowy Mountains Highway, in Kosciuszko National Park, and takes in scenic dams, historic huts, mountain forest, and the highest town in Australia.
• Khancoban Visitor Centre Khancoban Visitor Centre, on Alpine Way at western entry point to Kosciuszko National Park, is a great place to pick up maps, information and buy a parks pass for your Snowy Mountains adventure.
• Kosciuszko – Alpine Way drive A driving or motorbike tour along Alpine Way scenic drive is a great way to discover the spectacular mountain views, serene campgrounds, magnificent walks, rides, and heritage of southern Kosciuszko National Park.
• National trail: Tom Groggin to Geehi Ride, cycle, or hike 21km of National trail in Kosciuszko National Park. Saddle up your horses for a day of high-country adventure on this epic ride from Tom Groggin to Geehi horse camp.

• Round Mountain Hut walking track Round Mountain Hut walking track winds through the Jagungal Wilderness Area in central Kosciuszko National Park. A great Snowy Mountains walk or ride, it offers view and spring wildflowers on its way to the rustic hut.

Animals

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  Spotted tree frog (Litoria spenceri)

  The spotted tree frog is a rare Australian frog that lives in only a small number of high mountain streams, including a single location in Kosciuszko National Park. It’s listed as critically endangered in NSW.

• 

  Bare-nosed wombat (Vombatus ursinus)

  A large, squat marsupial, the Australian bare-nosed wombat is a burrowing mammal found in coastal forests and mountain ranges across NSW and Victoria. The only other remaining species of wombat in NSW, the endangered southern hairy-nosed wombat, was considered extinct until relatively recently.

• 

  Common brushtail possum (Trichosurus vulpecula)

  One of the most widespread of Australian tree-dwelling marsupials, the common brushtail possum is found across most of NSW in woodlands, rainforests and urban areas. With strong claws, a prehensile tail and opposable digits, these native Australian animals are well-adapted for life amongst the trees.

• 

  Common ringtail possum (Pseudocheirus peregrinus)

  Commonly found in forests, woodlands and leafy gardens across eastern NSW, the Australian ringtail possum is a tree-dwelling marsupial. With a powerful tail perfectly adapted to grasp objects, it forages in trees for eucalypt leaves, flowers and fruit.

• 

  Emu (Dromaius novaehollandiae)

  The largest of Australian birds, the emu stands up to 2m high and is the second largest bird in the world, after the ostrich. Emus live in pairs or family groups. The male emu incubates and rears the young, which will stay with the adult emus for up to 2 years.

• 

  Platypus (Ornithorhynchus anatinus)

  One of the most fascinating and unusual Australian animals, the duck-billed platypus, along with the echidna, are the only known monotremes, or egg-laying mammals, in existence. The platypus is generally found in permanent river systems and lakes in southern and eastern NSW and east and west of the Great Dividing Range.

• 

  Short-beaked echidna (Tachyglossus aculeatus)

  One of only 2 egg-laying mammals in the world, the short-beaked echidna is one of the most widespread of Australian native animals. Covered in spines, or quills, they’re equipped with a keen sense of smell and a tube-like snout which they use to break apart termite mounds in search of ants.

• 

  Superb lyrebird (Menura novaehollandiae)

  With a complex mimicking call and an elaborate courtship dance to match, the superb lyrebird is one of the most spectacular Australian animals. A bird watching must-see, the superb lyrebird can be found in rainforests and wet woodlands across eastern NSW and Victoria.

• 

  Swamp wallaby (Wallabia bicolor)

  The swamp wallaby, also known as the black wallaby or black pademelon, lives in the dense understorey of rainforests, woodlands and dry sclerophyll forest along eastern Australia. This unique Australian macropod has a dark black-grey coat with a distinctive light-coloured cheek stripe.

Plants

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  Billy buttons (Craspedia spp. )

  Billy buttons are attractive Australian native plants that are widespread throughout eastern NSW in dry forest, grassland and alpine regions such as Kosciuszko National Park. The golden-yellow globe-shaped flowers are also known as woollyheads. Related to the daisy, billy buttons are an erect herb growing to a height of 50cm.