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Tumut area

Kosciuszko National Park

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Visitor info

All the practical information you need to know about the Tumut area.

Getting there and parking

Get driving directions

Get directions

    To get to attractions in the Tumut area of Kosciuszko National Park:

    From Hume Highway via Tumut:

    • From Sydney, take the Gundagai exit and follow Gocup Road to Tumut
    • From Albury or Wagga Wagga, take Snowy Mountains Highway via Adelong to Tumut
    • Drive south along Snowy Mountains Highway to the park boundary

    From Cooma:

    • Travel west through Cooma for 7km
    • Turn right at the signs to Tumut and follow Snowy Mountains Highway
    • Tumut is around 185km from Cooma, Talbingo is around 150km

    From Tumbarumba:

    • Take Tooma Road and Elliott Way

    Park entry points

    Parking Show more

    Road quality

    Snow chains

    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 Tumut area has plenty of things to do and see. Here are some of the highlights:

    Autumn

    The blue skies and crisp weather are perfect for outdoor activities. Get on your bike and tackle Cumberland and Big Talbingo trails, in the hills above Talbingo. Take a long walk or scenic drive, and enjoy freshly-caught fish by the campfire at tranquil Buddong Falls, O’Hares, or Jounama Creek campground. Aside from the roos, possums and wombats, you might have the place to yourself.

    Spring

    With spring rains the waterfalls will be flowing, though take care on tracks which can be boggy. Birdwatchers will be kept busy spotting honeyeaters, firetails, parrots and raptors, including wedge-tailed eagles. Snowmelt fills mountain streams and reservoirs, so cast your fishing line, or get out on the water to explore by paddle power.

    Summer

    Set up camp at Humes Crossing or The Pines campground by Blowering Reservoir and spend your days paddling, sailing, swimming and fishing. Escape the heat with a shady forest walk along Blowering Cliffs track, Warogong Sugarloaf walk, or Old Mountain Road, as purple kunzea and white-flowered tea tree bloom on the lower slopes. Ask the Tumut Visitor Centre about ranger-led tours during school holidays.

    Facilities

    Maps and downloads

    Fees and passes

    No park entry fees apply in the Tumut area. See vehicle entry fees for other areas in Kosciuszko National Park.

    Safety messages

    All Kosciuszko National Park visitors planning a long hike, off-track or overnight adventure, or visiting a remote part of the park, are recommended to fill in the trip intention form and carry a Personal Locator Beacon (PLB). Find out more about hiring a PLB and completing a trip intention form on the dedicated iPads available at Snowy Region Visitor Centre, Tumut Visitor Centre and the Perisher NSW National Parks office.

    Alpine safety

    Alpine areas present special safety issues. Conditions can be extreme and may change rapidly, particularly in winter. It’s important to be prepared and find out how to stay safe in alpine areas.

    Mobile safety

    Dial Triple Zero (000) in an emergency. Download the Emergency Plus app before you visit, it helps emergency services locate you using your smartphone's GPS. Please note there is limited mobile phone reception in this park and you’ll need mobile reception to call Triple Zero (000).

    River and lake safety

    The aquatic environment around rivers, lakes and lagoons can be unpredictable. If you're visiting these areas, take note of these river and lake safety tips.

    Permitted

    Cycling

    Cycling is permitted on public roads, and on management trails outside wilderness areas. Riders please give way to walkers.

    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.

    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.

    Map of Tumut area in Kosciuszko National Park. Image: OEH

    Contact

    Visitor centre

    Nearby towns

    Talbingo (3 km)

    Talbingo is surrounded by some of the most inspiring scenery in the Snowy Mountains. At Talbingo Dam you'll enjoy panoramic views of the region as well as superb fishing for brown and rainbow trout. You can even go water-skiing on the dam.

    www.visitnsw.com

    Tumut (12 km)

    Tumut is a country town on the northern foothills of the Snowy Mountains. The Rolling valleys, mountain streams and alpine mountain ranges make it popular for nature lovers and adventure enthusiasts.

    www.visitnsw.com

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