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Kosciuszko Practical Planner

Thredbo vs Charlotte Pass · packing · entry fees (verify) · alpine safety · official NPWS links

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1. Before you leave base

☐ Check vehicle entry fees for your dates (seasonal rates)
☐ Confirm road status (especially Perisher–Charlotte Pass in winter)
☐ Chain requirements if snow is possible
☐ BOM Snowy Mountains + local alpine forecast
☐ Tell someone your plan and expected return time
☐ Snowy Region Visitor Centre (Jindabyne): 02 6450 5600 (verify hours)
☐ Hard turn-around time written down (summit fever is not a plan)

2. Thredbo vs Charlotte Pass (pick one)

Via Thredbo (most first-timers)

☐ Chairlift hours confirmed (last descent!)
☐ Fitness for ~13 km return walk at altitude
☐ Village parking / lift queue buffer
☐ Mesh platforms — no shortcutting herbfields
☐ Layers for wind at top station

Via Charlotte Pass (long pure walk)

☐ Kosciuszko Road open beyond Perisher
☐ Fitness for ~18.6 km return · no lift bail-out
☐ Early start + daylight margin
☐ Winter: oversnow / restricted vehicle access plan
☐ Navigation + emergency kit for longer exposure

3. Packing (day visitor baseline)

☐ Seam-sealed waterproof jacket
☐ Waterproof overtrousers
☐ Thermal base + fleece mid-layer
☐ Warm hat & gloves
☐ Sturdy grip footwear
☐ Day pack + rain cover

☐ Water 2L+ and energy food
☐ Sunglasses + high SPF
☐ Headlamp
☐ Emergency blanket / bivy
☐ Map / offline nav
☐ First aid basics

4. Entry fees & official links (verify live)

Entry fees (illustrative only historically ~$17 non-winter / ~$29 winter peak — always verify): NPWS Kosciuszko entry fees
Park home: Kosciuszko National Park
Thredbo Summit Walk: Official track page
Charlotte Pass Summit Walk: Official track page
Safety: NPWS safety
BOM Snowy Mountains: Forecast

5. Alpine safety realism

☐ Weather can reverse in under an hour — turn around early
☐ Wet + cold + cotton = hypothermia risk even on “easy” mesh
☐ Stay on track — herbfields do not recover from shortcuts
☐ Drive slowly at dusk for wildlife
☐ Emergency: call 000

6. Optional weather bail-out

☐ Yarrangobilly Caves / thermal pool plan if high peaks fail
☐ Lower-altitude Jindabyne day if roads or wind shut the plateau