Kosciuszko National Park

This spectacular alpine area has been a park of some kind since 1906.

It started out as National Chase Snowy Mountains, became a dedicated state park in 1944 and finally a national park in 1967.

Kosciuszko National Park is home to the highest peak in mainland Australia, Mount Kosciuszko, which soars to 2,228m.

Both the mountain and the park are named after Polish cultural and political hero Tadeusz Kosciuszko.

The park is known for its hugely popular ski resorts, spectacular snow gums and the famous walk to the highest point in Australia and while the summit walk is most popular in summer, it can be reached by experienced adventurers in winter on cross-country skis or snowshoes, setting off from Thredbo or Charlotte Pass.

When the weather turns cold leading up to the winter months, skiers and snowboarders count the days until they can hit the slopes.

There are three ski resorts in the park, Perisher, Thredbo and Charlotte Pass.

A fourth, Selwyn Snow Resort, is currently closed while it is being rebuilt.

The ski season at all resorts generally runs between the June and October long weekends, with the best snow in July and August.

At Thredbo, the pretty alpine village hugs the hillside with a big range of lodges, hotels and apartments as well as restaurants and bars. Thredbo has Australia’s first alpine gondola which whisks skiers, boarders and sightseers up to the Cruiser area and the popular Merritts restaurant.

You’ll also find the longest run in Australia, the Supertrail, and Karels T-bar takes you up to the country’s highest lifted point.

Perisher is the largest snow resort in the Southern Hemisphere, with four linked resorts – Perisher Valley, Smiggin Holes, Guthega and Blue Cow.

With 47 lifts and 1,245 hectares of snowy playground to ski and ride on, there’s no chance of getting bored.

Cross-country (Nordic) skiers are also well catered for at Perisher, with more than 100 kilometres of trails.

Charlotte Pass is the highest resort in Australia and might also be the prettiest.

This is because it is completely snowbound, with no cars, no crowds and no hassles.

The only way to get there is by over snow transport from Perisher Valley.

It might be small, with five lifts and 19 runs, but Charlotte Pass caters to all levels and has a fairy-tale quality about it.

This could be due to the beautiful Kosciuszko Chalet Hotel, which was built in 1930 and is known as the ‘grand old lady of the mountains.’