Your ticket to the divine alpine is just 6 hours drive from both Sydney and Melbourne. If you’re cruising to the mountains from Sydney once on the Eastern Distributor there are only a few sets of traffic lights to Thredbo. From Melbourne the fully sealed Kosciuszko Alpine Way is your scenic window, as you wind through the spectacular Kosciuszko National Park.
The roads are clear for most of the year, but when the big snowfalls hit, chains may be required for 2 wheel drives. Chains can be hired in Jindabyne and Khancoban. When hiring they will need to know your tyre size & be sure to ask them about any fitting tips. A tip from us is to practise fitting your chains and also make sure you pack an old blanket to use when fitting them.
For up to date road conditions please call the RTA traffic information line on 132 701. Select option 1 for road closures from storms, snow and ice etc and then option 1 again for Southern NSW. This will take you straight to the conditions for the Snowy Mountains.
If in the local area tune to 2XL or 97.7 Snow FM for regular updates.
The National Parks and Wildlife Service collect park use fees upon entry to the park. To find out the current rate call the Thredbo Resort Centre 1300 020 589 or Snowy Region Visitors Centre on (02)6450 5600. You can purchase your pass from the Entrance Station 13km before you get to Thredbo, the Snowy Region Visitors Centre in Jindabyne, the National Parks Visitors Centre in Khancoban, or the Thredbo Newsagency.
Distance & Driving times from major cities
Sydney
5 - 6.5 hours 500km (approx.)
Melbourne
5.5 - 7 hours 500km (approx.)
Canberra
2.5 hours 180km (approx.)
Possible Traffic Delays
Jindabyne Dam Wall Project and its Effect on Traffic To meet the requirement of increasing environmental flows into the Snowy River, Snowy Hydro needs to modify the outlet works at Jindabyne Dam. An auxiliary spillway and a proposed mini-hydro power station are included in the project. To facilitate the works the Kosciuszko Road over the existing spillway will need to be temporarily diverted.
Key aspects of the auxiliary spillway and outlet works include:
modifications to the existing spillway will include a concrete lined chute and plunge pool;
a new auxiliary spillway constructed to the west of the existing spillway;
a new intake channel and structure for environmental flow releases;
a new environmental release tunnel and realignment of the Mowamba Aqueduct
provision for a future mini-hydro power station.
The realignment of the Kosciuszko Road will:
be constructed on top of a coffer dam;
meet the requirement of maintaining the integrity of the reservoir rim during the construction period;
have a speed limit of 40km per hour;
be approximately 200 metres in length and
have two traffic lanes, one in each direction and built to RTA standards.
Driving from Sydney Follow the Hume Highway from Sydney then just south of Goulburn take the Federal Highway and travel south to Canberra. This section of the trip is on a mainly divided road. At Canberra follow the signs to the Monaro Highway to Cooma. The road then joins the Kosciuszko Rd that you follow through the town of Berridale and onto Jindabyne. Just past Jindabyne Town Centre take a left onto the Alpine Way to Thredbo. You will go through the National Park Entrance Station, and then it is only 13km to Thredbo and snow riding bliss.
Driving from Melbourne Follow the Hume Highway from Melbourne to Wodonga. Take the Murray Valley Highway "To Wodonga / Tallangatta" exit and follow the signs "To Tallangatta" Then after passing Wodonga follow the signs to Tallangatta again on the Murray Valley Highway. You pass through the village of Koetong onto Corryong. Drive through Corryong and take the "Khancoban" turn off on your right. Once in Khancoban you are only 76kms from Thredbo. From here the drive is truly spectacular as you take in awesome views of the Main Range and discover the beauty of the Kosciuszko National Park. The roads are clear for most of the year but when a big snowfall hits, chains may be required for some 2-wheel vehicles.
An alternate route from Melbourne is the Kosciuszko Alpine Way, which lets you experience the wonder of the Snowy Mountains as you wind along the great Murray River. Your journey will take you through quaint country towns dotted with historic huts, homesteads and buildings. You can marvel at the power of the Snowy Scheme, take in views of the Main Range, Wymah Punt over Lake Hume, lakes Eucumbene and Jindabyne, and even freshen up with a dip in the Murray itself. The diverse wildlife of the Kosciuszko National Park makes this experience truly memorable.
