The Alpine Way
Thredbo Valley & The Ski Tube
The Alpine Way is the road that connects Jindabyne with the Ski Tube and Thredbo Alpine Resort. The road continues on to Khancoban and onto Victoria with a wide range of attractions available to stop along the way through.
Alpine Way accommodation is set in a rustic location offering stunning views of the mountain ranges and higher elevated accommodations offer Lake Jindabyne views, do not miss the opportunity to stay in one of the beautiful options available.
The road beyond Thredbo was first constructed in the 1950's as access to Murray 1 & 2 power stations located on the western side of the Snowy Mountains. Snowy Hydro currently provides around 67% of all renewable energy that is available to the eastern mainland grid of Australia, as well as providing fast response power to light up the morning and evening rush hours of Sydney, Brisbane, Canberra, Melbourne and Adelaide.
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Located between Jindabyne and Thredbo and on the road that provides access for the Ski Tube to Perisher ski resort. The Alpine Way is a great choice for those who want to stay as close to the mountain as possible without breaking the budget. |
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Information on driving directions and additional transport information including coach and flight transfers from Canberra and Snowy Mountains Airport. |
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Compare Thredbo and Perisher Ski Resort lift passes and pre-book your snow sport lessons, ski passes and equipment hire with your accommodation to make savings on your holiday. |
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The Alpine Way stretches from Jindabyne all the way down to the Victorian boarder. With stunning settings and plenty of attractions the Alpine Way is a great place to stay and visit when passing through. |
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Visiting during the warmer Months? Check out the Alpine Way on our sister site Snowy Mountains Holidays for a complete guide to the Alpine Way and Snowy Mountains Holidays between October and June. |
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A little bit of history
The Alpine Way is the road that connects Jindabyne with Thredbo Alpine Resort and continues on to Victoria. The area locally known as Crackenback or Thredbo Valley is fully of interesting sights to see, award winning restaurants, the famous Wildbrumby Schnapps Distillery and boutique accommodation.
The Alpine Way was built about 1950 as part of the Snowy Mountains Scheme as access to Murray 1 & 2 power stations located on the western side of the Snowy Mountains.
Early in the 1830's the Thredbo Valley was settled by the Pendergast family, the first white settlers in the southern Monaro. Several old pioneer buildings can still be seen on either side of the road
After you pass through the Valley you will cross the saddle and you leave the gently undulating plains of the southern Monaro behind you. The saddle formed as a result of step faulting during the Kosciuszko uplift at the end of the Miocene period approximately 30 million years ago.
Skitube Bullocks Flat terminal. The alpine rail links the Alpine Way to the Perisher ski resort. It is very popular in winter as a fast mode of transport to the ski fields. The Skitube is Australia's highest railway.
From the Ngarigo camping area you can see the Lubra rocks, a conspicuous granite outcrop. Note the line of demarcation between the upper "snow gum zone" & the lower forest of Mountain Gum & White Sally. This line would be at a level of approximately 1400m.
Take a Drive along the Alpine Way
0km BEGINNING OF THE ALPINE WAY: The
Alpine Way begins at the shores of
Lake Jindabyne, opposite the Snowline Caravan Park,
3kms from the
town
centre. Jindabyne is known for its trout fishing, yachting, and
boating. Elevation 960m. Population 3500 during the summer months
increasing up to 20,000 to 30,000 during the winter months.
3km
The
Rankin family one of the early settlers family's still living in the
area.
9km CRACKENBACK COTTAGE: Explore the maze have a lunch
break or
just a cup of tea or coffee.
9km THE DISTILLERY – Wild
Brumby Schnapps –
locally produced schapps made from local in-season produce.
10 km PENDERLEA
CHALETS: Accommodation is available. Horse riding on the
property.
12km EARLY HOMESTEAD: Early in the 1830's this area was
settled by the Pendergast family, the first white settlers in the
Southern Monaro . Several old pioneer type buildings can be seen on
either side of the road for the next few kilometres. 13.8km THE
SADDLE:
As you cross the Saddle, the gently undulating plains of southern
Monaro stretch behind you. The Thredbo River runs in a remarkable
straight course to its confluence with the waters of Lake Jindabyne.
The saddle formed as a result of 'step faulting' during the Kosciusko
uplift at the end of the Miocene period approximately 30 million years
ago.
16km NOVOTEL LAKE CRACKENBACK RESORT (Alpine Way) : 46 one, two and
three bedroom apartments, offering a variety of activities - archery,
golf, fitness centre, sauna, tennis, badminton, volleyball as well as
horseriding and a conference centre. Something for nearly everyone.
17km SKI TUBE : T- BULLOCKS FLAT TERMINAL The ski tube was
constructed
from October 1984 to March 1988. This rail link through the mountains
gives people access into Perisher and Blue Cow Mountain. Trains are
operating daily throughout the winter months. Check with the
Information Centre for the dates and times. Known as Australia's
highest railway, it is the longest transport tunnel in the Southern
Hemisphere. The terminal provides free parking. Car park C is the
beginning of the walk into Dr Bullock's hut.
18km VISITOR ENTRANCE
STATION: PARK TICKETS ARE AVAILABLE HERE.Welcome to Kosciusko National
Park, through which you will be travelling. Check on road conditions;
ask our staff for an update especially during wet or snowy
conditions.
19km THREDBO DIGGINGS REST AREA : Beside the Thredbo
River.
Bullock's Nature Track starts and finishes at the rest area. You have a
choice of a 3.3km or 4.5km walk. Watch for our wombats and keep an eye
out for roaming emus.
23km NGARIGO REST AREA: On your right can
be seen
the Lubra Rocks, a conspicuous granite outcrop. Note the line of
demarcation between the upper 'snow gum zone' and the lower forest of
Mountain Gum and White Sallee. This line would be at a level of approx.
1400m.
31km THREDBO
VILLAGE :
T-F-Thredbo is both a summer and a winter resort . The chairlift
operates daily from the village. Check the times, price and conditions
before you leave. Park entry tickets are available at the newsagency.
Weather conditions in the mountains are extremely changeable so be
PREPARED for anything summer and winter. You will need very warm,
waterproof clothing if you venture out. Toboggans are not permitted in
the resort area. Bobsled open daily, accommodation and shops, Thredbo
Leisure Centre open 7am- 7pm. Electric BBQ available at the picnic
areas. The Thredbo River is a well-known trout-fishing stream during
the summer months only.
37km DEAD HORSE GAP : This is the highest
point
on the road at 1580 metres. "Brumbies" (wild horses) live in this area.
Unexpected snowfalls in the past have trapped them causing numbers to
perish. The Gap is the divide between the Snowy and the Murray River
Systems.The road leading from Thredbo village to Dead Horse Gap follows
the ancient track used by the aborigines of the "Ngarigo" tribe which
inhabited the Monaro Plains and the mountains east of the Great Divide.
During summer months, members of the tribe would make the annual
pilgrimage to the highest ranges to feast upon the Bogong Moths, a
tasty and nourishing delicacy.
42km PILOT LOOKOUT : VP- The magnificent view is
dominated by
The Pilot (1828m), and the Cobberas (1883m) to the south. The NSW / VIC
border runs between the two mountains, a windy and narrow section
ahead. The stands of tall trees are Alpine Ash (a fire sensitive
eucalypt). Caution for ice, snow or slippery patches ahead on winter
days.
55km TOM GROGGIN REST AREA. C -T PA-FP-TF Derived
from the
Aboriginal word "tomarogin " meaning - water spider, the rest area is
on the banks of the Murray River (the NSW and Vic border) as close as
you can get to the headwaters of the Murray River in a standard
vehicle. TOM GROGGIN STATION TURNOFF: (Victoria) is on the
right.
The NSW and Victorian border runs between the road and the cattle
station. Watch for cattle, kangaroos and emus on the road.
82km TURN OFF TO OLSEN'S
LOOKOUT
: TF-VP- Travel cautiously on the narrow, winding, unsealed
section. 1 Km ahead is BOGONG CREEK: Named after the Bogong moths a delicacy for
the aboriginals. This moist environment provides an excellent reptile
habitat. The native mint bush is in flower (pale purple) from October
to early November. The yellow and brown egg and bacon plant and white
rice flowers can also be 90km SCAMMELL'S SPUR LOOKOUT : T-VP Here is
provided a spectacular panorama of the western face of the Main Range.
Mt Kosciusko (2228m) hides behind the second peak from the right.
104km KOSCIUSKO NATIONAL PARK BOUNDARY: Thank you for visiting the Kosciusko
National Park we hope you enjoyed your visit and will return again
soon.
108km ENDING OF THE ALPINE WAY : Khancoban, built as a
construction town for the Snowy Mountains Scheme is becoming a popular
tourist centre. Population is approximately 420. It is a tidy town
award winner and there is a variety of accommodation and restaurants
available. The Information Centre shows film of the Snowy Scheme and
Kosciusko National Park on request. The airport is a snowy airstrip
