Family Bushwalks in the Snowy Mountains

Planning Your Trip

The book has a section on planning, but it's good to have additional notes on what to do before heading off on a trip. To help prepare better, see the cards below for a checklist, suitable navigation apps (essential if you're going off-track at any point), and useful links.

Accommodation

Choose from a wide range of accommodation, whether it's camping, cabin or motel room:

• Camping options at caravan parks at Jindabyne, or the NPWS campgrounds at Thredbo Diggings, Ngarigo or Tom Groggin (all on the Alpine Way), at Island Bend near Guthega, Three Mile Dam near Kiandra, and further north.
• Cabins are self-contained, relatively inexpensive and comfortable. Jindabyne has the most choice, and there's another at Sawpit Creek in KNP (Kosciuszko Mountain Retreat).
• Motels in Jindabyne or further afield (with concomitant extra travel time to the walks).
• Lodges at Thredbo or along the Alpine Way.

What to Bring

While it may be scorching on the coast and very warm in the lower parts of the snowies, the alpine region is often very cold. On a typical Thredbo summer's day it might be a comfortable 18°C, but with a bit of a wind the temperature can drop to less than 10 degrees on the exposed ridges and feel more like zero. So warm, waterproof clothing is essential. Bring gloves too.

You don't need hiking boots, but your footwear should be both comfortable and sturdy. It's a good idea to wear an extra pair of socks, particularly if you haven't gone on long walks for a while.

Despite the cold the reduced screening effect of the atmosphere at altitude means that UV levels can go way beyond 11, the "extreme" category. Sunscreen, applied often, and a wide-brimmed hat are vital.

A small first-aid kit with small bandages, adhesive strips and pads will cover simple problems like scratches, bites and blisters. Also pack antiseptic cream, sting relief lotion, paracetamol and antihistamine tablets. Asthma sufferers should carry their medication to mitigate the effects of breathlessness due to sustained exercise and the slightly reduced air pressure at 2000+ metres.

Other safety gear include a whistle, waterproof matches and an emergency blanket such as this two-person one in case of hypothermia or shelter from extreme weather.

Carry plenty of water and non-salty snacks. Water from mountain streams may look pristine, but it's not worth the risk of contracting nasty diseases such as giardiasis. So either carry more water than you expect to need (see page 18), or pack a water filtration system such as Katadyn's BeFree, available from some outdoors shops. You fill the 0.6L soft bottle with water from a running stream, uphill from the track, screw on the filter top and squeeze slowly into your containers. Remember to rinse when you return, and rehydrate it during long periods of non-use and before your trip (half-fill with tap water and leave upside down overnight).

March flies can be annoying. As well as buzzing around and making UFO impressions for the camera, they have a fairly painful bite. They typically attack your ankles and calves, and can bite through thick clothing and socks. Insect repellent is of only marginal use, so pack sting relieving cream. Some people use an insect net over their hat, but it's a matter of taste.

Itinerary Planning

Work out a rough schedule before you leave home. Alternate walking days with sightseeing, biking, boating, fishing, or some other activity. Just before you leave, check the weather forecast for the region on either the (very poor IMO) new BOM website or the better commercial sites like Weatherzone (free with ads). When you arrive and while you're there continue to monitor the forecasts. Pick the very best weather for the alpine trips as they are spectacular in good conditions, and be prepared to rechedule activities to achieve this.