Alpine Way - Snowy Mountains in September

[Fozzy Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Fozzy]

Not sure if this should go here, it's not a trip report YET.

My wife and I will be driving the Alpine Way in September as part of a larger trip down that way. We'd appreciate any advice as to some easy-moderate 4WD side trips in the area. I've only got the standard Grandtreks atm, and my navigator isn't too keen on any extreme stuff, but we're up for "the road less travelled".

When we get to Canberra or Jindabyne for example, is there anywhere we can go for local advice apart from NPWS? Should I be packing chains at that time of the year?

We're also planning on a side trip to the Warrumbungles on the way down, so any local knowledge of that area would be mightily appreciated.

Cheers,

Dave

[Fungi2003 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Fungi2003]

Re: Alpine Way - Snowy Mountains in September

Before I answer, how long are you planning on spending in the area?

[Fozzy Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Fozzy]

Re: Alpine Way - Snowy Mountains in September

Fungi,

We're looking to spend 10 or so days in the region - the primary purpose is to check out the Floriade, but we'll be coming in to Canberra from the south, via a loop starting at Tumut or Tumbarumba. It's been pointed out that there should be a lot of snow around, to be honest I hadn't even considered that.

Dave

[Fungi2003 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Fungi2003]

Re: Alpine Way - Snowy Mountains in September

You are correct, there will be a fair amount of snow up in the High Country in September and with that closure of some public roads depending on conditions. Roads that are definitely closed until the October long weekend are:
* Kosciuszko Road from Perisher to Charlotte Pass Lookout.
* Khancoban to Cabramurra Road.
* Smiggin Holes to Guthega Link Road.

The one that will limit any trips from Tumbarumba is the closure of the Khancoban to Cabramurra Road. I'd also avoid the Alpine Way as well (which is a pity considering how many areas there are to explore).

The RTA has a great site dedicated to snow conditions, traffic reports and so forth: http://www.rta.nsw.gov.au/roadsafety...html?hfid=snow. Also a good idea to keep an eye out of this page for road conditions: http://www.rta.nsw.gov.au/trafficrep...outh_west.html. If you have the Grandtrecks I'd bring along snow chains as a precaution.

Some scenic drives you can take from Tumut to Canberra via the Snowy Mountain Hwy, are as follows:
Tumut to Canberra via Brindabella Rd
An easy treck through the Micalong State Forest and Brindabella National Park. Mostly tarmac, forrestry trails and well graded tracks.
http://maps.google.com.au/maps?f=d&s...,1.577911&z=10

Tumut to Canberra via Bonboyan Rd
An easy track that traverses past the Blowering and Talbingo Dams, Tumut 3 power station, Yarrangobilly Caves, Kiandra (gold mining ghost town), Mt Selwyn snowfields, Adaminaby (town known for its "Big Trout") and the Namadgi national park. An easy treck consisting of tarmac and well graded roads.
http://maps.google.com.au/maps?f=d&s...,1.577911&z=10

Other way to find out some decent trecks that are open would be to contact the National Parks office for the area you wish to visit. Here is a handy link outlining all National Parks within the Kosciuszko National Park including details for each park office: http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/Na....aspx?id=N0018

Feel free to PM me if you have any other questions!