Nichols Gorge walking track
High Plains area in Kosciuszko National Park
Overview
Extended closure in 2024
This area will be closed from 4 April 2024 to 4 October 2024 (inclusive) for critical feral pest control operations. Read more about this closure.
The 7km Nichols Gorge walking track, suitable for experienced hikers, follows Cave Creek and passes some karst features before rejoining Blue Waterholes trail.
- Where
- High Plains area in Kosciuszko National Park in Snowy Mountains
- Distance
- 7km loop
- Time suggested
- 4 - 6hrs
- Grade
- Grade 4
- Trip Intention Form
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It's a good idea to let someone know where you're going. Fill in a trip intention form to send important details about your trip to your emergency contact.
- Personal Locator Beacon
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Hire a Personal Locator Beacon (PLB) for free at Snowy Region Visitor Centre in Jindabyne, Perisher Valley Office, Tumut Visitor Centre or Khancoban Visitor Centre.
- Opening times
Nichols Gorge walking track is open between the October and June long weekends but may have to close within those times due to poor weather or fire danger.
- What to
bring - Drinking water, hat, sunscreen, snacks, compass, personal locator beacon, topographic map
- Please note
Please ensure sure you’re properly kitted out for this walk. You’ll need good boots, because the surface is often uneven and wet, torches and jackets for the caves, and a topographic map.
You won’t be very far into this challenging 7km walk – just 500 metres or so – before you’ll come across the opening of Cooleman Cave. Make sure you’ve got a torch with you so that you can explore inside. Back out in the sunshine, follow the often dry Cave Creek. Don’t move too quickly across the surface because you can find ancient fossilised shells of brachipods and sea lilies on its bed.
There are some unique longer views of the limestone gorge and on to the snow grass plains surrounded by the wooded slopes of Gurrangorambla Range and Tom O’Rourkes Peak. For photographers, it’s an absolute gem of an amble. Birdwatchers, too, will be well-rewarded with sightings of magpies, flame robins, and soaring wedge-tail eagles.
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Conservation program:
Southern corroboree frog conservation project
An iconic endangered species, the southern corroboree frog, found only in Kosciuszko National Park, faces the grave threat of extinction. Saving Our Species aims to prevent this from happening by battling chytrid fungus, protecting frog habitat from pests, and fostering a captive breeding program.
General enquiries
- National Parks Contact Centre
- 7am to 7pm daily
- 1300 072 757 (13000 PARKS) for the cost of a local call within Australia excluding mobiles
- parks.info@environment.nsw.gov.au
Operated by
- Tumut Region Visitor Centre
- 9am to 5pm daily. Closed Christmas Day.
- 02 6947 7025
- tumutrvc@environment.nsw.gov.au
- The Old Butter Factory, 5 Adelong Road, Tumut NSW 2720
Park info
- in the High Plains area of Kosciuszko National Park in the Snowy Mountains region
Long Plain Road and Tantangara Road (beyond the dam wall) are closed in winter from June to October long weekends. This period may be extended so it’s a good idea to contact the Tumut Visitor Centre. Areas may have to close at times due to poor weather or fire danger.
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No park entry fees apply in the High Plains area. See vehicle entry fees for other areas in Kosciuszko National Park.
Buy annual pass