The Ultimate Travel Guide toThredbo

The best way to get to Thredbo is by driving – especially when transporting snow gear or mountain bikes. The alpine village is 5.5 hours from the Sydney CBD and 6.5 hours from the Melbourne CBD.

Enjoy the scenery as you take the Alpine Way through Cooma, Berridale and Jindabyne. Ensure you have a valid NSW National Park entry sticker and that your accommodation provides parking for guests. You can also make the journey part of the adventure with our Snowy Mountains road trip itinerary.

Skiing & snow sports

Boasting the longest runs in Australia, trails to suit all ages and stages, night skiing and a lively après scene waiting for you at the base of the mountain – it’s not hard to see why hundreds of thousands of snow-fanatics flock to Thredbo throughout the winter months.

If it is your first time boarding or skiing (or skiing with kids) head to Friday Flats for lessons or to practise on its gentler slopes before advancing to the yellow and green runs. The Cruiser, Basin and Central Spur are best suited for intermediates and for the truly advanced, head to the legendary 5.4-kilometre Crackenback trail (groomed) or the 3.2-kilometre Funnel Web (ungroomed).

Thredbo has five terrain parks to cater to different levels of experience, including the Playground Introductory, Cruiser Terrain, Antons Terrain, High Noon Ridercross and Meadows Moguls. Each park features jumps, hips, spines and rails for skiers and boarders to varying degrees of difficulty.

For more, read our comprehensive guide on skiing in Thredbo.

Nature & activities

As the weather warms up and the snow melts into the Thredbo River, travellers arrive to enjoy Thredbo’s other natural gems and activities.

Thredbo Mountain Bike Park ramps up in the summer months with over 34 kilometres of trails to explore, ranging from all-mountain, cross country, flow and downhill – and the Kosciuszko Express & Gunbarrel Express chairlifts take you and your bike to the top of the trail network. There is also a handful of MTB Parks for riders of all ages and stages.

Hike past glacial lakes, along rugged mountain terrain and to the highest peaks in Australia in Kosciuszko National Park from your base in Thredbo. There are a number of hikes to choose from, including the 13-kilometre hike to the summit of Mount Kosciuszko (Australia’s highest mountain), or the more challenging 32-kilometre Alpine Lakes Hike, and plenty more. Varying degrees of fitness is required for each trail and they can be self-guided or undertaken with a guide.

If hiking and biking don’t pique your interest, perhaps breathing in the fresh mountain air as you play a round of golf on Australia’s highest golf course is more to your speed. Alternatively, arrive for fly fishing season on the Thredbo River (October long weekend until June long weekend) to catch wild trout.

Thredbo is host to a number of annual festivals, including the Thredbo Blues Festival in January, the Thredbo Craft Beer Festival in February and the Taste of the Snowies: Thredbo Food and Wine Festival in March.

For kids

In addition to mountain bike riding, skiing, kid-friendly hikes and the 700-metre Thredbo Bobsled track, Thredbo also plays host to the School Holidays Adventure Festival for families in the warmer months. Kids will get to participate in treasure hunts, skate park workshops, trampoline and mountain bike pump track sessions, rock-climbing, arts and crafts and roving street entertainment. Australia’s biggest mountain bike festival, Cannonball MTB, is held annually in Thredbo and kids (and adults) will be wowed by the gravity-defying event.

Luxury accommodation & chalets

The award-winning Sequoia Penthouse boasts panoramic views of Mt Kosciuszko, a stone fireplace, oversized living and entertaining areas, a large gourmet kitchen and three bathrooms, accommodates up to 8 guests and is within a three-minute walk from the cafes, restaurants and shops of Thredbo Village.

Ski In and Ski Out Chalets offer a range of luxury properties available to book, all situated on Thredbo’s Supertrail with access to snow from your front door. Each privately-owned property varies in size from one-bedroom lofts to two, three and four bedrooms. Features include indoor fireplaces, private Jacuzzis, spa baths and some boast a private steam room.

Rockpool Lodge is a two-bedroom and loft self-contained apartment overlooking Thredbo River. The award-winning lodge features a granite wood fireplace, a private sauna, and a balcony with a gas BBQ.

Read our comprehensive guide to Thredbo accommodation here.

Hotels & resorts

Situated in the heart of Thredbo Village is Thredbo Alpine Hotel. The historic property features cosy rooms with access to the hotel saunas, restaurants and bars – as well as being within walking distance to the base of the Kosciuszko Express Chairlift.

Embrace the serenity of lakeside apartments and mountain chalet stays at Lake Crackenback Resort and Spa. Situated 15 minutes outside of Thredbo, the resort offers a luxurious out-of-town lakeside ambience and all-inclusive ski holidays during the snow season. There is also a free shuttle bus that runs to Thredbo ski resort during winter.

The Denman Hotel is perfectly positioned in the centre of Thredbo Village and moments from the chairlifts. Find small but comfortable accommodation options in various sizes and styles.

Camping

Thredbo Diggings Campground is located within Kosciuszko National Park alongside the Thredbo River and is suitable for tents, camper trailers and caravans. You’ll need to bring your own drinking water, cooking water and firewood but there are toilets, picnic tables and barbeque facilities available. It is free to stay but park entry fees apply and bookings are required.

Ngarigo Campground is also situated in Kosciuszko National Park near the river and offers the same facilities as Thredbo Diggings, so be sure to pack drinking water, cooking water and firewood. There are camping, caravanning and camper trailer sites available to book. Expect to pay park entry fees but the site is free.

There are a range of winter season passes and lift passes available to purchase and some accommodations offer all-inclusive packages, so be sure to check before you book. There are also a variety of programs and group and private lessons available to book for first-timers or those looking to improve their skills on the slopes.

Arrive in Thredbo for the annual free Fly Fishing Weekend to benefit from a range of casting classes, equipment demonstrations, fly tying, and special guest talks. The weekend caters to all levels of experience. The National Park also offers fly fishing tuition and guided tours throughout the season.