
Travel Guide to the Top of Kosciuszko Express Chairlift
Australia, oceania
200 km
1,937 m
moderate
Year-round
Okay, adventure seekers, listen up! Deep in New South Wales, practically kissing the Victorian border within Kosciuszko National Park, you'll find the Kosciuszko Express Chairlift, perched way up at 1,937m (6,354ft) above sea level. This isn't just high; it's one of the highest spots you can get to in Australia!
You'll find it near the famous Rawson Pass, south of Mount Kosciuszko itself. The views? Unreal. And if you make it near the top, treat yourself to a meal at Eagles Nest Restaurant – allegedly Australia's highest restaurant – with insane 270° views stretching over 200km, including Jindabyne Lake and the stunning Victorian mountains.
Heads up though: getting there is an *experience*. This "road" (and I use the term loosely!) is a totally unpaved service access road. Think serious 4x4 territory only. Don't even think about taking your sedan. Sadly, this road is closed to private vehicles.
The climb is short but brutal: just 3.3 km (2.05 miles) from Thredbo, but with a whopping 523 meters of elevation gain. That's an average gradient of almost 16%, with some sections hitting a crazy 23%! So, while you can't drive it yourself, if you get a chance to experience this route, know that you'll be on a steep, scenic ride.
Where is it?
Travel Guide to the Top of Kosciuszko Express Chairlift is located in Australia (oceania). Coordinates: -23.9485, 133.8575
Road Details
- Country
- Australia
- Continent
- oceania
- Length
- 200 km
- Max Elevation
- 1,937 m
- Difficulty
- moderate
- Coordinates
- -23.9485, 133.8575
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