The Snowy Mountains are great to visit all year round, but for those of us who live in the Sunshine State, winter and flurries of snow can make the heart pump a little faster.
So the posh camping team took a trip to Jindabyne recently, and this is what we discovered.
I love meaningless facts and therefore I am now proud to announce we stayed at Australia's Highest Tourist Park. We are talking about Kosciuszko Retreat which is actually situated inside the National Park itself. Close by are the Perisher ski fields (15 minutes drive on sealed roads), Lake Jindabyne and many good bushwalking trails. The park is just 15 minutes drive from the Jindabyne township which has a good selection of restaurants, not to mention one of the most fantastic book stores in the land.
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| Photo via Kosciuszko Mountain Retreat. Cosy cabins in winter! |
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| Only the very hardy would brave camping here in winter! |
We chose the option of staying in an Alpine Cabin. The cabin itself was basic but clean, and tidy with full kitchen and bathroom facilities. There were just three in our party but it slept six.
The view is great - we saw Kangaroos out our window most days and there are good views to the National Park. We cooked most nights and sat around the outdoor fires and reflected over a glass or two of red wine. We loved the ambience of the place.
The skifields are close by, and so with Winter being the busy season. the price goes up for the cabins, although the website offers specials for longer stays. There are a few different types of cabins and camping, and on-site van options are also available. We are hoping to try the camping option in one of the warmer months, as it does snow here in the park. The camping areas are private, quiet and shady. This is definitely a back to nature park, and that is the way we like it!
This felt like the camping we did as kids - it felt traditional and wholesome, being in the peace of the National Park, with the mountains nearby. This felt like our special place, and whilst there were other people about, there was a overwhelming serenity and earthiness about staying here.
The owners are friendly and willing to help out. You can buy your ice here at the small reception store as well as an ice cream and drinks. Jindabyne is close in any case and we managed to find a Gloria Jeans for our coffee fix.
There is a kitchen and dining room that is a good meeting spot for everyone. It has a nice central fire that we all sat around and kept warm by at night. In the wintery cold, the food and the wine seemed to taste better.
We loved this place. We will be back.
Handy hint - hire your ski gear in Jindabyne before heading up to your accommodation, it is cheaper and faster than doing it at the slopes!
The fine details:
The Tourist Park is situated inside the Kosciuszko National Park (Fee's apply) and provides a variety of Snowy Mountains accommodation in self-contained Cabins & Chalets, Caravan sites and Camping facilities.
PMB3 Jindabyne, NSW 2627
Phone: (02) 6456 2224 .. Fax: (02) 6456 1415
Phone: (02) 6456 2224 .. Fax: (02) 6456 1415
Email: info@kositreat.com.au
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Self Contained Accommodation:
All of our accommodation is fully self-contained for the convenience of families and those guests who prefer to prepare their own meals.
Drive Through Caravan Sites:
All powered caravan site are spacious 'Drive-through' set among the snowgums and have their own campfire*. Most sites also have the convenience of a picnic table & bench seats near their site.
Campfires:
Campfires* are provided to all powered sites and to most of the unpowered camping sites
Camp Kitchen:
A large camp kitchen is provided for the enjoyment of all guests. It is fully equipped with a large barbecue, two stoves (with ovens), sink and food preparation area, Fridges, a large wood fireplace* with lounges, dining table & chairs, a billiard table.
*Bagged fire wood available at office.
Bushwalking Tracks:
Many of the 58 Alpine Bushwalking in the Kosciuszko National Park start at or nearby Kosciuszko Mountain Retreat. There are picturesque alpine tracks to suit all ages and level of fitness.
Wildlife:
Kosciuszko Mountain Retreat has a family of kangaroos living in the Park. Also in the surrounding bushland there are wallabies, wombats, squirrel gliders, possums and platypus in the nearby streams, and, if you walk quietly enough and remain vigilant you may spot a spotted-tailed quoll or pygmy possum. The pygmy posum is a mouse sized animal that was believed to be extinct until unexpectedly discovered in 1966. Like othe small mammals in the alpine region, the pygmy possum survives the winter under a layer of snow.
Mountain Streams:
Running through Kosciuszko Mountain Retreat is 'Sawpit Creek*' which runs into the Thredbo River just a short distance from our park. Also close by is the famous Snowy River. Most of these provide excellent trout fishing spots in a beautiful alpine setting.
*Closed to fishing Drying Room:
For the benefit of our skiers, we provide a large Drying Room throughout winter to ensure you have dry boots and Clothes for your next day on the snow.
Playground:
A playground is provided to keep our smaller guests entertained with a basketball hoop for the older kids.
Kiosk:
A modest kiosk is situated in the reception office to provide basic need of our guests. - Milk, bread, ice, sweets, ice-creams, drinks, firelighters, Bagged fire wood and some basic packet and tined food items.
Proximity to Restaurants & Shopping Centre:
It is just a 10 minute drive down the mountain to Jindabyne where you will find many excellent restaurants as well as a major shopping centre with a Woolworths Supermarket for your food and personal supplies.
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