Snowies Alpine Huts & Blue Waterholes

Trip Duration

2 Days

Distance

16km

Group Size

8 Persons

Activity Level

Easy

Overview

Discover the High Plains and karst landscapes of Kosciuszko National Park on this 2-day hiking adventure around Blue Waterholes. Visit historic alpine huts, walk through stunning limestone gorges and discover waterfalls feeding into crystal-clear swimming holes. With opportunities to explore hidden caves and take in breathtaking views of the Brindabellas, this trip is perfect for those seeking a unique and immersive wilderness experience.

Join us for an overnight outdoor escape that combines both adventure and relaxation.

Contents

Key Features

An isolated and quiet wilderness walking experience.
Limestone gorges and caves.
A variety of track types including firetrail, single track, and off track walking.
Historic alpine huts.
Walk through Kosciuszko National Park.

Highlights

Visit Coolamine Homestead and Bill Jones Hut.
Swim in pristine natural waterholes.
Explore the Clarke and Nichols Gorges.
Visit Cooleman Falls.
Investigate Murray and Cooleman Cave, extending up to 200m underground.

Wilderness Immersion

At the core of The Adventure Gene is the belief that outside is better than inside. Our trips are designed to get you deep into nature, away from big cities and crowded walks filled with day hikers. That’s why we only provide tent-based adventures. We want you to see the sunrise (and the sunset). To hear the birds talking after the rain passes. To feel the cool breeze come in after a day of walking. To be outside, in our natural environment.

Indeed, a 2022 meta-analysis of scientific studies found that 98% of people improved their mental health after engaging with natural outdoor environments. This aligns with our experience based on over 35,000km of hiking. However, it’s not as simple as just being in nature. Recent research shows that the biggest benefits come from connecting and engaging with the natural environment (1, 2, 3).

Based off these recent findings, each day on trail we will run a short, optional, mindfulness exercise to help you notice, engage, and connect with the surrounding natural environment. Current research at Macquarie University shows that as little as 20 minutes of nature engagement per week is enough to feel:

50% more relaxed
36% happier
20% less negative
7.7% more productive
31% more connected to the natural environment

Of course, on this trip we are lucky to have far more than 20 minutes to engage with the incredible nature available to us ☺️

Itinerary

Day 1: Blue Waterholes to Bill Jones Hut, 6.8km

Our trip begins at 7AM in Canberra with a 3h30 drive to Blue Waterholes, a picturesque karst landscape filled with limestone gorges and caves that we will explore on the second day of the trip. One our way, we stop at Coolamine Homestead (first building built in 1883) for a chance to explore the historic huts and learn about the regions history.

Arriving at Blue Waterholes, we traverse undulating alpine terrain as we follow the Nichols Gorge Walking track. After passing the North Branch Sink, we head off track to Harris Waterhole, where we stop for lunch. Afterwards, we continue to Bill Jones Hut (built 1952), where we camp for the night.

Arriving early, we have plenty of time to set up camp, as well as relax around the campfire with some hot drinks.

Meals provided: Lunch, dinner & snacks

Day 2: Bill Jones Hut to Blue Waterholes, 8.8km

On our second and final day, we explore Blue Waterholes and the nearby caves. As we leave Bill Jones hut, we venture off-track towards the Nichols Gorge Walk. Here, we spend time discovering Murray Cave. The cave stretches 200 meters into the rock, showcasing a range of rock formations including a water-filled siphon at the end. Further down the trail is Cooleman Cave, which also extends up to 200 meters into the rock.

After leaving the caves, we drop our packs at the bus and make our way along the Clarke Gorge Walking Track. This scenic route through the gorge allows us to explore some smaller caves, and take several swims in the clear, blue waters. At the end of the trail we reach Cooleman Falls, one of our favourite swimming spots in the area. After a short scramble to the base, the open pool at the foot of the falls offers the perfect spot for a refreshing swim.

After returning to the car park, we board the bus for the journey home.

Meals provided: Breakfast, lunch & snacks

Please note that the listed itinerary is a guide. Due to many circumstances including those beyond our control (e.g. weather, park closures etc.), the route may need to be altered and/or side trips not offered.

Map

Inclusions

Modern hiking gear (see below). We estimate you can hike comfortably with a total pack weight under 10kg for nearly the entire trip. 
Quality, nutritious meals, snacks and hot drinks for the entire trip. This includes a cooked breakfast and dinner. Excludes breakfast on the first day, and dinner on the final day.
Two world-class guides.
Transport from and to Canberra at the beginning and end of the trek.
Detailed pre-tour preparation package.

Intimate Group Sizes

All of our trips have a strict maximum group size of 8 people. With 2 full-time guides, we have an industry leading guest to guide ratio of 4:1. This means our guides are always available if you need them, and you’re free to walk at your own pace.

Gear

We provide state-of-the-art modern hiking gear for the trip. All of the gear we provide is kit that we have and personally choose to use on our own hikes. The gear is lightweight but does not compromise on comfort or safety. The total weight of this gear equates to roughly 4.5kg.

This includes the following:

Durston X-Mid 1 or 2

Tent

875g – 1085g

Section Hiker

“The X-Mid 1 is my favorite tent…it is a great shelter if you want a trekking pole tent that is affordable, spacious, stormworthy, and packs up small.”

Therm-a-rest XTherm NXT

Sleeping mat