Adventures in Thredbo: A January to Remember
Last month, my son and I embarked on an unforgettable journey to Thredbo in the stunning Snowy Mountains of New South Wales. Our adventure was packed with hiking to the summit of Mount Kosciuszko and four exhilarating days of mountain biking.
We kicked off our trip at 3 a.m., ready to tackle the over 12-hour drive ahead of us. Our route took us through some charming towns: Pinneroo, Ouyen, Deniliquin, Albury, Khancoban, and finally up the scenic Alpine Way. The drive starts with expansive open plains, but as you reach Albury, the landscape begins to shift, welcoming you with gentle hills. The moment we arrived in Khancoban, the scenery transformed into majestic mountains, leaving us in awe. One of my favorite parts of the drive is definitely the Alpine Way from Khancoban to Thredbo. I can only imagine how magical it must be in winter, with snow blanketing the mountains.
Once we settled in Thredbo, we had a well-deserved day to relax before setting off on a planned two-day camping trip. We took the Kosciuszko chairlift to kickstart our hike, but we quickly had to adjust our plans when my son's asthma flared up. With the altitude getting higher, we made the wise decision to swap our heavy packs for day packs and set out for a day trip to the summit and back. The trek from the chairlift to the peak of Mount Kosciuszko is around 7 kilometers, and the views from the top were nothing short of spectacular.
At the summit, we encountered a flock of “little ravens,” which apparently thrive up there, feeding on the bogon moths that are plentiful in the area. It’s fascinating how the terrain changes with elevation—from the tree-covered slopes of Thredbo to marshy lands filled with moss and water, and finally to the rocky summit where grass just manages to cling on.
The rest of our trip was dedicated to mountain biking, a passion we both share. My son, at just 11, is becoming quite the skilled rider. Though I may still have a slight edge when it comes to downhill speed, he left me in the dust with his confidence on jumps. The best part? Utilizing ski lifts as shuttles, which allowed us to cover an impressive 100 km of riding in just four days. There's no way we could have achieved that if we had to ride uphill every time!
As February rolls in, I find myself with fewer plans, but I’m hopeful for another adventure soon. After the incredible experiences we had in Thredbo, I can’t wait to see where our next journey will take us!
Until next time, happy adventuring!
