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Camp Grounds

Mount Gambier Camping, South Australia

Mount Gambier Showwground

In Mount Gambier we chose to go camping at the Mount Gambier Showgrounds.

The Mount Gambier camping area at the Showgrounds is close to town and within easy driving of the local landmarks.

The Umpherston Sinkhole is a short walk away and Blue Lake is only a short driving distance from this Mount Gambier camping ground.

There is no Free camping in Mount Gambier so the Showgrounds are an excellent alternative.

Umpherston Sinkhole is just 1.7kms from Mount Gambier Showgrounds Camping Area
Umpherston Sinkhole is just 1.7kms from Mount Gambier Showgrounds Camping Area

About Mount Gambier

Mount Gambier is in the very south east of the State of South Australia.

It is approximately 435 km drive from Adelaide to Mount Gambier which is just 17 kms to the Victorian border.

The population of Mount Gambier is 29,940 making it the city with the second highest amount of residents in South Australia.

The beaches of Port Macdonnell are an easy 28 km drive south from Mount Gambier which are great for surfing, swimming and snorkelling.

There is lots to see and do in Mount Gambier which is why so many travellers base themselves here to explore the region.

Sunset while camping at Mount Gambier Showgrounds

Mount Gambier Camping Facilities

Camping facilities at the Mount Gambier Showgrounds include clean toilets and showers.

Drinking water is available and a basic camp kitchen is provided.

There is a Dump Point on site and laundry facilities include a washing machine but no dryer.

The Camping area at the Mount Gambier Showgrounds can accommodate Motorhomes, Caravans & Big Rigs of 10m+ but camping in tents is not permitted.

I had excellent Telstra and Vodafone coverage.

Mount Gambier Camping at the showgrounds
Mount Gambier Camping facilities at the showground include Dump Point

Cost for Camping at Mount Gambier Showgrounds

It is great value at just $22 per night plus $3 for Matt for a powered site with water. Unpowered sites are $15.

Cost Update November 2022:

Powered Site: $25 per night for 2 people

Pet Friendly Mount Gambier Camping at the showgrounds

Mount Gambier Showground Court Case

In 2020 a Caravan Park took action against the Mount Gambier Showgrounds in their efforts to expand its camping facilities.

In recent years only 8 or 9 fully self contained Caravans or Motorhomes were allowed to stay at the Mount Gambier Showgrounds.

The Magistrate however over ruled the Caravan Park and the Showgrounds have applied for space to increase the numbers to 22.

The Magistrate though ruled in favour of 30 sites, pending dump point being installed and fire hoses.

This work is currently being completed and it is expected the Mount Gambier Showgrounds will be operating with 30 sites in March 2023.

The website Border Watch says the Mount Gambier Agricultural and Horticultural Society president Brian Kerr commented “I hope having that facility there will enable more people to stay locally in the South East and in Mount Gambier and have a look at our region”

This is fantastic news and great that common sense prevailed.

Are Pets allowed at the Mount Gambier Showgrounds Camping Ground?

The campground is pet friendly which was great as we were travelling with our beautiful Golden Retriever MACKS at the time.

Read more: Travelling Australia with our dog MACKS

While we were in Mount Gambier, we visited the spectacular Umpherston Sinkhole and the amazing Blue Lake. Be sure to check them both out when you visit this fabulous region.

Check out the video for all the details on camping at the Mount Gambier Showgrounds.

Our stay was 12-14th March 2017

Mount Gambier Showgrounds is one of our favourites.

View all of our 29 Best Low Cost Campgrounds in Australia here>

Contact Details for Mount Gambier Showgrounds

Phone: 0408 492 182
Address:
1 Pick Avenue, Mount Gambier, South Australia
Website

How to get to the Camping ground at Mount Gambier Showgrounds

Upon entering from South Australia from Victoria, head along the Princes Highway/A1 for 48 kms.

Turn left onto Pick Avenue/C192 and follow Pick Avenue for 500 metres.

Enter the Mount Gambier Showgrounds Camping Ground via Gate 4 off Pick Avenue.

Umpherston Sinkhole

What to do in Mount Gambier

Umpherston Sinkhole

The Umpherston Sinkhole is one of the most spectacular places in the Mount Gambier region.

This amazing sunken garden is a very tranquil setting full of beautiful plants, flowers, ferns and a fountain. At night, the garden comes alive with hundreds of possums as they enter the garden to feed.

Umpherston Sinkhole was once a typical limestone cave and was naturally formed when the roof collapsed.

Named after James Umpherston who transformed the sinkhole into the magnificent garden in 1886.

Phone: 08 8724 9750
Address:
Jubilee Highway East, Mount Gambier, South Australia
Opening Hours:
Open every day from dawn to dusk and until late in the evening

Blue Lake
South Australia’s Blue Lake

Blue Lake

Another one of Mount Gambier’s stunning attractions is Blue Lake. The lake sits on one of the extinct volcanic craters in Mount Gambier.

It’s very distinct cobalt blue coloured water is most prominent from December through to March year whereas from April to November the lake is a more steel grey colour.

There is a 3.6 km walking trail which leads to the various viewing platforms around Blue Lake and to the underpass between Leg of Mutton Lake Crater and Blue Lake.

Address: Lot 391 John Watson Drive, Mount Gambier, South Australia
Opening Hours: 24 hours

Little Blue Lake

Just 11 kms south of Mount Gambier is the Little Blue Lake. Little Blue Lake is a popular place for swimming and diving.

There is a stepped walkway leading to a floating pontoon on the lake for easy access.

The temperature of the water in Little Blue Lake is a constant 12 degrees.

Address: Lot 747 Mount Salt Road, Mount Shank, South Australia
Opening Hours: 24 hours

Kilsby Sinkhole

The last place you would expect to find an amazing and extremely popular diving spot is in the middle of a sheep farm.

Kilsby Sinkhole is located just 10 kms from Mount Gambier.

This unique geological feature was once just a watering hole for travelling stockman but now is an incredible crystal clear 60 metre chamber of water and a divers delight.

It is one of the first sinkholes to be dived in the Mount Gambier region and this world famous dive site is also used as a training site by the SA Police Divers.

Phone: 0408 825 355
Address:
Sisters Road, The District Council of Grant, South Australia
Website
Opening Hours:
Not open to the General Public – a tour booking is required to access the sinkhole

Engelbrecht Cave

Engelbrecht Cave is an amazing cave system right in the centre of Mount Gambier. It winds its way under streets and homes in town and is definitely a cave with a difference.

Take the 45 minute guided tour where you will be able to view the sinkhole before entering the two caverns and also see the clear blue water of the underground lake.

The Engelbrecht Cave is the only cave which is actually a tourist site as well as a cave dive site.

Phone: 08 8723 5552
Address:
26 Chute Street, Mount Gambier, South Australia
Website
Opening Hours:
Open 6 days a week – closed Wednesdays

Mount Gambier weather
Fine weather in Mount Gambier during our visit in March 2017

Mount Gambier Weather

Mount Gambier experiences mild, generally dry Summers, cool Winters and mild temperatures in Autumn and Spring.

There is usually a moderate amount of rainfall in autumn, spring and winter.

August is generally the wettest month with February normally receiving the least amount of rainfall.

Mount Gambier recorded it’s highest ever temperature of 44.9 °C on 2 February 2014. The lowest temperature on record has been −3.9 °C on 20 June 1950 and 2 July 1960.

Other great places for camping in the Mount Gambier region:

Pin – Mount Gambier Camping

Pin - Mount Gambier Camping
Pin - Mount Gambier Camping
Pin - Mount Gambier Camping

Have you been camping at the Mount Gambier Showgrounds? Tell us about your Mount Gambier camping experience.

Safe travels

Kev & Adele
Indefinite Leave

We are Adele & Kevin, an Aussie couple from Brisbane in Queensland Australia who have embraced our adventurous spirit and ventured out to explore the world around us. We had spent so much time overseas we decided it was time to see our own truly amazing country and we needed to take some time to see everything it has to offer.

Our Aim is to inspire others to travel and help design the greatest adventure they can experience.

____________________________________________________________________________

Photography and Socials

Our camera equipment we use for all our photos and videos are:

Samsung Note 10 Plus Phone – http://ebay.us/9vMXEH – Most of our photos are simply from our phones. The Samsung phone cameras are pretty insane. Our phones have 512gb storage in ours but the 256gb in this one is heaps. We have sourced this one which is approx $500 less than we paid for ours.

Samsung s21 Phonehttps://ebay.us/QAdwva – this looks an insane camera within a phone. We have friends and our son who own one and it seems quite extraordinary with their camera quality. If you’re after a new phone this is what I’d be looking at.

Canon 800dhttps://ebay.us/Q0UV1z – the latest DSLR Canon 24mp camera, buy here to save.

Nikon Coolpix p1000https://ebay.to/37cORUV – We have the Nikon P900 and this is the new model. The zoom lens is unbelievable and so awesome when travelling and you want to capture photos from a distance.

Lenses

Canon 50mm lens – https://ebay.to/3nx5pyG  This is the lens I use the least, ideal for still, close up shots.
Canon 24-105mm lenshttps://ebay.us/br9MeO This is my all round, everyday use, zoom lens. Amazing quality, great price.
Canon 70-300mm lens – https://ebay.to/33xYeht – I use this one a lot for long range shots.
Sigma 10-20mm lenshttp://ebay.us/zWvfuI  – My wide angle lens for all my inside photos & video plus lots more, love this lens.

Our Go Pro 9 Hero Black – https://ebay.us/6CQOVC  –  is an awesome piece of equipment. I use this for all underwater, action video and some general use. Buy here brand new and great value.

Mavic Pro Platinum Drone – https://ebay.to/2ARPxTo  This is an absolute ripper of a drone. The Fly More Combo will provide you with everything you will need. I use this for all my aerial footage and this price is well below other retail stores.

 _______________________________________________________________________

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Adventurers Diary

Dalmeny Campground, Dalmeny NSW

Dalmeny

The Dalmeny Campground is perfectly located overlooking spectacular Dalmeny Beach.

This is a very popular camping spot for Caravans, Motorhomes, Campervans and Tents.

With it’s spectacular ocean views, fantastic surfing opportunities and excellent fishing along the beach it’s a perfect place to relax and unwind.

If you’re looking for the ideal Narooma camping location, the Dalmeny Campground is your escape from chaos.

About Dalmeny

Dalmeny is just 5 mins drive from the beautiful nearby town of Narooma on the south NSW coast and is 340 kms south of Sydney.

It is known for it’s many stunning beaches which provide excellent swimming, fishing and surfing opportunities.

With a population of around 2000 people Dalmeny is a peaceful laid back community which thrives during the summer tourism season when travellers and holiday makers visit Dalmeny, Narooma and nearby winery regions such as Tilba Tilba.

Brou Beach, which is commonly called Dalmeny Beach, is located in the Eurobodalla National Park where there are lots of fantastic walks and you can visit Brou Lake which is the perfect spot to swim, kayak and throw in a line.

This is one of our favourite regions within the NSW south coast.

Dalmeny Campground Location

The Dalmeny Camping area is some amazing real estate given the panoramic outlook from the position of each Caravan and Motorhome.

The campground is located on a hilltop of sloping grounds so most sites are not level but they do provide spectacular views.

Remember to bring your levelling chocks and enjoy some of the most exquisite views you’ll ever have whilst camping here at Dalmeny Campground.

Don’t forget your camera and binoculars to witness the amazing Humpback Whale season as they make their way north and back again, playing and breaching along the Eastern coastline.

Dalmeny Campground
Dalmeny Campground

Dalmeny Campground Amenities

There is a large amenities block located here which includes toilets, hot showers and a laundry which are all modern and clean.

A dump point is also available onsite just near the amenities block. Bins are also located at the campground.

A children’s playground is located in the park next to the Campground.

An IGA for all your groceries and a fuel station are located directly across the road.

There’s also a great Fish and Chips shop which is popular with other campers.

An aerial view of Dalmeny
Dalmeny Beach
Dalmeny Beach

Fire pits are available for hire along with firewood, just see the caretakers who will look after you.

The beach is excellent for swimming although not all beaches have lifesavers and can be subject to rips and dangerous surf conditions.

Surfing the beaches surrounding Dalmeny is very popular with plenty of great wave action.

There’s lots of good fishing along the beach in the gutters and we saw a few fish being caught during our stay.

You may even spot the resident Emu’s that often wander along the beach.

We had good Telstra coverage and I also had 1 bar of Vodafone network during our stay at Dalmeny Campground.

Are pets allowed at Dalmeny Campground?

The Dalmeny Campground is pet friendly and therefore dogs are allowed.

Read more: Travelling Australia with our dog MACKS

Dalmeny Campground
Drone view of Dalmeny
Dalmeny Campground

Cost to stay at Dalmeny Campground

Cost to stay is $33 per night for 2 adults for powered site. Children 5-16yo are $6 each per night.
* Updated 27/12/2022 Prices vary throughout the year depending on season. Off peak is $31, Shoulder season is $37 and Peak season is $56 a night for a powered site.

Unpowered sites are available and are $26 a night for off peak, $34 a night during the Shoulder season and $45 a night in peak times.

Check the Dalmeny Campground website for more details.

Also look for Stay 7 nights and pay for only 6 deal or any other offers they may have throughout the year.

Our stay was 22nd February and 28th February to 6th March 2019.

For video reviews on hundreds of other Caravan Parks, Campgrounds and Free Camps around oz, simply click on the Where to Stay Button above or here to search by category. Alternatively you can click on the Destinations Button above or here to search by State.

Check out these other great places to stay near Dalmeny NSW:

Pretty Beach Campground

Congo Campground

Ulladulla Headland Holiday Park

Nearby Narooma
Narooma NSW

Contact Details for Dalmeny Campground and Caravan Park:

Phone: 0428 635 641
Address: 1 Noble Parade, Dalmeny NSW
Website
Facebook

Emus on Dalmeny Beach
Emus on Dalmeny Beach

How to get to Dalmeny Campground:

From the Princes Highway turn in to Mort Avenue at Dalmeny to Dalmeny Beach until you come to the Dalmeny Campground on your left.

The entrance is on the ocean side, it is a one way road in and out of the campground.

5 Essentials – Outside RV Accessories

  1. To plug your RV with standard 15amp in to standard residential 10amp power source you will need a converter. We love our waterproof Ampfibian and after over 4 years it’s still perfect.
  2. Most people carry a Generator for back up power. 4wd Supacentre has a good low cost and popular generator while the Yamaha 2000w is a robust yet quiet excellent performer.
  3. A 20m 15amp Power Lead will ensure you reach your power source in Caravan Parks and Campgrounds.
  4. You will want a good blue Drinking Water Hose. Your typical green garden hose is not suitable for drinking from.
  5. A 4 way tap handle will help you find water whenever you need it

Things to see and do in and around Dalmeny Campground

1. Dalmeny and Narooma Beaches

Dalmeny and Narooma are a stunning beachside location and there is so much to see and do.

You will also be able to see the resident Dalmeny Emus regularly wandering along the beach!

Josh’s Beach is nearby and is another popular place for swimming and fishing.

Yabbara Beach is a bigger beach and more preferred for beach walks and is similar to Duesburys Beach next to it.

Kianga Beach is popular for surfing and fishing and there are BBQ’s and picnic area overlooking the beach making it a favourite Sunday lunch position for locals and visitors.

2. Kianga Point

Take a drive out to Kianga Point off Dalmeny Road and enjoy a picnic lunch with spectacular views.

The circular drive around Kianga Point provides stunning sweeping views along the beaches and across to the islands offshore.

Kianga Point
Kianga Point

3. Australia Rock

See Australia Rock, a rock formation in the shape of the map of Australia. It is located at Wagonga Head and you can drive there along Bar Rock Rd.

Be sure to check out Australia Rock, it’s one of the most popular attractions close to Dalmeny Campground.

4. See the Seals

While at Australia Rock, take the walk along the Bar rock wall and see the Seals as they laze about and swim in the waters of the entrance to Wagonga Inlet.

Here you can witness the Australian and NZ fur seals in their own habitat, sunbaking and playing in the waters and catching some lunch throughout the day.

Australia Rock is one of the popular attractions close to Dalmeny
Australia Rock Narooma

5. Feeding Stingrays

Watch the stingrays being fed at the Apex Park Boat Ramp.

When the charter boats come in from their day out fishing the Stingrays school around the boat ramp in hope of a free feed.

Sometimes if you are lucky the fishermen help you to feed the Stingrays.

We were fortunate and one of the guys brought over a fish frame and showed Adele how to attract a Big Stingray to take the fish from her hand.

He also helped key the pelicans at bay who were also keen on an easy feed.

Feeding Stingrays at nearby Narooma
Feeding Stingrays Narooma

6. Montague Island Tour

We highly recommend the Tour to Montague Island called Montague Island Tours with Wazza.

The tour leaves from Narooma and takes you for some amazing snorkelling with the Seals before a tour around the lighthouse and keepers cottage.

It was a great day out, swimming with seals and enjoying tour of Montague island.

Seals at Montague Island is one of the other more popular attractions close to Dalmeny Campground
Seals at Montague Island

Pin – Dalmeny Campground

Pin It!

_____________________________________________________________________

Safe travels

Kev & Adele
Indefinite Leave

We are Adele & Kevin, an Aussie couple from Brisbane in Queensland Australia who have embraced our adventurous spirit and ventured out to explore the world around us. We had spent so much time overseas we decided it was time to see our own truly amazing country and we needed to take some time to see everything it has to offer.

Our Aim is to inspire others to travel and help design the greatest adventure they can experience.

___________________________________________________________________________________________________

Photography and Socials

Our camera equipment we use for all of our photos and videos are:

Samsung Note 10 Plus Phone – http://ebay.us/9vMXEH – Most of our photos are simply from our phones. The Samsung phone cameras are pretty insane. Our phones have 512gb storage in ours but the 256gb in this one is heaps.

Samsung s21 Phonehttps://ebay.us/QAdwva – this looks an insane camera within a phone. We have friends and our son who own one and it seems quite extraordinary with their camera quality. If you’re after a new phone this is what I’d be looking at.

Canon 800dhttps://ebay.us/Q0UV1z – the latest DSLR Canon 24mp camera, buy here to save.

Nikon Coolpix p1000https://ebay.to/37cORUV – We have the Nikon P900 and this is the new model. The zoom lens is unbelievable and so awesome when travelling and you want to capture photos from a distance.

Lenses

Canon 50mm lens – https://ebay.to/3nx5pyG  This is the lens I use the least, ideal for still, close up shots.
Canon 24-105mm lenshttps://ebay.us/br9MeO – This is my all round, everyday use, zoom lens. Amazing quality, great price.
Canon 70-300mm lens – https://ebay.to/33xYeht – I use this one a lot for long range shots.
Sigma 10-20mm lenshttp://ebay.us/zWvfuI  – My wide angle lens for all my inside photos & video plus lots more, love this lens.

Our Go Pro 9 Hero Black – https://ebay.us/6CQOVC  –  is an awesome piece of equipment. I use this for all underwater, action video and some general use. Buy here brand new and great value.

Mavic Pro Platinum Drone – https://ebay.to/2ARPxTo  This is an absolute ripper of a drone. The Fly More Combo will provide you with everything you will need. I use this for all my aerial footage and this price is well below other retail stores.

_______________________________________________________________________

Follow us, Subscribe, Like, Share, and Comment on our website and social media here:-

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/indefiniteleave/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/indefinite_leave/

Website: https://indefiniteleave.com.au/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/indefiniteleave

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com.au/indefiniteleave/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/indefiniteleav3

___________________________________________________________

This post contains affiliate links. If you buy something through a link on this page we may receive a small commission. It will not cost you any more, in fact we’ve sourced out some great deals for you. Thank you for supporting us.

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Camp Grounds

Longreach Camping Area Qld

Apex Riverside Park

The Apex Riverside Park Longreach Camping Area is the perfect location to stay when exploring the area. It is an easy 3 kms out of town. Plus, it is situated right on the Thompson River which we hear is great for fishing.

For a very low cost Longreach Camping option, you cannot go past the Apex Riverside Park at Longreach.

It provides an awesome affordable base to allow you to explore Longreach and all the wonderful experiences it has to offer.

Longreach Camping

Longreach Camping Facilities – Apex Riverside Park

This Longreach camping ground provides Toilets, Bins, BBQ’s and Water. Potable Water is available from the Caravan Day Parking Area on Kite Street in Longreach.

A Dump Point facility is available only minutes away in the town of Longreach.

We had good Telstra and Optus coverage.

There is no power at the Apex Riverside Park Longreach Camping area however generators are permitted.

Apex Riverside Park Camping Area Longreach

Is the Apex Riverside Park Longreach Camping Area Pet Friendly?

The Apex Riverside Park camping ground in Longreach is pet friendly. Dogs are therefore allowed. You will find chickens, roosters and brolgas roaming freely througout the campground.

We parked near to the toilets as the campground is based on dirt. Therefore given where we were, we didn’t have too many people driving past and fortunately didn’t find it overly dusty. It does get busy in the afternoon.

During our second Longreach Camping stay, it was quite full so we joined others in the overflow area on the opposite side of the road.

Our Longreach Camping in the Apex Riverside Park Overflow on 11 May 2021

Enjoy the video for more details.

The cost to stay at the Apex Riverside Park, Longreach is just $3 per day or $15 per week.
Update 2021: $5 per night per vehicle or $27 per week.

Our Longreach Camping stays at the Apex Riverside Park are 29th August to 1st September 2017 and 11th May 2021. Our second visit was during our Brisbane to Darwin trip.

Read more: Brisbane to Darwin Free Camping

Apex Riverside Park Longreach Camping Contact Details:

Phone:  07 4658 4150
Address: Lot 206 Landsborough Highway, Longreach, Queensland
Website:

How to get to the Longreach Camping Area

Take the Landsborough Highway north from Longreach and take the first right before crossing the river.

Follow the road and turn left at the T Junction. The Apex Riverside Park Longreach Camping Area will very soon be on your left.

Longreach Camping at the Apex Riverside Park
Longreach Camping at the Apex Riverside Park

5 Essentials – Camping Accessories

A good Tent or Swag is the first decision for going camping. We like the Coleman Tent from Tentworld or the Wanderer 7 Man Tent from BCF. For a Swag, we were so close to buying the Kings Double Swag from 4WD Supacentre .

We like our BCF Wanderers Camping Chair which gets a lot of use as we travel Australia.

No more lugging around a huge BBQ and gas bottle now that we have a brilliant Gasmate Dual Burner Butane Cooktop from Tentworld

A good Portable Fridge Freezer we have found to keep the beers cold and steaks frozen are the Kings 70 L Fridge Freezer in the budget range, the Waeco 75L Dual Zone Fridge Freezer or the ever popular and long lasting Engel 75L Fridge Freezer.

A good quality Hand Held UHF is ideal and I like this Uniden UH750 5 watt UHF for long range and quality. The 5 watt range will give you maximum distance, especially if you need help!

Longreach Camping Area

________________________________________

What else is there to do in Longreach?

There is so much to see and enjoy at Longreach. Be sure to give yourself plenty of time to enjoy the reinvigorated outback town. We recommend you allow at least 4-5 days.

We thoroughly enjoyed all Longreach has to offer and their unique experiences are some of our favourite experiences in all of Australia.

Read more: Our Favourite Experiences as we Travel Australia

Things to do in Longreach ASHOF

Australian Stockman’s Hall of Fame & Outback Heritage Centre

Longreach is known as the heart of the outback Queensland and for the Australian Stockman’s Hall of Fame. It truly is a magnificent centre and has received a $15m makeover.

We not only looked through all of the amazing exhibits and galleries but also made the most of the opportunity and did the complete experience which included the live show which we thoroughly enjoyed and certainly recommend.

Live Show ASHOF

Qantas Founders Museum

Another of the top tourist attractions in Longreach.

There were two things we wanted to explore while we were in Longreach and the Qantas Founders Museum, Longreach, Queensland was one of them!

We can happily tick it off our list. It was great to wander through the museum and the National Heritage listed Q.A.N.T.A.S. Hanger and see the history of Qantas and the advancement from the 1920’s.

It was an exceptional experience doing the 747 and 707 Jet Tour and Wing Walk in addition to checking out this amazing museum.

__________________________________________________

Outback Pioneers Starlight Cruise

Outback Pioneers Tours & Experiences

Outback Pioneers have created 3 fabulous tours providing unique experiences showcasing the pioneering past of Australia’s iconic outback and we thoroughly enjoyed two of them.

The Cobb & Co Stagecoach Experience provides Australia’s only stagecoach gallop!

Besides the tremendous thrill of riding in an authentic restored stagecoach, you are treated to a delicious home-made morning tea, an Australian movie in a Retro Cinema and the hilarious old time tent show!

The Starlight’s Cruise provides a sensational sunset cruise along the majestic Thomson River, a traditonal aussie bush dinner, after dinner entertainment including the barefoot poet, a light and sound show finishing with billy tea and damper.

Update October 2022: Sadly Scotty the Barefoot Bush Poet passed away in late October 2022.

The Cobb & Co Stagecoach Experience as well as the Starlight’s Cruise Experience are highly recommended and not to be missed when visiting Longreach.

Read more about our: Top 10 Things to Do in Longreach

Outback Pioneers Experiences

Other great places to stay near Longreach:

Thomson River sunset

Pin – Longreach Camping

Have you visited Longreach and stayed at the Apex Riverside Park Longreach Camping Area? Tell us about your Longreach camping experience.

Safe travels

Kev & Adele
Indefinite Leave

We are Adele & Kevin, an Aussie couple from Brisbane in Queensland Australia who have embraced our adventurous spirit and ventured out to explore the world around us. We had spent so much time overseas we decided it was time to see our own truly amazing country and we needed to take some time to see everything it has to offer.

Our Aim is to inspire others to travel and help design the greatest adventure they can experience.

___________________________________________________________________________

Photography and Socials

Our camera equipment we use for all our photos and videos are:

Samsung Note 10 Plus Phone – https://ebay.to/2XOjXhi – Most of our photos are simply from our phones. The Samsung phone cameras are pretty insane. Our phones have 512gb storage in ours but the 256gb in this one is heaps. We have sourced this one which is approx $500 less than we paid for ours.

Samsung s21 Phonehttps://ebay.us/QAdwva – this looks an insane camera within a phone. We have friends and our son who own one and it seems quite extraordinary with their camera quality. If you’re after a new phone this is what I’d be looking at.

Canon 800dhttps://ebay.us/Q0UV1z – the latest DSLR Canon 24mp camera, buy here to save.

Nikon Coolpix p1000https://ebay.to/37cORUV – We have the Nikon P900 and this is the new model. The zoom lens is unbelievable and so awesome when travelling and you want to capture photos from a distance.

Lenses

Canon 50mm lens – https://ebay.to/2yQwPed  This is the lens I use the least, ideal for still, close up shots.
Canon 24-105mm lenshttps://ebay.us/br9MeO This is my all round, everyday use, zoom lens. Amazing quality, great price.
Canon 70-300mm lens – https://ebay.to/2XlOZ0I – I use this one a lot for long range shots.
Sigma 10-20mm lenshttps://ebay.to/2TWt0vA  – My wide angle lens for all my inside photos & video plus lots more, love this lens.

Our Go Pro 9 Hero Black – https://ebay.to/38wMc7V  –  is an awesome piece of equipment. I use this for all underwater, action video and some general use. Buy here brand new and great value.

Mavic Pro Platinum Drone – https://ebay.to/2ARPxTo  This is an absolute ripper of a drone. The Fly More Combo will provide you with everything you will need. I use this for all my aerial footage and this price is well below other retail stores.

_______________________________________________________________________

For more fun and information Follow us, Subscribe, Like, Share, and Comment on our website and social media here:-

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/indefiniteleave/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/indefinite_leave/

Website: https://indefiniteleave.com.au/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/indefiniteleave

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Adventurers Diary

Mount Kosciuszko Climb

Mount Kosciuszko Climb Feature

To climb Mount Kosciuszko is one of the ultimate bucket list items for a lot of people!

Australia’s highest peak is popular all year round, showcasing it incredible beauty regardless of weather conditions.

Summer is a popular time for adventure lovers to climb to the top of Mount Kosciuszko, the tallest mountain of Australia.

During Winter the track to the Summit is snowbound.

You can take the Mount Kosciuszko Summit Walk from Thredbo or start your Mount Kosciuszko hike from Charlotte’s Pass.

Mount Kosciuszko Climb to the Summit
Top of Australia, Mount Kosciusko

About Mount Kosciuszko

In March 1840, Paul Edmund Stzelecki, a Polish explorer, was the first person to officially climb Mount Kosciuszko.

He named the mountain after famous Polish-Lithuanian freedom fighter, General Tadeusz Kosciuszko.

At the top of the Mount Kosciuszko Climb - 2228 metres
Adele at the Top! All 2228 metres of Mount Kosciuszko

Mount Kosciuszko is Australia’s Highest Peak and stands at a 2,228 kms above sea level.

In comparison, Mount Kosciuszko is almost one quarter of the height of Mount Everest, the World’s Highest Mountain.

It also boasts Australia’s Highest Public Toilet at Rawson Pass which was built in 2007 to cater for the 100,000 or more people who visit to do the Mount Kosciuszko climb each Summer.

Mount Kosciuszko is home to the Lake Cootapatamba, Australia’s Highest Altitude Lake and Eagles Nest Restaurant, Australia’s Highest Restaurant.

You pass Australia's Highest Altitude Lake - Lake Cootapatamba
Lake Cootapatamba – Australia’s Highest Altitude Lake

Our Cost to Climb Mount Kosciuszko

The cost for the experience to climb the mighty mountain was under just $100 for the two of us for the day!

The breakdown of our costs to climb Mount Kosciuszko:

NSW Kosciuszko National Parks Pass for one day for our vehicle – $17
Lift Pass for one day for 2 Adults – $78
Total for the 2 of us – $95

Our climb was 16 March 2019.

We took a backpack with our own food and drinks so there were no additional costs for food and drinks purchased on the day.

Although we would have liked to experience dining at Australia’s Highest Restaurant, we actually didn’t have time to include this in our climb.

We only had time for a quick photo!

Eagles Nest - Australia's Highest Restaurant

Current Costs to Climb Mount Kosciuszko as at October 2022

The NSW Kosciuszko National Parks Passes are currently still the same cost – $17 per vehicle per day except from the start of the June long weekend to the end of the October long weekend the cost is $29 per vehicle per day.

Kosciuszko Chairlift – 1 Day Summer Lift Pass
18 – 64 years – From $49
65 years and over – From $45
3 – 17 years – From $13
Buy a lift pass 7 days in advance and you can save up to 20%.

Summer Lift passes can be purchased on-line or may be purchased from the shop at the bottom of the chairlift.

You can use the lift pass unlimited times throughout that day from 9am – 4.30pm.

Mount Kosciuszko Climb includes a ride on the chairlift

Mount Kosciuszko Chairlift

The Kosciuszko Express Chairlift is 1.8km long, rises 560 metres vertically and is the perfect way to view Thredbo and the Snowy Mountains.

It takes 15 minutes one way and allows you to ride up to Australia’s Highest Restaurant, The Eagles Nest, as well as commence the climb to the Mount Kosciuszko Summit from this point.

Fortunately the chairlift takes you up to the 1927 metres level leaving only 301 metres to conquer the Mount Kosciuszko climb on foot to the Summit!

The Mount Kosciuszko Climb starts from the top of the chairlift

In Summer, the chairlift runs from 9am to 4.30pm so you have to be back on the chairlift by no later than 4.15pm otherwise you will find yourself descending the entire way on foot!

How long does it take to do the Mount Kosciuszko Climb

Mount Kosciusko Summit Walk

There are 3 walking tracks leading to the Mount Kosciuszko Summit.

One you will commence the climb from Thredbo and the other two start from Charlotte’s Pass:

  1. Thredro to Mount Kosciuszko Walk – 13 kms Duration 4-5 hours Grade – Moderate/Hard
  2. Mount Kosciuszko Summit Walk – 18.6 kms Duration 6 – 7 hours Grade – Hard
  3. Main Range Walking Track – 22 kms Duration 8 – 10 hours Grade – Hard
Nearing the top of our Mount Kosciuszko climb

Our Mount Kosciuszko Climb Timeline

We chose the shortest walk to Mount Kosciuszko Summit and did the climb from Thredro to Mount Kosciuszko where the walk actually starts from the Kosciuszko Express Chairlift.

To climb Mount Kosciuszko from Thredbo it generally takes 4 to 5 hours.

Naturally it depends on your walking pace and the amount of stops you make to take photographs or to simply take a breather.

Kosciuszko Express

We boarded the chairlift from Thredbo, then commenced the walk to the Mount Kosciuszko Summit once we disembarked the chairlift at 1927 metres.

The day before had a great wind chill factor to the walk so we were well prepared for it to be very cold.

It turned out to be a beautiful day, perfect for the hike to the top of Mount Kosciuszko.

1927 metres into the 2228 metre climb to the summit of Mount Kosciuszko

The walk up included a little lookout where you could take in the surrounding views across the valleys.

We crossed small streams of incredibly clear running water and saw stunning lakes.

They say it’s not about the destination but the journey to get there and in this case that certainly rang true.

The climb was amazing, watching how the landscape changed across valleys and hilltops, always changing even across the treeless terrain.

Upon reaching the summit, we spent a considerable amount of time breathing in the fresh alpine air at the highest altitude we had ever experienced.

It was a fabulous feeling and we were excited by the fact that we had conquered climbing Australia’s highest mountain.

Top of Australia on our Mount Kosciuszko Climb

To summ-it all up, we loved being on Top of Australia!

After a bite to eat we made our way back down the mountain before taking the return chairlift ride back to Thredbo.

All in all it took us around 4.5 hrs in total. This included taking numerous photographs and going ‘live’ online at the Summit.

Surprisingly we had Telstra Phone coverage on Australia’s rooftop!

Kev on the climb up Mount Kosciuszko

Is it hard to climb Mount Kosciuszko?

The Mount Kosciuszko Summit Walk is classified as a Grade 3 Level and no specific hiking experience is required to climb Mount Kosciuszko.

From the top of the Kosciuszko Chairlift there is a designated path way leading you to the Summit clearly sign-posted with some short steep gradients and occasional steps.

The pathway is made up of a number of different forms including steel grid type boardwalks, paved pathways and a light gravel pathway therefore we recommend suitable footwear or hiking boots be worn.

Formed pathways and stairs on the climb up Mount Kosciuszko

Although Disability Access is hard, the Kosciuszko National Park provides the hire of a TrailRider offering visitors with mobility restrictions more opportunity to experience the park with family and friends.

Hire of the all-terrain wheelchair is free and can be organised through the Snowy Region Visitor Information Centre in Jindabyne. 

During winter the trail is snowbound.

You can make your way to the Mount Kosciuszko Summit in winter by cross country ski and snowshoe.

In Winter, there are no visible sign posts to mark the route.

Mount Kosciuszko Lookout is only 4kms into the 13kms return climb

What time of year should I do the Mount Kosciuszko Climb

The best time to climb Mount Kosciuszko trail is during the months from November through to March.

By this stage, snow has melted and the weather is warmer, albeit still very cold.

September to November is also a good time to visit as you will have the added bonus of witnessing the wildflowers coming into bloom on the hills and most likely there will be some snow still on the Summit.

The wildflowers are at their peak through Summer from Mid – December through to Mid – January and they are easily visible from the walking track to the Summit.

Melted snow and wildflowers

Is it cold on the climb up Mount Kosciuszko?

Even in Summer months it is invariably a lot cooler at the Summit and on the climb up Mount Kosciuszko than at the base of Australia’s highest peak.

On the Mount Kosciuszko climb, the weather can be extreme and you can be open to experiencing any of the elements.

Sun, wind, rain and naturally snow blanket the ground in the winter months so you need to be well prepared for the hike to the Mount Kosciusko Summit.

The wind can play a bit part on the day as to how cold it is as well and can really add to the chill factor.

Fortunately for us the wind chill factor was not bad but one day earlier it was quite severe for our good travel friends.

Conditions can change rapidly in the region so it’s best to be prepared for any weather.

What to take on your Mount Kosciuszko Climb:

Mount Kosciuszko Climb Summer and Winter maps

Mount Kosciuszko Summit Walk Map

You can download a copy of the Mount Kosciuszko Summit Walk Map from the NSW National Parks & Wildlife Service website.

You can also purchase a Hema Maps Kosciuszko National Park Forest Map here>

A map is so handy to have and will help you plan your day.

Mount Kosciuszko Climb Map

Where to Camp in and around Thredbo

There are two campgrounds in the Kosciuszko National Park within close proximity to Thredbo which is where we did our climb from:

  • Ngarigo Campground
  • Thredbo Diggings Campground

We stayed at the nearby Ngarigo Campground for 2 nights to enable us to experience our Mount Kosciuszko climb.

Ngarigo Campground

Ngarigo Campground

The Ngarigo is the closer of the two campgrounds to Thredbo.

A tall ash forest lining the Thredbo River provides a beautiful backdrop for this scenic camping spot.

About: Ngarigo Campground has open grassed sites, is surrounded by beautiful rolling mountains and is set beside the Thredbo River

Location: Located in the Alpine Region of the Kosciuszko National Park just 10 kms from Thredbo and 27.8 kms from Jindabyne

Camped at Ngarigo Campground while we did our Mount Kosciuszko Climb

Access: Road is fully sealed to the campground and then it is a short unsealed road into the campground

Sites: 30 unpowered sites suitable for tent camping, caravans, motorhomes and camper trailers

Cost to stay: Free but there is a $6 Booking Fee plus the cost of the National Parks Pass per day

How to Book: Bookings are required. Book online or call the National Parks Contact Centre on 1300 072 757

Max Length of Stay: 14 days

Ngarigo Campground - where we stayed while we did the Mount Kosciuszko Climb

Toilets: Yes – Non-Flush toilets

Showers: No

Water: No – You will need to bring your own water for drinking and cooking

Bins: No – Ensure you take your rubbish with you when you leave and dispose of appropriately

Facilities: Picnic Tables and Wood Barbecues

Are Pets Allowed: No – pets are not allowed in National Parks

Dump Point: No

Generators: Yes

Campfire

Are you allowed to have a Fire: Yes in the fire rings provided and only when no bans are in place. BYO Firewood. Firewood is available from Thredbo and Jindabyne.

Mobile Phone Reception: We had Telstra coverage but no Vodafone during our stay 

Contact Details for Ngarigo Campground

Phone: 1300 072 757
Address: Alpine Way, Kosciuszko National Park, New South Wales
Website

Read more: Ngarigo Campground

Diggings Campground

Thredbo Diggings Campground

The Thredbo Diggings campground was a little hard for us to navigate the snow gums with our motorhome so we preferred to stay in a more open campsite at Ngarigo.

Diggings is split into 2 camping areas with the bottom area for tents and rooftop tents.

The top section is suitable for tents, caravans and motorhomes however there is only about 4 or 5 sites suitable for large vehicles.

About: Camp under the snow gums at the Thredbo Diggings Campground beside the Thredbo River with views of rolling mountains

Thredbo Diggings Campground

Location: Located in the Alpine Region of the Kosciuszko National Park just 13 kms from Thredbo and 24.4 kms from Jindabyne.

Access: Road is fully sealed to the campground and then it is a single dirt road down a hill into the campground. Take care on the uphill climb coming out.

Sites: 41 unpowered sites suitable for tent camping, caravans, motorhomes and camper trailers

Cost to stay: Free but there is a $6 Booking Fee plus the cost of the National Parks Pass per day.

Road in to do the Mount Kosciuszko Climb

How to Book: Bookings are required. Book online or call the National Parks Contact Centre on 1300 072 757.

Max Length of Stay: 14 days

Toilets: Yes – Non-Flush toilets

Showers: No

Water: No – You will need to bring your own water for drinking and cooking

Bins: No – Ensure you take your rubbish with you when you leave

Facilities: Picnic Tables and Wood Barbecues

Are Pets Allowed: No – pets are not allowed in National Parks

Dump Point: No

Thredbo River
Both Ngarigo & Diggings Campground back onto the Thredbo River

Generators: No

Are you allowed to have a Fire: Yes in the fire rings provided and only when no bans are in place. BYO Firewood. Firewood is available from Thredbo and Jindabyne.

Mobile Phone Reception: Telstra coverage available

Contact Details for Thredbo Diggings Campground

Phone: 1300 072 757
Address: Alpine Way, Kosciuszko National Park, New South Wales
Website

5 Essentials – Camping Accessories

A good Tent or Swag is the first decision for going camping. We like the Coleman Tent from Tentworld or the Wanderer 7 Man Tent from BCF. For a Swag, we were so close to buying the Kings Double Swag from 4WD Supacentre .

We like our BCF Wanderers Camping Chair which gets a lot of use as we travel Australia.

No more lugging around a huge BBQ and gas bottle now that we have a brilliant Gasmate Dual Burner Butane Cooktop from Tentworld

A good Portable Fridge Freezer we have found to keep the beers cold and steaks frozen are the Kings 70 L Fridge Freezer in the budget range, the Waeco 75L Dual Zone Fridge Freezer or the ever popular and long lasting Engel 75L Fridge Freezer.

A good quality Hand Held UHF is ideal and I like this Uniden UH750 5 watt UHF for long range and quality. The 5 watt range will give you maximum distance, especially if you need help!

Thredbo

All about Thredbo

Thredbo is an alpine village and ski resort in New South Wales just 2.5 hours drive from Australian Capital of Australia, Canberra.

Thredbo Village is open 365 days of the year so even if you are not a ski enthusiast there is plenty of things to do when there is no snow falling.

Summer in Thredbo

Apart from the Mount Kosciuszko Climb, Thredbo has heaps of activities in Summer including Mountain Biking, Riding the Scenic Chairlift, Fishing, Playing Golf, Horse Riding and Bobsledding which we found was heaps of fun.

Thredbo Alpine Hotel

You can also have fun in the Leisure Centre which is complete with a Waterslide, two Indoor Heated Swimming Pools and an inflatable obstacle course so definitely a winner with the kids!

Thredbo in Winter

In Winter, Thredbo transforms into a fabulous Ski Village.

Winter Season runs from June long weekend to the October long weekend.

Thredbo boasts Australia’s longest ski runs and Australia’s Highest Golf Course and is one of the Best Mountain Bike Destinations in Australia.

Snow activities include skiing, snowboarding, tobogganing and just general fun in the snow making a snowman or snowballs.

Alpine Way Tragedy Memorial Thredbo
Alpine Way Tragedy Memorial Plaque

Sadly, Thredbo is also where disaster struck in July 1997 when a landslide destroyed two ski lodges resulting in 18 lives being lost.

We visited the Thredbo Landslide Memorial that has since been erected on the site of the two lodges incorporating a post to signify each life lost in the terrible tragedy.

Only one person, Stuart Diver, survived the landslide however sadly his wife Sally Diver didn’t make it.

Stuart Diver had further heartbreak when he re-married and had a daughter however his wife contracted breast cancer soon after they married and eventually succumbed to her illness.

Lake Jindabyne township

About Jindabyne

Jindabyne is an alpine town on the edge of the Snowy Mountains right beside Lake Jindabyne.

In Winter, Jindabyne is a bustling hub for skiers and snow boarders wanting to take to the ski slopes.

It is only 30 minutes to Thredro and Perisher from Jindabyne.

Jindabyne attracts visitors all year round. In Summer, it is a popular spot for hiking, water sports, horse riding and mountain biking.

The crystal clear waters of Lake Jindabyne are ideal for fishing and canoeing.

There are plenty of places on offer to eat and drink in Jindabyne.

Top spots include Wild Brumby Distillery, Kosciuszko Brewing – Banjo Patterson Inn, Jindabyne Brewing and Pinot’s Wine Bar..

Jindabyne is a 5 hour drive from Sydney, 2 hours from Canberra and 7 hours from Melbourne.

Lake Jindabyne

The road from Bega to Jindabyne

We travelled from Bega to Jindabyne to do our Mount Kosciuszko Climb.

The distance from Bega to Jindabyne by road via the Snowy Mountains Highway, Kosciuszko Road is around 2 hours 8 minutes.

After staying at the Bega Showgrounds for a few nights, we stopped off in Tathra where we spent 2 nights before heading to Jindabyne and staying at the Ngarigo Campground for 2 nights.

If you are looking to avoid steep grade roads and mountains, you can take the flattest route from Bega to Jindabyne.

We were in our motorhome and had no trouble driving to Jindabyne and onto Thredbo.

Fortunately the road conditions were dry during our visit in March 2019.

The chairlift is the first leg of the Mount Kosciuszko Climb

Mount Kosciuszko Weather

Mount Kosciuszko is characteristic by the crisp cool alpine air. Throughout most of the year evenings can be cool.

During Winter temperatures average around -6° C and the average temperature are only around 21° C during the height of Summer in January.

The Snowy Mountains region is one of the few places that experiences the 4 distinct seasons of Summer, Autumn, Winter and Spring.

The weather on Mount Kosciuszko can be unpredictable so it is recommended walkers are prepared for all weather conditions and check the conditions before setting out on a Mount Kosciuszko climb.

View as we were coming down on our Mount Kosciuszko Climb

Pin – Mount Kosciuszko Climb

Pin - Mount Kosciuszko Climb
Pin - Mount Kosciuszko Climb
Pin - Mount Kosciuszko Climb

Have you ticked the Mount Kosciuszko Climb off your bucket list?

Tell us about your Mount Kosciuszko Climb experience.

How long did it take for you to climb the tallest mountain of Australia?

Safe travels

Kev & Adele
Indefinite Leave

We are Adele & Kevin, an Aussie couple from Brisbane in Queensland Australia who have embraced our adventurous spirit and ventured out to explore the world around us. We had spent so much time overseas we decided it was time to see our own truly amazing country and we needed to take some time to see everything it has to offer.

Our Aim is to inspire others to travel and help design the greatest adventure they can experience.

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Photography and Socials

Our camera equipment we use for all our photos and videos are:

Samsung Note 10 Plus Phone – http://ebay.us/9vMXEH – Most of our photos are simply from our phones. The Samsung phone cameras are pretty insane. Our phones have 512gb storage in ours but the 256gb in this one is heaps.

Samsung s21 Phonehttps://ebay.us/QAdwva – this looks an insane camera within a phone. We have friends and our son who own one and it seems quite extraordinary with their camera quality. If you’re after a new phone this is what I’d be looking at.

Canon 800dhttps://ebay.us/Q0UV1z – the latest DSLR Canon 24mp camera, buy here to save.

Nikon Coolpix p1000https://ebay.to/37cORUV – We have the Nikon P900 and this is the new model. The zoom lens is unbelievable and so awesome when travelling and you want to capture photos from a distance.

Lenses

Canon 50mm lens – https://ebay.to/3nx5pyG  This is the lens I use the least, ideal for still, close up shots.
Canon 24-105mm lenshttps://ebay.us/br9MeO – This is my all round, everyday use, zoom lens. Amazing quality, great price.
Canon 70-300mm lens – https://ebay.to/33xYeht – I use this one a lot for long range shots.
Sigma 10-20mm lenshttp://ebay.us/zWvfuI  – My wide angle lens for all my inside photos & video plus lots more, love this lens.

Our Go Pro 9 Hero Black – https://ebay.us/6CQOVC  –  is an awesome piece of equipment. I use this for all underwater, action video and some general use. Buy here brand new and great value.

Mavic Pro Platinum Drone – https://ebay.to/2ARPxTo  This is an absolute ripper of a drone. The Fly More Combo will provide you with everything you will need. I use this for all my aerial footage and this price is well below other retail stores.

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This post contains affiliate links. If you buy something through a link on this page we may receive a small commission. It will not cost you any more, in fact we’ve sourced out some great deals for you. Thank you for supporting us.

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