All winter activities are back on in KNP for 2021! Many COVID-related restrictions have eased since last year’s snow season.
Snow play activities such as tobogganing, sledding and snow-tubing are back on and visitors are also welcome for general sightseeing, stays and off-snow activities like hiking.
The only entry requirement for Kosciuszko National Park for the 2021 snow season is a valid NSW Parks Pass.
As we reported early in April, KNP annual passes are all digital now. Renew or buy on the KNP web link below.
Day passes will be still available to buy at entry stations and from NPWS visitor centres in Jindabyne, Khancoban and Tumut.
At $29 a car a day it’s great value – especially compared to Victoria’s ridiculously high resort entry fees. The annual pass is only $190, less for concessions, including access to ALL NSW National Parks.
UPDATE: We checked back with parks as to if / when they would extend the pre-book system to day passes now they have the technology to check number plates. For day trippers frothing to get up there it is really frustrating being stuck in the queue at the park entrances. Good news: yes, it’s on the way. Bad news: not for this season.
“NPWS plans to roll out digital day passes in many NSW national parks, the first being in Greater Sydney and Blue Mountains areas in 2021. Hopefully we’ll have more news to share about Kosciuszko after this first stage of the digital day pass rollout” is what their helpful spokesperson told Snow Action.
A number of campgrounds are open for winter, with all campers required to book before arriving via the NPWS website. Backcountry camping (when hiking or skiing in remote areas) is allowed without a booking, but campers must fill out an online Trip Intention Form to register with NPWS.
Adventurers planning activities such as cross-country skiing, snow shoeing and backcountry skiing and snowboarding must also complete a Trip Intention Form and ensure they have suitable skills and equipment.
Travellers to the Snowy Mountains should plan ahead and check with individual ski resorts and other venues about their COVID-19 restrictions, venue capacity and booking requirements.
To keep everyone safe this snow season, NPWS reminds visitors that they must follow all Public Health orders, including leaving an area if physical distancing is not possible. Some restrictions may remain in place, particularly for indoor venues.
NPWS may need to make changes or bring in restrictions if the COVID-19 situation or Public Health Orders change in the lead-up to, or during the 2021 snow season. Always check the NPWS website for up-to-date information, alerts and closures.