In the NSW Snowy Mountains episode in season 13, Pat began his adventure in the Kosciuszko National Park on Long Plain Road. He headed to the alpine town of Adaminaby, then it was on to Snowy Plain and the Gungarlin River. The trip finished with an iconic lower snowy drive from Jindabyne down to the Victorian border. We were green with envy as we watched.
Along the way, Pat showed us how to make an easy, cheesy, bacon bomb explosion but more importantly, he showed us four of the best spots for camping in the Snowy Mountains of NSW.
Check out the best camping spots in the NSW Snowy Mountains here:
Cooleman Mountain Camp
Cooleman Mountain Camp is a top spot to base yourself in the Snowy Mountains to explore some of the amazing features of the Kosciuszko National Park. Sheltered by snow gums and a grove of mountains, the campsite is picturesque and you can expect to share it with eastern grey kangaroos and crimson rosellas.
Find the Blue Waterholes within the Cooleman Plain Karst system nearby and hike the Nichols Gorge and Clarke Gorge tracks to see a series of gorges and caves. Don’t miss Coolamine Homestead around three kilometres away, one of the many historical huts in the region.
- Suitable for: camper trailers, tents, and camping beside your vehicle.
- Facilities: toilets, wood BBQs (BYO wood), picnic tables.
- Access: access is closed during winter and a 4WD is required after and during wet weather.
- Cost: there are no official camping fees but a $6 booking fee applies.
- How to book: book on the NSW National Parks website.
How to find Cooleman Mountain Campground
Find Cooleman Campground in the north of the Kosciuszko National Park. From Adaminaby, drive along Snowy Mountains Highway and turn right onto Long Plain Road. After around 17 kilometres, turn right onto Blue Waterholes Trail and you’ll arrive at the campsite after around 2.5 kilometres.
Gungarlin River Campground
Enjoy riverside camping in the Snowy Mountains at the Gungarlin River Campground. At around 50 kilometres from Jindabyne, you’ll need a 4WD to get here but when you do, make sure to throw a line in the river. If the historic alpine huts in the region tickle your fancy, nearby you’ll find Botherum Plain Hut and Daveys Hut.
It’s not uncommon to share the campsite with eastern grey kangaroos and red-necked wallabies and many a camper has spotted wombats and ring-tailed possums at dusk.
- Suitable for: camper trailers, tents, and camping beside your vehicle.
- Facilities: pit toilets, wood BBQs (BYO wood), picnic tables.
- Access: 4WD only with the last part (Island Bend Fire Trail) recommended for high clearance only. Snow chains are required in the snow.
- Cost: there are no official camping fees but a $6 booking fee applies.
- How to book: book on the NSW National Parks Website
How to find Gungarlin River Campground
To reach Gungarlin River Campground in the Snowy Mountains, head north on Kosciuszko Road towards Berridale. At around the 13.5 kilometres mark, turn left onto Eucumbene Road and follow this for 20 kilometres. Next, turn left onto Nimmo Road and follow it for 10 kilometres until you reach Nimmo Hill. Here you will turn left and follow the power line along Island Bend Fire Trail, which you will stay on for around 7.5 kilometres to the Gungarlin River. Signs to the campground can be found at this point.
Thredbo Diggings Campground
Located on the winding Thredbo River, Thredbo Diggings Campground boasts mountain views, snow gums and a peaceful setting. It’s a popular spot in summer for both families and fishermen due to the riverside setting and many bring mountain bikes to tackle the Thredbo Valley Track.
Nearby attractions include Bullocks Hut, Lake Crackenback Resort and the Wild Brumby Schnapps Distillery.
- Suitable for: camper trailers, caravans, tents, and camping beside your vehicle.
- Facilities: pit toilets, wood BBQs (BYO wood), picnic tables.
- Access: 2WD but snow chains are required after snow.
- Cost: there are no official camping fees but a $6 booking fee applies. Park entry fees apply.
- How to book: book on the NSW National Park Website.
How to find Thredbo Diggings Campground
Find Thredbo Diggings Campground on the Kosciuszko Road. After leaving Jindabyne, turn left onto Alpine Way and after three kilometres, turn right at the signs for the campground.
Pinch River Campground
Head to Pinch River Campground in the south of the Snowy Mountains for a peaceful riverside camp. Surrounded by cypress pines and tall eucalypts, a getaway in the spring or summer also boasts flowering wattles around the campsite.
Campers stay here for swimming in the warmer months and to escape the ski resort crowds in the winter. Enjoy bushwalking, mountain biking or horse riding on the many great trails in the region.
Here you can expect to share your campsite with kangaroos, wallabies and emus during the day and keep your eyes peeled in the evenings for quolls and wombats.
- Suitable for: tent camping.
- Facilities: pit toilets, wood BBQs (BYO wood), picnic tables, carpark.
- Access: 2WD but a 4WD is required after and during wet weather.
- Cost: there are no official camping fees but a $6 booking fee applies.
- How to book: book on the NSW National Parks Website.
How to find Pinch River Campground
Starting at the Snowy Region Visitor Centre, drive 1.5 kilometres to the Barry Way turn off and turn left onto Barry Way. Drive a further 58.4 kilometres before turning right into Pinch River campground just before Pinch River Bridge.
Where will you go in the Snowy Mountains?
So, now that you know where to camp, make sure to go back and watch the NSW Snowy Mountains episode in Season 13. Check out the off-road tracks that Pat explored so that you can tackle them yourself on your own Snowy Mountains adventure.