Australian Alps Walking Track (SOBO – South Bound)
Section 4 (6 days): Days 22 – 27 to Food Drop 4
23/04/2025 – 28/04/2025 Charlotte Pass Village – Cowombat Flat – Limestone Creek Campground
Distance: 84.1km Total Ascent: 3,321m Total Descent: 3,914m
Time: 40 hours Moving Time: 25 hours
Participants: Damien Aggio (Report), Stephen Davies (Report, Photos)
Day 22: Wednesday 23/04/2025 Alpine Way – Dead Horse Gap – Cascade Trailhead – Thredbo River – Cascade Trail – Devils Kitchen – Roughs Creek – Bobs Ridge – Cascade Creek – Cascade Hut Trail – Cascade Hut
Kosciuszko National Park (Pilot Wilderness Area), NSW
Ngarigo Country
Max elevation: 1793 m
Total climbing: 330 m
Total descent: -380 m
Average speed: 3.95 km/h
Total time: 03:53:11
Our fortuitously planned two-night rest break at Southern Alps Ski Lodge, Charlotte Pass Village, corresponded with my daughter’s birthday and two days of nonstop rain. My wife Sue, daughter Beth and son-in-law Pablo joined us in the lodge as we celebrated her birthday and rested from the previous 21 days of walking.
This morning, we lamented the fact that there was still steady rainfall and clouds shrouding the nearby hills. Our planned departure for Cascade Hut, 27km away, would be miserable.
A new plan was hatched. As the weather system was bringing moisture in from the east, we reasoned that it was being squeezed out of the air as rain as it rose locally above our position. Heading east might just lessen its impact. So, we drove to Jindabyne for some cafe treats, waiting for a forecast easing in the rain, then headed up to Cascade Trailhead to start the next leg of our adventure.
The Thredbo Valley side was indeed less wet, and by the time we had our packs on and had started the day’s abbreviated walk, it was barely sprinkling. We had definitely made the correct call.
Stephen and Damien ready to start part 2
However, before we had left the carpark, a car door flew open, with a large gent quickly approaching us. He was keen to know where we were off to and informed us he was with a small KHA work party who were off to Teddys Hut with camera gear to 3D map the hut. The digital map produced being good enough to provide measurements accurate enough for say, replacing a window pane.
Damien and I were both pleased to be on the trail again, especially to avoid the soaking we would have endured if we had walked up Kosciuszko Road from Charlotte Pass as originally intended.
Of note, during today’s walk, there was an initial absence of brumbies, which were frequently sighted along the Thredbo River during previous trips. However, past Bobs Ridge, there were numerous dung sightings on the trail.
After two days of rain, the Thredbo River and Cascade Creek had high flows. We sighted and chatted with one couple and a father and son along the way, as well as a woman out for a 15km power-walk. She hadn’t wanted to mountain bike down the Thredbo trails with the rest of her family.
Once at Cascade Hut, we were alone, bar the “rodents” we saw scurrying around the hut and a pair of ring-tailed possums I sighted in the trees in front of the hut. With nightfall, the clouds had started to depart, revealing an increasingly starry sky.
We were both very happy with the way our day had turned out.
Damien
With the weather still very wet and misty at Charlottes Pass, with no views to be had, we decided to bypass the highest elevations as the rain radar was highlighting them as having prolonged and intense bad weather. Thus, we decided to get driven to Dead Horse Gap, which is next to the low elevation trailhead, and we walked through to Cascade Hut, where we spent the night.
There was regular water throughout the trail, and as the day progresse,d the weather improved. We didn’t get wet, and the day’s trek was easy and quite comfortable.
Cascade Hut Logbook 4/5/2024 – 24/4/2025
Day 23: Thursday 24/04/2025 Cascade Hut – Cascade Hut Trail – Cascade Trail – Dummy Salt Camp – Tin Mines Track – Tin Mine Creek – Tin Mine Falls “Lookout” – Ingeegoodbee River – Ingeegoodbee Trail (intersection) – Tin Mine Huts – Carter Hut
Kosciuszko National Park (Pilot Wilderness Area), NSW
Ngarigo Country
Max elevation: 1487 m
Total climbing: 532 m
Total descent: -719 m
Average speed: 3.96 km/h
Total time: 08:22:55
We got away from Cascade Hut at 9:30am and continued south along Cascade Trail, passing through some taller and very pretty forest. We noted the calls of a couple of kookaburras as we continued a long march along Cascade Trail. Passing by were two solo mountain bikers.
Cascade Trail
Our planned sidetrip to view Tin Mine Falls began at an orange metal, triangular marker on a tree about 14.6km south of Cascade Hut. Although it starts along a faint track, this quickly fades, and you are finding your own way through the bush. We narrowly avoided wet feet on crossing Tin Mine Creek by clambering over a fallen tree. Although our guidebook got us in roughly the right spot, we found we needed to go further in order to be able to see the falls, still far below. Here we were certainly still not close to the spot from which Chapman’s photo of the falls was taken. To gain that position, you would need to go a lot further than where we finished. Alas, time was marching on, so we needed to head back to Tin Mines Track and continue towards Tin Mine Huts.
Once at Tin Mine Huts, we met Dave, Albert, Rochel and their friend who had set up camp for the night. It should be noted that Tin Mine Huts consists of two adjacent huts, Tin Mine Hut and the smaller Carter Hut.
Damien
We headed off at 9:30am. We didn’t need to carry any water until after about an hour, when the trail then followed a ridge and thus had no water crossings. (Actually, there were still a couple more that weren’t marked on the map.) After about four hours walking, we arrived at the turn off to the side trip for Tin Mines Falls viewpoint.
We dropped the packs near the start of the track and carried on with our day packs with some water, a waterproof jacket and a torch.
It was a little bit of a bush bash, but we reached the rocky viewpoint. The falls were about 500m down into the valley and are quite dramatic. Although I’m dubious, it was worth the two-hour side trip required to get there. This also made us late to get to Tin Mines Hut that evening, arriving just after dusk. On the trail, we met a group of four who had the same destination we did that night, although unlike us, they slept in their tents.
Water at the hut was difficult to access, and with only a small trickle. Perhaps there were better access points, but we arrived after dark and were unable to find better.
Tin Mines Hut Logbook 14/4/2023 – 25/4/2025
Day 24: Friday 25/04/2025 Tin Mine Huts – Ingeegoodbee Trail – Carters Hut – Cowombat Trail – Tin Mine Creek – Snow Gums Fire Trail (intersection) – The Pilot – Pilot Creek – Marble Creek – Pilot Creek Fire Trail – Murray River
Kosciuszko National Park (Pilot Wilderness Area), NSW
Ngarigo Country
Tin Mine Track – Cowombat Flats Campsite – Cobberas Wilderness – Cowombat Flat Track – Tin Mine Track – Cowombat Flat
Alpine National Park (Cobberas Wilderness Zone), VICTORIA
Dhudhuroa Country
Max elevation: 1830 m
Total climbing: 781 m
Total descent: -837 m
Average speed: 3.87 km/h
Total time: 08:13:48
We reached the turnoff to The Pilot about 9km south of Tin Mine Hut, it being marked by a rock cairn. The almost 300m ascent to the summit at 1829m is found by following a multitude of rock cairns. At times, there seemed to be several competing routes, none of which were always straightforward to follow. Some cairns were on the ground, some in trees or on logs, and many were unsighted behind stuff. Anyway, with diligent observation, you can get there and back down.
Carters Hut and Tin Mine Hut
Damien
Again, we packed up and left at 9:00am. The walking was easy on a good trail and flattish ground.
There were more water courses than I expected, but I still had to carry a litre along the way.
There is a large rock cairn at the highest point of the Cowombat Flats Trail, and this is the take-off point for the side trip up Mt Pilot. We hid the packs nearby and followed many cairns all the way to the top. The round trip took two hours. By then, it was 2:00pm, and we had to get moving quickly if we were to make Cowombat Flats by sunset. We arrived at 5:00pm to the very pleasant campground and put up our tents on the Victorian side of the Murray River. Water is plentiful, and there are many hectares of suitable ground for tent sites.
Day 25: Saturday 26/04/2025 Cowombat Flat – Tin Mine Track – Wreck of RAAF Dakota A65-50 – Mount Cobberas Number 2 foothill
Alpine National Park (Cobberas Wilderness Zone), VICTORIA
Dhudhuroa Country
Max elevation: 1487 m
Total climbing: 333 m
Total descent: -318 m
Average speed: 1.83 km/h
Total time: 05:32:00
Even without any overnight rain, we awoke to very wet tents, both outside and inside. We had noted everything quickly becoming very damp last night, with moisture appearing before our eyes due to exceptionally moist air.
Eleven tents were noted spread out around the very spacious campsite. Apart from our two down near the Murray River. We had chosen a higher spot, hoping it would catch the early sun.
The early morning fire of one group issued forth a small column of smoke, which, when caught in small shifts of a very light early morning breeze, began to skywrite patterns above the frost hollow below us.
After a few modifications to our plan,s we decided we would take a detour via the Cobberas, aiming to camp tonight at Moscow Peak Saddle. We got underway at 9:40am.
Our day began by heading off-track a couple of hundred metres beyond the Murray River. Almost immediately, we were climbing through thick vegetation. Progress was slow and got slower as we gained altitude, with the vegetation thickening and the ground beneath our feet becoming very rocky. We were deliberately walking slowly as every step became uncertain, with a multitude of challenges including rocks wobbling or giving way, branches catching our feet or other body parts, all often at the same time.
The route onto the Cobberas
As we got higher, there were a couple of rock bands we had to scramble through as well. After 2 1/2 hours of very energetic hiking, we stopped for lunch, and finally, there were some views. As we contemplated our slow progress, it became obvious that we had very little chance of reaching our target before dark and with the threat of potential showers forecast from 6:00pm we decided to return to Cowombat Flat for a second night.
Backtracking proved equally difficult and potentially more hazardous, so it was again slow progress. Retracing our steps via my watch got us back through the tricky rocky sections and to camp around 3:20pm. During our descent, a goshawk and 40cm small-headed grey snake with a yellow stripe basking on rocks were sighted.
With huge annoyance, soon after I had my tent pitched, I noticed my camera was missing. I think it’s small wrist strap probably got snagged on the bushes we had been attacked by during the day. My plan now was to see if we can find it. Having a GPS track to follow at least gave us a chance, and we knew I last took a photo as we started back down. What are our chances??
The threatening clouds growing in the late afternoon dissipated on dusk to give us some quality star and satellite spotting time before we snuck off into our sleeping bags to keep warm as the night chill started to envelope us.
Damien
A wet, foggy morning started the day. It soon cleared, and we packed up and left camp at 9:30am with the intention of camping up on top of the Cobberas Mountains; however, there is no track, and the scrub was too thick to make quick progress through. At 1:00pm we were less than halfway to our intended campsite. We made the decision to call it quits and return in shame to our old camp at Cowombat Flats. The Cobberas were too formidable for us.
Day 26: Sunday 27/04/2025 Cowombat Flat – Tin Mine Track – Mount Cobberas Number 2 foothill – Cowombat Flat Track – Trout Creek? – Copperhead Creek? – Surveyors Creek – Bulley Creek – Bulley Creek Campsite
Alpine National Park (Cobberas Wilderness Zone), VICTORIA
Dhudhuroa Country
Max elevation: 1479 m
Total climbing: 304 m
Total descent: -294 m
Average speed: 1.68 km/h
Total time: 05:14:09
Some overnight showers had dampened our spirits as we headed off back up the Cobberas, now following yesterday’s GPX track. Low cloud had the trees in front of us partially obscured, and of course, all the undergrowth was very wet. Despite not having waterproof boots, the waterproof socks kept the feet dry.
Our first lesson of the day was that trying to retrace a GPX track exactly was going to be a tedious task, especially under tree cover. As we needed to reproduce yesterday’s walk within a metre or two in order to have any chance of finding a small black camera. We noted that when zoomed in as far a possible on our iPhones, positioning delays and constant position corrections by the phone would have us instantly appearing in one position, then another. Our mission seemed nearly impossible.
After three hours, we had travelled 3km, to a point where we knew the last photo had been taken. A little disheartened, we started heading back down, repeating the process.
Around halfway down, my phone had dropped to 5% charge [it had started fully charged, but was working really hard as I constantly demanded position updates]. At this point, I took a bearing to our camp so I could get back when I lost all change. I also now was beginning to resign myself to losing four days of photos and having no camera for the rest of the trip.
Just as all seemed lost, four and a half hours into the search operation, I noticed a very small glint, the size of a ten-cent piece at most, through the ground vegetation that looked out of place. The tiny black Sony RX100 had been found amongst many burnt, black trees! It was very well concealed underneath the low ground cover. I checked and found it was not visible when walking from the opposite direction. As both Damien and I had been independently trying to follow yesterday’s route, it meant a combined search time of nine hours!!
FOUND – the missing camera!!!
Whilst heading back down from this point, Damien had a close encounter with a large snake, barely 2m directly in front of him.
Forty minutes later, we were back at our tents. Had lunch, packed up and headed off, me with a big smile on my face.
Due to the overnight rain and the camera being lens up all night, water had got past the front lens element and condensation had formed behind the front lens element, not good. I removed the battery and memory card, opened everything and faced the camera lens directly towards the sun.
By the end of the next day, I was taking pictures again, hopefully that will last.
Cowombat Flat Track near Copperhead Creek
Max elevation: 1405 m
Total climbing: 496 m
Total descent: -398 m
Average speed: 3.98 km/h
Total time: 03:16:26
Having lost a lot of the day, we pushed on for about 15km, reaching Bulley Creek just as it was getting dark. Bulley Creek itself was not flowing but had small pools of clear water behind loose rock alongside the track. The campground was very basic, and it was a challenge to find room for our two tents.
Damien
Unfortunately, it came to light that Stephen had his camera fall out somewhere on yesterday’s bush bash up the mountain.
We had one advantage – Stephen had recorded the route down the mountain on his GPS tracker.
So we followed the GPS blue dot up and back down the mountain. It was during the last half of the way back down the mountain in the afternoon, that against all odds, Stephen spotted his lost camera in the undergrowth. There was a cry of Eureka!
We made our way back to camp, packed up and walked on to Bulley Creek campground for the evening, arriving just after sunset. The water source was not great, but we managed to fill up our bottles from the still pools of water.
Day 27: Friday 28/04/2025 Bulley Creek Campsite (Cobberas Wilderness Zone) – Cowombat Flat Track (Cobberas Wilderness Zone) – Limestone Road – Native Cat Track (intersection) – Limestone Creek Track – Stony Creek – Black Mountain Road – Claire Creek – Limestone Creek – Limestone Creek Caves – Limestone Creek Campground
Alpine National Park, VICTORIA
Dhudhuroa Country
Max elevation: 1332 m
Total climbing: 209 m
Total descent: -510 m
Average speed: 4.43 km/h
Total time: 05:55:50
We were off to an early start this morning, eager to get to our fourth food drop 4km up the track.
I was pleased to see a fine morning as our power packs were getting worryingly low, partly due to the shade of tree cover, cloudy afternoons and yesterday’s camera search. After we recovered our food drop, we sat amongst our gear, spread out as it was drying in glorious sunshine, the solar panels in full direct sun. We took almost two hours to replenish, repack and partake in the multiple treats that we had stashed away.
From here, we were on the march again, with a six-day food supply, headed for Limestone Creek. I had elected to go off the AAWT and follow Limestone Road instead, hopeful of a little more sunlight on the solar panels and also noting it was 1.5km shorter than the official route.
Heading into Limestone Creek, I spotted a lyrebird. Later in the afternoon, I saw a mob of kangaroos, about eight brumbies, a splendid fairy wren, a duck and numerous other small birds.
Limestone Creek
The threatened afternoon rain failed to arrive, instead clearing to a starry evening. Late in the afternoon, a tour group of three vehicles and a separate couple drove into camp.
I even managed to get my battery pack fully charged by Stephen, leader of the larger group, something the entire day trying with my solar panels had not got close to achieving.
Another lyrebird was spotted dashing across in front of me during a walk along Limestone Creek at 5:00pm. I also had a bit of a standoff with a white stallion and half a dozen brumbies. Scarlet robins, a duck and a variety of other birds we also observed along the Limestone Creek.
Damien
We woke to a brilliant blue morning. Quickly packed up without stopping for breakfast and walked to our food drop at Cowombat Flat track. After lying around for two hours, eating at our food stash and drying tents, we walked onward to Limestone Creek.
Wildlife abounded on the grassy flats amongst a meandering creek. The forecast rain for 4:00pm didn’t eventuate, and a most pleasant and warm evening was had outdoors.
Finally, at camp, we managed to talk a group of 4-wheel drivers (Steve Marshal Tours) into changing one of our batteries, as we haven’t encountered much sunshine lately to recharge them.
Food Drop 4 Expedition Log Equipment List
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Information on Parks signage along the way
Cascade Trailhead
Budjeree Tidbillaga-Ngarigu mittang
Welcome to the Snowy Mountains—Ngarigu country
Expansive and diverse forest types and a rich cultural history
Cascade Trailhead is the northern entrance to the 80,500 hectare Pilot Wilderness Area.
Ranging in altitude from 1830 metres (The Pilot) to just over 200 metres on the Lower Snowy River, it encompasses diverse forest communities such as snow gum woodlands, tall forests of alpine ash and mountain gum, heaths, remnant rainforests, open valleys and views of distant mountain ranges. In the south-east cypress pine and white box occupy the lower, drier slopes.
The Thredbo, Jacobs, Pinch and Ingeegoodbee rivers rise on the eastern side of the Great Dividing Range and flow into the Snowy River. Streams on the western side join the upper reaches of the Murray River.
Rising from the ashes
In several locations along the Alpine Way, you will see stands of dead alpine ash. These tall forest trees are killed by fire but regenerate from seed stored in the soil. Although alpine ash produces seed annually, the seed doesn’t germinate until fire clears the forest understorey and heat triggers g the seed capsule to open. If another fire occurs too soon—in less than 20 years-young trees may die without maturing enough to produce seed.
Fire burning through alpine ash forests is also more likely to ignite spot fires. Alpine ash produces large quantities of loose bark which can be carried a long way by the convective heat of the fire and the wind. In 2003, many of the spot fires that started in the alpine area and beyond were caused by burning bark from alpine ash.
Along the road towards Khancoban is Dead Horse Gap, a pass over the Great Dividing Range and the watershed between the Snowy and Murray rivers. It continues to be an important place for people and animals.
Part of the ancient pathway
Indigenous people from many parts of south-east Australia gathered every summer in large camps at Jindabyne and Tom Groggin for social reasons and so that some could take part in important secret ceremonies in the alpine area. Other people passed through here travelling to and from the major camps.
A communal camping area
Many of the first European settlers were guided along the mountain ‘routes by Indigenous people.
Interviewed in 1984, former stockman Ernie Bale said that Dead Horse Gap was a communal camping area for stockmen early in the summer grazing season when the cattle were brought up. Later, when the sheep arrived, they set up separate camps.
Migrating birds also use the pass
Each spring clouds of wasps, flies and moths fly south through here. The mass migration of wasps can last a week. In the autumn thousands of yellow-faced honeyeaters fly northwards in small groups through the pass.
Migrating white-naped honeyeaters, silvereyes, spotted pardalotes and red wattlebirds also use it.
Walk or ride through the Pilot Wilderness Area
Mountain biking is permitted on public roads and some management trails but is generally not permitted in wilderness areas. In this area, however, you can ride along the Cascade Trail through to the Nine Mile Trail and then to the Barry Way. Make sure you stay on the trails.
Bob’s Ridge/Cascade Hut
Bob’s Ridge 9.6km return Cascade Hut 18.8km return.
The Cascade Trail follows the Thredbo River upstream for about 2km before crossing it and climbing to the top of Bob’s Ridge from where there are views over the Murray River into Victoria. Return the same way or contine to Cascade Hut in the Pilot Wilderness Area. You can camp overnight near the hut but make sure you carry a tent— huts are for emergencies only. There are toilet facilities nearby.
Cascade Trail to Barry Way
53km one-way
For a moderately difficult ride turn around after 9.4km at Cascade Hut. For a challenging long day or overnight ride, continue past Tin Mine huts to the Nine Mile Trail. You will need to be very fit and experienced and have a topographic map and compass. The final steep section (you drop 1,000 metres in 5km!) will take you to the Pinch Campground on the Barry Way.
Longer trips
Cascade, Tin Mine, Ingeegoodbee and Cowombat management trails provide access for longer walking trips into the wilderness area. Cascade Trail passes the historic Cascade and Tin Mine huts. If you leave the trails, make sure someone in your group has a topographic map and compass and knows how to use them.
The local landscape features, geology, scenic highlights, flora, fauna, Indigenous history, white history and other nearby walks in the area (Perplexity AI Model)
Landscape Features
The AAWT between Charlotte Pass Village and Limestone Creek Campground traverses a significant portion of the southern Australian Alps, encompassing a diverse range of topographic and ecological zones. From Charlotte Pass (elevation approximately 1,840 m), the track descends through the alpine and subalpine landscapes of the Main Range, crosses the headwaters of the Snowy River, and continues southward through the rugged, forested valleys and high plains of the Pilot Wilderness Area and the Cobberas–Tingaringy unit of the Alpine National Park. Elevations along this route vary from around 1,300 m to over 1,800 m above sea level, with a gradual descent southward.
The terrain is marked by open alpine meadows, extensive snowgrass plains, and patches of snow gum woodland. As the track progresses, it enters deeper river valleys with dense forest cover, including tall eucalypt forests and montane rainforest remnants. The route crosses several major watercourses, including the Snowy River, Cobungra River, and Limestone Creek. The landscape is shaped by glacial and fluvial processes, resulting in broad valleys, steep escarpments, and occasional granite outcrops.
Geology
The geology of this region is complex, reflecting its position within the Lachlan Fold Belt. The Main Range near Charlotte Pass is underlain by granitic rocks, with glacial deposits and alluvial sediments in the valleys. South of the Snowy River, the terrain is dominated by Palaeozoic granites and metasedimentary rocks, with limestone outcrops in the Cobberas–Tingaringy area. These rocks have been shaped by millions of years of erosion, glaciation, and river action, creating a landscape of rugged ridges, deep valleys, and rolling high plains.
Scenic Highlights
The AAWT through this section offers some of the most spectacular and remote scenery in the Australian Alps. Notable highlights include:
• Main Range and Charlotte Pass: Panoramic views of the Snowy Mountains, glacial valleys, and alpine meadows.
• Snowy River headwaters: The crossing of the Snowy River, a significant and iconic waterway in Australian history.
• Pilot Wilderness Area: Remote, rugged terrain with dense forests, open plains, and abundant wildlife.
• Cobberas Range: Dramatic granite peaks and steep escarpments, including Mount Cobberas and The Cobberas.
• Limestone Creek Campground: A tranquil setting in a forested valley, surrounded by tall eucalypts and clear mountain streams.
Local Flora
The vegetation along this section of the AAWT is highly varied, reflecting changes in altitude, aspect, and soil type. In the alpine and subalpine zones, snow gum (Eucalyptus pauciflora) woodlands and snowgrass (Poa spp.) plains dominate. As the track descends, tall mountain ash (Eucalyptus delegatensis) and alpine ash (Eucalyptus delegatensis) forests become more prevalent. The valleys and sheltered slopes support montane rainforest remnants, with species such as myrtle beech (Nothofagus cunninghamii) and tree ferns (Dicksonia antarctica). The understorey is rich in shrubs, grasses, and wildflowers, including silver wattle (Acacia dealbata) and alpine daisies (Celmisia spp.).
Local Fauna
The region supports a diverse array of wildlife, adapted to both alpine and forested environments. Notable species include:
• Mammals: Eastern grey kangaroo (Macropus giganteus), swamp wallaby (Wallabia bicolor), wombat (Vombatus ursinus), and platypus (Ornithorhynchus anatinus) in the rivers and streams.
• Birds: Superb lyrebird (Menura novaehollandiae), gang-gang cockatoo (Callocephalon fimbriatum), wedge-tailed eagle (Aquila audax), and the endangered ground parrot (Pezoporus wallicus) in the heathlands.
• Reptiles and Amphibians: Alpine water skink (Eulamprus kosciuskoi) and the endangered corroboree frog (Pseudophryne pengilleyi) in bogs and wetlands.
• Invertebrates: Diverse alpine and forest invertebrates, including endemic species adapted to cold, wet conditions.
Indigenous History
The traditional custodians of the land through which the AAWT passes between Charlotte Pass and Limestone Creek Campground are primarily the Ngarigo people, whose country encompasses much of the Snowy Mountains and the southern Australian Alps. To the south, in the Cobberas–Tingaringy area, the traditional custodians are the Gunai/Kurnai people. Both groups have a deep spiritual and cultural connection to the land, which provided seasonal resources for food, medicine, and tools. The high country was used for summer gatherings, ceremonies, and trade with neighbouring groups. Evidence of Indigenous occupation, such as artefact scatters and stone tools, has been found throughout the region. The Ngarigo and Gunai/Kurnai people continue to maintain their cultural heritage and connection to country.
White History
European exploration and settlement of the area began in the early 19th century. The high country was initially used for grazing, with stockmen and cattlemen establishing huts and tracks for mustering and droving. The Snowy River became a significant route for droving cattle from the Monaro plains to the alpine pastures. The construction of huts, such as Cowombat Flat Hut, reflects the pastoral heritage of the region. In the 20th century, the area became valued for its natural beauty and recreational opportunities, leading to the establishment of national parks and wilderness areas. Today, the region is a major destination for bushwalking, fishing, and nature appreciation.
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