Australian Alps National Parks
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In 1986 – with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding – the governments of Australia, the Australian Capital Territory, New South Wales and Victoria formally agreed Australian Alps National Parks should be managed cooperatively to protect their special character.
The Australian Alps Liaison Committee was formed to ensure the 11 National Parks and Reserves in the Alps are managed as 1 biogeographical entity.
The Australian Alps National Parks (4 of which are in NSW) cross state borders, covering over 1.6 million hectares of public land.
The Australian Alps National Parks were included on the National Heritage List in 2008. The listing recognises the numerous and unique natural, Aboriginal and historic values of Australia's mainland.
Australia's National Landscapes
Tourism Australia and Parks Australia have formed a partnership to identify landscapes capturing the essence of Australia and offering distinctive natural and cultural experiences. Australia's National Landscapes identifies inspirational destinations transcending borders and boundaries, promoting destinations and encouraging visitors to leave the breaten track and immerse themselves in local culture. Australian Alps National Parks are part of the National Landscapes Program.
The Australian Alps movie unveils Australia's alpine region
The Natural Environment
Containing the highest peaks in the Great Dividing Range, the Australian Alps are of outstanding landscape value and are important in the pattern of Australia's natural history. The Alps are home to unique cold climate plants and animals – from wildflowers to Snow Gums, Mountain Pygmy-possums, Coroboree frogs and migratory Bogong Moths.
Plant and animal species have adapted to the harsh winter alpine conditions. Nearly all Australian plant families are represented, with 40 species of native mammals, 200 bird species, 30 reptile species, 15 amphibians and 14 native fish species.
To fully experience the landscape of the Australian Alps visit the area and explore the rugged hills and undulating plateaux dissected by great escarpments and deep gorges. Landscapes range from foothills and low plateaux of 300–900 m to rolling hills, exposed ridgelines and rocky outcrops. The highest peaks are above 1,800 m, with Mount Kosciuszko reaching gently above its surrounds at 2,228 m. Many landscape features are built upon the foundations of ancient marine sand and mud 400–860 million years old.
The Human Environment
Aboriginal people have lived in the Australian Alps for at least 21,000 years. Rock paintings, shelters and axe-grinding grooves provide visitors to Namadgi National Park with an opportunity to gain an understanding of how life has long been lived in this part of Australia.
Tangible evidence of the pioneering past of non-Indigenous people – including huts, stockyards, and stockroutes – dates back to the 1830s. Linked to this evidence is the legend of the high country horsemen, made famous in Banjo Patterson's The Man from Snowy River.
More recently the Australian Alps has seen one of the world's most ambitious engineering feats – the Snowy Mountains Hydro-electric Scheme – harness its significant water catchments. This project saw a migrant workforce permanently influence Australia's multiculcultural nature.
Recreation
There are abundant opportunities for recreational activities in the Australian Alps. Summer provides opportunities for horseriding, canoeing, kayaking, abseiling, rockclimbing, cycling, mountain biking, caving and bushwalking. Winter snow brings people to ski villages. Skiing, tobogganing and snowboarding are the life of the Thredbo, Perisher and Mount Selwyn resorts, and in the colder months nearby Jindabyne becomes a major accommodation and service centre. Cross-country skiing is a great alternative for those who want to experience the white wonderland of the Australian Alps away from the crowds of the ski fields.
We Love...
- Visiting winter and summer resorts at Thredbo and Perisher Valley (Australia’s highest town) – enjoying skiing in winter and bushwalking in summer.
- Taking a pilgrimage along one of Australia’s most challenging walking tracks, the Australian Alps Walking Track.
- Driving or riding along the Alpine Way, a stretch of mountainous road between Jindabyne and Khancoban – catching spectacular views from Scammels Spur.
- Cross-country skiing and experiencing a night at a historic alpine hut.
- Experiencing the Aboriginal history of Namadgi National Park and Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve – visiting shelters where rock art dates back over 21,000 years.
