Home Exploring Snowy River country with Trisha Dixon, NSW

Exploring Snowy River country with Trisha Dixon, NSW

AT A GLANCE

WHAT TO EXPECT

Trisha Dixon is a photographer and author with a deep passion for the high country and Monaro where she lives at the foothills of the Snowy Mountains.

A powerful love of life is paramount in every fibre of Trisha’s existence. Living and being out walking, cycling, skiing, photographing, researching or leading groups in this area is central to her life; the space, the ever changing beauty, the age and shape of the land, the history of the mountains, the botany and sharing this passion with similar minded people.

Trisha was founding editor and publisher of the first photographic journal of the high country; “Snowy River Country” and has written, photographed and edited a number of publications on the area. Her most recent book was published by the National Library of Australia which has published other books of hers and houses a collection of her images.

The high country’s rugged beauty with its lakes, wild flowers, rivers and creeks, fascinating history, geology and vegetation will be actively explored. Long walks, including rewarding climbs, cycling, kayaking and swimming are all part of the itinerary.

Stay at the Crackenback Resort set amongst the Snowy Mountains – adjacent to the Kosciuszko National Park. Accommodation in a one-bedroom chalet.

Gain a memorable and deep appreciation for this most incredible part of Australia with Trisha’s passion and individual insights guiding and informing you – so when you’re finished, your personal love affair with the High Country will have just begun!

ITINERARY

DAY 1 – Crackenback Resort, Bullocks Hut and Little Thredbo River

Drive to Lake Crackenback Resort on the Alpine Way between Jindabyne and Thredbo – 2.5 hours south of Canberra. It is also possible to fly into Canberra and rent a car.

Arrive in time for lunch at the resort with time to introduce ourselves and find out who are the photographers, walkers, cyclists, botanists or adventurers, then settle into your accommodation – each studio is unique and located in a wonderful natural setting as part of the year-round alpine resort of Lake Crackenback. 

Walk around the lake (easy walk, around half an hour) and then on to Bullocks Hut, on the Little Thredbo River – a complex of buildings ideally situated with a fascinating history. 

Walk back via the Skitube and have time for a kayak in the lake, swim in the heated pool or cycle before dinner together at the Alpine Larder.  

Lunch and dinner provided.

Day 2 – Mt Kosciusko, Lake Cootapatamba (glacial lake)

Enjoy breakfast overlooking the stunning lake with its huge sky reflections. Pack water, a hat and jacket and then off together by car into the Kosciuszko National Park.

From Thredbo we will catch the Express Chairlift up for the start of our walk to the summit, through drifts of alpine daisies and views down onto glacial Lake Cootapatamba, Australia’s highest lake. The walk is a leisurely 13km taking around 5 hours with a picnic lunch on the top of Australia, 2228m high.

Spectacular views across the ancient peaks of the Snowy Mountains and south into the more rugged Victorian High Country. Wildflowers are starting to flower at this time with the snowmelt promising a succession of varieties including everlasting daisies, billy buttons, mountain eyebrights, alpine mint bush and alpine daisies. The geology is as fascinating as the botany and the glacial lakes.

Back to Lake Crackenback in time to relax before dinner at the Alpine Larder.

Breakfast, lunch and dinner provided.

Day 3 – Cycle to Thredbo and Return

Enjoy breakfast at leisure and then collect a bicycle (or bring your own). We will set off along the Thredbo Valley Track, 40km return – with an option of  following  the Thredbo River further downstream to Garden Trout Hatchery – all off road cycling, or walking for non cyclists.

There will be time later to explore Thredbo Village where we will have lunch. It will be a totally different experience to the hectic winter one of skis and the endless line of cars and people. There will be a few drifts of snow, daisies, pristine air and uncluttered village life.

Back to the resort with time for a swim or kayak before dinner at the Cuisine Restaurant.

Breakfast lunch and dinner provided

Day 4 – Cascade Hut Walk from Dead Horse Gap

Breakfast at your leisure and then pack water, hat and jacket and off again together by car into the Kosciusko National Park. This time we go past Thredbo and wind our way to to Dead Horse Gap.

We leave the cars and head south into the beauty of the Pilot Wilderness Area which is part of the Australian Alps walking track; a really wonderful 20km return walk to one of the most iconic huts in the mountains – Cascade Hut; lovingly maintained by a voluntary caretaker group.

It is a shady walk through snow gums and a complete contrast to walking to Mt Kosciuszko which is above the tree line.  It is an incredibly scenic walk, following the Thredbo River for a while before climbing up Bob’s Ridge (800m climb) with distant views into Victoria. There’s time for photography stops along the way including with snow daisies fertilised by the large brumby dung piles in evidence..and glimpses of the occasional brumby.

Cascade Hut is our destination for a leisurely lunch before heading back along the same trail with totally different views heading in the opposite direction.

Once back at Dead Horse Gap we drive back to Lake Crackenback Resort with time for a shower and 

Dinner at a local restaurant in Jindabyne

Breakfast, lunch and dinner provided.

Day 5 – Crackenback Resort, Wild Brumby for lunch

Enjoy breakfast then the remainder of the morning around the resort; kayaking, walking, some photography or try your hand at archery.

Check out of the resort and drive to Wild Brumby for lunch – a mountain institution with wonderful owners, sculpture, architecture, food and schnapps. A long lunch to go through the best of our photographs and enjoy each others company before heading off in the afternoon.

Breakfast and lunch provided.

_{WHAT’S INCLUDED:}

• 3.5 days exclusive touring with Trisha Dixon
• 4 nights accommodation as per itinerary
• Meals included: breakfast x 4, lunch x 5, dinner x 4
• Passionate and informative insights and guiding
• Bicycle hire
• Photography tips
• Goods and Services Tax.

_{COSTS DO NOT INCLUDE:}

• Domestic or international airfares
• Pre-registration, late check out or day use at hotels other than specified above
• Guide services other than specified
• Meals other than specified
• Beverages
• Tips and gratuities
• Optional tours/services.

CONTACT US

Want to know more or register your interest?

Send us an email to [email protected] or call 1300 241 141.

We look forward to hearing from you!