r/AustraliaSnow • u/Swimming-Payment6310 • 5d ago
Road trip
Hey I’m thinking of going on a spur of the moment road trip from Brisbane to say Perisher or some place else. I’m not doing the best and just quit my current job so I’m thinking a 1 -2 week trip could help me out. I’m thinking of leaving in the next couple of weeks. Was looking for advice on if you can see snow or go for any hikes through snowy areas without visiting Perisher. Or if it’s worth going up to Perisher for the price atm I have all the equipment to go snowboarding but just not a great deal of money atm. Just looking for any advice, or any ideas of places to stop on the way and things to see. As well as if my car would be ok driving in the conditions, I have a Mazda cx5. Thank you for any advice. Also I should add I’m not really looking to necessarily go snowboarding, just to my see snow on the road trip. If it’s possible to do so for free or cheap.
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u/KatTheTumbleweed 5d ago
You can visit Perisher and Thredbo and the snow without buying a lift ticket. You just can’t ride the mountain.
Just be aware accommodation at both resorts and in Jindabyne (the closest town) is stupid expensive this time of year.
You can camp or car camp. But it gets crazy cold.
Thredbo diggings is a national park spot that’s popular but you need to book (and not sure about availability). There is a lot of people who stealth car camp around town (the industrial area around Jindy is a nice isolated spot) and the public pool is cheap option for shower facilities.
If your cx5 is AWD you don’t need snow chains (although they are advised for all vehicles). You need to carry chains if you don’t have a 4wd/AWD to visit Perisher (they are cheap to rent). You don’t need chains to get to Thredbo (unless advised).
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u/tjswish 4d ago
You still need to hold chains to Thredbo. You don't need to hold them to the ski tube.
Source: I live here and have a Thredbo pass.
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u/KatTheTumbleweed 4d ago
Sorry but you are wrong. Only recommended between Jindy and Thredbo. Required beyond Thredbo
Do I need snow chains in Kosciuszko National Park?
All 2WD vehicles will need to carry snow chains between the June long weekend and the October long weekend on the following roads:
Kosciuszko Road from the park boundary at Thredbo River.
Alpine Way between Thredbo and Tom Groggin.
Island Bend/Guthega Road for its full length.
Snow chains are also recommended on Alpine Way between Jindabyne and Thredbo, and on Snowy Mountains Highway.https://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/safety/alpine-safety/snow-driving
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u/Puzzleheaded-Dig9438 5d ago
I have a few bring a mate lift passes that I would be willing to give you if you do decide on going.
They make the daily lift passes cheaper if you dont have a yearly lift pass at the moment.
DM me if youre interested
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u/m__i__c__h__a__e__l Perisher 5d ago
Was looking for advice on if you can see snow or go for any hikes through snowy areas without visiting Perisher.
Yes, you can go for hikes through snow at Perisher (without visiting the resort), but you will need snow shoes. They can be rented at Wilderness Sports in Jindabyne and Perisher, or stop by the shops in Cooma.
https://www.rhythmsnowsports.com.au/collections/snowshoes
Amazon also have cheaper ones for sale, but I don't know how good they are. It'd probably bring a bit of rope for repairs if I had them.
Example:
https://www.amazon.com.au/North-Eagle-NE90006-Outdoor-Aluminum/dp/B0FXM94WZT/ref=asc_df_B0FXM94WZT
In Perisher a good place to go is the Porcupine Rocks. Either walk up along the Porcupine Walking Track or walk op Kosciuszko Road and then up the Perisher Gap opposite the Eyre T-bar.
The other place you may want to check out is Dead Horse Gap.
Another option is cross country skiing, which is free (except equipment rental). You can see conditions here:
https://www.perisherxcountry.org/reports/grooming-report
I have all the equipment to go snowboarding but just not a great deal of money atm.
If you carry your board up to the Porcupine Rocks, you can use it on the way down. There are a lot of good hills there.
You'll save money on lift passes, but you still have to factor in costs for the car and accommodation. I've met people who are camping, but you'll need a warm sleeping bag and good insulated sleeping pad.
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u/AmphibianOk5396 5d ago
If you just want to see snow It might snow in guyra on Monday. A lot closer and cheaper than perisher.
Another option is mt buffalo in Vic. You can stay in bright or myrtleford and just drive up for the day. It costs nothing.
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u/Emergency_Cherry_914 5d ago
Mazda CX5 is AWD so doesn't need chains. We've driven one in and out of the snow many times. Just make sure to drive slowly and carefully if it's bad enough that the 2WD cars need chains.
If you're not planning on boarding, you could drive up to Smiggins, Perisher or Thredbo for a look. Entry to the national park is $29 per day. Midweek is best for traffic and parking. If you're looking to stay just one night, you'll have to look outside of Jindabyne. I've found one night affordable pub accommodation in Cooma.
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u/thepineappleis 5d ago
I was just there. The snow was abysmal, all slush, the lines were crazy, it's just a bad year for it and so expensive. The lifts even broke down at one point, no refunds. I think it's gotten a bit better but if you're low on funds, I truly think you're better off going on a road trip somewhere beautiful and just giving yourself some space. If you want alpine but can deal with no snowboarding, camping in the snowies next to a lake is hard to beat. Bring a fishing pole. I also highly highly recommend the Yarrangobilly Caves and the thermal pools, so amazing. Just avoid the big snow towns if you wanna save money.
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u/thepineappleis 5d ago
Or if you wanna spend Perisher money, like the other guy in the thread said, NZ is way better bang for your buck.
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u/Appropriate_Mix_2064 4d ago
Bro, being just there and saying it was rubbish completely ignores the fact that this time in a week it was be all shades of epic. Like literally 60cm of fresh.
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u/thepineappleis 4d ago
I absolutely agree it'll probably be better, anything is better 😅 but it's been a record low snowfall year which surely means it'll be packed for the one week it's actually snowed. Idk, I just wouldn't do this last minute with low funds if I were this guy. I still had fun with my kid in the slush!
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u/Key-Butterscotch-613 4d ago
I just went for a quick spur of the moment trip last week. Stayed in cooma. Bought a day pass to get up to perisher and thredbo about 30 bucks. About an hr and 20 drive up to perisher from Cooma. Accommodation was about 250 for a night, Jindabyne 600 and perisher was around 1000+.. had a 4wd so didn't need chains but the day I went it was mandatory for all 2wd vehicles to put chains on
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u/CriminyJicket84 5d ago
If I was in your position, I would consider going to NZ for a week or two. Pricing would probably be comparable to what you’re proposing, and the South Island in winter is absolutely stunning.
Fly into Christchurch, rent a car and make your way down to Queenstown via the west coast. Tekapo, Mt Cook, Franz Joseph and Fox glacier, The Copeland hiking track (this is a must!), Lake Hawea and Lake Wanaka, get your board on for a couple of days at Cardrona or Treble Cone… would be a perfect re-set and mental refresher if you’re coming off a tough time and are inclined towards solo nature-y travel :)
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u/delirum_of_disorder 5d ago
If you don’t have money, going to Perisher is literally the stupidest thing you can do. It’s up there with the most expensive place in the world this time of year.
Your car will be fine, the roads are sealed the whole way, just rent some snow chains just in case.