Kosciuszko National Park

Corroboree Frogs

Covering an area of 690,500 hectares and ranging in altitude from 227m along the lower reaches of the Snowy River to 2,229m at the summit of Mt Kosciuszko, the park contains nine wilderness areas (Byadbo, Pilot, Western Fall, Jagungal, Bogong Peaks, Goobaragandra, Bimberi, Indi and Bramina) totalling 346,150 ha which is just over 50% of the park (50.13%). Much of the vegetation is found no where else in the world.

The park also provides a wide range of recreational opportunities and it is estimated there are more than 3 million visitor days per year. About 60% of the park visits are in winter and mainly for snow-related activities. However summer activities are growing in popularity with the resorts attracting an increasing number of these visits.

Geology

Even though we call them the Snowy Mountains, the Main Range landmass is actually a large plateau that has been uplifted from a series of subterranean disturbances that range as far back as 400 million years ago. Almost all of the rock visible today is basically granite bedrock, thrust up during the upheavals. The last known ice age was 15000 years ago - slow moving rivers of ice carved deep valleys from the resulting faults in the landmass as it slowly melted. The Snowy Mountains are actually a mountain massif with few peaks but many deep valleys.

Vegetation

Alpine Snow Daisy

Many of the plants above the tree line are found no where else in the world. The park's vegetation is divided into four groups based on altitude. Given the weather, elevation and geological history of this area the vegetation must be quite unique to survive as well as it does. Snowgums are extremely well adapted to the harsh environment at this altitude. They have a higher concentration of oil in their cells and a cell structure similar to that in the antifreeze we put in our cars. The leaves are smaller and have a wax type coating on them to slow down moisture loss, and they grow higher up the trunk above the snow. The amount of water they take up to store over winter is evident in how crimson their bark becomes prior. When it rains the snowgums erupt into beautiful shades of olive, red, and yellow.

Wildlife

Pygmy Possum

The park's species comprise of 310 vertebrate, 44 mammal, 202 bird, 31 reptiles and 11 species of frogs. Although there are very few species at this elevation during winter one particular specie that is endemic, to not only the alpine region but to Blue Cow Mountain, is the Pygmy Possum. Originally thought to be extinct, this shy, agile, nocturnal mammal is alive and well albeit in a small number. It feeds on bogong moths, plum pine and various seeds that it will store in a cache while it hibernates for the winter. Pygmy Possums are the only known Australian mammal to go into torpor, or hibernate, during winter.
Summer brings with it a different kind of alpine environment equal to the appeal of the winter snow. There is nowhere better to experience the beauty of summer in the Snowy Mountains.