Blue Waterholes Campground and Tracks

[mca87]

Hi!

First time here, only just discovered the forum!

Myself and a few friends are going to be (or are strongly considering, rather) heading to Blue Waterholes Campground in Kosciuszko from the 30th Dec - 2nd Jan. I've got a few questions in case anyone can help out!

1. How busy is the campground likely to be? I'm hoping it's generally not going to be too packed, but I fear I may have to have a few contingency campsites around the area just in case. Can anyone recommend a good secondary site nearby (within 90 minutes drive)?
2. It's going to be the middle of summer but I've checked the BOM and the average temperatures close by tend to be around 17-22 degrees during the day and between 8-13 degrees at night. Is this accurate?
3. What are the best walking trails around this campsite? I probably only have one full day to do a nice long day hike and potentially a half day hike on another of the days. What are the must do trails around Blue Waterholes?

Anyway, hope you guys can help. Determined to do a lot of hiking in the coming future and will definitely be active around here.

Thanks!

[kjbeath]

Possibly busy see http://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/cam ... campground

Given that it is at about 1200m, overnight temperatures down to zero wouldn't be uncommon.

Walks around the caves are nice but short. We did a short overnight to Old Currango Homestead which could be turned into an approx 20km day trip. There are other huts.

[iandsmith]

Temperature won't be too hot, there is a difference on high. I've been twice but never explored greatly.
Have no doubt it will be busy but probably not overcrowded. The road in isn't the best but certainly doable.
I'm fairly sure there's a walk you can take a fair way down stream but we baulked at the second river crossing.
If you have the time, Yarangobilly Caves (particularly Jersey - but book ahead) are worth a look.
Whatever you choose, enjoy!

[mca87]

Fantastic replies guys! Thank you very much.

Those photos are amazing by the way.

I've been having a stickybeak at the BOM readings for Mount Ginini and that's where I had my initial figures from. In saying that, Mount Ginini weather station is a full 500m higher up than Blue Waterholes so I imagine it will be marginally warmer at Blue Waterholes.

Either way, you've given me much food for thought. I'll definitely be trying to check out the caves.

Cheers

[johnw]

I'll definitely be trying to check out the caves.

Do the Nicole (Nichols) Gorge circuit walk - about 7km. If still accessible the Murray Cave is worth exploring but take head torches. Last time I was there the creek was in flood and we could no longer safely access the cave.

[Chris-Toms Outdoors]

Hi,
Blue Waterholes in as awesome area to explore. It's never too busy except on long weekends etc. It can get cold overnight so be prepared. There's plenty of other campsites along long plain road that can provide other options. But that said you would be best at Blue Waterholes, many of the other campsites along Long Plain road are used by the horse camp crowd, you can't tow a float into Blue Waterholes, but most of the other campsites you can. The northern end of Kosi is extremely popular with the horse crowd over the summer.
Cheers, Chris

[walkon]

I love this area. Blue Waterholes is one of those places that can accommodate the various needs of a diverse group. With lots of exploring close by of the easy caves, waterfall, historic huts and walks of various lengths. Plenty of places to walk to whether its a circuit over the plains or hut exploring. The water close to camp at blue holes is cold though the further that you walk down stream the warmer it gets with some lovely secluded pools downstream that a perfect on a hot day.

Yarangobilly Caves nearby are well worth a visit. Apart from the caves it has a thermal pool (free) which is lovely for a tired body but take a picnic down to it and chillax regardless.

Enjoy

[mca87]

Fantastic replies guys!

Thank you very much. Will definitely check out the thermal pools at Yarangobilly and more secluded pools downstream from Blue Waterholes.

Thanks for the horse info, helps with campsite selection

[walkon]

Of course if you leave the cars behind there will definitely be no trouble finding a spot to set the tents up

[GBW]

Would anyone know if Long Plain Rd from Snowy Mts Hwy to Blue Waterholes FT is OK for 2wd? Thanks.

[north-north-west]

It is usually kept at 2wd standard, although it can be a bit rough. Drive slowly and you should be OK at least to the homestead.

I've seen a midget Fiat in the last carpark.

[GBW]

Thanks NNW. I found a couple of pics and it looks reasonable. If I can get to the turnoff I'll be happy and bike in from there.

[Chris-Toms Outdoors]

Would anyone know if Long Plain Rd from Snowy Mts Hwy to Blue Waterholes FT is OK for 2wd? Thanks.

Hi,
I drive a subaru impreza. Even though it's awd drive it has similar clearance to most 2wd's. If you take it steady you won't have any problems getting in and out. The final descent into blue waterholes is the only possible issue. If it is wet when you come out of blue waterholes it could be tricky in 2wd.
Cheers
Chris

[Zingiberaceae]

We drove in with a 4WD and a 2WD, and - completely unrelated to the actual quality of the road - managed to get TWO flat tyres!! But seriously, the road is fine for 2WD so long as it's not too wet, although more clearance would probably make you feel safer.
In any case, the area was fabulous - we checked out the caves and the bushwalking and went far enough down the gorge that it was really more like canyoning at that point. Cold at night, certainly, but just stunning! Some photos and longer description: https://wordsandwilds.wordpress.com/201 ... aterholes/

(I later returned to this area with a PhD candidate doing some counting of the brumbies around there, so spend a few nights in the camp ground and found it to again be a very pleasant area https://wordsandwilds.wordpress.com/201 ... h-country/)

[Chris-Toms Outdoors]

We drove in with a 4WD and a 2WD, and - completely unrelated to the actual quality of the road - managed to get TWO flat tyres!! But seriously, the road is fine for 2WD so long as it's not too wet, although more clearance would probably make you feel safer.
In any case, the area was fabulous - we checked out the caves and the bushwalking and went far enough down the gorge that it was really more like canyoning at that point. Cold at night, certainly, but just stunning! Some photos and longer description: https://wordsandwilds.wordpress.com/201 ... aterholes/

(I later returned to this area with a PhD candidate doing some counting of the brumbies around there, so spend a few nights in the camp ground and found it to again be a very pleasant area https://wordsandwilds.wordpress.com/201 ... h-country/)

Hi Jessica,
Awesome blog entry on the Blue Waterholes area, I enjoyed the read. It's one of my favourite areas in the northern KNP.
Cheers, Chris

[Zingiberaceae]

Thanks Chris, always appreciate such a comment! I only write this stuff to share it so it's really my pleasure