Merritts Nature Track

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Safer Bushwalks

Tips on staying safe on track

Before you start any bushwalk ensure you;
• Tell someone you trust where you are going and what to do if you are overdue
• Have adequate equipment, supplies, skills & knowledge for the whole journey
• Consider the impact of weather forecasts, park/track closures & fire dangers
• Can respond to emergencies & call for help at any point
• Are healthy and fit enough for this journey
If not, change plans and stay safe. It is okay to delay and ask people for help.

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Getting There

Transport options and directions

Start	(-36.5042278,148.3045161)
Mode	Car (A park entry fee is required for driving into the park.)
Directions	From Hume Freeway, M31, B400, Wodonga. Turn on to Lincoln Causeway Offramp, B400 then drive for 335 m Keep right onto B400 and drive for another 175 m Continue onto B400 and drive for another 540 m At roundabout, take exit 2 onto Bandiana Link Road, B400 and drive for another 600 m Continue onto Murray Valley Highway, B400 and drive for another 1.1 km At roundabout, take exit 1 onto Murray Valley Highway, B400 and drive for another 2 km At roundabout, take exit 1 onto Anzac Parade, B400 and drive for another 610 m At roundabout, take exit 2 onto Anzac Parade, B400 and drive for another 4 km At roundabout, take exit 2 onto Murray Valley Highway, B400 and drive for another 114.5 km At roundabout, take exit 2 onto Hanson Street, B400 and drive for another 250 m At roundabout, take exit 2 onto Towong Road, B400 and drive for another 102.1 km Turn left onto Banjo Drive and drive for another 260 m Turn right onto Bobuck Lane and drive for another 550 m Turn right onto Bobuck Lane and drive for another 20 m Turn left onto Friday Drive and drive for another 235 m

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Track Notes

Turn by turn instructions & maps

Getting started
This walk heads into the 'Valley Terminal' building, where you can buy a ticket for the lift. Continue through the building and up the steps, where this walk turns right to find the bottom terminal of the 'Kosciuszko Express'. Walk up to the platform as directed by the chairlift operator and sit down in the seat, letting it scoop you up. Once seated, pull down the safety bar and enjoy the ride to the top of the ridge. :) At the top step of the chair lift and turn left to find the restaurant (now on your right) and track information signs ahead.....

Turn map	Directions & comments
	Start. Cascades (about 55 m back from the start). There is a picnic table (about 30 m back from the start). There is an artwork (about 20 m back from the start). There is a car park. Find the artwork at the start. After another 7 m cross the bridge (about 25 m long) Continue straight. After another 40 m find the "Kosciuszko Express Chairlift" (25 m on your left). Kosciuszko Express Chairlift Kosciuszko Express Chairlift This is one of the few lifts operating in the summer months at Thredbo, and is made quite popular by thousands of people walking to the summit of Mt Kosciuszko each year. Lift tickets can be purchased from the store at the bottom of the chairlift. Lift tickets are $31 return ($25 one way) per person. This lift is generally closed during November and May for maintenance each year, but the the Snowgum chair can be used at this time instead, this will add extra walking time to you walk. + - This is one of the few lifts operating in the summer months at Thredbo, and is made quite popular by thousands of people walking to the summit of Mt Kosciuszko each year. Lift tickets can be purchased from the store at the bottom of the chairlift. Lift tickets are $31 return ($25 one way) per person. This lift is generally closed during November and May for maintenance each year, but the the Snowgum chair can be used at this time instead, this will add extra walking time to you walk. After another 10 m pass the toilet (10 m on your left)., male. Then pass the toilet (15 m on your left)., female. Continue straight.
	After another 25 m turn right. Then head up the steps (about 20 m long)
	Continue straight. After another 15 m catch the aerial cable car (about 1.8 km long) After another 20 m pass the toilet (30 m on your right). After another 20 m pass the sign (9 m on your right).
	Turn left. After another 30 m find the "Eagles Nest Restaurant" (9 m on your left). Eagles Nest Restaurant Eagles Nest Restaurant This is Australia's highest restaurant, providing great food and outstanding views. It is easily accessible, nestled on the mountain directly opposite the top of the Kosciuszko Express chairlift, and is open year-round. For more information, call (02) 64576019. + - This is Australia's highest restaurant, providing great food and outstanding views. It is easily accessible, nestled on the mountain directly opposite the top of the Kosciuszko Express chairlift, and is open year-round. For more information, call (02) 64576019.
	Turn right, to head along Merritts Nature Trail. After another 305 m continue straight. After another 20 m continue straight.
	After another 35 m (at the intersection of Merritts Nature Trail & Village Trail) veer right, to head along Merritts Nature Trail (a walking track). After another 25 m continue straight, to head along Merritts Nature Trail. After another 10 m pass the "Black Sallees" (35 m on your right). After another 245 m find the "Lower bench seat" (6 m on your left). Lower bench seat Lower bench seat This small lookout on Merritts Nature Track provides a seat and a view looking north across a wide gully. A small creek cascades down the rocks through the gully. There is limited natural shade from the snow gums here. A nice place to rest and enjoy the view whilst giving your knees a rest. + - This small lookout on Merritts Nature Track provides a seat and a view looking north across a wide gully. A small creek cascades down the rocks through the gully. There is limited natural shade from the snow gums here. A nice place to rest and enjoy the view whilst giving your knees a rest.
	After another 210 m turn right, to head along Merritts Nature Trail.
	After another 270 m continue straight, to head along Merritts Nature Trail. After another 105 m pass a seat., has no backrest. Then find the "Picnic Lookout" (4 m on your left). Picnic Lookout Picnic Lookout This partially fenced lookout platform is perched on a rock and provide great views down across Friday Flats to the range on the other side of Thredbo River. There is a picnic table and a bench seat, but limited shade. This make a great place to stop, rest and enjoy the valley views. + - This partially fenced lookout platform is perched on a rock and provide great views down across Friday Flats to the range on the other side of Thredbo River. There is a picnic table and a bench seat, but limited shade. This make a great place to stop, rest and enjoy the valley views. After another 370 m continue straight, to head along Merritts Nature Trail. After another 55 m continue straight, to head along Merritts Nature Trail.
	After another 250 m continue straight, to head along Merritts Nature Trail.
	After another 430 m (at the intersection of Merritts Nature Trail & Meadows Nature Track) turn left, to head along Merritts Nature Trail. After another 215 m cross the bridge (about 25 m long) Then find the "Thredbo Village Weir" (6 m on your left). Thredbo Village Weir Thredbo Village Weir The Thredbo Weir can be found on the Merritts Nature Track, along a creek that flows from the Rams Head Range. The weir is used to supply water to the village below. + - The Thredbo Weir can be found on the Merritts Nature Track, along a creek that flows from the Rams Head Range. The weir is used to supply water to the village below. After another 230 m cross the ford.
	The starting point of an optional sidetrip. An optional side trip to Birralee Bushcamp. To start this optional side trip veer right here. On returning from this side trip turn around when you get back to this intersection. Details below. At the intersection of Merritts Nature Track & Merritts Creek veer left, to head along Merritts Nature Track.
	After another 145 m (at the intersection of Merritts Traverse & Merritts Nature Track) turn right (a service road). Then cross the bridge (about 40 m long)
	After another 25 m continue straight. After another 520 m find the "Thredbo Bobsled" (on your left). Thredbo Bobsled Thredbo Bobsled With a twisting and turning path more than 700m long, this luge-style track is a great summer activity for the family to enjoy whilst staying in Thredbo. Offering individual rides or day passes, allowing you to enjoy this fun ride as many times as you want as you whizz down the mountain on your cart, controlling your speed with a neat hand-break system. + - With a twisting and turning path more than 700m long, this luge-style track is a great summer activity for the family to enjoy whilst staying in Thredbo. Offering individual rides or day passes, allowing you to enjoy this fun ride as many times as you want as you whizz down the mountain on your cart, controlling your speed with a neat hand-break system. Continue straight.
	After another 200 m turn left. After another 40 m continue straight. Then cross the bridge (about 25 m long)
	After another 7 m come to the end.

Turn map	Directions & comments
	Start. Then cross the bridge
	After another 25 m come to the end. "Thredbo Village Weir". Thredbo Village Weir Thredbo Village Weir The Thredbo Weir can be found on the Merritts Nature Track, along a creek that flows from the Rams Head Range. The weir is used to supply water to the village below. + - The Thredbo Weir can be found on the Merritts Nature Track, along a creek that flows from the Rams Head Range. The weir is used to supply water to the village below. Turn around and retrace your steps back the 25 m to the main route.

Turn map

Directions & comments

Start.

Then cross the bridge

After another 25 m come to the end.

"Thredbo Village Weir".

Thredbo Village Weir

The Thredbo Weir can be found on the Merritts Nature Track, along a creek that flows from the Rams Head Range. The weir is used to supply water to the village below.

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The Thredbo Weir can be found on the Merritts Nature Track, along a creek that flows from the Rams Head Range. The weir is used to supply water to the village below.

Turn around and retrace your steps back the 25 m to the main route.

An optional side trip to Birralee Bushcamp.

Turn map	Directions & comments
	Start. After another 15 m cross the bridge (about 2 m long)
	Continue another 9 m to find Birralee Bush Camp at the end. About 10 m past the end is "Birralee Bush camp". Birralee Bush camp Birralee Bush camp Birralee bush camp is a signposted clearing just on the other side of a small creek from Merrits Nature Track (north of Merritts chairlift). Accessed by a bridge, this flat clearing has a picnic table and a bench seat and access to the creek (treat water before drinking). This is naturally shaded, making a great place to cool off and rest on hot days. + - Birralee bush camp is a signposted clearing just on the other side of a small creek from Merrits Nature Track (north of Merritts chairlift). Accessed by a bridge, this flat clearing has a picnic table and a bench seat and access to the creek (treat water before drinking). This is naturally shaded, making a great place to cool off and rest on hot days. Turn around and retrace your steps back the 30 m to the main route.

Turn map

Directions & comments

Start.

After another 15 m cross the bridge (about 2 m long)

Continue another 9 m to find Birralee Bush Camp at the end.

About 10 m past the end is "Birralee Bush camp".

Birralee Bush camp

Birralee bush camp is a signposted clearing just on the other side of a small creek from Merrits Nature Track (north of Merritts chairlift). Accessed by a bridge, this flat clearing has a picnic table and a bench seat and access to the creek (treat water before drinking). This is naturally shaded, making a great place to cool off and rest on hot days.

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Birralee bush camp is a signposted clearing just on the other side of a small creek from Merrits Nature Track (north of Merritts chairlift). Accessed by a bridge, this flat clearing has a picnic table and a bench seat and access to the creek (treat water before drinking). This is naturally shaded, making a great place to cool off and rest on hot days.

Turn around and retrace your steps back the 30 m to the main route.

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Terrain

Know the Hills, grading & facilities

Merritts Nature Track

Grading

	Class 4/6 Hard track
Length	5.7 km
Time	2 h to 2 h 30 min

Quality of track	Formed track, with some branches and other obstacles (3/6)
Gradient	Very steep (4/6)
Signage	Directional signs along the way (3/6)
Infrastructure	Limited facilities, not all cliffs are fenced (3/6)
Experience Required	Some bushwalking experience recommended (3/6)
Weather	Storms may impact on navigation and safety (3/6)

Some facilities on route

Campsite: There is one 4.8 km (plus an extra 40 m along side route) from the start.

Toilet: There are 3 on route, on average they are 1.4 km apart with the largest gap of 3.8 km.

Seat: There is one 3.2 km from the start.

Order of key facilities on route

Item	From Start	Name & link to notes
Toilet	80 m	[toilet]
Toilet	85 m	[toilet]
Toilet	1.9 km	[toilet]
Seat	3.2 km	[seat]
Campsite	4.8 km + 40 m	Birralee Bush camp

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Articles

Discover more details to thrive on track

Covered in snow & closed part of the year
This walk leads through an extreme alpine environment and all walkers must be well prepared. During summer, be prepared for both very hot and cold weather, high winds, rain, snow, extreme UV levels and some sections of snow or ice on the ground. Before starting this walk, check advice with Snowy Region Visitor Information Centre (02) 6450 5600, the weather forecast and the snow conditions then change your plans as needed. These notes, grades and walking times have been written for use in the summer months only. Part of this walk is used as a groomed winter ski run. This walk is closed and should not be attempted when there is a chance of significant snow on the ground.

Kosciuszko Express Chairlift
This is one of the few lifts operating in the summer months at Thredbo, and is made quite popular by thousands of people walking to the summit of Mt Kosciuszko each year. Lift tickets can be purchased from the store at the bottom of the chairlift. Lift tickets are $31 return ($25 one way) per person. This lift is generally closed during November and May for maintenance each year, but the the Snowgum chair can be used at this time instead, this will add extra walking time to you walk.

Eagles Nest Restaurant
This is Australia's highest restaurant, providing great food and outstanding views. It is easily accessible, nestled on the mountain directly opposite the top of the Kosciuszko Express chairlift, and is open year-round. For more information, call (02) 64576019.

Lower bench seat
This small lookout on Merritts Nature Track provides a seat and a view looking north across a wide gully. A small creek cascades down the rocks through the gully. There is limited natural shade from the snow gums here. A nice place to rest and enjoy the view whilst giving your knees a rest.

Picnic Lookout
This partially fenced lookout platform is perched on a rock and provide great views down across Friday Flats to the range on the other side of Thredbo River. There is a picnic table and a bench seat, but limited shade. This make a great place to stop, rest and enjoy the valley views.

Thredbo Village Weir
The Thredbo Weir can be found on the Merritts Nature Track, along a creek that flows from the Rams Head Range. The weir is used to supply water to the village below.

Birralee Bush camp
Birralee bush camp is a signposted clearing just on the other side of a small creek from Merrits Nature Track (north of Merritts chairlift). Accessed by a bridge, this flat clearing has a picnic table and a bench seat and access to the creek (treat water before drinking). This is naturally shaded, making a great place to cool off and rest on hot days.

Thredbo Bobsled
With a twisting and turning path more than 700m long, this luge-style track is a great summer activity for the family to enjoy whilst staying in Thredbo. Offering individual rides or day passes, allowing you to enjoy this fun ride as many times as you want as you whizz down the mountain on your cart, controlling your speed with a neat hand-break system.

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