Wheatley Circuit
Ngarigo Country

2 h 30 min to 3 h

7.4 km
circuit

↑ 210 m
↓ -210 m

Hard track
This snowshoe walk follows a winter-only route. From Perisher Valley, you walk up along the Kosciuszko Rd to a gap, just past the last ski lift. Here you leave the road to follow the snow pole line up along the Wheatley Link among the snow gums and crossing some open plains. This link leads up to a valley below Porcupine Rocks, where you follow the snow poles and valley back down towards Perisher. A great walk for people comfortable on snowshoes and wanting to explore a more remote area near Perisher Valley. Let us begin by acknowledging the Ngarigo people, Traditional Custodians of the land on which we travel today, and pay our respects to their Elders past and present. 
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The Man from Snowy River Hotel. | Photo by admin, 2010.
NPWS visitors' centre. | Photo by admin, 2010.
Skitube building. | Photo by admin, 2010.
Kosciuszko in Winter. | Photo by admin, 2010.
Snowshoe sign beside Kosciuszko Rd. | Photo by admin, 2010.
Rock Creek Ski Lodge. | Photo by admin, 2010.
Intersection of Wheatley and Kosciuszko Roads. | Photo by admin, 2010.
Looking down the valley from Kosciuszko Road. | Photo by admin, 2010.
Looking up Kosciuszko Road in winter. | Photo by admin, 2010.
Looking across the ski fields. | Photo by admin, 2010.
Looking across the ski fields. | Photo by admin, 2010.
Oversnow transport on Kosciuszko Road in winter. | Photo by admin, 2010.
Eyre Tbar. | Photo by admin, 2010.
Ridge on Kosciuszko Road in winter. | Photo by admin, 2010.
Wheatley Link sign. | Photo by admin, 2010.
Looking up along the Wheatley Link track. | Photo by admin, 2010.
Nice wide gully. | Photo by admin, 2010.
Following the poles along the Wheatley Link. | Photo by admin, 2010.
Wheatley Link track. | Photo by admin, 2010.
Wide vista from the Wheatley Link track. | Photo by admin, 2010.
Snow gums on the Wheatley Link. | Photo by admin, 2010.
Snow poles and boulders. | Photo by admin, 2010.
Crossing the wide valley. | Photo by admin, 2010.
Pure snow. | Photo by admin, 2010.
Boulders on the Wheatley Link. | Photo by admin, 2010.
Crossing the wide valley on Wheatley Link. | Photo by admin, 2010.
Near Wheatley Gap. | Photo by admin, 2010.
Int of Porcupine Trail and Wheatley Link Track. | Photo by admin, 2010.
Near the Int of Porcupine Trail and Wheatley Link Track. | Photo by admin, 2010.
Ice on a dead branch. | Photo by admin, 2010.
Walking down the Pocupine track in winter. | Photo by admin, 2010.
Walking amoung the snow gums. | Photo by admin, 2010.
Looking down towards Perisher Valley. | Photo by admin, 2010.
Well used trail. | Photo by admin, 2010.
Granite Tor in the snow. | Photo by admin, 2010.
Signpost at the intersection of Porcupine and Link Track. | Photo by admin, 2010.
Crossing the creek. | Photo by admin, 2010.
Looking up the valley. | Photo by admin, 2010.
A short steep section of the trail. | Photo by admin, 2010.
Enjoying the snow. | Photo by admin, 2010.
View over the reservoir. | Photo by admin, 2010.
Passing the pump house. | Photo by admin, 2010.
Intersection looking over pump house. | Photo by admin, 2010.
Rock Creek snowshoe walk. | Photo by admin, 2010.
Passing below a lodge. | Photo by admin, 2010.
Scattering of boulders and lodges. | Photo by admin, 2010.
Passing a bridge over Rock Creek. | Photo by admin, 2010.
Rock Creek and some lodges in winter . | Photo by admin, 2010.
Downloads GPX PDF

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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 At the intersection of Kosciuszko Road & Porcupine Road (-36.4057756,148.4119718)
Mode Car (A park entry fee is required for driving into the park.)
DirectionsFrom Barry Way
  • Turn on to Kosciuszko Road then drive for 12.4 km
  • Keep left and drive for another 255 m
  • Turn slight left onto Kosciuszko Road and drive for another 18.5 km
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Track Notes
Turn by turn instructions & maps
Getting started
From the intersection, this walk heads west along the main Kosciuszko Rd, away from the 'The Man from Snowy River Hotel' and keeping the main valley to your right. The walk soon crosses Rock Creek, then continues beside the road to an intersection marked with a 'Rock Creek Snowshoe Track' sign just after the 'Rock Creek Ski Club' hut(both on your left).....
Turn map Directions & comments
At the intersection of Kosciuszko Road & Porcupine Road Start heading along Kosciuszko Road (a road).
After another 20 m continue straight, to head along Kosciuszko Road.
There is a car park (about 130 m back from the start).
Perisher Valley Village (about 115 m back from the start).
Perisher Valley Village
Perisher Valley Village

Perisher Valley village is centred about the Skitube building, Perisher Centre and the National Park Visitor Centre. Just outside the Skitube is the shelter for the shuttle bus service to Smiggins. Perisher Centre is accessed by the long metal bridge - inside, you will find food shops, toilets and skiing-related shops. Inside the Skitube building is the train station, kiosk, medical centre and some other services. The National Park Visitor Centre provides a warm shelter, toilets, seats and information about the park. Most of these services only operate during the ski season, but the NPWS visitor centre is open most of the year and a food outlet is generally open for lunch Monday-Friday.
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Perisher Valley village is centred about the Skitube building, Perisher Centre and the National Park Visitor Centre. Just outside the Skitube is the shelter for the shuttle bus service to Smiggins. Perisher Centre is accessed by the long metal bridge - inside, you will find food shops, toilets and skiing-related shops. Inside the Skitube building is the train station, kiosk, medical centre and some other services. The National Park Visitor Centre provides a warm shelter, toilets, seats and information about the park. Most of these services only operate during the ski season, but the NPWS visitor centre is open most of the year and a food outlet is generally open for lunch Monday-Friday.

There is a toilet (about 115 m back from the start).
After another 135 m cross the bridge (about 20 m long)
After another 125 m continue straight, to head along Kosciuszko Road.
After another 2.1 km (at the intersection of Kosciuszko Road Trail & Wheatley Link) turn left, to head along Wheatley Link.
After another 1.5 km cross the ford.
The starting point of an optional sidetrip. An optional side trip to Porcupine Saddle. To start this optional side trip turn right here. On returning from this side trip turn right when you get back to this intersection. Details below.
After another 430 m continue straight.
After another 70 m cross the ford.
After another 1.1 km continue straight.
After another 70 m cross the ford.
After another 950 m cross the ford.
Turn sharp left, to head along 5km loop.
After another 580 m find the "Rock Creek Ski Club" (10 m on your right).
Rock Creek Ski Club
Rock Creek Ski Club

This building was first opened for use in 1948 then destroyed by a lighting strike in January the next year. In 1959, a few men drove down from Sydney most weekends over a few years to build the current lodge. Still owned by the builders' families, the lodge is available to the public for hire. The lodge has two bedrooms and sleeps 6 people. The lodge can be hired in winter or in summer and makes for a great base with its central location in Perisher Valley. rockcreek.org.au info@rockcreek.org.au
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This building was first opened for use in 1948 then destroyed by a lighting strike in January the next year. In 1959, a few men drove down from Sydney most weekends over a few years to build the current lodge. Still owned by the builders' families, the lodge is available to the public for hire. The lodge has two bedrooms and sleeps 6 people. The lodge can be hired in winter or in summer and makes for a great base with its central location in Perisher Valley. rockcreek.org.au info@rockcreek.org.au

After another 100 m (at the intersection of Kosciuszko Road & Wheatley Road) turn right, to head along Kosciuszko Road (a road).
After another 75 m continue straight, to head along Kosciuszko Road.
After another 45 m continue straight, to head along Kosciuszko Road.
After another 165 m continue straight, to head along Kosciuszko Road.
After another 20 m come to the end.

An optional side trip to Porcupine Saddle.
Turn map Directions & comments
Start.
After another 380 m continue straight.
After another 90 m cross the ford.
After another 190 m find the "Porcupine Rocks" (85 m on your left).
Porcupine Rocks
Porcupine Rocks

The Porcupine Rocks are a large granite outcrop on the ridge, south of Perisher Valley. There are two main peaks, and a rock scramble leads to the top of the southern peak, providing fantastic views of Perisher Valley, Mt Duncan, Thredbo River Valley and Bullocks Flat. The gap between the two summits provides some shade and protection from the wind. An amazing place to visit - allow time to just relax and enjoy this place. The summit can be slippery and icy, and there is a shear drop and other hazards. Much care is required.
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The Porcupine Rocks are a large granite outcrop on the ridge, south of Perisher Valley. There are two main peaks, and a rock scramble leads to the top of the southern peak, providing fantastic views of Perisher Valley, Mt Duncan, Thredbo River Valley and Bullocks Flat. The gap between the two summits provides some shade and protection from the wind. An amazing place to visit - allow time to just relax and enjoy this place. The summit can be slippery and icy, and there is a shear drop and other hazards. Much care is required.

After another 160 m come to the end.
About 60 m past the end is "Porcupine Rocks".
Turn around and retrace your steps back the 830 m to the main route.
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Terrain
Know the Hills, grading & facilities

Wheatley Circuit


Grading
Class 4/6
Hard track
Length 7.4 km
Time 2 h 30 min to 3 h
Quality of track Formed track, with some branches and other obstacles (3/6)
Gradient Short steep hills (3/6)
Signage Directional signs along the way (3/6)
Infrastructure Limited facilities, not all cliffs are fenced (3/6)
Experience Required Moderate level of bushwalking experience recommended (4/6)
Weather Foretasted & unexpected storms and severe weather may impact on navigation and safety (4/6)

Some facilities on route
Toilet: There is one -94 m back from the start.


Order of key facilities on route
ItemFrom StartName & link to notes
Toilet
-94 m[toilet]
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