Perisher and Thredbo by car
Yes, you can drive to both resorts: Perisher via Kosciuszko Road and Thredbo via the Alpine Way, about 2.5 hours from Canberra and 5 to 5.5 hours from Sydney. In winter every car pays a Kosciuszko National Park fee of $29 a day and every 2WD must carry snow chains, which is the catch for most hire cars. Car parks fill on snow weekends, so park free at Bullocks Flat and take the Skitube if you would rather not drive the last stretch.
Updated
Key facts
- Park entry, winter peak
- $29 per vehicle per day, from the Friday of the June long weekend to the Monday of the October long weekend
- Park entry, rest of year
- $17 per vehicle per day
- Short Breaks Pass
- $68 for 5 days at the price of 4; not valid in winter
- Snow chains
- All 2WD vehicles entering Kosciuszko National Park between the June and October long weekends must carry chains; 4WD and AWD are not required to, but it is recommended
- Drive time from Canberra
- About 2.5 hours to Perisher and to Thredbo
- Drive time from Sydney
- About 5 hours to Perisher, roughly 5.5 hours to Thredbo
- Jindabyne to Perisher
- At least 40 minutes, longer at peak times
- Bullocks Flat Skitube parking
- Day and overnight parking is free; the terminal is 20 minutes from Jindabyne and the ride to Perisher Valley takes 10 minutes
Canberra Airport to Perisher and Thredbo
about 2.5 hours
Cooma
on the way to Jindabyne
Ski shops and service stations here sell snow chains. Diesel cars need alpine mix fuel, sold in Cooma or Jindabyne.
Jindabyne
on the way to the park
Chains are sold here, and NPWS visitor centres sell park passes. Perisher is at least 40 minutes further.
Bullocks Flat Skitube terminal
20 minutes from Jindabyne
Free day and overnight parking. The Skitube takes about 10 minutes to Perisher Valley.
Perisher Valley
at least 40 minutes from Jindabyne
Limited day parking at Perisher Valley, Smiggin Holes and Guthega that fills quickly on weekends and school holidays.
Thredbo (Friday Flat)
via the Alpine Way from Jindabyne
Day visitors use Friday Flat. Arrive about an hour before the lifts open.
- Perisher and Thredbo
Can you drive to Perisher and Thredbo?
Yes. Both resorts are reached by public road inside Kosciuszko National Park. Perisher is at least 40 minutes from Jindabyne, and Thredbo is reached from Jindabyne along the Alpine Way. Perisher itself recommends the Skitube at peak times and in bad weather, because winter alpine roads can be dangerous.
Transport for NSW temporarily closes Kosciuszko Road or the Alpine Way once parking at Perisher and Thredbo reaches capacity, and Live Traffic NSW shows the current status. The NPWS local alerts page lists closures elsewhere in the park.
How much is the Kosciuszko National Park entry fee?
From the Friday of the June long weekend to the Monday of the October long weekend the fee is $29 per vehicle per day (24 hours). The rest of the year it is $17. Motorcycles are $12 in winter and $7 the rest of the year.
A Short Breaks Pass covers 5 days for the price of 4 at $68, but it is not valid in winter. Passes are sold at entry stations, NPWS visitor centres and pay machines, and the Park'nPay app works in the Thredbo to Perisher, Khancoban and Selwyn areas.
Do you need snow chains to drive to Perisher or Thredbo?
All 2WD vehicles entering the park between the June and October long weekends must carry chains. That covers most small and mid-size hire cars. 4WD and AWD vehicles are not required to carry them, but carrying chains is still recommended, and vehicles with snow tyres must still carry chains.
Chains are compulsory to fit on Kosciuszko Road from the park boundary at Thredbo River to Perisher Valley, on the Alpine Way between Thredbo and Tom Groggin, and on the full length of Island Bend and Guthega Road, when signs or officers direct it. Fit them in a chain bay. Police can inspect for chains and fine drivers without them.
Where can you park at Perisher, Thredbo and the Skitube?
Perisher has limited day parking at Perisher Valley, Smiggin Holes and Guthega, and it reaches capacity quickly on weekends and in school holidays. Thredbo day visitors park at Friday Flat and are advised to arrive about an hour before the lifts open.
The alternative is the Skitube from Bullocks Flat, 20 minutes from Jindabyne. Parking there is free for the day or overnight, and you avoid the last mountain stretch of road.
What does a hire car agreement say about the snow?
Canberra Airport is the closest major airport, about 2.5 hours from both resorts, and it has rental desks. Sydney is about 5 hours to Perisher and roughly 5.5 hours to Thredbo, so it makes sense if you are flying into Sydney anyway.
Where to pick up: Canberra or Sydney?
Canberra Airport is the closest major airport, about 2.5 hours from both resorts, and it has rental desks. Sydney is about 5 hours to Perisher and roughly 5.5 hours to Thredbo, so it makes sense if you are flying into Sydney anyway.
Winter mountain driving is tiring at the end of a flight, so many people pick up in Canberra, drive to Jindabyne in daylight and stay the night.
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Prices are shown in Australian dollars. Check the pickup point and what the agreement allows on the roads in this guide before you book.
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Questions people ask
Can you drive to Perisher in winter?
Yes, on Kosciuszko Road, but 2WD cars must carry snow chains, you pay the $29 daily park fee, and the road can close when car parks are full.
Can you drive to Thredbo?
Yes, along the Alpine Way from Jindabyne. It is about 2.5 hours from Canberra and roughly 5.5 hours from Sydney, and day visitors park at Friday Flat.
How much is the Kosciuszko National Park entry fee?
$29 per vehicle per day in winter (Friday of the June long weekend to Monday of the October long weekend), and $17 per vehicle per day the rest of the year.
Is the Perisher car park full?
It often is on snow weekends and school holidays. Arrive early, or park free at Bullocks Flat and take the Skitube. Live Traffic NSW shows if Kosciuszko Road has been closed because parking is full.
How long is the drive from Canberra to Perisher?
About 2.5 hours. Sydney to Perisher is about 5 hours, and Jindabyne to Perisher is at least 40 minutes.
Do I need snow chains in an AWD hire car?
Not by law, since only 2WD vehicles must carry them, but carrying chains is recommended. Check the rental agreement for its alpine terms.