Kiandra heritage track
Selwyn area in Kosciuszko National Park
Overview
Kiandra heritage walk is short and easy track in central Kosciuszko National Park offered insight into Australian gold rush history.
- Where
- Selwyn area in Kosciuszko National Park in Snowy Mountains
- Distance
- 1.2km loop
- Time suggested
- 30min - 1hr
- Grade
- Grade 3
- What to
bring - Drinking water, hat, sunscreen, sturdy shoes, clothes for all weather conditions
- Please note
- Kiandra heritage track was damaged by fire in 2020 but has re-opened. Some infrastructure along the track is still damaged and awaiting maintenance.
This fascinating walk was a popular way to explore the history of Kiandra, home to one of the shortest gold rushes in Australian history, from November 1859 to March 1861.
At its peak in April 1860, up to 8,000 people were staking their hopes on the Kiandra diggings. Within a few years, they had given up and the population of this remote mountain town had stabilised at just 350.
The short self-guided walk started at the former courthouse, in the fire-affected Kiandra Heritage precinct, and provided plenty of informative signs along the way to show what life might have been like in this historic town.
Also see
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Kiandra heritage precinct
Kiandra heritage precinct buildings are closed due to severe fire damage. Located on the Snowy Mountains Highway, near Adaminaby, Kiandra was home to goldmining and skiing heritage.
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Snowy Mountains Highway
Snowy Mountains Highway is a scenic driving route between Tumut and Cooma, taking in caves, campgrounds, ski fields, trails for hiking, biking and horse riding in northern Kosciuszko National Park.
Map
Map legend
Local alerts
For the latest updates on fires, closures and other alerts in this area, see https://uat.nswparks.cloud/things-to-do/walking-tracks/kiandra-heritage-track/local-alerts
General enquiries
- National Parks Contact Centre
- 7am to 7pm daily
- 1300 072 757 (13000 PARKS) for the cost of a local call within Australia excluding mobiles
- parks.info@environment.nsw.gov.au
Park info
- in the Selwyn area of Kosciuszko National Park in the Snowy Mountains region
The Selwyn area is open all year, but some roads and trails may close due to weather conditions or park management issues. Kings Cross Road and the Khancoban-Cabramurra Road are closed in winter (June to October long weekends). Some campgrounds in the Selwyn area close in winter.
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Park entry fees apply in winter on Link Road
June to October long weekends: $29 per vehicle per day (24hrs from purchase); motorcycles $12; bus passengers $11.45 per adult, $3.60 per child per day (24hrs). Single and Multi-Day passes available from entry stations, NPWS visitor centres, pay machines or via the Park'nPay app.
See vehicle entry fees for other areas in Kosciuszko National Park.
Buy annual pass.
Visitor info
All the practical information you need to know about Kiandra heritage track.
Maps and downloads
Learn more
Kiandra heritage track is in Selwyn area. Here are just some of the reasons why this park is special:
Kiandra's claims to fame
The discovery of gold at Kiandra in 1859 attracted up to 10,000 prospectors hoping to strike it rich. Just 18 months later, after harsh winters and falling gold finds, only a few hundred gold miners remained. It's remembered as one of Australia’s shortest gold rushes, not to mention it’s highest (and coldest). In 1861, Kiandra became the birthplace of skiing in Australia, when Norwegian gold miners fashioned skis from fence palings. By the 1870s regular ski carnivals were arranged, and Australia had its first official ski slope here. Mining continued into the 1930s, with grazing and winter skiing also keeping the community alive. Before devastating fires in 2019-2020, four buildings still stood here, including Kiandra Courthouse, which had served as a courthouse, private residence, ski chalet, hotel and bar.
Plants and animals protected in this park
Animals
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Bare-nosed wombat (Vombatus ursinus)
A large, squat marsupial, the Australian bare-nosed wombat is a burrowing mammal found in coastal forests and mountain ranges across NSW and Victoria. The only other remaining species of wombat in NSW, the endangered southern hairy-nosed wombat, was considered extinct until relatively recently.
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Platypus (Ornithorhynchus anatinus)
One of the most fascinating and unusual Australian animals, the duck-billed platypus, along with the echidna, are the only known monotremes, or egg-laying mammals, in existence. The platypus is generally found in permanent river systems and lakes in southern and eastern NSW and east and west of the Great Dividing Range.
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Wedge-tailed eagle (Aquila audax)
With a wingspan of up to 2.5m, the wedge-tailed eagle is Australia’s largest bird of prey. These Australian animals are found in woodlands across NSW, and have the ability to soar to heights of over 2km. If you’re bird watching, look out for the distinctive diamond-shaped tail of the eagle.
Plants
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Billy buttons (Craspedia spp. )
Billy buttons are attractive Australian native plants that are widespread throughout eastern NSW in dry forest, grassland and alpine regions such as Kosciuszko National Park. The golden-yellow globe-shaped flowers are also known as woollyheads. Related to the daisy, billy buttons are an erect herb growing to a height of 50cm.