Merritts Nature Track
Download & Print Map and Notes
2 hrs 30 mins
3.7 km Circuit
65 m
Hard 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. More info.
(0km) Bottom of Kosciuszko Express chairlift → Top of Kosciuszko Express chairlift
1.9 km
20 mins
558m
-1m
Very easy
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.
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.
(1.86km) Top of Kosciuszko Express chairlift → Top of Snowgums chairlift
420 m
12 mins
11m
-84m
Hard track
Turn sharp left: From the top of the chairlift[3], this walk heads straight downhill (keeping the chairlift to your left) following paved management trail[4]. After about 25m, this walk veers right to leave the paved trail, now following the dirt track marked by the ‘Merritts Nature Track’ sign[5]. The track follows the arrow posts among the granite boulders[6] and down the long series of steps that leads under the chairlift[7]. The track continues to wind steeply down the hill[8] and after some time, comes to a clear ‘T’ intersection with a dirt management trail marked with another ‘Merritts Nature Track’ sign[9].
Turn left: From the intersection, this walk follows the ‘Merritts Nature Track’ sign[10] downhill along the wide management trail, keeping the main valley to your right. The trail soon leads to a four-way intersection marked with a ‘Kosciuszko Walk’ sign[11], just above the top of Snowgums chairlift[12].
Turn left: From the intersection, this walk follows the ‘Merritts Nature Track’ sign[10] downhill along the wide management trail, keeping the main valley to your right. The trail soon leads to a four-way intersection marked with a ‘Kosciuszko Walk’ sign[11], just above the top of Snowgums chairlift[12].
(2.28km) Top of Snowgums chairlift → Lower bench seat
290 m
8 mins
2m
-73m
Hard track
Turn right: From the intersection, this walk follows the track that leads down the left side of the Snowgums chairlift, where the track soon passes a ‘Merritts Nature Track’ sign[13]. The track heads left, away from the chairlift through some snow gums and winds steeply down the hill[14]. About 100m from the chairlift, the walk turns right at a minor intersection[15] (the left branch leads to a view of a small fall) – here, the main track leads down more steep steps to come to a small clearing, with a view of the creek[16] and a wooden bench seat[17].
Veer right: From the bench seat[18], this walk follows the clear track downhill, which soon heads down the steep steps[19][20], coming to another bench seat (and another good excuse for a rest).
Veer right: From the bench seat[18], this walk follows the clear track downhill, which soon heads down the steep steps[19][20], coming to another bench seat (and another good excuse for a rest).
Lower bench seat
(2.57km) Lower Bench Seat → Picnic Lookout
570 m
16 mins
10m
-119m
Hard track
Veer right: From the bench seat[23], this walk follows the track heading downhill away from the creek[24]. The track passes over a timber[25] then metal[26] section of boardwalk, before heading down a series of steep steps[27]. The track winds down the hill, passing some large boulders[28] before heading down a timber ramp[29] to a four-way intersection with a wide management trail.
Continue straight: From the intersection, the walk follows the ‘Merritts Nature Track’ sign[30][31] down the steps, following the track through the snow gum forest. After about 130m, the track heads along a few sections of metal and timber boardwalks[32] before heading down more steps[33] and coming to a four-way intersection with another management trail[34], marked with another ‘Merritts Nature Track’ sign[35] (on the other side of the trail, next to the safety barrier).
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the ‘Merritts Nature Track’ sign[36] down the steps[37]. The track leads steeply down through the alpine heath and snow gums[38] to soon come to a partly fenced rock promontory[39] and picnic table[40] with great valley views.
Continue straight: From the intersection, the walk follows the ‘Merritts Nature Track’ sign[30][31] down the steps, following the track through the snow gum forest. After about 130m, the track heads along a few sections of metal and timber boardwalks[32] before heading down more steps[33] and coming to a four-way intersection with another management trail[34], marked with another ‘Merritts Nature Track’ sign[35] (on the other side of the trail, next to the safety barrier).
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the ‘Merritts Nature Track’ sign[36] down the steps[37]. The track leads steeply down through the alpine heath and snow gums[38] to soon come to a partly fenced rock promontory[39] and picnic table[40] with great valley views.
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.
(3.14km) Picnic Lookout → Bunnywalk chairlift station
430 m
10 mins
6m
-62m
Moderate track
Turn right: From the picnic table and rock platform, this walk heads gently downhill following the track along the side of the hill, keeping the main valley to your left. The track immediately passes a bench seat[41] and, after a short time, heads down some steps then a timber staircase[42], coming to an intersection with a grassy management trail.
Veer right: From the intersection, this walk follows the grassy management trail south, gently downhill[43] (keeping the valley to your left). After about 80m, the trail passes under the chairlift[44], where the trail bends left and then becomes wider[45]. The walk continues along the trail and soon comes to a ‘T’ intersection with a clearer management trail and a ‘Merritts Nature Track’ sign[46].
Veer left: From the intersection, this walk follows ‘Merritts Nature Trail’ sign[47] downhill along the clear management trail passing under the chairlift. Soon after passing under the chairlift, this walk comes to a ‘Y’ intersection[48] marked with another ‘Merritts Nature Track’ sign[49], just above ‘Bunny Walk Station’[50] (the midway station on Snowgums Chairlift).
Veer right: From the intersection, this walk follows the grassy management trail south, gently downhill[43] (keeping the valley to your left). After about 80m, the trail passes under the chairlift[44], where the trail bends left and then becomes wider[45]. The walk continues along the trail and soon comes to a ‘T’ intersection with a clearer management trail and a ‘Merritts Nature Track’ sign[46].
Veer left: From the intersection, this walk follows ‘Merritts Nature Trail’ sign[47] downhill along the clear management trail passing under the chairlift. Soon after passing under the chairlift, this walk comes to a ‘Y’ intersection[48] marked with another ‘Merritts Nature Track’ sign[49], just above ‘Bunny Walk Station’[50] (the midway station on Snowgums Chairlift).
(3.57km) Bunnywalk chairlift station → Int of Merritts nature walk and chairlift service trail
240 m
5 mins
0m
-32m
Moderate track
Veer right: From the intersection, the walk follows the ‘Merritts Nature Track’ sign[51], off the main management trail and along the grassy strip (keeping the management trail through the trees on your left)[52]. The walk heads through the grassy clearing to come to the start of a narrow track marked with another ‘Merritts Nature Track’ sign[53], just beyond the small hut[54].
Continue straight: From the end of the clearing, this walk follows the ‘Merritts Nature Track’ sign[55] down along the narrow track, leading through dense alpine heath and snow gum forest[56]. The track gently winds downhill, then heads down a series of steps leading to a clear four-way intersection with a management trail where there is another ‘Merritts Nature Track’ sign[57] pointing back up the steps.
Continue straight: From the end of the clearing, this walk follows the ‘Merritts Nature Track’ sign[55] down along the narrow track, leading through dense alpine heath and snow gum forest[56]. The track gently winds downhill, then heads down a series of steps leading to a clear four-way intersection with a management trail where there is another ‘Merritts Nature Track’ sign[57] pointing back up the steps.
(3.82km) Int of Merritts nature walk and chairlift service trail → Int of weir track and Merritts nature track
620 m
17 mins
12m
-127m
Hard track
Veer right: From the intersection, this walk follows the ‘Merritts Nature Track’ sign[58] down the steps[59] and along the narrow track through the dense bushland. The track winds steeply[60] through a couple of switch-backs then gently winds[61] around the side of the hill before heading down more steps. In time, the track comes to a ‘T’ intersection signposted as an intersection with both ‘Merritts Nature Track’ and ‘Meadows Nature Track’[62].
Turn left: From the intersection, this walk follows the ‘Merritts Nature Track’ sign[63] along the fairly flat track, keeping the valley to your right. The track soon passes a bench seat[64] where the track turns sharply right and heads steeply downhill[65]. The track bends a few more times, passing another seat and heading through a grove of tall stringybark trees[66]. As the track approaches the valley, it passes another bench seat[67] then crosses the creek (just below a weir[68]) on a metal bridge[69] to find a three-way intersection (with a short track on the left leading to the weir[70]).
Turn left: From the intersection, this walk follows the ‘Merritts Nature Track’ sign[63] along the fairly flat track, keeping the valley to your right. The track soon passes a bench seat[64] where the track turns sharply right and heads steeply downhill[65]. The track bends a few more times, passing another seat and heading through a grove of tall stringybark trees[66]. As the track approaches the valley, it passes another bench seat[67] then crosses the creek (just below a weir[68]) on a metal bridge[69] to find a three-way intersection (with a short track on the left leading to the weir[70]).
(4.44km) Int of weir track and Merritts nature track → Weir
20 m
2m
0m
Moderate track
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.
(4.44km) Int of weir track and Merritts nature track → Int of Merritts nature track and Birralee bushcamp tracks
230 m
6 mins
0m
-46m
Moderate track
Turn right: From the intersection, the walk follows the track down the hill[74], keeping the creek to your right. The track winds gently through the mossy[75] valley with tall snow gums[76] and, in time, comes to a clear open intersection[77] with the wide Sundowner ski run (between a water tank[78] and safety barriers[79]), marked with a blue arrow post[80].
Continue straight: From the opposite side of the clearing to the water tank[81], this walk follows the blue arrow[82] down the steps[83] along the the narrow track. The track then leads down a more gentle series of steps with the mossy creek[84] to your right, and soon comes to a three-way intersection and a ‘Birralee Bush Camp’[85] and a ‘Merritts Nature Track’ sign[86] (and a footbridge to your right[87]).
Continue straight: From the opposite side of the clearing to the water tank[81], this walk follows the blue arrow[82] down the steps[83] along the the narrow track. The track then leads down a more gentle series of steps with the mossy creek[84] to your right, and soon comes to a three-way intersection and a ‘Birralee Bush Camp’[85] and a ‘Merritts Nature Track’ sign[86] (and a footbridge to your right[87]).
(4.67km) Int of Merritts nature track and Birralee bushcamp tracks → Birralee Bushcamp
50 m
2 mins
7m
-1m
Moderate track
Turn right: From the intersection, this walk follows the ‘Birralee Bush Camp’ sign[88] across the creek using the footbridge. The bridge bends over the mossy creek[89] then the track bends left to reveal the campsite and picnic area[90]. At the end of this side trip, retrace your steps back to the main walk then Turn right.
Birralee Bush camp
Birralee bush camp is a signposted[91] clearing just on the other side of a small creek[92] from Merrits Nature Track (north of Merritts chairlift). Accessed by a bridge[93], this flat clearing has a picnic table[94] and a bench seat[95] and access to the creek[96] (treat water before drinking). This is naturally shaded, making a great place to cool off and rest on hot days.
(4.67km) Int of Merritts nature track and Birralee bushcamp tracks → Int of Merritts nature track and Bobsled service trail
290 m
7 mins
6m
-26m
Moderate track
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the ‘Merritts Nature Track’ sign downhill[97]. The track leads alongside the creek and, after a short while, the bush opens up[98] and the track leads under Merritts Chairlift[99], The walk then finds a ‘T’ intersection with a management trail[100] marked with another ‘Merritts Nature Track’ sign[101].
Turn right: From the intersection, this walk follows the ‘Merritts Nature Track’ sign[102] down along the management trail (keeping the chairlift to your right) and soon crosses the flat wooden bridge[103]. The trail then climbs up the hill for about 60m and just before the crest of the hill, the trail leads to a ‘Y’ intersection[104], marked with an arrow post (and a timber-lined track on the left).
Turn left: From the intersection, this walk follows the arrow marker[105] along the timber-lined track[106] and down the steps. The track leads through the bush for a short time and soon comes to a ‘T’ intersection[107] with another management trail, near the top of the bobsled run[108], marked with a ‘Merritts Nature Track’ sign[109].
Turn right: From the intersection, this walk follows the ‘Merritts Nature Track’ sign[102] down along the management trail (keeping the chairlift to your right) and soon crosses the flat wooden bridge[103]. The trail then climbs up the hill for about 60m and just before the crest of the hill, the trail leads to a ‘Y’ intersection[104], marked with an arrow post (and a timber-lined track on the left).
Turn left: From the intersection, this walk follows the arrow marker[105] along the timber-lined track[106] and down the steps. The track leads through the bush for a short time and soon comes to a ‘T’ intersection[107] with another management trail, near the top of the bobsled run[108], marked with a ‘Merritts Nature Track’ sign[109].
(4.96km) Int of Merritts nature track and Bobsled service trail → Bottom of bobsled run
340 m
8 mins
5m
-44m
Hard track
Turn left: From the intersection, this walk follows the wide management trail downhill, keeping the bobsled and main valley to your right[110][111]. A short distance later, just past the bobsled, this trail leads to a ‘Y’ intersection[112] (with a timber-lined track on your right) marked with an arrow post[113].
Turn right: From the intersection, this walk follows the arrow post down the track[114] and steep steps[115]. The track zigzags beside the bobsled run (on your right)[116] and then continues down towards the view of Thredbo Village[117], coming to a ‘T’ intersection with paved footpath[118] where there is a ‘Merritts Nature Track’ sign[119] pointing back up the steps.
Veer right: From the intersection, this walk follows the paved footpath west towards the clearing[120], keeping the valley to your left. The footpath soon leads out of the bush[121] and then along side the bobsled run[122] to find the building at the bottom of the run[123].
Turn right: From the intersection, this walk follows the arrow post down the track[114] and steep steps[115]. The track zigzags beside the bobsled run (on your right)[116] and then continues down towards the view of Thredbo Village[117], coming to a ‘T’ intersection with paved footpath[118] where there is a ‘Merritts Nature Track’ sign[119] pointing back up the steps.
Veer right: From the intersection, this walk follows the paved footpath west towards the clearing[120], keeping the valley to your left. The footpath soon leads out of the bush[121] and then along side the bobsled run[122] to find the building at the bottom of the run[123].
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. More info.
(5.3km) Bottom of bobsled run → Bottom of Kosciuszko Express chairlift
230 m
5 mins
13m
-6m
Moderate track
Continue straight: From the bottom of the bobsled run, this walk heads around the building, down the ramp[124] and along the sealed path towards the tennis courts[125]. The walk follows the path beside the tennis courts[126], then through the car park, and around the front of the buildings[127][128] to find the entrance to the ticket sales for the Kosciuszko Express chairlift, and a large map.
Maps for the Merritts Nature Track walk
You can download the PDF for this walk to print a map.These maps below cover the walk and the wider area around the walk, they are worth carrying for safety reasons.
| Perisher Valley | 1:25 000 Map Series | 85252S PERISHER VALLEY | NSW-85252S |
| Chimneys Ridge | 1:25 000 Map Series | 85241N CHIMNEYS RIDGE | NSW-85241N |
| Kosciuszko | 1:100 000 Map Series | 8525 KOSCIUSZKO | 8525 |
| Jacobs River | 1:100 000 Map Series | 8524 JACOBS RIVER | 8524 |
Cross sectional view of the Merritts Nature Track bushwalking track
Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Merritts Nature Track
Overview of this walks grade – based on the AS 2156.1 – 2001
Under this standard, a walk is graded based on the most difficult section of the walk.
| Length | 3.7 km | ||
| Time | 2 hrs 30 mins | ||
| . | |||
| Grade 4/6 Hard track |
AS 2156.1 | Gradient | Very steep (4/6) |
| Quality of track | Formed track, with some branches and other obstacles (3/6) | ||
| Signs | Directional signs along the way (3/6) | ||
| Experience Required | Some bushwalking experience recommended (3/6) | ||
| Weather | Storms may impact on navigation and safety (3/6) | ||
| Infrastructure | Limited facilities, not all cliffs are fenced (3/6) |
Some more details of this walks Grading
Here is a bit more details explaining grading looking at sections of the walk
Gradient
2.2km of this walk is flat with no steps and another 1.9km is very steep. Whilst another 1.2km has gentle hills with occasional steps and the remaining 200m has short steep hills.
Quality of track
2.2km of this walk follows a smooth and hardened path and another 2km follows a clear and well formed track or trail. The remaining (1.3km) follows a formed track, with some branches and other obstacles.
Signs
Around 4.3km of this walk is clearly signposted, whilst the remaining 1.2km has directional signs at most intersection.
Experience Required
Around 2.9km of this walk requires some bushwalking experience, whilst the remaining 2.7km requires no previous bushwalking experience.
weather
Around 3.7km of this walk is affected by storms that may impact your navigation and safety, whilst the remaining 1.9km is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation).
Infrastructure
Around 5km of this walk is close to useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats), whilst the remaining 390m has limited facilities (such as not all cliffs fenced).
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Plan your trip to and from the walk here
The Merritts Nature Track walk starts and ends at the Bottom of Kosciuszko Express chairlift (gps: -36.503981, 148.30397)Your main transport option to Bottom of Kosciuszko Express chairlift is by;
Car. A park entry fee is required for driving into the park.(get details)
Short URL = http://wild.tl/mnt
Gallery images
There are other downloads I am still working on.
You will probably need to login to access these — still all free.
* KML (google earth file)
* GPX (GPS file)
Special Maps/ brochures
* A3 topo maps
* PDF with Lands Topo map base
* PDF with arial image (and map overlay)
I wanted to get the main site live first, this extra stuff will come in time.
Happy walking
Matt 🙂
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