Sawpit Walk
Download & Print Map and Notes
45 mins
2.2 km Circuit
67 m
Moderate track
Snow & Ice on walk
This walk leads through an alpine environment and all walkers must be well prepared. During summer, be prepared for both hot and cold weather, high winds, rain, 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. Between May and the end of October, there is a much higher change of snow, ice and extremely cold conditions.
Sawpit Creek Picnic Area
Sawpit Creek Picnic Area is found beside Kosciuszko Rd, and is accessed through the ‘Kosciuszko Mountain Retreat’ driveway[1]. The picnic area is about 1km further into the park from the NPWS pay station. A great starting point for several popular walks, this is also a pleasent spot to just stop and rest. Sawpit Creek[2] runs along the side of the open area and there are also several picnic tables[3], wood BBQs[4] and a non-flush toilet[5]. There are information signs about the area, explaining that the creek is named for the Alpine Ash that were milled in the area during the 1860s [6].
(0km) Sawpit Creek Picnic Area → Sawpit intersection
50 m
1 mins
0m
-2m
Very easy
Kosciuszko Education Centre
The Kosciuszko Education Centre is a facility at Sawpit Creek that helps students from primary school through to university learn about the natural and cultural heritage within the national park. The building has a display with some information for visitors[13], but it is not designed to be a general visitor information centre. You can call the Kosciuszko Education Centre on 6451 3700. More info.
(0.05km) Kosciuszko Education Centre → Sawpit intersection
310 m
6 mins
0m
-11m
Very easy
Turn sharp left: From the front of the large stone ‘Kosciuszko Education Centre’[14], this walk heads across the car park towards the timber building[15] (keeping Kosciuszko Rd, some distance to your right). The walk then veers left just before the timber building to find the large metal ‘Kosciuszko Education Centre’ sign[16] with arrows pointing to various walks. This walk follows these arrows along the paved footpath[17] and after about 100m, the path doglegs past a couple of bench seats[18]. The walk continues down this path for another 150m to a T-intersection[19] marked with a ‘Pallaibo track’ information sign[20] (and a bridge on your right[21]). Now Turn left to join the main walk.
(0.05km) Sawpit intersection → Powerline Clearing
490 m
9 mins
5m
-16m
Moderate track
Veer right: From the intersection, this walk follows the ‘Pallaibo Track’ and ‘Sawpit Track’ signs[22] along the dirt track, directly away from the bridge. The track leads along the side of the valley[23] and after about 260m, crosses a short metal grate[24] and then, about 150m later, leads down through the granite boulders[25]. Next, the track leads down some timber steps[26] to cross Sawpit Creek on a flat timber bridge[27]. On the other side of the bridge, the track bends left and heads over a small rise, soon coming to a clearing underneath a set of power lines[28] (and fenced water treatment area up to your right).
(0.54km) Powerline Clearing → Sawpit Valley View
440 m
9 mins
6m
-28m
Moderate track
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk crosses under the power lines and follows the clear narrow track[29] along the side of the hill, whilst initially keeping the fenced water treatment area up to your right. The walk winds gently through the forest, passing a couple of timber posts[30] with walking track symbols, heads over a rise then down to cross a small gully with a metal grate[31], about 200m from passing under the power lines. The track continues gently downhill and after about 160m, it bends sharply right[32] to follow the steep side of Sawpit Creek valley[33]. The walk soon comes to a signposted three-way intersection[34] (with an unfenced valley view on your left[35]) and a few ‘Pallaibo Track’ signs[36].
Sawpit Valley View
At the intersection about halfway around Sawpit Track (where it joins Pallaibo Track) is an unfenced view[37] into the Sawpit Creek valley. From the rocky edge, walkers can look up and down the valley[38]. Looking down the valley, there is a view of Bald Mountain (1300m) and a glimpse over the Thredbo River into the adjoining farmland.
(0.99km) Sawpit Valley View → Kosciuszko Mountain Retreat
1 km
22 mins
56m
-18m
Moderate track
Turn right: From the intersection, this walk follows the track directly away from the valley view, heading between the two trees to follow the ‘Sawpit Track to Picnic Area 1KM’ sign[39]. The track leads gently up through the open forest with a scattering of granite boulders for about 800m, coming to a dirt track next to unit 7, at the edge of the Kosciuszko Mountain Retreat. Here is a timber ‘Pallaibo Track 1KM’[40] sign pointing back along the track.
Veer left: From beside unit 7[41], this walk heads further into the retreat and turns left to follow the main dirt road through the park[42]. After about 150m, the dirt road leads to a gravelly intersection just outside the ‘Office’ and ‘Kiosk’ at the ‘Managers Residence’[43]. The walk continues straight (past the public phone[44]) along the gravel road and soon passes a yellow ‘DIP’ sign[45] to come to a four-way intersection and a large green ‘Kosciuszko Mountain Retreat’ sign[46].
Veer left: From beside unit 7[41], this walk heads further into the retreat and turns left to follow the main dirt road through the park[42]. After about 150m, the dirt road leads to a gravelly intersection just outside the ‘Office’ and ‘Kiosk’ at the ‘Managers Residence’[43]. The walk continues straight (past the public phone[44]) along the gravel road and soon passes a yellow ‘DIP’ sign[45] to come to a four-way intersection and a large green ‘Kosciuszko Mountain Retreat’ sign[46].
Kosciuszko Mountain Retreat
The ‘Kosciuszko Mountain Retreat’ is a caravan park about 1km further into Kosciuszko NP from the paystation on Kosciuszko Rd. The retreat provides cabins and chalets as well as powered and un-powered camping sites. The retreat has a public phone[47], a small kiosk[48], drying room[49], laundry and kids playground. Dave and Gina welcome guests all year round, with many guest skiing in winter and walking in the warmer months. More info.
(1.99km) Kosciuszko Mountain Retreat → Sawpit Creek Picnic Area
210 m
3 mins
0m
-4m
Very easy
Turn right: From the intersection, this walk follows the ‘Walking Track’ and ‘Picnic Area’ signs[50] downhill along the dirt road. The road soon passes a historic stone chimney[51] (on your right), before winding down[52] past the toilet[53] to the parking area and the signposted ‘Waterfall track’ trackhead[54] on the eastern side of Sawpit Creek Picnic Area.
Turn right: From the intersection, this walk heads away from Kosciuszko Rd[55], going just a short distance across the car park[56] to the large information sign and parking area[57].
Turn right: From the intersection, this walk heads away from Kosciuszko Rd[55], going just a short distance across the car park[56] to the large information sign and parking area[57].
Maps for the Sawpit Walk 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.
| Kalkite Mountain | 1:25 000 Map Series | 86253N KALKITE MOUNTAIN | NSW-86253N |
| Tombong | 1:50 000 Map Series | 8624S TOMBONG | NSW-8624S |
| Numbla Vale | 1:50 000 Map Series | 8624N NUMBLA VALE | NSW-8624N |
| Berridale | 1:100 000 Map Series | 8625 BERRIDALE | 8625 |
Cross sectional view of the Sawpit Walk bushwalking track
Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Sawpit Walk
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 | 2.2 km | ||
| Time | 45 mins | ||
| . | |||
| Grade 3/6 Moderate track |
AS 2156.1 | Gradient | Gentle hills with occasional steps (2/6) |
| Quality of track | Formed track, with some branches and other obstacles (3/6) | ||
| Signs | Directional signs along the way (3/6) | ||
| Experience Required | No experience required (1/6) | ||
| 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
Around 1.7km of this walk has gentle hills with occasional steps, whilst the remaining 460m is flat with no steps.
Quality of track
Around 1.7km of this walk follows a formed track, with some branches and other obstacles, whilst the remaining 460m follows a smooth and hardened path.
Signs
Around 1.8km of this walk is clearly signposted, whilst the remaining 440m has directional signs at most intersection.
Experience Required
This whole walk, 2.2km requires no previous bushwalking experience.
weather
Around 1.2km of this walk is affected by storms that may impact your navigation and safety, whilst the remaining 960m is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation).
Infrastructure
Around 1.8km of this walk is close to useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats), whilst the remaining 440m has limited facilities (such as not all cliffs fenced).
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Plan your trip to and from the walk here
The Sawpit Walk walk starts and ends at the Sawpit Creek Picnic Area (gps: -36.350229, 148.56435)Your main transport option to Sawpit Creek Picnic Area is by;
Car. A park entry fee is required for driving into the park.(get details)
Short URL = http://wild.tl/1i
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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