Why you need to hike to Australia’s highest suspension bridge

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Australia’s highest suspension bridge is found in the Snowy Mountains, and the views are next level.

Suspended 50 metres above a rushing alpine river and sitting 1627 metres above sea level, Spencers Creek Suspension Bridge isn’t just any old walkway – it’s Australia’s highest suspension bridge. Stretching 162 metres across a dramatic gorge, this lofty crossing belongs on every hiker’s bucket list.

Tucked within the soaring beauty of Kosciuszko National Park in the NSW Snowy Mountains, the record-breaking bridge opened in 2022 as part of the ambitious Snowies Alpine Walk project – a 55-kilometre trail designed to turn the region into a year-round hiking destination. But despite its lofty stats and spectacular views, Spencers Creek Suspension Bridge remains surprisingly under the radar.

Spencers Creek Suspension Bridge on the Snowies Alpine Walk
Spencers Creek Bridge links Guthega to Charlotte Pass. (Image: Elizabeth Whitehead)

The bridge links Guthega to Charlotte Pass along one of the most scenic and elevated sections of the trail. It offers uninterrupted views of the surrounding alpine wilderness – think gorges, waterfalls, wildflower meadows and distant peaks still dusted with snow well into spring.

Spencers Creek Bridge was built as part of Stage 4 of the Snowies Alpine Walk, an epic undertaking by the NSW Government and National Parks and Wildlife Service. The project includes new boardwalks, lookouts and signage – all designed with sustainability in mind. Raised pathways protect the fragile alpine ecosystem, while the trail’s design prioritises minimal impact on the surrounding terrain.

The idea is to make the high country more accessible – and more appealing – outside of ski season. With growing interest in multi-day hiking, the Snowies Alpine Walk has been a strategic push to turn winter-only destinations like Perisher and Thredbo into four-season favourites.

Spencers Creek Suspension Bridge on the Snowies Alpine Walk
Spencers Creek Suspension Bridge is accessible on a half-day hike. (Image: Daniel Parsons/DCCEEW)

While the full Snowies Alpine Walk can take four to five days to complete end-to-end, Spencers Creek Suspension Bridge is accessible on a half-day hike from either Guthega or Charlotte Pass, making it ideal for day-trippers or less experienced hikers.

And it’s not just about ticking off a record-breaking bridge. The experience offers a rare opportunity to explore one of Australia’s most unique ecosystems – a landscape shaped by glaciers, snowmelt and extremes of weather. In spring and summer, the area explodes with colour as wildflowers bloom, while autumn brings golden tones and fewer crowds.

If you’re after a trail with wow-factor – the kind that earns you bragging rights and a camera roll full of envy-inducing photos – Spencers Creek Bridge delivers. And now that you know it exists, there’s only one thing left to do: go walk it.

Emily Murphy
Emily Murphy is Australian Traveller's Email & Social Editor, and in her time at the company she has been instrumental in shaping its social media and email presence, and crafting compelling narratives that inspire others to explore Australia's vast landscapes. Her previous role was a journalist at Prime Creative Media and before that she was freelancing in publishing, content creation and digital marketing. When she's not creating scroll-stopping travel content, Em is a devoted 'bun mum' and enjoys spending her spare time by the sea, reading, binge-watching a good TV show and exploring Sydney's vibrant dining scene. Next on her Aussie travel wish list? Tasmania and The Kimberley.
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Harbour views and seasonal luxuries: this Sydney hotel is elevating Christmas

Luxury meets hyper-local hospitality with an exclusive Christmas stay package and menu you’ll want to be present for.

An Aussie Christmas is like no other. December signals the start of summer, celebrations and festive cheer. While Mariah Carey might not have defrosted just yet, we’ve got less than 100 days left of the year. So it’s time to start planning. Christmas at Park Hyatt Sydney is reimagined with a luxurious festive stay package. Celebrate with a curated summer tote, a special seasonal menu that captures the flavours of a Sydney summer and cocktails crafted to capture the spirit of a harbourside Christmas.

This is your sign to skip the end-of-year chaos and let Christmas be taken care of for you.

A stay at Park Hyatt

couple with champagne on the balcony of their park hyatt sydney room
Gaze out from your balcony to see Sydney’s icons.

If you love a room with a view, imagine waking up on Christmas Day to the sound of waves and a sunrise over the iconic Sydney Opera House. Step out to your private balcony to soak in the sun, and you’ll find you’re on the doorstep to the coastal cobblestone charm of Sydney’s very own Christmas boulevard, The Rocks.

Enter Park Hyatt Sydney, a 155-room harbour-side hotel, centered in the beating heart of a historic neighbourhood, seamlessly blending life’s little luxuries with living like a local. Spend long, summer days lounging by the rooftop pool with 360-degree views of this harbour city or indulge in tailored treatments at The Spa.

aerial of park hyatt sydney rooftop pool
Spend summer days by the rooftop pool.

Be seated in The Dining Room, overlooking sparkling waters, to taste the vibrancy of an Australian summer. Led by Executive Chef Tyson Gee, discover a lunch and dinner menu that heroes coastal ingredients.

The festive stay package

Park Hyatt Sydney has introduced a festive stay package to up the Christmas spirit. Guests will enjoy an overnight stay in a guest room or suite with uninterrupted views, valet parking and a full breakfast for two in The Dining Room.

The Summer Kit

branded tote bag of park hyatt sydney with the sydney opera house in background
Take home a branded tote bag.

Because it’s an Aussie Christmas, guests booking the package will also receive a curated, limited-edition Summer Christmas kit stocked with seasonal luxuries, including the hotel’s first-ever branded merch.

Think a signature Park Hyatt Sydney sun cap and Aesop sunscreen valued at $300, all in a branded luxury tote bag. This kit will also be available for purchase throughout December, if you’re in need of any gift ideas.

The details

The festive stay package applies to stays from 1 – 27 December, with a limited number of suites available. Guests can book using the exclusive offer code XMAS25 on parkhyattsydney.com . They can also call +61 2 9256 1234 or email sydney.park.accommodation@hyatt.com.

Christmas dining

christmas menu at the dining room restaurant in park hyatt sydney
Taste a special Christmas menu at The Dining Room.

For the gourmands who want to participate in the festivities but are unable to stay as an overnight guest, Park Hyatt Sydney can still be your Christmas go-to. Taste Chef Tyson Gee’s themed culinary creations throughout December .

From 1 – 24 December, diners can book a Christmas Afternoon Tea from $95 pp. Prepare for Christmas flavours like braised turkey pie with cranberry gel, plus gingerbread and salted vanilla bûche de Noël and a chocolate hazelnut bauble for dessert.

On Christmas Day, The Dining Room and The Living Room will both offer a five-course menu from $425 per person. Start with a glass of NV Taittinger Champagne on arrival – accompanied by Sydney’s finest seafood – and end with a reimagined mango pavlova, with rice pudding and pink peppercorn.

“Our vision was to capture the flavours of a harbourside Australian Christmas,” says Gee. “Guests will enjoy seafood at its best, from fresh oysters to cured ocean trout, paired with tropical fruit accents and festive touches like glazed Berkshire ham and roast duck. Every dish has been imagined for a harbourside Christmas celebration.”

Guests can also enjoy a range of seasonal cocktails crafted by Head Mixologist Kevin Botte, including the Christmas Negroni, Christmas Mulled Wine and a Christmas Cocktail/Mocktail.

Exploring Sydney

woman drinking festive cocktail in the dining room restaurant of park hyatt sydney
The best of Sydney is right on your doorstep.

For those planning a visit, Christmas at Park Hyatt Sydney means you’re perfectly situated to explore the best of Sydney.

The hotel is mere steps away from the icons, from Sydney Opera House to the Harbour Bridge, along with the Museum of Contemporary Art and the Royal Botanic Gardens. Add open-air galleries full of murals and explore the nearby cobblestone streets.

Head to the charming Rocks Markets, where the streets transform with seasonal Christmas creations, of the artisan and foodie variety. Then head over to Dawes Point Park for a picnic under the bridge.

Find more 360-degree rooftop views at the Glenmore, or listen to live music at Brewhouse at Squire’s Landing from Wednesday to Sunday (times vary). There’s something for everyone.

For more details on Christmas at Park Hyatt Sydney, visit parkhyattsydney.com or call +61 2 9256 1234.