A checklist of things to know before skiing in Thredbo

A charming village life, epic all-night parties and intermediate-skewed slopes make skiing in Thredbo a winter holiday favourite.

What makes cashing in your annual leave for a visit to this NSW ski resort worth it? A long list of things spanning family-friendly thrills, unforgettable bar hopping and a diverse mix of accommodation options. To help set up a hitch-free adventure, we’ve jotted down the key things to wrap your head around before skiing Thredbo.

1. If you’re after apres, skiing Thredbo is your best bet

The Apres Bar is a top spot for live music and a buzzing atmosphere. (Image: Destination NSW)

While none of Australia’s alpine resorts can quite compare to the scenes in Europe, Thredbo is the country’s best contender. It’s home to impressive bars, some of which double as clubs, and caters to a wide array of punters.

Make a beeline for local stalwart, the Après Bar in The Denman Hotel. It’s home to live music and a huge range of spirits including when-in-Rome schnapps. The party kicks off at 4pm from Thursday to Monday.

Fancy a more relaxed post-piste drink in the company of an open fireplace, while relaxing on leather sofas and armchairs overlooking snow-capped mountains? Visit Lounge Bar in the Thredbo Alpine Hotel from 3pm on Fridays. While cocktails, including a dedicated menu of martinis, roll out ahead of the weekend, the central meeting spot is a magnet for groups (including exhausted little ones) who laze around those charred logs to defrost in style.

There’s also Kareela Hutte , a winter-only ski-in, ski-out venue dishing up exquisite a la carte meals and premium cocktails, beer and wine. For tasty home-made Glühwein over live music, try the bar at the River Inn hotel near Friday Flat with its spacious, atmospheric deck. From November to April, the bar morphs into a Gin Lab, serving up gin flights that present homemade creations utilising quality gin found throughout the state. Think chocolate, raspberry, blood orange, chilli and more.

2. There’s plenty of life beyond skiing in Thredbo

The Snowies Alpine Walk is one of Thredbo’s popular adventures. (Image: Destination NSW)

The name is synonymous with hot chocolate and snowball fights, but Thredbo is alive during summer when nature lovers seize the opportunity to explore without throwing on all the layers. Featuring spectacular hikes, including the Snowies Alpine Walk and others that scale Kosciuszko, Australia’s highest mountain, and the fun-for-all-ages Thredbo Mountain Bike Park, the town offers good clean adventure all year round. While puffy jackets might have your name on them this year, future holiday temptation of the warm weather variety will likely prove tempting.

3. A free shuttle bus helps you get around

Thredbo shuttle bus — Take a shuttle bus to explore Thredbo fuss-free. (Image: Destination NSW)

While Thredbo is small in scale compared to other Aussie ski resorts, it’s not a walking town. It’s naturally hilly and getting to restaurants and bars from your accommodation will require far too much effort, particularly with heavy gear in tow. The solution? A complimentary shuttle bus that carts visitors right around the village. Four routes run regularly with multiple drop-off and pick-up points, making your exploration cheaper, faster and much toastier. Check out the shuttle map via Thredbo’s website to help plan your days.

4. You’ll need to pay a Kosciuszko National Park entry fee

Factor a small national park fee into your budget as all vehicles that enter Thredbo will need to cough up. When you’re driving in via either Alpine Way or Kosciuszko Road, you’ll come across a vehicle entry station which charges $29 per vehicle per day. If you’re visiting outside of June to October, the price drops to $17 per vehicle per day. If you’re eyeballing multiple Thredbo skiing trips in one year, consider an annual pass, available for purchase via the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Services’ website .

5. Travellers with access needs are welcome

Disability parking, sealed paths and accessible facilities can all be found in Thredbo. The car parks are well marked along Friday Drive, both in front of the Thredbo Alpine Hotel and within the accommodation’s car park, plus there’s more priority parking at the Thredbo Leisure Centre and the Friday Flat car park. As for safe walking routes, visitors with access needs can navigate the length of Friday Drive with ease. Accessible bathrooms can be found along Friday Drive, within the village square, at the Valley Terminal located at the base of the Kosciuszko Chairlift, at the Thredbo Leisure Centre and at Friday Flat.

6. It’s a mecca for intermediate skiers and snowboarders

skiing in Thredbo — Thredbo offers a good balance of enjoyable and challenging terrain. (Image: Destination NSW)

Nearly 70 per cent of the pistes at Thredbo can be classed as intermediate, which makes it a great spot for those who’ve already dabbled in skiing or snowboarding and are looking to level up their proficiency.

There’s the wicked Supertrail, which rings in at 3.7 glorious kilometres, as well as the longest vertical drop of all the Aussie ski resorts clocking in at 672 metres. Beyond its 50+ kilometres of slopes, Thredbo also has five terrain parks, complete with jumps and rails to help you get the most out of skiing in Thredbo.

7. It’s big on amenities despite its size

food and drinks at Cascades Restaurant, Thredbo — Sample local favourites from the seasonal menu at Cascades Restaurant.

If the amount of skiable terrain available is a deciding factor for your next holiday on the slopes, then Perisher does have an edge over Thredbo. After all, you can’t argue with the fact that Perisher is the largest ski area not only in Australia, but the Southern Hemisphere.

However, when it comes to atmosphere and amenities, Perisher doesn’t hold a candle to Thredbo. Skiing in Thredbo comes with a tiny but mighty village at the base of the mountains so chasing that après life is a cinch.

A diverse variety of hotels, lodges, chalets and apartments glitter with mountain views and there’s also dining experiences tapping into all your favourite international cuisines.

A collection of stores to pick up last-minute ski garb is also on hand. The range of ski-in/ski-out properties available is, however, more limited than at other ski resorts across NSW and Victoria but the ones Thredbo does contain deliver magical snow-scattered experiences every season.

8. It’s one of only two Australian ski fields included on the Ikon Pass

Keen skiers looking to get more bang for their buck (and ski across the globe) should investigate the Ikon Pass which covers both Thredbo and Mount Buller in Australia.

Internationally, the multi-resort multi-day pass grants access to more than 60 ski resorts across Europe, the USA, South America and Canada, plus Japan’s Niseko United and Arai Mountain Resort, and New Zealand’s Coronet Peak, The Remarkables and Mt Hutt.

9. Yes, you can bring the kids

The Family Flare Run is an unforgettable event for kids and adults alike. (Image: Destination NSW)

With a string of dedicated ski programs catering to those aged anywhere from three up to 17, it’s fair to say Thredbo is a family-friendly resort. And if you feel like your little one needs extra special attention, private ‘It’s All About Me’ lessons for children aged from two to four, plus private lessons for those aged five and over, are on the table.

Lift passes are also heavily discounted for children with rates increasing incrementally up until 21 years of age. Patient mums and dads can also take to the slopes with the kids — Friday Flat is perfect for beginners, though critics may caution that the snow at the base of the mountain has a tendency to verge towards slushy. Regardless, its easy-going slopes are made for youngsters.

The kids’ action doesn’t stop there. There are truckloads of kid-focused activities for families skiing Thredbo. Every Thursday, as dusk falls, the resort stages its Family Flare Run and there are school holiday Snow Festivals that include movie nights, fire pit S’mores making, face painting, trampoline sessions and more.

10. It’s home to Australia’s only alpine Gondola

A scenic adventure in itself, Thredbo’s Merritts Gondola is an eight-person, fully enclosed Euro-style cable car that travels from the base of the village, right near the Kosciuszko Chairlift, to Merritts Mountain House at the base of the Cruiser area, in just six minutes.

It’s fast and warm, making the six-minute journey up the stunning powder-laced hill completely cosy, recharging and breathtaking. And again, it’s a fabulous kid-friendly activity as there’s an unofficial yet spacious patch of powder right when you step off the Gondola that begs for children to build a snowman or throw a few balls at their parents.

When the chill gets the better of you all, pop back on the Gondola for a quick return to Village life. How convenient.

11. If you don’t have gear, you can rent just about everything

Kits from top skiing brands can be easily loaned. (Image: Destination NSW)

If skiing is more of a once-every-few-years type of holiday, you don’t need to pour money into sourcing an entire kit before you go. All the flashy sporting brands including Rossignol, Nitro and Burton can be loaned through a rental package right at the base of the mountains, which is also going to cut your luggage size down dramatically.

Choose from clothing or equipment packages and let the team size you up for the perfect fits and thrills. There are also discounts to be snapped up if you book the packages with your lift passes prior to skiing Thredbo.

Plus, two ground-level chairlift locations situated next to car parks and accommodation, are fitted with lockers to make changing in and out of your chic on-mountain ‘fit extremely convenient.

Originally written by Chloe Cann with updates by Kristie Lau-Adams

Discover the best things to do in Thredbo

Aussies might think they know what Port Stephens is all about – but it’s time to take another look.

You might’ve driven through this NSW coast town. Maybe even stopped for fish and chips or a quick dip. But spend a long weekend in the new Port Stephens , and you’ll seriously regret not doing it sooner. We’re talking treks across beaches, reef dives and up-close time with rescued koalas.

All in all? It only takes a day before you see Port Stephens in a whole new light, and not much longer until it’s locked in as your favourite family destination.

1. Stockton Sand Dunes

Port Stephens incredible Stockton Sand Dunes are the largest moving sand mass in the Southern Hemisphere. They shift like an endless magic trick across the Worimi Conservation Lands , a 4200-hectare coastal co-managed by the Traditional Owners.

Tear over them in a 4WD. Rev through valleys soft as melting ice cream on a quad. Carve down 30-metre slopes on a sandboard. However you choose to cross them, you’re guaranteed a seriously wild ride.

Four rugged 4WDs kick up trails of golden dust as they charge across the sweeping desert landscape. — Chase thrills across shifting sands. (Image: Destination NSW)

2. Scale Tomaree Head Summit Walk

A short climb through bushland opens up to the coastal drama of Tomaree Head . Spot Zenith, Wreck and Box Beaches. See the Fingal Island lighthouse and offshore rookeries where Australia’s rarest seabird, the Gould’s petrel, nests.

History buffs can’t miss the WWII gun emplacements. And if you’re hiking between May and November, bring binoculars. Travelling whales might just be breaching below.

Friends enjoying a scenic walk along the Tomaree Head Summit Walk in Tomaree National Park, Port Stephens. — Climb Tomaree Head for jaw-dropping coastal views. (Image: Destination NSW)

3. Watch out for whales

You’ve seen the spouts of migrating humpbacks and southern right whales from shore. Set sail from Nelson Bay to see them up close. Cruise straight into the action, with tail-slaps, barrel rolls and all.

And they’ve got competition from the local show-offs. Port Stephens bottlenose dolphins leap and play. Some tours even spot pudgy fur seals, spending lazy days soaking up the sun on Cabbage Tree Island.

A whale’s tail on the sea’s surface. — Watch for ocean tails. (Image: Destination NSW)

4. Port Stephens Koala Sanctuary

Pop into the Port Stephens Koala Sanctuary to learn about the rescued koalas who climb, nap, snack and heal in this natural patch of bushland. Wander the immersive Sanctuary Story Walk to discover more about their habits, then head to the SKYwalk – a treetop platform constructed for spotting these eucalyptus-loving locals. Peek into the hospital’s viewing window, where sick or injured koalas may be resting in their recovery enclosures.

Not enough time around these adorable marsupials? Stay overnight in silk-lined glamping tents.

Koala sleeping in a tree at Port Stephens Koala Sanctuary, One Mile — See koalas in their natural habitat. (Image: Destination NSW)

5. Diving Port Stephens

Port Stephens has some of NSW’s best dive spots. At Fly Point, float through sponge gardens and coral castles thick with nudibranchs (AKA sea slugs). Halifax Park has blue gropers and crimson-banded wrasse, while Shoal Bay’s seagrass meadows hide pipefish, cuttlefish and octopus.

Accessible only by boat, Broughton Island is home to a vast array of marine (and bird) life. Snorkel with blue devilfish and stingrays at sites like The Looking Glass and North Rock. More experienced divers can head out with one of the many PADI-certified operators.

At nearby Cabbage Tree Island, expect to see shaggy-faced wobbegongs cruising along.

A couple suited up and ready to dive into adventure. — Suit up and dive into Port Stephens’ vibrant marine life. (Image: Destination NSW)

6. Irukandji Shark and Ray Encounters

Not quite ready to dive in? Irukandji Shark and Ray Encounters is the perfect way to spot local marine life without getting too deep. But there’s no obnoxious glass tank tapping here. Instead, this interactive aquarium allows guests to wade into natural-style lagoons that mimic the real thing.

Gently pat Port Jackson and bamboo sharks, hand-feed rays, and feel their sandpapery skin with your fingertips. It is all under expert guidance. If you want to go deeper, pop on a wetsuit and swim alongside tawny nurse sharks, white-tipped reef sharks and zebra sharks in the lagoon.

Family enjoying an animal feeding experience at Irukandji Shark and Ray Encounters, Anna Bay. — Meet the ocean’s friendliest faces at Irukandji. (Image: Destination NSW)

7. Fish the estuaries

Fishing fanatics will fall for Port Stephens hook, line and sinker. Here, one of the largest estuary systems in the whole state sees tidal rivers and mangrove ecosystems. Waterfronts are thick with oysters, and residential fish that might include anything from bream, whiting and flathead, to blue swimmer crabs, kingfish and longtail tuna.

If you prefer to choose your own adventure and fish offshore, you can hire a boat from one of the marinas and set your own course.

three men fishing on a boat in port stephens — Join a tour or chart your own fishing trip. (Image: Destination NSW)

8. Taste new Port Stephens flavours

With plenty of activity to fill your days, refuelling on delectable cuisine becomes equally important. And Port Stephens answers the call.

Pop into Holbert’s Oyster Farm for fresh-farmed Port Stephens rock oysters and Pacific oysters, Australian king and tiger prawns, as well as a variety of tasty sauces to try them with.

Take a group to Atmos for an authentic Greek experience over large shared dishes and Greek-inspired cocktails. Or feast on sea-to-plate, modern Australian dishes at the pet-friendly Restaurant 2317.

A plate of fresh oysters. — Slurp your way through the region’s best oysters. (Image: Destination NSW)

Start planning your Port Stephens getaway at portstephens.org.au .