Clarke Gorge Track, Kosciuszko NP NSW

Pretty spectacular walking through Clarke Gorge in the northern section of Kosciuszko National Park (…but be prepared for wet feet).

Clarke Gorge Track, Kosciuszko NP

I’d seen pictures of Clarke Gorge on the internet, and this alone convinced me I should visit the less trendy northern end of Kosciuszko National Park (less trendy because of the generally lower elevation). It’s a very narrow gorge lined by sheer sided cliffs, and the walk through it to Cave Creek Falls must be one of the best in the park. There were brumbies (wild horses) galore in the area, and although they are non-natives, they are nevertheless charming animals that are generally quite comfortable with humans.

You can also do the very attractive Nichols Gorge Track, a circuit which branches off this track near the start, and returns back to the camp ground where you park your car. Both together made for a great day’s walking.
Track notes at the end.

Clarke Gorge Track: The Scenery

Clarke Gorge Track, Kosciuszko NP
This was the first of ten creek crossings (five each way). We ended up taking our shoes for all of them except for this one on the way back. (We got a tip off as to a better spot a few metres down stream.) The rocks and water temperature were both painful.
Clarke Gorge Track, Kosciuszko NP
Entering Clarke Gorge.
Clarke Gorge Track, Kosciuszko NP
The head of a snake that decided to swim for it. There were a number of snake sightings by walkers during the day.
Clarke Gorge Track, Kosciuszko NP
Cave Creek Falls at the turnaround point.
Clarke Gorge Track, Kosciuszko NP
Us at Cave Creek Falls.
Clarke Gorge Track, Kosciuszko NP
One guy tried to make it around some rocks rather than cross the creek, but his friend had to save him. They made it.
Clarke Gorge Track, Kosciuszko NP
Walking back through Clarke Gorge.
Clarke Gorge Track, Kosciuszko NP
Clarke Gorge. Not too shabby.
Clarke Gorge Track, Kosciuszko NP
Exiting the gorge.
Clarke Gorge Track, Kosciuszko NP
I took a quick detour to see the gorge from up top.
Clarke Gorge Track, Kosciuszko NP
A brumby (wild horse). They are non-natives introduced as working horses many years ago.

Track Notes

Clarke and Nichols Gorge Walks, Kosciuszko National Park
The Clarke Gorge Walk is an out and back route; Nichols Gorge is a circuit. I’m not 100% sure if what I’ve marked for the Nichols Gorge Walk is what we did, but this is what’s marked on the NPWS website (in 2023, when I created this map).

It’s only 5km return but you have to cross the creek ten times and won’t be able to avoid wet feet, so wear either walking sandals or woollen socks. We kept taking our shoes off and it was a pain in more ways than one (both figuratively and literally, on the soles of our feet). Make sure you go all the way to Cave Creek Falls because they are very nice; (it’s a very short but steep descent to get to these). Info on the NPWS website, and in this NPWS brochure. You can park at Blue Waterholes Campground…

Author: Edward Hathway

I'm a clinical psychologist and keen hiker.

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