Nichols Gorge Track, Kosciuszko NP NSW

A very atmospheric walk through Nichols Gorge in Kosciuszko National Park. The gorge is lined by large rocky crags, and then the track emerges from the gorge onto wide treeless plains.

Nichols Gorge Track, Kosciuszko NP

The attractive Nichols Gorge Track branches off from the common start with the Clarke Gorge Track, near the camping area at Blue Waterholes. Not quite as spectacular as the narrow and shear sided Clarke Gorge, Nichols Gorge is nevertheless very atmospheric, and has the added advantage of being a circuit walk, (and you won’t get wet feet). It feels a bit more remote than it is (which I like), and opens out onto a wide treeless plain in the latter half.


Track notes at the end.

Nichols Gorge Track: The Scenery

Nichols Gorge Track, Kosciuszko NP
The rocks at Blue Waterholes.
Nichols Gorge Track, Kosciuszko NP
There were lots of wild horses around (one pic at the end), but also some native wildlife.
Nichols Gorge Track, Kosciuszko NP
There were a couple of easily accessible caves in Nichols Gorge. This one is Cooleman Cave.
Nichols Gorge Track, Kosciuszko NP
In Nichols Gorge.
Nichols Gorge Track, Kosciuszko NP
Big rocks. And seriously blue sky.
Nichols Gorge Track, Kosciuszko NP
More rocks. And more sky.
Nichols Gorge Track, Kosciuszko NP
Out of the gorge.
Nichols Gorge Track, Kosciuszko NP
An alpine flower.
Nichols Gorge Track, Kosciuszko NP
Big treeless plains in these parts. Cool air settles in shallow valleys, thereby inhibiting tree growth. There are trees on the hills in the background. More than a bit glary shooting into the sun, but I liked the scenery, so this shot made the cut.
Nichols Gorge Track, Kosciuszko NP
Ghost.
Nichols Gorge Track, Kosciuszko NP
Walking back down to the campground where we parked the car.
Nichols Gorge Track, Kosciuszko NP
Sophia getting to know the locals. These wild horses (brumbies) are non-natives descended from working horses.

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).

Both gorge walks can be done in a day. Information on the NPWS website, and in this NPWS brochure. You can park at the Blue Waterholes Campground…

Author: Edward Hathway

I'm a clinical psychologist and keen hiker.

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