Kosciuszko National Park is 80 years old, but there is a longer history for some parts.

The first reservation of land for public recreation occured between 1882 and 1931 around the popular destination of Yarrangobilly Caves to the south of the rogaine area. Miles Dunphy proposed a large conservation reserve for the mountains in 1935 of 400 000 ha including land on both sides of the NSW/VIC border.

Kosciuszko State Park was declared in 1944 resulting in a reserve of 518 229 ha.

Concern about soil stability around this time was meaning more ‘snow leases’ (summer grazing for cattle) were withdrawn in the 1940’s and 1950’s. In 1972 all grazing within the park was terminated after 135 years and 5 generations of stockmen. The State Park became Kosciuszko National Park in 1974. Approximately 50 % of the park is now declared as ‘wilderness’ to provide areas where natural processes can continue with minimal human interference.

The Plan of Management for the Kosciuszko National Park outlines the values of the Park: “The beauty of the place stems from a mix of topographic features including steep-sided river valleys, gently undulating hills and flat-floored valleys.  These landscapes are clothed in a visual mosaic of different vegetation communities including the pastel cloak of eucalypt forests, straw-coloured grasslands and fields of alpine wildflowers.  The aesthetic appeal of the park extends to numerous huts and other infrastructure associated with earlier land uses, many of which display elements of vernacular architecture and design.”

As you explore the High Plains area you’ll see plains of snow grass, herbs and heath. Snow gums and black sallee eucalypts dominate the woodland, while mountain gum, candle bark and alpine ash also appear at higher elevations. The karst environment of the Cooleman Plain is best seen in the steep cliffs, narrow gorges, limestone caves and remarkable blue-tinged spring around Blue Waterholes.