Wheatley Circuit

Download & Print Map and Notes

3 hrs

7.3 km Circuit

251 m

Hard track

This snowshoe walk follows a winter-only route. From Perisher Valley, you walk up along the Kosciuszko Rd to a gap, just past the last ski lift. Here you leave the road to follow the snow pole line up along the Wheatley Link among the snow gums and crossing some open plains. This link leads up to a valley below Porcupine Rocks, where you follow the snow poles and valley back down towards Perisher. A great walk for people comfortable on snowshoes and wanting to explore a more remote area near Perisher Valley.

Intersection of Wheatley and Kosciuszko Roads

Looking down the valley from Kosciuszko Road

Oversnow transport on Kosciuszko Road in winter

Looking up along the Wheatley Link track

Following the poles along the Wheatley Link

Crossing the wide valley on Wheatley Link

Int of Porcupine Trail and Wheatley Link Track

Near the Int of Porcupine Trail and Wheatley Link Track

Walking down the Pocupine track in winter

Signpost at the intersection of Porcupine and Link Track

Share the Snow

Here are some tips to help you share the snow with skiers. Please avoid snowshoeing on ski trails, whether groomed or ungroomed - it is fine to walk right next to the ski trail. When crossing a ski trail, please do so in a single file and on a flat, more visible, section. These tips aim to minimise trail ruts and collisions. Visit Wilderness Sports for snowshoe hire.

Winter only route

This walk follows an over-snow only route. During the warmer months, this walk crosses important and sensitive bogs that can be significantly damaged, even by light footed walkers. Please only walk this track when it is well covered with snow.

Perisher Valley Village

Perisher Valley village is centred about the Skitube[1] building, Perisher Centre[2] and the National Park Visitor Centre[3]. Just outside the Skitube is the shelter for the shuttle bus service to Smiggins. Perisher Centre is accessed by the long metal bridge - inside, you will find food shops, toilets and skiing-related shops. Inside the Skitube building is the train station, kiosk, medical centre and some other services. The National Park Visitor Centre provides a warm shelter, toilets, seats and information about the park. Most of these services only operate during the ski season, but the NPWS visitor centre is open most of the year and a food outlet is generally open for lunch Monday-Friday.

(0km) Int Kosciuszko and Porcupine Rds → Rock Creek Ski Club intersection

180 m

3 mins

-2m Moderate track

From the intersection, this walk heads west along the main Kosciuszko Rd, away from the 'The Man from Snowy River Hotel'[4] and keeping the main valley to your right. The walk soon crosses Rock Creek, then continues beside the road to an intersection marked with a 'Rock Creek Snowshoe Track' sign[5] just after the 'Rock Creek Ski Club' hut[6](both on your left).

Rock Creek Ski Club

This building was first opened for use in 1948 then destroyed by a lighting strike in January the next year. In 1959, a few men drove down from Sydney most weekends over a few years to build the current lodge. Still owned by the builders' families, the lodge is available to the public for hire. The lodge has two bedrooms and sleeps 6 people. The lodge can be hired in winter or in summer and makes for a great base with its central location in Perisher Valley. rockcreek.org.au info@rockcreek.org.au More info.

(0km) Rock Creek Ski Club intersection → Int Wheatley Link Track and Kosciuszko Rd

2.1 km

40 mins

111m

-25m Moderate track

Continue straight: From the Rock Creek Ski Club intersection[11][12], this walk follows Kosciuszko Rd gently uphill[13], away from the main village. After about 50m, this walk continues along the road, passing a track (which leads to bridge[14] over Perisher Creek, on your right) and continuing for about another 60m to find an intersection with Wheatley Rd, just before 'Corroboree Restaurant & Bar'[15][16] (on your left).
Continue straight: From this intersection, this walk follows the Kosciuszko Rd east gently uphill, out of town. The walk immediately passes 'Corroboree Restaurant & Bar'[17] (on your left) and continues up the hill past a series of other lodges [18][19] (up to your left). The road steadily begins to climb a bit more steeply, then soon after passing the last ski lift (in the valley on your right[20]), the road comes to a high point and a clearing[21] with a large metal sign and map[22] (on your left).

(2km) Int Wheatley Link Track and Kosciuszko Rd → Int of Porcupine Trail and Wheatley Link Track

1.9 km

39 mins

127m

-41m Hard track

Turn left: From the grassy clearing on the south side of Kosciuszko Road[23], this walk follows the 'Wheatley Link' sign[24] uphill following the snow-poles. The track leads through a narrow grove of snow gums[25], then climbs up to a flat clearing[26] to follow the line of snow poles[27] up through the trees. After dipping down a bit, the poles wind up the hill to pass through a gap in the ridge[28], revealing a large fairly flat plain[29] (with a view back over Perisher, behind you[30]). The walk continues to follow the poles down and across the plain[31]. The poles soon lead right, rounding a rocky outcrop[32] (on your right) and passing a open section, where the poles then tends left and up the hill. The walk soon comes to a intersection in a large saddle[33], near a sign pointing back down 'Wheatley Link' track[34].

(4km) Int of Porcupine Trail and Wheatley Link Track → Porcupine Saddle

320 m

8 mins

25m

-7m Hard track

Turn right: From the intersection, this walk follows the 'Porcupine' trail signs[35][36] north-west over the top of the saddle and towards the large rocky pinnacle[37]. The track soon begins to steepen through a rocky area and, just after passing a large rocky outcrop[38] (on your left), the track leads up to a three-way intersection beside the gap[39] (on your left) between the two main peaks[40]. At the end of this side trip, retrace your steps back to the main walk then Continue straight.

Porcupine Rocks

The Porcupine Rocks are a large granite outcrop on the ridge, south of Perisher Valley. There are two main peaks[41][42], and a rock scramble[43] leads to the top of the southern peak, providing fantastic views of Perisher Valley[44], Mt Duncan[45], Thredbo River Valley[46] and Bullocks Flat. The gap between the two summits provides some shade and protection from the wind. An amazing place to visit - allow time to just relax and enjoy this place. The summit can be slippery and icy, and there is a shear drop and other hazards. Much care is required.

(4km) Int of Porcupine Trail and Wheatley Link Track → Int of Porcupine and Link Track

1.3 km

31 mins

-109m Hard track

Turn left: From the intersection, this walk heads north-east, downhill, following the old timber 'Perisher Valley 3km' sign[47]. The track leads down through the wide valley past the newer sign (pointing back up to 'Porcupine Trail'[48]), over some metal grates and through a grove of old dead snow gums to come to a signposted intersection with the Porcupine Link Track (on your right)[49].

(6km) Int of Porcupine and Link Track → Perisher Reservoir intersection

1.1 km

22 mins

-58m Hard track

Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the 'Perisher Valley 2km' sign[50] north-east along the track that soon leads across an flat timber bridge[51] over Rock Creek. Now, the walk leaves the creek for a while and heads downhill, following the series of snow-poles[52] on a groomed trail towards the Perisher Valley Resort[53]. After about 1km and just before the Perisher Valley Reservoir[54], the snow poles lead left[55] across a valley (near the stone pump house building[56]) to head up the rise to a three-way intersection with another snow-pole line[57], near the pole with the second yellow sign[58].

(7km) Perisher Reservoir intersection → Int Kosciuszko and Porcupine Rds

680 m

12 mins

-16m Moderate track

Veer right: From the intersection, this walk follows the snow-pole line (with the yellow signs, facing away) over the gentle rise[59], whilst keeping Rock Creek a short distance to your right. The track leads over the hill, keeping the poles to your right, and soon passes a large green timber lodge[60]. The walk leads down closer to the creek[61] and continues following the snow-poles, soon passing straight through an intersection (ignoring the bridge over Rock Creek to your right[62]). The poles lead over another small rise past the Rock Creek Ski Club building[63], then under the power-lines to find the 'Rock Creek Snowshoe Track' information sign[64]. Here, the walk heads the short distance towards the main ski field to an intersection with Kosciuszko Rd[65].
Turn right: From this intersection near the 'Rock Creek Ski Club' hut[66], this walk follows the main road gently downhill[67] towards the resort centre, where the road soon crosses Rock Creek[68]. The walk crosses the creek[69] and passes a few buildings to come to an intersection with Porcupine Road[70] (on your right), just before 'The Man from Snowy River Hotel'[71] (and the ski tube station on your left[72]).

Maps for the Wheatley Circuit walk

You can download the PDF for this walk to print a map.
These maps below cover the walk and the wider area around the walk, they are worth carrying for safety reasons.

Perisher Valley	1:25 000 Map Series	85252S PERISHER VALLEY	NSW-85252S
Kosciuszko	1:100 000 Map Series	8525 KOSCIUSZKO	8525

Cross sectional view of the Wheatley Circuit bushwalking track

Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Wheatley Circuit

Overview of this walks grade – based on the AS 2156.1 – 2001

Under this standard, a walk is graded based on the most difficult section of the walk.

		Length	7.3 km
		Time	3 hrs
		.
Grade 4/6 Hard track	AS 2156.1	Gradient	Short steep hills (3/6)
		Quality of track	Formed track, with some branches and other obstacles (3/6)
		Signs	Directional signs along the way (3/6)
		Experience Required	Moderate level of bushwalking experience recommended (4/6)
		Weather	Forecast, unforecast storms and severe weather may impact on navigation and safety (4/6)
		Infrastructure	Limited facilities, not all cliffs are fenced (3/6)

Some more details of this walks Grading

Here is a bit more details explaining grading looking at sections of the walk

Gradient

4.8km of this walk has short steep hills and another 2km has gentle hills with occasional steps. The remaining (480m) is flat with no steps.

Quality of track

4.8km of this walk follows a formed track, with some branches and other obstacles and another 2km follows a clear and well formed track or trail. The remaining (480m) follows a smooth and hardened path.

Signs

Around 4.3km of this walk is clearly signposted, whilst the remaining 3km has directional signs at most intersection.

Experience Required

2.9km of this walk requires some bushwalking experience and another 2.5km requires no previous bushwalking experience. The remaining (1.9km) requires a leader a with moderate level of bushwalking experience.

weather

4.3km of this walk is affected by forecast, unforecast storms and severe weather events that may impact on navigation and safety and another 2.1km is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation). The remaining (860m) is affected by storms that may impact your navigation and safety.

Infrastructure

Around 5km of this walk has limited facilities (such as not all cliffs fenced), whilst the remaining 2.3km is close to useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats).

Similar walks

A list of walks that share part of the track with the Wheatley Circuit walk.

Rock Creek Snowshoe Trail

3 km Circuit, 1 hr 30 mins

This well signposted, winter-only snowshoe walk is a great way to get into snowshoeing for the first time. Starting from Perisher Village, this walk soon leaves the main road to follow a series of snow poles up a gully and around a small hill. There are some interesting information signs to help y

Total climbing: 84m

Moderate track

Porcupine Walk

5.6 km Return, 2 hrs 30 mins

Starting at the Perisher Valley Reservoir, this walk heads up through Rock Creek valley to the the panoramic views from Porcupine Rocks. On this walk, you will wander through button grass plains and among groves of snow gums whilst passing some granite tors. From the top of this walk, there are grea

Total climbing: 214m

Hard track

Other Nearby walks

A list of walks that start near the Wheatley Circuit walk.

Mount Piper Trail

5.2 km One way, 2 hrs 45 mins

This winter-only snowshoe walk starts from the Smiggins Centre and follows a snow pole line and cross-country ski trail to Perisher Valley. Starting along the road, you soon follow a snow pole line up and behind Mt Piper. There are some wide vistas over Perisher Creek Valley along sections of this

Total climbing: 167m

Hard track

Guthega to Blue Lake via Little Twynam

17.4 km Return, 8 hrs

This great walk starts at Guthega and explores the area east of Blue Lake. The walk heads to the Illawong Lodge, via the Blue Cow Creek flying fox, and then crosses the famous Snowy River at the suspension bridge. The walk then winds up the long ridge to the top of Little Twynam and down to Blue La

Total climbing: 1120m

Experienced only

Guthega to Thredbo camping overnight at Wilkensons Creek

25.8 km One way, 2 Days

This great overnight walk explores the Kosciusko National Park between Guthega and Thredbo, visiting some fantastic sights along the way like the Snowy River, Blue Lake and Mt Twynam, Lake Albina and Mt Kosiuszko. The Wilkinsons Creek camping area is a nice place to stop and reflect as the sun sets.

Total climbing: 1364m

Experienced only

Guthega to Charlotte Pass

15.2 km One way, 6 hrs 30 mins

This walk explores the wonderful alpine country between Guthega village and Charlotte Pass at the end of Kosciuszko Rd. Starting with views of Guthega Dam, the walk visits Illawong Lodge and crosses the Snowy River suspension bridge before climbing up to Mt Twynam. Once on the Main Range track, you

Total climbing: 908m

Experienced only

Illawong Walk

6.4 km Return, 2 hrs 45 mins

From Guthega village, this walk leads you over Blue Cow Creek and alongside the Snowy River to Illawong Lodge and the suspension bridge. You will be using a narrow, unsignposted but generally clear track. A flying fox is in place over Blue Cow Creek, however a more modern bridge offers a safer path

Total climbing: 343m

Moderate track

Guthega to Mt Twynam

14.8 km Return, 6 hrs 45 mins

This walk starts from Guthega and makes its way along the Snowy River to the Illawong Lodge, via the Blue Cow Creek flying fox. From the lodge, the walk crosses the suspension bridge and begins the climb up the ridge past Pounds Creek Flats to the top of Mt Twynam. From here, there is an optional si

Total climbing: 913m

Experienced only

Guthega to Snowy River Suspension Bridge

6.4 km Return, 2 hrs 30 mins

This enjoyable walk starts from Guthega and mostly follows the famous Snowy River, to reach the cable suspension bridge. Before reaching the bridge, the walk crosses the Blue Cow Creek at the flying fox, and winds through the snow gums and the open plains.

Total climbing: 343m

Moderate track

Main Range Circuit from Guthega

45 km Circuit, 4 Days

This four day walk explores the Kosciuszko National Park, covering many of the key features of the park between Guthega and Rawson Pass. Some of the more popular sights you will visit are the Snowy River, Blue Lake and Lake Albina, a couple of great alpine huts and the two highest peaks in Australia

Total climbing: 2317m

Experienced only

Guthega River Snowshoe

3.3 km Return, 1 hr 30 mins

This pleasant snowshoe walk starts from the car park at Guthega. You will wander down the gently hill following a wide trail, then cross Guthega Dam wall. There are great views over the pondage as you continue along the snow covered trail past Guthega Shaft. The flat trail soon ends and the more cha

Total climbing: 115m

Hard track

Guthega Trig

6 km Return, 3 hrs

On this walk, you will visit the old Guthega Trig station and its wide views over the Guthega Dam, the township and surrounding country side. The walk initially leads along management trails and across the dam wall before following a narrow foot pad up the ridge between Guthega River and Falls Cree

Total climbing: 377m

Very experienced only

Bullock's track - via Bullock's Hut

5.2 km Circuit, 2 hrs

This walk explores some of the history and beauty along the Thredbo River around Bullocks Flat. Starting from the Thredbo Diggings campsite, you will follow the clearly signposted Bullocks Track though the scattering of snow gums and granite boulders to Bullocks Hut, before returning to the campsit

Total climbing: 110m

Moderate track

Bullock's Track via Muzzlewood Flat

4.5 km Circuit, 1 hr 30 mins

This pleasant circuit walk explores some lovely sections of the Thredbo River, as well as some snow gum forests, granite boulder outcrops and a series of frost hollows. Much of the first half of this walk follows the Thredbo River passing some inviting grassy areas where you can sit and enjoy the wa

Total climbing: 102m

Moderate track