Major city · Australia
Charlotte Pass
Go for 1–2 nights in winter only if you want small lifts and no crowds: the road is closed, so you reach it by oversnow from Perisher. In summer it is a day trip from Jindabyne.
Charlotte Pass is Australia's highest resort village, sitting at about 1,760 m in Kosciuszko National Park. In winter the road is shut and the only way in is oversnow transport from Perisher Valley, which keeps the crowds small. In summer it becomes a walking base for the Mount Kosciuszko summit trails. There is one hotel, a handful of bars and restaurants, and no real town.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- AUD
- Best months
- Jan–Mar for walks; Jul–Aug for skiing
- avoid Jun and Sep (thin snow, closed road either way)
- Airports
- CBR · SYD
- Nights
- 1–2
Rules in force · 7
- Oceania ↗Oceania's island states guard their farms and reefs at the border: tick 'yes' on the arrival card for any food, plant, animal product, soil or used outdoor gear, and let the officer decide.
- Oceania ↗Across the tropical South Pacific, cyclones are possible from November to April: choose insurance that covers weather delays and keep one spare night before a long-haul departure.
- Australia and New Zealand ↗Both countries drive on the left, with long distances between fuel stops in the outback and on New Zealand's back roads; fatigue causes more visitor crashes than speed.
- Australia ↗Almost every visitor needs a visa or an electronic authorisation (ETA or eVisitor, depending on passport) before boarding: apply only through the official Department of Home Affairs site or the official AustralianETA app, and check the rules for your passport.
- Australia ↗Declare all food, plant material, seeds, wood and animal products on your arrival declaration; undeclared items can bring on-the-spot fines or visa cancellation. When unsure, declare it.
- Australia ↗Drive on the left. An overseas licence in English (or with an official translation or International Driving Permit) is accepted for visitors; check the state rules and your rental contract.
- Australia ↗Swim between the red and yellow flags on patrolled beaches; rip currents cause most beach drownings.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Charlotte Pass000 ▾
- Police, fire, ambulance000
- From a mobile112
- NSW National Parks (Kosciuszko area)1300 072 757
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Charlotte Pass, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the Australian dollar (AUD, A$).Australia-wide
- SIM or eSIMTelstra has the widest outback coverage; Optus and Vodafone (TPG) are cheaper and fine in cities and along highways.Australia-wide
- Tap waterTap water is safe in cities and towns; in remote places use signed drinking taps.Australia-wide
- TippingRestaurants: Not expected; 10% for very good service in a nice restaurant if you wish.Australia-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets I. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): fits. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Australia-wide
- SafetyVery safe for a resort village.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree public toilets in parks, beaches, shopping centres and petrol stations (servos); the National Public Toilet Map app lists them.Australia-wide
- Emergency numbers000 police, fire, ambulance · 112 From a mobile · 1300 072 757 NSW National Parks (Kosciuszko area)
- Sundays & holidaysChristmas Day, Good Friday and Anzac Day morning close most shops; many cafés close by 15:00; country towns close early on Saturday and all Sunday.Christmas Day, Good Friday and Anzac Day morning close most shops; many cafés close by 3:00 PM; country towns close early on Saturday and all Sunday.Australia-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportcheckCBR Canberra Airport (About 2 h 30 min drive to Jindabyne, then on to Perisher and the oversnow transfer; check winter road conditions.).
- Getting aroundOn foot.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee or hot drinkA$5–8 (≈ US$4–6)
- BeerBeer in the Chalet barA$9–14 (≈ US$6–10)
- Budget bedJindabyne motel or hostel bed, a night, per personA$60 (≈ US$40)
- Mid-range bedKosciusko Chalet room (usually with breakfast and dinner), a night, per roomA$400 (≈ US$300)
- High-end bedKosciusko Chalet room (usually with breakfast and dinner), a night, per roomA$700 (≈ US$500)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget A$120 (≈ US$80) · Mid A$200 (≈ US$140) · High A$350 (≈ US$250)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- CBR Canberra Airport (About 2 h 30 min drive to Jindabyne, then on to Perisher and the oversnow transfer; check winter road conditions.) · SYD Sydney Kingsford Smith (About 5 h 30 min drive; most visitors fly to Canberra instead in winter.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Feb
Best
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
Mar
Best
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
Apr
not flagged
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
May
not flagged
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
Jun
Avoid
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
Jul
Best
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
Aug
Best
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
Sep
Avoid
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
Oct
not flagged
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
Nov
not flagged
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
Dec
not flagged
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
Best: Jan–Mar, Jul–Aug. Avoid: Jun, Sep. Month by month →
Warmest Jan (18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)), coolest Jul (−6°C (21°F)21°F (−6°C) low), wettest Jul (11 rain days), driest Feb (7). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Charlotte Pass: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
8 rd
Feb
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
7 rd
Mar
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
8 rd
Apr
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
8 rd
May
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
9 rd
Jun
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
−4°C (25°F)25°F (−4°C)
10 rd
Jul
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
−6°C (21°F)21°F (−6°C)
11 rd
Aug
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
−5°C (23°F)23°F (−5°C)
11 rd
Sep
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C)
10 rd
Oct
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
9 rd
Nov
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
8 rd
Dec
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
8 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
On foot. The village is small and in winter you cannot bring a car at all. In summer a car gets you to the trailheads, but the Kosciuszko walk itself starts from the pass.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Mount Kosciuszko summit
goDoor to door: 6–8 h return
Walk from Charlotte Pass via the summit trail, about 9 km (5.6 mi) each wayWalk from Charlotte Pass via the summit trail, about 5.6 mi (9 km) each way
Wide, signposted path with toilets along the way; start early and carry layers.
Perisher Valley
goDoor to door: About 30–45 min
Oversnow transport in winter; drive in summer
The only way in or out in winter.
Door to door: About 1 h 30 min
Drive via Jindabyne and the Alpine Way in summer
Not reachable in winter without going back out through Perisher.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Charlotte Pass village
One hotel, the Kosciusko Chalet, open all year; winter deals usually include breakfast and dinner. Book months ahead for ski season.
Perisher Valley
Stay here if the Chalet is full; you still need the oversnow transfer to reach Charlotte Pass in winter.
Jindabyne
Cheapest beds and the usual summer base, about 45 min drive to Perisher; the road beyond is closed in winter.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- A$120–180 (≈ US$80–120) excl. bed
- Mid
- A$180–300 (≈ US$120–200) excl. bed
- High
- A$300 (≈ US$200)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Kosciusko Chalet room (usually with breakfast and dinner)1 × 2 nights × A$400 | A$800 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 2 days × A$200 | A$800 |
| Oversnow transfer from Perisher, one way2 × A$60 · check | A$120 |
| SkiTube from Bullocks Flat to Perisher, return2 × A$90 · check | A$180 |
| Kosciuszko National Park vehicle entry, per day1 × A$17 · check | A$17 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × A$25 | A$50 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | A$197 |
| Trip total≈ A$541 per person per day, bed included | A$2,164≈ US$1,500 |
2026 estimate in Australian dollars; flights and lift passes excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee or hot drink | A$5–8 (≈ US$4–6) |
| Pub or bistro main | A$25–40 (≈ US$17–30) |
| Beer in the Chalet bar | A$9–14 (≈ US$6–10) |
| Oversnow transfer, one way | A$50–70 (≈ US$35–50) (check) |
| SkiTube return from Bullocks Flat | A$80–100 (≈ US$55–70) (check) |
| Day lift pass at Charlotte Pass | A$100–140 (≈ US$70–95) (check) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- In winter the road past Perisher is closed to non-residents even when clear: no day drive-in.
- You cannot park overnight at Perisher; park at Bullocks Flat, take the SkiTube, then oversnow.
- Summer weather turns fast and it can snow outside the ski season: carry warm layers and water.
- Mobile coverage is patchy; download maps before you leave Jindabyne.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 000
- From a mobile
- 112
- NSW National Parks (Kosciuszko area)
- 1300 072 757
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
Charlotte PassCharlotte Pass
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Can you take me to this address?To this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance000
- From a mobile112
- NSW National Parks1300 072 757
Embassy
No consulates here; embassies and consulates-general are in Canberra and Sydney.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Oversnow Perisher → Charlotte Pass: about A$50–70 (≈ US$35–50) one way, 20–30 min (check)
- SkiTube Bullocks Flat → Perisher: about A$45–50 (≈ US$30–35) one way (check)
- Jindabyne → Perisher by car: about 45 min in summer; road closed beyond Perisher in winter
Say or show
- Thanks — Thank you
- How much is that? — How much is it?
- Card OK? — Can I pay by card?
- Where's the loo? — Where is the toilet?
- Is the road open today? — Is the road open?
- I need help — I need help
In winter you cannot drive in: park at Bullocks Flat, take the SkiTube to Perisher, then oversnow transport.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Charlotte Pass. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Jan–Mar for walks; Jul–Aug for skiing · avoid Jun and Sep (thin snow, closed road either way) · month by month →
- 2 airports and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 3 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for CBR and SYD: winter road closures, SkiTube times and oversnow cutoffs field-checked.
- Walking clusters with rescue anchors: the village, the summit trail, the Snowy River crossing.
- Place pages with verified cutoffs (Kosciusko Chalet, Mid Station Coffee Hut, the summit trail) and eat pages with last orders.
- Winter and summer arrival fixtures so gates A–D can go green.