Getting to Perisher Valley comes down to two paths: the road, or the Skitube Alpine Railway. The valley sits at 1,720 metres in the Snowy Mountains, inside Kosciuszko National Park, on Kosciuszko Road between Jindabyne and Charlotte Pass.
Most visitors drive, hire a car or catch a coach. Below we cover the routes, the park entry fee, the winter chain rule and where to base yourself on the way up. Our Perisher Valley guide covers the village itself, and the background facts are also set out on Wikipedia: Perisher Valley.
Roads to Perisher Valley
Access is by road or by the Skitube. The road is Kosciuszko Road, which leads straight to the valley. Jindabyne is the usual gateway town, and from there you are about half an hour from the village.
Driving times
The drive from Sydney is roughly five to six hours, passing through Canberra and then Cooma before joining Kosciuszko Road. From Melbourne, allow around seven hours. Driving yourself lets you stop along the way and take your time through the mountain ranges, which is a good part of the appeal.
| Starting point | Approximate drive |
|---|---|
| Sydney (via Canberra and Cooma) | Roughly five to six hours |
| Melbourne | Around 7 hours |
| Jindabyne | About 30 minutes |
Hire cars
If you do not have a vehicle, rental cars can be arranged through companies in Australia from many drop-off locations. Daily flights reach Canberra from around Australia and overseas, and you can have a hire car waiting when you leave the terminal.
Park entry fees
Because the valley lies within Kosciuszko National Park, there is an entry charge. The fee has been listed at $27 per car per day, or $190 for an annual pass. Fees change, so check current rates and times with the operators before you travel. Visit NSW is a sensible starting point for general trip planning.
Winter driving and snow chains
If you visit in winter, carry snow chains. Two-wheel-drive cars must have chains fitted, as snowfall can get thick and chains add safety and stability on the road. Snow falls on about 60 days of the year on average at Perisher, so conditions can turn quickly.
We would not leave this to the last minute. Sort the chains before you leave town, not at the bottom of the hill.
The Skitube Alpine Railway
The Swiss-designed Skitube Alpine Railway opened in 1987. It carries skiers from Bullocks Flat, on the Alpine Way, to Perisher Valley and on to Blue Cow. It is the other way into the valley, and it suits anyone who would rather skip the winter drive up the mountain.
Perisher is the largest ski resort in Australia, with four bases: Perisher Valley, Blue Cow, Smiggin Holes and Guthega. For a wider look at the resort, see our Perisher destination guide, or Perisher getting there for the resort-wide view.
Coaches, flights and transfers
Coach companies run daily services to Jindabyne and Perisher Valley from neighbouring areas, including Newcastle, Sydney, Canberra and the NSW Central Coast, and further afield from the Gold Coast and Brisbane. Many offer direct routes to Perisher. You can also hire a minibus, book a limousine or arrange a four-wheel-drive transfer from Canberra.
Another option is to fly to the Snowy Mountains Airport, where a shuttle bus has been available to take you on to Perisher Valley.
Stopping in Jindabyne
Jindabyne is the last town before the park, so it works well as a base or overnight stop. Discovery Parks - Jindabyne is a caravan park there with powered sites and cabins. Contact the park for current rates and availability before booking.
If you prefer to sleep in the valley, Perisher offers year-round accommodation even though it is primarily a winter resort village. See our pages on Perisher Valley accommodation and ski lodges for options.
Frequently asked questions
How do you get to Perisher Valley?
By road along Kosciuszko Road from Jindabyne, or by the Skitube Alpine Railway from Bullocks Flat.
Do you need snow chains?
Yes in winter. Two-wheel-drive cars must have chains fitted.
How long does it take from Sydney?
Roughly five to six hours by road, via Canberra and Cooma.
