Reservations: (02) 9523 4885
Reservations: (02) 9523 4885
Reservations: (02) 9523 4885
Reservations: (02) 9523 4885
We hope you will find the following information useful to assist you in planning your adventures and to help keep you safe during your time with us within the spectacular Kosciuszko National Park.
Our lodge is located in a remote alpine area of southern Kosciuszko National Park that can present special safety issues. These include but are not limited to extreme weather conditions including snowfall and sudden weather changes. Many of the parks walking tracks have limited or no phone reception and are difficult to access, except via foot. Every year NSW police and National Parks staff are involved in search and rescue operations throughout the state that often result from visitors underestimating the conditions or overestimating their own capabilities. We hope by providing this information you can assess your itineraries and come prepared so you can get out and enjoy your stay in Kosciusko National Park.
Appropriate insurances are strongly recommended. Being rescued by an ambulance or air ambulance evacuation is not free and could involve changes from several hundreds to thousands of dollars. Your private Australian health insurance may or may not cover the cost in Australia, depending upon your level of cover. If travelling from overseas it is essential to carry travel insurance to cover ambulance and medical repatriation.
Be prepared and stay safe. We encourage you to follow the comprehensive TREK approach for planning ahead for your activities:
T - Take adequate supplies of food, water, navigation and first aid equipment.
R - Register your planned route / tell your lodge host when you expect to return.
E - Emergency beacon (PLB's) are available free of charge from NSW Police Force and NPWS.
K - Keep to your planned route, follow the map and trails.
Carry more water than you anticipate requiring. Water supplies may be unreliable. If going off track or overnight, you should take enough water to be self-sufficient for a couple of days, in case of emergencies. Stream water should be purified before drinking. You can boil water for at least 5 minutes or use treatment tablets, a filter or UV treatment. Remember to collect water upstream from toilets, huts and campsites.
The water at our lodge is safe for drinking, we have a water filter installed that filters all incoming water. There is a water fountain in the coffee area, however it is a slow pour and is the same water from the taps so you can fill your water bottles in your rooms or in the laundry.
March flies can be an issue in Kosciuszko National Park at times, usually between mid December through February and particularly on calm, sunny days. They typically come out as the day starts to warm up around mid morning and will persist until the temperatures start dropping again. They tend not to be bothersome in the colder parts of the day or in windy conditions. They can administer a painful bite.
To prevent bites, wear long, loose clothing as March flies can bite right through tight clothing such as gym tights. A fly veil may also be useful. March flies are known to be attracted to dark blue, so it is advisable to avoid wearing blue and other dark colours. The use of insect repellent may assist.
It is suggested to walk on breezy days, setting out early in the day as the flies are worse on hot afternoons. Be prepared and only take short breaks as the flies have more trouble finding you when on the move.
Stay where you are. If you move about, you’ll be harder to find and use valuable energy.
Find a spot out of the wind and make a shelter. Leave something visible out for people looking for you such as a colourful item of clothing.
If you’re in the Main Range of Kosciuszko National Park (above the treeline), do not drop down into the trees except to seek temporary shelter. The forest areas are rugged and dense and it can be almost impossible for helicopters to see people on the ground.
Hypothermia is a drop in normal body temperature. It can happen in wet, cold or windy conditions. Not eating enough food and tiredness can contribute to hypothermia. A person with hypothermia might show these signs:
If you suspect someone has hypothermia immediately help them:
The weather in our location is quite unpredictable and often changes quickly. It can snow at any time of the year in Kosciuszko National Park. Snow can cover walking trails causing walkers to become disorientated. Occasionally we experience big dumps of snow in the summertime which can also cover roadways. The roads are cleared by NPWS, however NPWS do not operate road clearing on weekends. It is not compulsory to carry chains in the park outside of ski season, however as there is a very slight chance you may require them or a 4WD to get around the park safely it is important to keep a close eye on the weather forecast and to plan ahead as chains cannot be hired in Perisher Valley. Snowshoes can be hired from Wilderness Sports in Jindabyne.
Our lodge is located within a bushfire prone zone with one road in and one road out. Our bushfire plan’s primary action is: Leave Early. Our Lodge Manager monitors bushfire advice daily. In the event of an extreme or catastrophic fire danger rating, we will order all occupants to evacuate the lodge in a safe and orderly fashion, to our designated safer place. It is also a possibility that NPWS will close the park and all occupants will be issued with an evacuation order in the event of an extreme or catastrophic fire danger rating.
Getting to the Valhalla:
During summer season, outside of ski season, guest parking is available at our lodge. Typically roads are open all the way to the lodge. Very occasionally we experience large volumes of snow in the summertime which may require the use of chains or a 4WD. Additional guest parking is located in the Perisher Car Park at the Ski Tube Terminal.
Getting around the park:
Most loop or return trails have a car park adjacent to the trailhead. For other trails that require one way walking, we may be able to provide complimentary walker transfers, please contact us in advance to confirm if a driver will be available for your stay dates. Alternatively walker and bike transport can be arranged through either Snow Connect or Snow Link.
Our lodge is situated in the sleepy summer village of Perisher Valley. There are no food outlets, shops or restaurants open nearby. The closest village is Jindabyne. On weekdays, the NPWS Perisher Visitor Centre is open, along with the Perisher Valley post office (mornings only). For your comfort and convenience, we provide breakfast, a packed morning tea with lunch, a pre-dinner snack and a 2 course dinner. We have a small honesty bar onsite for snacks offering nuts, chips, chocolates, cookies, 2 minute noodles, soft drinks, suncream etc.
Parking is available at Valhalla lodge for summer season stays. Overflow parking is available at the Perisher Car Park. If in doubt where you can park, please ask Bruce. To avoid fines, do not park on any vegetation throughout your time within the park.
Note a National Parks pass is required to enter/park within the park.
Each guest bedroom has an ensuite and 1 x king bed or 2 x single beds. Preferred bedding configuration must be advised prior to arrival. Being lodge style, there are no televisions, kitchen facilities nor minibars in our bedrooms. We have complimentary wifi throughout the lodge and a smart TV in our games room. Cooking in bedrooms is strictly prohibited. Linen, shampoo, soap and hair dryers are provided in rooms.
You will have access to our lounge, deck, dining, tv/games room and drying room. Our kitchen is strictly staff use only. There is no fridge space for guests, except for the storage of medicine.
At Valhalla, we do not have a restaurant, we have a commercial lodge kitchen which serves set meals at set times off a table d'hôte menu which is a chef choice fixed set menu, there are no alternate selections. As we cater to number and situated in a remote location, any food allergies or special dietary requirements must be advised at least 10 days prior to arrival to ensure we can cater for your stay. A surcharge will apply for unusual non-medical dietary requirements.
Please note that if you opt to include a dietary "preference" for example "gluten free", you will be catered for as a gluten free guest throughout your stay. We are an environmentally friendly property that is situated in a remote location with access to limited catering supplies. We are mindful of these supply restrictions and the resulting wastage of valuable resources in terms of food, budget and staff time spent planning, catering, and cooking for special dietary preferences when a guest changes their preference in house. Please understand that there will be no option to switch your meal "preference" during your stay.
Valhalla Lodge is a licensed premises. We stock a range of drinks including many local and regional options for you to enjoy a taste of the Snowy's. Drinks can be ordered through our staff in our lounge, dining and games rooms. Please note that BYO drinks are not permitted in our licensed areas, with the exception of BYO wines which will attract a corkage fee of $15 per bottle.
Smoking, e-cigarettes and vapes are not permitted inside our Lodge or within 4m of any entrance as per the NSW Government Smoke-free Environment Act 2000.
Clothing:
Pack casual clothes to wear within the lodge, including short and long sleeve options and a jumper. A parker, beanie, scarf and gloves may be required when sitting out on the deck.
We request that guests wear inside shoes within the common areas of the lodge. Any outside shoes that are wet or dirty are to be left in the drying room. Wet active gear and jackets can be left in the drying room to dry overnight.
Bathroom Amenities:
We supply towels, soap, shampoo, conditioner and a hairdryer. Please bring all other toiletries and suncream.
You are responsible for checking weather conditions, trail conditions and ensuring safe planning of your adventures.
When hiking or cycling unguided within the park, we strongly encourage all guests to fill in our lodge log book located in the lounge room.
Tick the “returned” box to indicate you are back safely on your trip log page.
Alternatively if your plans have changed and you are not returning to the lodge at the pre-planned time, all us to advise that you are safe.
If you should not return on time or notify us that you are safe, our lodge staff will attempt to call you on your mobile.
If we cannot make contact we will call 000
Any costs incurred from emergency services will be your responsibility.
If you are heading off track, choosing to walk the main range in bad weather or camping overnight we recommend you: