Sawpit Walking Track NSW (2.1km)
Kosciuszko National Park
Nearest Town
Jindabyne, NSW
Best Time of the Year to Travel
- For newer hikers – November-late March
- For experienced hikers who can cope with snow conditions and navigation off trail – year round
Starting Location
Kosciuszko Tourist Park picnic area, NSW
Finish Location
Kosciuszko Tourist Park picnic area, NSW
Sawpit Walking Track Review
The best location to access this walk is at the Kosciuszko Tourist Park picnic area which provides access to two other walks, the 11.2km Pallaibo Walking Track, and the 6km Waterfall Track.
The Sawpit Walking Track can best be described as a ‘walk in the woods’ because that’s what you get. The trailhead has an information kiosk, large grassy area, and toilet which provides a good opportunity for a picnic.
The Sawpit Walking Track starts at the rear of the kiosk and shares a section of trail with the Pallaibo Walking Track so you need to pay attention to the very obvious signage that directs you to the correct track. This walk is a loop that circles the tourist park. It starts by almost immediately crossing a shortish metal bridge over Sawpit Creek with the trail following the adjacent to the creek, moving away occasionally and then coming back for around 1km before you start looping into the bush and back to the start point. The last section of the walk takes you through the tourist park and you will walk the short dirt road you entered to the picnic area, walking straight past the toilet to get to the car.
The drop in elevation for this walk brings you down into a different vegetation zone and it definitely feels like you are away from the alpine region. On the day I did this walk I didn’t see any wildlife but there were a lot of birds around.
The elevation change on this walk is minimal so it won’t exert most walkers and as such is suitable for just about anyone who can do the distance. While there are better walks of similar length in close proximity, I still enjoyed this walk and it’s definitely worth doing providing good facilities for non walkers.
Entry to the tourist park on the left side of the road if approaching from Jindabyne
Trail signage
Trailhead information kiosk
Close up of Sawpit information signage
Crossing Sawpit Creek at the start of the walk
Sawpit Creek
Follow the signs
Trail example
Sawpit Walking Track
Panorama image of the track
Crossing the creek again
Trail directional signage
Trail example
Follow the signs
Looking down to the creek below
Alternate track option
Trail example
Coming to the tourist park
Walking through the tourist park
Old infrastructure
Toilets at Sawpit Creek
Back to the car
Walk Video
This video includes a slideshow from start to finish of this walk that includes still and video images to give you a real time idea of what the walk is like
Getting There
Travel to Jindabyne via Cooma and head towards Charlotte Pass. There is a park entry fee which you can pay for as a day or annual pass at the visitor centre in Jindabyne or at the toll gates on nearing the park. The visitor centre in Jindabyne opens at 8:30am most days but check the timings on the website just in case.
Follow Kosciuszko Road and turn into Kosciuszko Tourist Park. Take the first turn on the left to the picnic area
Entering the National Park
Park entry point
Approaching Sawpit Creek with the trail head on the left
Entry to the tourist park
Turn left on entering the tourist park
Trailhead car park
Things to Know
- Phone: There is minimal phone signal on this track
- (Telstra)
- Water: You need to bring your own water. There are some locations to draw water on the trail but if doing so you should filter
- Toilets: The only set of toilets on the trail are at the trailhead
- Trail: This trail consists of formed track
- Dogs: No dogs allowed on the main trail
- Other:
- The March Flies can be ruthless from about mid November-Mid March so wear long sleeves and and long pants. They don’t care about insect repellent
Disclaimer
This walk was undertaken by the team from Australian Hiker