The Long Plain Circuit is a 40km, grade 4 circuit hike located in the Kosciuszko National Park, NSW. The hike should take approximately 4 days to complete.

Summary

Day 1: Drive to Cooinbal Hut, about 6 hour from Sydney.
It’s best to go via Tumut where you can stock up on some last minute fresh groceries. The best maps are Rules Point 8626-4S and Peppercorn 8626-4N. Camp the first night in the hut.

Day 2: Cooinbal Hut to Blue Waterholes is about 14km
Follow the brumby trails from behind the hut around the wooded hill. Go up over the saddle (463 567) then drop down to Harris Hut. It’s only old ruins but a good spot the stop for lunch. From here, you can either follow the fire trail to Blue Waterholes via Bill Jones Hut, or cross the fire trail to the creek. Follow the creek to (509 563), there are a few horse trails, to Murray’s Cave. After exploring the caves, it’s a short distance to the campground where you can have a wash in the creek, but be warned the water very cold.

Day 3: Blue Waterholes to Pockets Hut 6km
From Blue Waterholes to Pockets Hut it’s an easy walk along the fire trail, or you could spend the day exploring Coolamine Homestead or downstream to the waterfall (take your crocs and gaiters). Blue Waterholes to Pockets Hut is about 6km. Alternatively to save a day, you could walk directly to Old Currango via Bill Jones Hut, about 13km. Stop at Bill Jones for morning tea and lunch at (513 514)

Day 4: Pockets Hut to Old Currango is about 6km
Best to stay up high around the tree line and avoid the marsh. If you are feeling fit, climb over Howells Peak for some spectacular views. Join the fire trail on the other side and you can almost see Old Currango. There are spectacular views across the plain with wild brumbies.

Day 5: Old Currango to Cooinbal Hut via Skaines Mountain is about 12km, and require some good navigations skills.
Follow the fire trail back to the junction of the fire trail from Bill Jones/Blue Waterholes. Turn left and walk up hill. When you get to the top (Harrys Gap) you will need to head off trail (475 527) heading NW. Cross the creek at (465 534) and bush bash up Skaines Mountain. Just head uphill. The going is easier on the west side as there are a few brumby trails. This is a good spot for lunch and you may get some mobile reception. Continue NNW back to Cooibal Hut, you will need to take a bearing and follow your compass. The going can be a bit tough at times.

Getting There

Drive to Cooinbal Hut, about 6 hours from Sydney, via Gundagai and Tumut.

Tips

• There is significant walking across tussocks so wear good boots and gaiters. You can cut across from Pockets Hut to Old Currango but stay high and follow the tree line.
• Going over Skaines Mountain is difficult and requires good navigation skills, bush bashing with few trails to follow, keep left is easier.

Contributed by Ian Thomas