Yarrangobilly Caves Thermal Pool: How do I visit this Kosciuszko National Park swimming hole?

Visit the Yarrangobilly Caves Thermal Pool in the Kosciuszko National Park for year-round, spring-fed warm swims in a scenic setting.

For most visitors to the Kosciuszko National Park in the Snowy Mountains, there is just one goal. Mt Kosciuszko is Australia’s highest mountain, and walking to the top of fit feels like a feat ticked off the bucket list.

But there are plenty of other Snowy Mountains activities available, including a series of excellent walks from Thredbo, the New South Wales ski resort town.

Yarrangobilly section of the Kosciuszko National Park

While all attention is on Mt Koscuiszko and Thredbo, the Yarrangobilly end of the Kosciuszko National Park is overlooked. Yarrangobilly is at the northern end of the Kosciuszko National Park, nearer Canberra and the Namadgi National Park. It is best known for the Yarrangobilly Caves. Tours of six limestone caves are available, although they’re arguably not as impressive as the Jenolan Caves at the edge of the Blue Mountains.

Even if you don’t go inside the caves, you can go for a delightful swim in the Yarrangobilly Caves Thermal Pool. This 20 metre-long pool is fed by a natural spring amid a beautiful mountain river setting. The spring heats the Yarrangobilly Caves Thermal Pool to a permanent 27ºC.

Yarrangobilly Thermal Caves Pool in the Kosciuszko National Park, Snowy Mountains, New South Wales — The thermal pool at the Yarrangobilly Caves in the Kosciuszko National Park is the perfect spot for a swim in the Snowy Mountains. Photo courtesy of Destination NSW.

There are two pools. The main pool overflows, creating a small wading pool suitable for children.

In summer, the Yarrangobilly Caves Thermal Pool is a perfect picnic spot. In winter, it’s all about the steam rising from the water, surrounded by snow.

Walking to the Yarrangobilly Caves Thermal Pool

To get to the Yarrangobilly Caves Thermal Pool, you’ve got a choice of two walks. The Yarrangobilly Caves Thermal Pool Walk is short – around 0.7km one way – but steep on the return leg. It heads down into the valley past tall eucalypt trees.

Longer, but with less thigh strain involved, is the Yarrangobilly River Walk. This 3km loop follows the Yarrangobilly River from the Glory Hole car park. There’s ample opportunity for spotting wildlife along the way. Platypus live in the Yarrangobilly River, although they generally only appear at dawn and dusk. Birds living in this section of the Kosciuszko National Park include king parrots, lyrebirds and crimson rosellas.