Mount Townsend (Snowy Mountains)
Mountain Second-highest Australian peak in the Snowy Mountains
Part of Kosciuszko National Park, Mount Townsend sits near Australia’s highest peaks; hikers use alpine tracks and huts to explore the Snowy Mountains’ summer meadows and winter snowfields.
Mount Townsend is a peak in the Snowy Mountains of New South Wales, Australia, with an elevation near 2,209 meters and ranking as the second-highest named peak on the Australian mainland. It sits on the Main Range in Kosciuszko National Park close to Mount Kosciuszko.
The terrain is alpine, with short rock and scree sections near the summit and access via park walking tracks from shared trailheads used for Kosciuszko and nearby peaks. Visitor use is seasonal and governed by national park regulations and alpine conditions.
Mount Townsend rises within the protected high country of the Snowy Mountains and is reached from established routes in Kosciuszko National Park.
- Rank and elevation: Highest point is about 2,209 meters, making it the second-highest named peak on mainland Australia after Mount Kosciuszko.
- Proximity to Kosciuszko: Located immediately adjacent to Mount Kosciuszko on the Main Range within Kosciuszko National Park; approaches typically use the same park access routes and walking tracks.
How to Get to Mount Townsend (Snowy Mountains) #
Access is via Kosciuszko National Park in New South Wales; the nearest vehicle access points are via Thredbo and Perisher Valley, with marked trails into the alpine areas. Check park advisories for track closures and conditions.
Tips for Visiting Mount Townsend (Snowy Mountains) #
- The route is alpine and often snow-covered outside summer; check park service reports for conditions.
- Combine the climb with nearby peaks in Kosciuszko National Park if doing a longer alpine trip.
- Bring a map and compass - weather can change fast and trails can be snow-obscured.
Best Time to Visit Mount Townsend (Snowy Mountains) #
Australian summer and early autumn are the most practical windows for access; winter brings deep snow and access limitations.
Weather & Climate near Mount Townsend (Snowy Mountains) #
Mount Townsend (Snowy Mountains)'s climate is classified as Subarctic - Subarctic climate with cool summers (peaking in February) and freezing winters (coldest in July). Temperatures range from -6°C to 17°C. Heavy rainfall (2017 mm/year), wettest in October.
January
January is cool with highs of 17°C and lows of 6°C. Significant rainfall (113 mm).
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February
February is cool with highs of 17°C and lows of 6°C. Significant rainfall (103 mm).
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March
March is cold with highs of 14°C and lows of 4°C. Significant rainfall (131 mm).
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April
April is cold with highs of 10°C and lows of 1°C. Significant rainfall (154 mm).
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May
May is cold with highs of 6°C and lows of -1°C. Significant rainfall (177 mm) and breezy conditions.
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June
June is freezing with highs of 3°C and lows of -4°C. Significant rainfall (188 mm) and breezy conditions.
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July
July is the coldest month with highs of 1°C and lows of -6°C. Significant rainfall (196 mm) and breezy conditions.
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August
August is freezing with highs of 1°C and lows of -5°C. Heavy rain (215 mm) and breezy conditions.
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September
September is cold with highs of 4°C and lows of -3°C. Heavy rain (216 mm) and breezy conditions.
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October
October is cold with highs of 7°C and lows of 0°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (223 mm) and breezy conditions.
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November
November is cold with highs of 11°C and lows of 2°C. Significant rainfall (165 mm).
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December
December is cold with highs of 14°C and lows of 4°C. Significant rainfall (136 mm).
