Lake Crackenback and the Snowy Mountains

Paul and I have quite a few commitments this month, so rather than writing a post, I’ve chosen some of the photos from one of my favourite autumn holiday destinations, Lake Crackenback. Regular readers may recognise some of the photos.

Lake Crackenback is at the foot of the Snowy Mountains, not far from Canberra, and close to the skiing fields, so it is very popular.

Many kangaroos live all around this area, are often interested in what is going on. (However, we have not been to Lake Crackenback since Covid and a friend of mine tells me they saw no kangaroos, only deer this time.) Deer are an introduced species in Australia, and can cause damage in this Alpine area with their hooves.

This little joey looks both safe, and content, looking out at the world.

Lovely to see the Kangaroos basking in the sun and shade. As our daughters would say ”just chilling”

Everywhere we went there was a “Sticky Beak” (curious Kangaroo), perhaps she/he is the guard or ”scout” for the mob.. (family) of the kangaroos nearby.

We often did some bushwalking around this area, from Charlotte’s Pass down to the head waters of the Snowy River

Here Paul is crossing the Snowy River, while I usually spend time with my feet in the water, taking photos.

Paul and Jessica (our younger daughter) have crossed the river and are heading up the mountain to Blue Lagoon. Paul says it should be recorded that the trek to Blue Lagoon was a tough one!

The views around Lake Crackenback, are fantastic, the light is much less harsh than most other places in Australia. However, it is easy to see how quickly the weather can change, and snow is on the way in the photo below.

One of my favourite photos of all time is the photo below. Australia is unusual in that a single genus of tree, Eucalypt (commonly called Gum trees) can survive from the desert to the mountains, to the sea in Australia.

The Snow Gum trees are very imposing, and their marking are stunning.

At the base of the Snow Gum, in spring, are the Silver Snow Daisies.
Many wombats in Australia choose to live in a tunnel in the snow. Photo by NSW National Parks

I have seen wombats in the bush, but never in the snow. However, around Crackenback there are always a few tunnels around the mountain, where the wombats live.

Last, but not least is the Mountain Pygmy Possum. These little marsupials are capable of surviving for almost two weeks, by bringing their bodies down to low temperatures during times of extreme cold or heat.

I hope you have enjoyed looking at Lake Crackenback and the colder regions of Australia. After putting this post together, I think Paul and I should go back to this lovely part of the world…soon.

Copyright Geraldine Mackey: All Rights Reserved.

12 Replies to “Lake Crackenback and the Snowy Mountains”

    1. Thanks Judy, I agree some of the mountain trails are hard to climb, or maybe we are getting older! (that is what my knee is telling me!)

  1. I’m with Judy all the way. Seeing kangaroos up close and personal would be such a thrill.

    What a beautiful place! Very impressed that you and your husband hiked up such a difficult trail.

    Finally, that tree has such a spirit. How I would love to see it in person, to put my hand on its trunk.

    Thank you so much for taking us along on this oh so wonderful hike.

    1. I’m glad you enjoyed seeing Lk Crackenback Laurie, it is a great place. I agree with you about the tree, it is amazing, and the trunk of the Snowy Gums are as smooth as silk to feel.

    1. Yes, it is a pity to have allowed deer into the nearby National Park. However, the kangaroos can always retire to Canberra, we have some of the them in Commonwealth Park, and in other green spaces, I don’t know why I haven’t written a post about them in Canberra. ..but will do.

  2. What a gorgeous area–the photos of the Snowy River headwaters actually remind me a bit of hiking in Alaska. And those gums–magnificent!

    1. Thanks Brenda, yes, the cold bare mountains have a special hiking winter look. Glad you like the snow gums they are lovely.

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