Nichols Gorge is an easy walk, yet it has a wild and remote feeling. As you make your way through the tall canyon walls and across the open plains, you’re unlikely to see another soul.
It is located in the High Plains area of Kosciuszko National Park and feels quite unlike anywhere else we visited in the Snowys. There are a couple of caves to explore and you might even catch sight of one of the resident brumbies.
There is another fabulous gorge walk which starts from the same area, Clarke Gorge, and you can easily do them both in one day.
Here’s what to expect on the trail.
The Nichols Gorge Walking Track
The stats
Distance: 6.6km
Elevation: 150m
Difficulty: Easy - Moderate
The Nichols Gorge Trail is fairly easy, but it does have some overgrown paths and a steep climb at one point. The trail is well signposted throughout and took around 1 hour 45 to complete, including time to explore the caves.
Starting the trail
From the car park (it’s at the furthest point you can go on the road), take the dirt trail on the right that is marked as the Waterholes Trail. You won’t see an official sign for the Nichols Gorge walk until you are 300m into the trail.
After 150m you’ll come to a lookout which gives you a pretty view of tall cliff walls and the incredibly picturesque blue river.
The Nichols Gorge Track sign comes 150m later, when you make a right turn. You’ll then head left onto a grassy track, this is one of the few turnings which isn’t signposted.
For the majority of the way there are regular posts pointing you in the right direction.
Heading to the caves
You’ll soon leave the grass path and head onto a narrow trail which takes you through the gorge. Rather than walking on the rubbly path in the middle of the dry gorge, you’ll crisscross back and forth to whichever bank the track runs on.
It’s a relatively flat track and the grass is lined with a sprinkling of pretty wildflowers. It’s a little overgrown and some of the plants are a bit scratchy, I was grateful for trousers and I probably wouldn’t recommend shorts unless it’s super hot.
The gorge walls are really high and it feels quite dramatic, especially if the sky is moody like it was for us.
Just 900m into the walk you’ll reach Cooleman Cave. You can explore inside if you have a torch with you, we went for a little wander through, and though it’s not really a cave of beautiful formations, it is worth poking your head in.
You can go for around 10m or so before the ceiling starts to get lower, and you could crawl through if you were keen!
Just outside the cave you’ll see a signpost with some information about when it was first explored (by Europeans) and you’ll also notice the walk is suddenly referred to as Nicole Gorge.
It obviously changed its name at some point, although nothing I can find online says why.
After Cooleman Cave you’ll continue walking along the gorge for another 1.7km before you reach the second cave, Murray Cave. You can explore this one too, but be warned it is full of nesting swifts.
The smell is pretty intense and as they are constantly flying in and out of the cave, the chance of getting pooed on is pretty high!
Onto the plains
The next part of the walk takes you up the trail to the left of the cave, it’s the one steep section of the whole track. It only lasts for a few hundred metres, but the path is a bit more rough than anything up to this point. The view as you climb up is fantastic though.
Once at the top you’ll be walking on the high plains and you can’t believe that you’ve just come from a steep gorge, it feels like a completely different hike.
There is lots of evidence of the resident brumbies throughout the next 3km, although they were all congregated along the road rather than the trail when we visited.
There is a wonderful view of the expansive plains just before you start heading downhill, it feels like you can see for miles, and it’s a gorgeous spot for a photo.
The trail is in great condition and it’s very easy to follow as it meanders through the grasslands, There’s some downhill, but the majority is fairly flat and it’s very easy walking.
Around 6.2km into the hike you’ll arrive at the campsite that you would have seen when driving to the trailhead. From here it’s a very short 350m stroll along the quiet road back to the car park.
All in all this is a fantastic loop track, which feels nicely off the beaten track and offers some truly beautiful scenery.
Packing suggestions for the walk
Having the right gear can make a huge difference. Here’s what we pack and have relied upon for years:
Sunscreen: Cancer Council Active. With a high SPF, but not the greasy feel of other sunscreens. Makes a big difference when you’re working up a sweat on a sunny day! Check it out on Amazon
Good Rain Jacket: North Face This is an essential item we always pack in our bag! This jacket from North Face is designed to keep you dry but also comfortably warm (many rain jackets will make you feel like you’re in a sauna). Check it out on Amazon
Bushman Spray: Good for keeping off the mozzies and any other bugs. Check it out on Amazon.
Day Pack: Osprey Talon 22 (we’ve owned this for years). Check on Amazon or direct with Osprey
Hiking Boots: Merrell Moab (for men and women). We’ve both used these for over three years and they just keep going. Check them out on Amazon
Trekking poles: We’ve used Black Diamond for years as they are light, solid and durable. Check them out on Amazon.
Reusable water bottle: To avoid single-use plastic. Check them out on Amazon
Essential information about the Nichols Gorge Walk
The access road
The trail starts at the end of Long Plain Road. It is a 25km drive along an unsealed and at times rough road. The last part has a sign saying it is 2WD accessible only when the road is dry.
Although we saw several 2WD cars who all made it with no problems, we were glad to have a car with a bit of clearance.
Facilities at the trailhead
There are a couple of long drop toilets by the trail head, but you’ll need to bring your own toilet paper. There are also a couple of campsites very nearby.
Trail opening times
The Nichols Gorge Walk is open between the October and June long weekends.
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