Porcupine Walk
Ngarigo Country

2 h 15 min to 2 h 30 min

5.1 km
return

↑ 181 m
↓ -181 m

Hard track
Starting at the Perisher Valley Reservoir, this walk heads up through Rock Creek valley to the the panoramic views from Porcupine Rocks. On this walk, you will wander through button grass plains and among groves of snow gums whilst passing some granite tors. From the top of this walk, there are great views down both Perisher Valley and Thredbo River Valley as well as to Mt Duncan. Let us begin by acknowledging the Ngarigo people, Traditional Custodians of the land on which we travel today, and pay our respects to their Elders past and present. 
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End of Water Supply Storage Rd. | Photo by admin, 2010.
Porcupine track head. | Photo by admin, 2010.
Crossing Rock Creek. | Photo by admin, 2010.
Looking across Rock Creek. | Photo by admin, 2010.
Next to the water supply looking down Porcupine Track. | Photo by admin, 2010.
Perisher Valley Reservoir. | Photo by admin, 2010.
Walking up the Porcupine track near Perisher Valley Reservoir. | Photo by admin, 2010.
Looking down over Perisher Valley Reservoir and valley. | Photo by admin, 2010.
Walking up through the dead snow gums. | Photo by admin, 2010.
Metal grate in sections of the Porcupine Track. | Photo by admin, 2010.
Walking along the Porcupine Track. | Photo by admin, 2010.
Some sections of the Porcupine Track are close the the snow pole line. | Photo by admin, 2010.
Scattering of boulders and snow gums. | Photo by admin, 2010.
Crossing the upper reaches of Rock Creek. | Photo by admin, 2010.
Signposted intersection partway up Porcupine Track. | Photo by admin, 2010.
Walking through the open valley. | Photo by admin, 2010.
Granite Tor among the snow gums. | Photo by admin, 2010.
A forest of dead snow gums. | Photo by admin, 2010.
Ghostly snow gum. | Photo by admin, 2010.
Just north of Int of Porcupine Trail and Wheatley Link Track. | Photo by admin, 2010.
New signposte near the Int of Porcupine Trail and Wheatley Link Track. | Photo by admin, 2010.
The older signpost at Int of Porcupine Trail and Wheatley Link Track. | Photo by admin, 2010.
Walking up to Porcupine Rocks. | Photo by admin, 2010.
Snow gum nestled below Porcupine Rocks. | Photo by admin, 2010.
Track leading up to the gap at Porcupine Rocks. | Photo by admin, 2010.
The gap at Porcupine Rocks. | Photo by admin, 2010.
Track leading up to the eastern summit of Porcupine Rocks. | Photo by admin, 2010.
View from Porcupine Rocks. | Photo by admin, 2010.
Porcupine Rocks. | Photo by admin, 2010.
View from Porcupine Rocks. | Photo by admin, 2010.
Downloads GPX PDF

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Safer Bushwalks
Tips on staying safe on track
Before you start any bushwalk ensure you;
• Tell someone you trust where you are going and what to do if you are overdue
• Have adequate equipment, supplies, skills & knowledge for the whole journey
• Consider the impact of weather forecasts, park/track closures & fire dangers
• Can respond to emergencies & call for help at any point
• Are healthy and fit enough for this journey
If not, change plans and stay safe. It is okay to delay and ask people for help.
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Getting There
Transport options and directions
Start At the intersection of 5km loop & Galaxia Place (-36.4106993,148.4103979)
Mode Car (A park entry fee is required for driving into the park.)
DirectionsFrom Kosciuszko Road
  • Turn on to then drive for 255 m
  • Turn slight left onto Kosciuszko Road and drive for another 18.5 km
  • Turn left onto Porcupine Road and drive for another 240 m
  • Continue onto Porcupine Road and drive for another 90 m
  • Keep right onto Porcupine Road and drive for another 240 m
  • Turn right onto Galaxia Place and drive for another 110 m
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Track Notes
Turn by turn instructions & maps
Getting started
From the car park at the end of Water Supply Storage Road in Perisher Valley, this walk passes the 'Porcupine Track' sign and crosses Rock Creek using the metal bridge. The walk then turns right and follows the next 'Porcupine Track' sign towards the pump house. At the pump house, this walk follows the narrow track on the other side of the building and heads left, up past the reservoir. Soon the track bends right and heads up the hill through the open grassland following the line of snow poles. About 300m from the pump house, the track follows the first in a series of metal (erosion control) grates. About 650m after this, the walk crosses Rock Creek again on a flat timber bridge then, 60m later, comes to a signposted three-way intersection with Porcupine Link Track (on your left).....
Turn map Directions & comments
At the intersection of 5km loop & Galaxia Place Start heading along 5km loop (a walking track).
After 125 m cross the ford.
Veer left.
After another 95 m cross the ford.
After another 920 m cross the ford.
Continue straight.
After another 1.3 km cross the ford.
Veer left.
After another 130 m continue straight.
After another 90 m cross the ford.
Continue another 70 m to find the end. Then turn around here and retrace the main route for 2.6 km to get back to the start.
About 85 m past the end is "Porcupine Rocks".
Porcupine Rocks
Porcupine Rocks

The Porcupine Rocks are a large granite outcrop on the ridge, south of Perisher Valley. There are two main peaks, and a rock scramble leads to the top of the southern peak, providing fantastic views of Perisher Valley, Mt Duncan, Thredbo River Valley and Bullocks Flat. The gap between the two summits provides some shade and protection from the wind. An amazing place to visit - allow time to just relax and enjoy this place. The summit can be slippery and icy, and there is a shear drop and other hazards. Much care is required.
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The Porcupine Rocks are a large granite outcrop on the ridge, south of Perisher Valley. There are two main peaks, and a rock scramble leads to the top of the southern peak, providing fantastic views of Perisher Valley, Mt Duncan, Thredbo River Valley and Bullocks Flat. The gap between the two summits provides some shade and protection from the wind. An amazing place to visit - allow time to just relax and enjoy this place. The summit can be slippery and icy, and there is a shear drop and other hazards. Much care is required.
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Terrain
Know the Hills, grading & facilities

Porcupine Walk


Grading
Class 4/6
Hard track
Length 5.1 km
Time 2 h 15 min to 2 h 30 min
Quality of track Rough track, where fallen trees and other obstacles are likely (4/6)
Gradient Very steep (4/6)
Signage Minimal directional signs (4/6)
Infrastructure Limited facilities (such as cliffs not fenced, significant creeks not bridged) (4/6)
Experience Required Moderate level of bushwalking experience recommended (4/6)
Weather Foretasted & unexpected storms and severe weather may impact on navigation and safety (4/6)
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Articles
Discover more details to thrive on track
Covered in snow part of the year
This walk leads through an extreme alpine environment and all walkers must be well prepared. During summer, be prepared for both very hot and cold weather, high winds, rain, snow, extreme UV levels and some sections of snow or ice on the ground. Before starting this walk, check advice with Snowy Region Visitor Information Centre (02) 6450 5600, the weather forecast and the snow conditions then change your plans as needed. These notes, grades and walking times have been written for use in the summer months only. Between May and the end of October, this walk is likely to be covered in snow/ice, visitors should be carrying and be prepared to use snowshoes or cross country skis. When there is a chance of significant snow on the ground, visitors will need particularly strong navigation and snowcraft skills - tracks and signage may not be visible. For most visitors, it is best to consider this walk closed during the colder months.
Porcupine Rocks
The Porcupine Rocks are a large granite outcrop on the ridge, south of Perisher Valley. There are two main peaks, and a rock scramble leads to the top of the southern peak, providing fantastic views of Perisher Valley, Mt Duncan, Thredbo River Valley and Bullocks Flat. The gap between the two summits provides some shade and protection from the wind. An amazing place to visit - allow time to just relax and enjoy this place. The summit can be slippery and icy, and there is a shear drop and other hazards. Much care is required.
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