Things to Do in Crackenback: A Local’s Year-Round Guide 2026
Most people pass Crackenback on the way to somewhere else. It sits on the Alpine Way between Jindabyne and Thredbo, only a 15-minute drive from town, on the edge of Kosciuszko National Park. Slow down and you find a valley with a lakeside resort open to day visitors, a river track for walking and riding, horse stables, a schnapps distillery and Wally the resident wombat, who answers children’s letters.
An Overview of Lake Crackenback
Crackenback is a small locality in the Thredbo Valley, NSW, with four main draws, including Lake Crackenback Resort, the Thredbo Valley Track, horse riding and fishing, and a handful of places to eat and drink.
- From Jindabyne: ~20 minutes by car along the Alpine Way
- To Thredbo: ~20 minutes further up the valley
- To the Skitube at Bullocks Flat: ~5 minutes
- Setting: River flats and snow gum country bordering Kosciuszko National Park
If you are still choosing a base, compare the valley with town in our guide to Snowy Mountains accommodation.
Things to Do in Crackenback by Season
The valley changes with the calendar, so match your plans to the season.
| Season | Best for | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Spring | Trout fishing, walks | Bike track reopens after October long weekend |
| Summer | Canoeing, riding, e-bike tours | Book tours ahead |
| Autumn | Riding, quieter trails | Bikes until June long weekend |
| Winter | Skitube to Perisher, Thredbo | Track closed to bikes |
Vehicle entry to Kosciuszko National Park on the Alpine Way costs $17 per vehicle per day for most of the year and $29 between the June and October long weekends.
In the cold months, read our winter snow guide and winter driving advice before you leave, as snow and ice conditions change quickly.
Things to Do at Lake Crackenback Resort
You do not need a room key to use Oaks Lake Crackenback Resort. Day visitors can buy an activities pass, book guided tours through Harro’s Snowsports, or reserve a spa treatment.
The $15 resort day pass
The Resort Day Pass costs $15 per person and excludes the trampolines. The pass covers:
- 9-hole disc golf
- 9-hole par 3 golf
- Archery
- Tennis
- Low ropes course
- Walking trails and the sculpture trail, with more than 20 works
Canoeing on the lake runs in summer only. You can borrow or hire clubs, discs, bows and racquets on site. Full resort amenity access like the indoor heated pool, full gymnasium, and sauna is typically reserved for in-house guests or spa package holders rather than a standalone general day pass.
Guided tours with Harro’s
Harro’s Snowsports runs the resort’s paid tours. It opens from 08:30 to 16:00 daily in summer. Prices come from Harro’s tours and activities page.
| Tour | Duration | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Segway tour | 1 hour | $110 pp |
| Cascade Hut e-bike | Half day | $295 pp |
| MTB skills clinic | Tailored lesson | From $75 pp |
The all-terrain Segways make it easy to explore the 150 acre resort, and riders must be physically fit enough and tall enough to safely control an adult-sized e-mountain bike. The Cascade Hut guided e-bike tour covers roughly 20km return and runs from November to April. A private skills clinic costs $145, or $90 per person for two to four riders.
Spa & wellness centre
The Spa & Wellness Centre takes bookings from day visitors, and bookings are essential. From deep tissue massages that relieve the aches and pains of mountain adventures to facials and spa packages, treatments take place in custom-built rooms that look out to the mountains.
Walking and Riding the Thredbo Valley Track from Crackenback
The Thredbo Valley Track is the best free thing to do in Crackenback, and you can join it on foot from the resort. The distances and seasons below come from the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS).
- Bullocks Hut walk: ~1km from the resort on a well-maintained trail. The hut sits at the junction of the Thredbo River and the Little Thredbo River, a good spot for a picnic.
- Full track: 37.3km one way from Thredbo to Thredbo River picnic area.
- Thredbo to Bullocks Flat: 16.7km, graded easy to intermediate, 1.5 to 4 hours by bike.
- Bullocks Flat to Gaden Trout Hatchery: 18.4km, graded intermediate, with no exit points or facilities along the way. NPWS recommends this section for fit, experienced riders only.
- Bike season: Sections open after the October long weekend and close at the start of the June long weekend. The track is closed to bikes in winter.
Check NPWS alerts before you set out, as closures change. For a one-way ride, arrange a shuttle or a pickup in advance.
For more routes, see our biking information and our guide to Jindabyne walking trails.
Horse Riding, Fishing and Wildlife in Valley
Away from the resort, the valley suits slower days in the saddle, on the river or out at dusk watching wildlife.
Horse riding
Thredbo Valley Horse Riding operates from Crackenback. A 10-minute pony ride costs $30 and suits children aged 2 to 10. Trail rides for older children and adults are also available in groups, from $150 per person.
Trout fishing
You can fish the resort’s lake and the Thredbo River, which runs past Bullocks Hut. The resort offers guided fly fishing with Matt Tripet, founder of The Fly Program charity, covering casting basics for beginners. Trout rivers and streams reopen each year on the October long weekend. You need a NSW recreational fishing licence unless you hold an exemption.
Our Jindabyne fishing guide covers spots, seasons and rules.
Wildlife
Wally the resident wombat has a mailbox on the corner of Bullocks Drive and Rocky Road, and children can post him a drawing or a letter. Kangaroos, emus and possums are easiest to see at dawn and dusk on the resort trails. Keep your distance and do not feed them.
Where to Eat and Drink in Crackenback
Crackenback has two restaurants at the resort and two more places a short drive along the Alpine Way. Hours at these independent venues change with the season, so confirm before you drive out.
Perrotta’s Italian & Bar
- Address: Lake Crackenback Resort, 1650 Alpine Way, Crackenback
- Opening hours: 12:00 – 14:00 and 17:00 – 20:30 (Tuesday to Sunday), 17:00 – 20:30 (Monday)
- Famous for: Stone-baked pizzas and pastas
The resort’s casual option, which replaced Alpine Larder in mid-June 2024. Cosy, rustic décor with a huge stone fireplace, outdoor benches and an outdoor fire pit for cooler evenings. Expect pizzas and pastas.
Cuisine Restaurant & Bar
Perched over the clear waters of Lake Crackenback, with a Wally the Wombat children’s menu.
- Address: Lake Crackenback Resort, 1650 Alpine Way, Crackenback NSW 2627
- Opening hours:
- Breakfast: 07:30 – 10:00 daily (with extended school holiday/early hours starting at 06:30)
- Après Hour: 16:00 – 17:00 (Monday – Friday)
- Evening Dinner: 17:30 – 21:00 (Wednesday – Saturday)
- Famous for: Lake and mountain views, and a seasonal menu built on regional produce. Bookings are recommended.
Wildbrumby Distillery
Schnapps and gin made on site. The distillery door opens daily and the Stillhouse café opens Thursday to Monday, per Wildbrumby. Reserve a table for weekend dining.
- Address: Alpine Way &, 36 Wollondibby Rd, Crackenback
- Opening hours:
- Distillery door: 10:00 – 17:00 daily
- Stillhouse café: 10:00 – 17:00 (Thursday to Monday)
- Famous for: Schnapps and gin, Austrian-inspired meals beside the working still, and a sculpture garden. Phone ahead for a lunch table.
Crackenback Farm
Crackenback Farm is a restaurant and guesthouse with an open fire in winter and a terrace for the warmer months.
- Address: 914 Alpine Way, Crackenback
- Opening hours: Vary by season. The restaurant posts current times on its booking page, so check before you go.
- Monday: 17:00 – 21:00
- Tuesday – Sunday: 12:00 – 15:00 (Lunch) and 17:00 PM – 21:00 PM (Dinner)
- Famous for: French farmhouse cooking, a menu that changes daily, and a pantry of pies and frozen meals to take away.
Where to Stay near Crackenback
Staying in the valley puts the track and the resort trails at your door. Little Rocky Retreat is our one-bedroom apartment on Little Rocky Road, inside Lake Crackenback Resort. It sleeps two, with a king bed, heated floors in winter, a deck and undercover parking. Two home truths is that an external flight of stairs leads down to the unit, and pets are not allowed. Check the property page for current rates.
Larger groups usually base themselves in Jindabyne, 15 minutes away. If you travel with a dog, pets cannot enter Kosciuszko National Park, so start with our dog friendly stays in Jindabyne.
Snowy Mountain Accommodation
Read our guide and book your Snowy Mountains stay directly with Alpine Country Holidays for the best available rate.
Planning your Crackenback Visit
Crackenback fills a day without a lift ticket: a morning walk to Bullocks Hut, an afternoon of archery and disc golf on a $15 pass, and a schnapps tasting on the drive home. It also works as a quiet base between Jindabyne and Thredbo in any season. Confirm third-party hours and track alerts before you go, then browse available properties in the valley and book direct for the best rate.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you visit Lake Crackenback Resort if you are not staying there?
Yes. Day visitors can buy a Resort Day Pass for $15 per person, which covers activities such as disc golf, par 3 golf, archery, tennis, the low ropes course and the walking trails. The pass excludes the trampolines. You can also book guided tours, spa treatments and the restaurants without staying, though tours do not run every day.
Are there platypus in Lake Crackenback?
Yes, platypuses are regularly spotted in and around Lake Crackenback and the adjacent Thredbo River. The animals you are most likely to see around the resort are also kangaroos, emus, possums and wombats, mainly at dawn and dusk. Walk quietly and keep your distance.
Is there a restaurant at Crackenback?
Yes. Lake Crackenback Resort has Perrotta’s Italian & Bar for pizza and pasta, and Cuisine Restaurant & Bar over the lake. A few minutes along the Alpine Way, Wildbrumby Distillery runs its Stillhouse café from Thursday to Monday, with the distillery door open daily. Book ahead on weekends and in school holidays.
How far is Crackenback from Jindabyne and Thredbo?
Crackenback is about 15 minutes by car from Jindabyne along the Alpine Way and 15 to 20 minutes from Thredbo Village. The Skitube terminal at Bullocks Flat, which connects to Perisher in winter, is about 5 minutes away. Allow extra time in winter, when snow, ice and traffic slow the road.
Do you need a national park pass to visit Crackenback?
Vehicle entry fees in Kosciuszko National Park on the Alpine Way are $17 per vehicle per day for most of the year and $29 between the June and October long weekends. If you plan to drive on to Thredbo, you will need a pass.
