Geehi Flats sits at the bottom of the Alpine Way in southern Kosciuszko, on a wide grassy flat beside the Swampy Plain River, with the Main Range rising behind it. We rolled in at dusk in early January after the long drive over from Victoria and a sunset stop at Scammell Spur Lookout, set up the rooftop tent in the trees by the river, and woke to kangaroos grazing all over the flat.
What we like
- Kangaroos all over the flat
- Clear river pools for a swim
- Main Range views from camp
- Historic Geehi Hut at camp
- Only a $6 booking fee
- Room for vans and caravans
What we don’t
- No drinking water
- Bring your own firewood
- Park entry on top
About Geehi Flats CampgroundAbout
Geehi Flats is a NSW National Parks campground in the Khancoban area of Kosciuszko National Park, between Khancoban and Thredbo. It’s big: a day use area by the highway, gravel loops of unmarked sites under the river red gums and casuarinas along the river, and a huge open flat with the historic Geehi Hut on its edge. Tents, camper trailers, caravans and camping beside your vehicle are all allowed. There are no camping fees, but you book online and pay a $6 booking fee, and park entry applies on the Alpine Way.
Quick facts
- AddressGeehi Flats Campground, Alpine Way, Kosciuszko National Park, Geehi NSW 2642, AustraliaSee on the trip map →
- FacilitiesToiletsFire PitsPicnic TablesCaravan AccessCamper Trailer AccessRiver AccessFishingWalking TrailsNo Drinking WaterNo ShowersNo PowerNo Rubbish BinsNo Pets
- Good to knowBring water and firewoodMax 14 nightsNo drones
- Fees$6 booking fee$17 park entry a day ($29 in winter)
- 9.2/10Overall rated
- Book via NSW National Parks
Getting There
Geehi is right on the Alpine Way, the sealed road between Khancoban and Thredbo. Coming from Khancoban, as we did, the road climbs over the range past Scammell Spur Lookout and drops down to the Swampy Plain River; the turn-off is just before the bridge, marked with a blue Rest Area sign and a stone wall saying Geehi Rest Area. The finger board at the turn-off gives 31 km back to Khancoban and 80 km on to Jindabyne. From the turn-off, gravel roads in good condition lead into the camping loops, and any 2WD car or caravan will manage them. The Alpine Way itself is steep and winding over the range, and 2WD vehicles must carry snow chains between the June and October long weekends.
The Campsites
The sites are unmarked, so you pick your own spot. Along the river, gravel loops wind through red gums and casuarinas, with open dirt and grass pads big enough for a vehicle and a tent, and some sites have a timber picnic table on a concrete pad and a steel fire ring. We found a spot in the treed loop near the water, a short walk from the river. Out on the open flat, other campers had tents and trailers spread across the grass with the whole Main Range in view. There were caravans, campervans and big vans in the loops too, and plenty of room for everyone.
Campground LayoutLayout
Geehi Flats is the southernmost of three campgrounds along the Swampy Plain River. The camping area runs along the river beside the big flat, with the Alpine Way on the other side, and NSW National Parks puts toilet blocks at the north end, in the middle and two at the south end near the river walk. From the ford at the north end, the Geehi Huts walk and the 4WD Behrs Flat Trail head up the river to Behrs Flat campground and Keebles Hut, then on to Old Geehi campground and Old Geehi Hut at Round Flat.
Kangaroos on the Big FlatKangaroos
Early the next morning we walked out onto the big flat. A gravel walking track curves across the golden grass, a few lone gums stand out in the middle, and the Main Range runs along the skyline. Eastern grey kangaroos were everywhere: grazing in the long grass, lying on the track and standing up to watch us walk past. NSW National Parks says Geehi also has a large population of wombats, and red-necked and swamp wallabies come out closer to dark.
Swimming and Fishing in the Swampy Plain RiverSwim & fish
The Swampy Plain River runs right along the campground, and in summer it’s beautiful: clear, shallow pools over smooth golden stones, with little rapids in between and the forested range behind. There are plenty of spots to get in, and a gravel path follows the river past the southern sites with a couple of benches along the way. My partner had a swim in one of the pools the morning after we arrived, and the water was crystal clear. NSW National Parks also suggests tubing and kayaking.
The river is a good one for fishing too, with trout and salmon to catch. Fly fishing for rainbow and brown trout is the popular way to go, and the sign by the rest area sets out the bag and size limits for trout and salmon. You need a NSW recreational fishing licence, so sort one out online before you head into the park, as reception is limited.
Geehi Hut, Built From River StonesGeehi Hut
On the edge of the flat stands Geehi Hut, a low hut built from smooth grey river stones, with an iron roof and a verandah. You can step inside: it has a timber floor and stone fireplaces, and a sign asks you to close the door. Camping and fires aren’t allowed in the hut. Next to it are an open picnic shelter with a stone chimney and a smaller stone building. Geehi Hut is the start of the Geehi Huts walking track, 6 km return, which crosses the river to Keebles Hut at Behrs Flat and on to Old Geehi Hut.
The Ford to Behrs FlatThe ford
At the southern end of the campground, a gravel track runs straight into the river at the Swampy Plains River Crossing. A green sign says “To Behrs Flat, 4 Wheel Drive – Dry Weather Only”, and a second sign warns that river conditions can change at any time. It’s the start of the 4WD route to Keebles Hut and Behrs Flat campground, and walkers wade across here on the Geehi Huts track. We had a look at the ford in the morning, when the river was low and still. Only cross when the water is low and slow, and walk it first if you’re not sure.
Facilities
There are four non-flush toilet blocks spread through the campground: one at the northern end, one in the middle and two at the southern end near the river walk. They’re modern steel blocks with a corrugated roof. Picnic tables, wood barbecues and fire rings are spread around, and the day use area by the Alpine Way has a stone shelter and more tables. There’s no drinking water, no showers, no power and no bins, so bring all your water and take your rubbish with you. Fires are only allowed in the barbecues and fire rings provided, and you need to bring your own firewood, because collecting it in the park isn’t allowed.
Things to Do NearbyThings to do
Geehi is a great base for the Alpine Way. Scammell Spur Lookout, a short drive back up the range towards Khancoban, looks straight across the Western Fall to the Main Range and is at its best at sunset. Olsens Lookout and Geehi Reservoir have views of the Western Fall too, though the road is closed in winter. Heading towards Thredbo, the next camps along the Alpine Way are Tom Groggin on the upper Murray and Leatherbarrel Creek, before the road climbs over Dead Horse Gap to Thredbo.
Summary
Geehi Flats is a beautiful campground: big grassy and shaded sites along a clear mountain river, kangaroos all over the open flat, a historic stone hut to explore and the Main Range on the skyline. It costs only a $6 booking fee plus park entry for the Alpine Way. Bring all your drinking water and firewood, and leave time for a swim and an early walk across the flat.
A beautiful riverside camp below the Main Range.
Geehi Flats has big grassy and shaded sites along the clear Swampy Plain River, kangaroos grazing on the open flat, a historic stone hut and the Main Range on the skyline, all for a $6 booking fee. Bring your own drinking water and firewood, and pay park entry for the Alpine Way.
- Families
- 4WD tourers
- Anglers
Yes. A $6 booking fee gets you a riverside site with swimming holes, a stone hut and kangaroos on the flat; park entry for the Alpine Way comes on top.
Recommended Gear for Geehi Flats Campground
There’s no drinking water at Geehi, so bring plenty in good water containers. Firewood can’t be collected in the park, so bring your own and a folding saw to cut it to size. A pair of camping chairs by the river is the best seat in camp, and a headlamp like the Black Diamond Astro 300 helps on the walk to the toilets after dark.
