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Leatherbarrel Creek Campground, Kosciuszko National Park (NSW) Review

By ThomasUpdated 7 November 2026
Leatherbarrel Creek running clear and shallow over rocks under tall gums, with the bridge rail and signs on the right
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Leatherbarrel Creek is a small camping and rest area right beside the Alpine Way, where a clear mountain creek runs under the road in tall forest. We pulled in for a quick look on the way from Tom Groggin to Thredbo, after our night at Geehi Flats.

What we like

  • Clear, rocky creek beside camp
  • Shady grass under tall forest
  • Right off the Alpine Way
  • Handy for Thredbo

What we don’t

  • Small and basic
  • No drinking water
  • Bookings required

About Leatherbarrel Creek Campground

Leatherbarrel Creek is a NSW National Parks campground in the Khancoban area of Kosciuszko National Park, on the Alpine Way between Tom Groggin and Thredbo. The signs call it the Leatherbarrel Creek Camping and Rest Area, and the road sign spells it Leather Barrel Creek. It’s a small grassy flat surrounded by steep mountainsides and tall forest, with plenty of shade, and it doubles as a picnic stop for people driving the Alpine Way. Sites are unpowered, bookings are required, and park entry applies on the Alpine Way.

The NPWS board for Leatherbarrel Creek Camping and Rest Area at the entrance, beside the Leatherbarrel Ck bridge sign and the road
You turn in right beside the bridge over the creek

Quick facts

Getting There

The campground is on the Alpine Way between Tom Groggin and Thredbo. Coming from Tom Groggin, the road climbs through tall forest, narrow and winding with guard rails on the bends, and a blue sign warns of the Leather Barrel Creek Rest Area 500 m ahead on the left. The entrance is right at the bridge over the creek: a short gravel apron off the bitumen leads to the car park and the camping area. Any car can get in. In winter, between the June and October long weekends, 2WD vehicles must carry snow chains on this part of the Alpine Way.

The Alpine Way winding through tall forest with a guard rail, near Leatherbarrel Creek
The Alpine Way runs through tall forest on the way in
The blue Leather Barrel Creek Rest Area 500 m on left sign beside the Alpine Way
A sign on the Alpine Way gives you 500 m warning

A Small Camp by the Creek

The camping area is a grassy clearing edged with timber bollards, under tall gums with the forest close all around. It’s small, and when we looked in there was one tent pitched on the grass and an old LandCruiser parked on a gravel pad nearby, so it suits tents and vehicles rather than big rigs. Leatherbarrel Creek itself runs clear and shallow over rocks right beside the bridge, under the gums. NSW National Parks says currawongs, kookaburras, rosellas and willy wagtails live here, and brush-tailed possums visit at night. Drinking water is limited or not available, so bring your own, along with a gas or fuel stove.

A grassy clearing with timber bollards and a dark dome tent, with the Advance booking required sign, at Leatherbarrel Creek
It’s a small, shady clearing, and you need to book ahead

Campground Layout

Leatherbarrel Creek sits right on the Alpine Way, where the creek comes down to the road between Tom Groggin and Thredbo. Tom Groggin and its horse camp are to the west on the Murray River, and the Dead Horse Gap and Thredbo River tracks and the Cascade trail are further east towards Thredbo.

Sketch map of Leatherbarrel Creek and the Alpine Way: Leatherbarrel Creek campground and picnic area where the creek meets the Alpine Way, Tom Groggin campground and horse camp on the Murray River to the west, and the Dead Horse Gap and Thredbo River tracks and the Cascade trail to the east towards Thredbo Leatherbarrel Creek and the Alpine Way: the layout Sketch map, not to scale Kosciuszko National Park Victoria Murray River Swampy Plain River Leather Barrel Creek Snowy Creek Alpine Way Tom Groggincampground Horse camp Leatherbarrel Creekcampground and picnic area Dead Horse Gap track Thredbo River track Cascade trail ↑ To Geehi and Khancoban To Thredbo → Campground Alpine Way River, creek Walk or ride National park
Our sketch from the NSW National Parks overview map: Leatherbarrel Creek on the Alpine Way, Tom Groggin to the west on the Murray.

Facilities

Facilities are simple. The toilet is a long drop in a small corrugated-iron hut, tucked away on the right among the trees as you come into camp, so it’s easy to miss. There are picnic tables at the rest area, but no showers, no power and little or no drinking water, so arrive with full water containers and a gas or fuel stove.

The gravel pad and timber bollards at the entrance to Leatherbarrel Creek, with an old 4WD parked under tall gums
Coming into camp, the toilet is off to the right in the trees
A small corrugated-iron long-drop toilet with a vent pipe, half hidden among the trees and ferns at Leatherbarrel Creek
The long drop is tucked away among the trees, so it’s easy to miss

Things to Do Nearby

Leatherbarrel Creek is a handy stop on the Alpine Way. To the west, the road drops to the open valley of the upper Murray at Tom Groggin, the start of the National trail section to Geehi. To the east, it climbs over Dead Horse Gap and down to Thredbo, with its cafes, the chairlift and walks up towards Mt Kosciuszko.

The upper Murray valley and ranges near Tom Groggin, from a gravel pull-off on the Alpine Way
Further down the road, the valley opens up at Tom Groggin

Summary

Leatherbarrel Creek is a small, basic forest camp right beside the Alpine Way, with a shady grassy clearing and a clear, rocky creek next to the bridge. It works best as a quiet overnight stop between Tom Groggin and Thredbo. Book ahead, and bring your own water and a gas stove.

7.7/10
The verdictField-tested rating

A small, shady stop by a mountain creek.

Leatherbarrel Creek is a grassy clearing in tall forest right beside the Alpine Way, with the creek running over rocks next to the bridge. It’s basic, so book ahead and bring water and a gas stove.

Best for
  • Travellers
  • 4WD tourers
  • Couples
Worth the drive?

Yes, as an overnight stop on the Alpine Way. It’s a short pull-off from the road, shady and quiet by the creek, and close to Thredbo; park entry applies.

Drinking water is limited or not available, so bring plenty in good water containers. NSW National Parks suggests a gas stove, and a compact one like the Dune single burner is easy to set up for a night. Bring binoculars for the birds along the creek, and a headlamp like the Black Diamond Astro 300 for the dark under the tall trees.

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FAQ: Leatherbarrel Creek Campground

Where is Leatherbarrel Creek Campground?
On the Alpine Way in southern Kosciuszko National Park, between Tom Groggin and Thredbo. A blue rest area sign gives 500 m warning, and the entrance is right beside the bridge over the creek.
Do you need to book Leatherbarrel Creek Campground?
Yes. The sign at the campground says advance booking is required, and you book online with NSW National Parks or on 1300 072 757. Park entry applies on the Alpine Way as well.
Is there drinking water at Leatherbarrel Creek?
No. NSW National Parks says drinking water is limited or not available, so bring your own. It also suggests a gas or fuel stove, especially in summer.

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