Tom Groggin sits in a wide, open valley on the upper Murray River, just off the Alpine Way between Khancoban and Thredbo. We pulled in for a look the morning after our night at Geehi Flats, on the way over Dead Horse Gap to Thredbo, and drove the loop through the camping area.
What we like
- Huge open grassy areas
- Ranges all around the valley
- Only a $6 booking fee
- Short gravel road off the highway
- On the upper Murray River
What we don’t
- No drinking water
- Little shade in the open areas
- Bookings required
About Tom Groggin CampgroundAbout
Tom Groggin is a NSW National Parks campground in the Khancoban area of Kosciuszko National Park, on the banks of the upper Murray River. Here the river is still a mountain stream, and across it is Victoria. The camping area is a big expanse of mown grass with shade trees around the edges and plenty of room to spread out, and tents, camper trailers, caravans and camping beside your vehicle are all allowed. There are no camping fees, but you have to book ahead online and pay a $6 booking fee, and park entry applies on the Alpine Way.
Quick facts
- AddressTom Groggin Campground, Alpine Way, Kosciuszko National Park NSW 2642, AustraliaSee on the trip map →
- FacilitiesToiletsFire PitsPicnic TablesCaravan AccessCamper Trailer AccessFishingWalking TrailsNo Drinking WaterNo ShowersNo PowerNo Pets
- Good to knowBook aheadThredbo 25 kmBring water and firewood
- Fees$6 booking fee$17 park entry a day ($29 in winter)
- 8.6/10Overall rated
- Book via NSW National Parks
Getting There
Tom Groggin is about 52 km from the Khancoban Visitor Centre along the Alpine Way, and about 25 km west of Thredbo. Coming from Geehi, the road winds through forest and then opens up over green grazing flats with ranges all around. A blue Tom Groggin Rest Area sign marks the turn onto the National trail; after about 360 m you turn right into the camping and day use area, past the NPWS board and a sign saying advance booking is required. The last bit is gravel and fine for any car. The Alpine Way is steep, narrow and winding, NSW National Parks doesn’t recommend it for large caravans, and 2WD vehicles need snow chains between the June and October long weekends.
Camping on the Open FlatsThe campsites
The camping area is huge: a wide, mown grassy flat edged with concrete bollards, with the gravel road looping around it and stands of gums along the sides. Sites are unmarked, so you choose your own patch of grass, and steel fire pits are spread around. When we were there, a few groups had set up with gazebos, tents and cars, and there was still a lot of empty space. Beyond the camping area, open grass flats and scrub run out to a long range on the skyline. Shade is mostly at the edges, under the trees, so in summer it’s worth picking a spot there.
Campground LayoutLayout
Tom Groggin sits on the Murray River, right on the Victorian border, where the Alpine Way swings north towards Geehi and Khancoban. The horse camp is just up the road, and Leatherbarrel Creek campground and picnic area is further east along the Alpine Way towards Thredbo, with the Dead Horse Gap and Thredbo River tracks and the Cascade trail beyond.
Facilities
Near the entrance there’s a roofed information shelter on a concrete path, timber bollards around a hard-packed car park and a toilet block behind it. NSW National Parks lists two sets of accessible non-flush toilets, picnic tables on concrete slabs and fire rings. A sign on the way in says fires are only allowed in the fireplaces, and you bring your own firewood. There’s no drinking water, no showers and no power, so bring all your water. Pets aren’t allowed, and riders with horses use the separate Tom Groggin horse camp.
The Upper Murray ValleyThe valley
The setting is what makes Tom Groggin. The camp sits in a broad valley of open grassland, with forested ranges all around and the upper Murray River along one side. NSW National Parks says the weather here is generally milder than higher up in the park, and the grasslands are home to a large population of eastern grey kangaroos, with emus, echidnas, lyrebirds and flame robins around too. You can fish the river between the October and June long weekends with a NSW recreational fishing licence.
Things to Do NearbyThings to do
Tom Groggin is a popular base for the National trail, and the 21 km section from Tom Groggin to Geehi can be walked, cycled or ridden on horseback. At Geehi, the stone Geehi Hut is the start of the Geehi Huts walking track, and Scammell Spur and Olsens lookouts look across the Western Fall to the Main Range. Heading the other way, the Alpine Way climbs past Leatherbarrel Creek and over Dead Horse Gap to Thredbo, about 25 km away.
Summary
Tom Groggin is a big, open campground in a beautiful valley on the upper Murray, with mown grass, fire rings, picnic tables and toilets, and room for everyone. It costs a $6 booking fee plus park entry. Book ahead, bring your own drinking water and firewood, and look for a spot under the trees if it’s hot.
A big, open camp in a lovely valley.
Tom Groggin has wide mown grassy areas on the upper Murray, ringed by forested ranges, with fire rings, picnic tables and toilets, and there’s room for everyone. Book ahead, and bring your own drinking water and firewood.
- Car campers
- Hikers
- Anglers
Yes. A $6 booking fee gets you a spot on open grass in the upper Murray valley, a short gravel drive off the Alpine Way; park entry comes on top.
Recommended Gear for Tom Groggin Campground
There’s no drinking water, so carry plenty in good water containers. Bring your own firewood and a folding saw to cut it to size. With so much open grass, a pair of camping chairs in the shade at the edge is the way to spend an afternoon, and a gas stove like the Dune single burner covers you on fire ban days.
