Mattie and the fam shot down to Thredbo Diggings Campground for an activity-packed weekend getaway. Snacks, swims, and good sleeps ensued.

 

We acknowledge that this adventure is located on the traditional Country of the Ngarigo people who have occupied and cared for these lands and waters for thousands of years. We pay our respects to them as the Traditional Custodians and recognise that sovereignty was never ceded.

Highlights:

  • Rock tossing in the Thredbo River
  • A beautiful and tranquil camping spot
  • Ride the nearby Thredbo Valley Trail

Camping at Thredbo Diggings Campground

After our last family camping trip had been rained off – thanks La Niña – we were stoked to get a last minute invite to a friend’s 50th birthday campout at Thredbo Diggings Campground. 

Packing up the car with enough warm gear to survive autumn overnight temps getting close to freezing, alongside nappies, books, bikes and other kid’s essentials, it wasn’t long before our Subaru Outback was close to bursting.

Luckily, we recently swapped out our bulky kitchen gear for the ultra-packable X-Set 31 from Sea to Summit, so there was a bit of extra room for everyone to bring their favourite pillow. 

 

 

Thredbo Diggings is our favourite campsite, year round, but this was our first visit since the arrival of our two year old, bringing the family number up to four. Arriving late in the afternoon, and with ‘minimal’ help from the kids with erecting the tent, it was straight down to the Thredbo River for the ever popular and endless game of throwing rocks in the water. 

We thought we’d been smart bringing gum boots to keep the kids dry, but as it turns out they both thought said boots made them 100% waterproof, and it wasn’t long before they were both totally soaked anyway.

Cooking Up a Warm Feed

With dry pants on, we made our way up to the main party (having pitched our tent slightly further away so our young-uns could be quietly slipped away to bed). The main meal of pulled pork and beans was still warming by the fire, so we pulled out our camp stove and whipped up two-minute noodles to get some food into the kids before the obligatory marshmallows appeared.

 

 

Despite the minimal size of the X-Set 31 we were glad to find it didn’t skimp on the features. I particularly like the lid that locks onto the cooking pot and the inbuilt strainer, which is perfect for camp food like noodles. The kids love eating out of their squishy bowls and the silicone is easy to clean when they’re done. With full tummies, they were off to bed.

The X-Set 31 includes a 2.8L X-Pot, two X-Bowls and two X-Mugs

Time to Ride

After a surprisingly decent sleep (glad we could all bring our favourite pillow), we were up and back down to the river for more stone throwing and (pants off) paddling in the icy water. 

We made porridge and brewed up coffee and tea to fuel ourselves for a pedal. I got to try out the X-Cup for the first time (I didn’t pour beers into it the night before) and enjoyed the hard plastic lip that’s different to the bowls. Just don’t try and use an AeroPress to make camping coffee with it!

Then it was onto the bikes and along the TVT (Thredbo Valley Track) to Lake Crackenback Resort for hot chips and good times in the playground. 

 

 

Back at camp, party boy Adam (if you can call a fifty year old man that) pulled out the fishing rods and helped the kids cast a line or two into the river. We may have only been at camp for a short 24 hour adventure, but it felt like such a total getaway that we’re already planning the next one.

 

Essential Gear

  • Family Tent and warm camping gear
  • Pillows from home 
  • Lightweight cooking set (X-Set 31 highly recommended)
  • Small stove and gas
  • Bikes and helmets
  • Fishing gear
  • Multiple changes of clothes
  • Rubbish bags
  • Swimming clothes if you’re brave!
  • Toilet paper
  • Water
  • Firewood

How to Get There

About three hours from Canberra, six from Sydney, you can take the Monaro Highway and Kosciuszko Road to Jindabyne, before heading up the Alpine Way towards Thredbo.

The Diggings Campground is a few kilometres after the National Parks entry booths, so you’ll need to purchase a Parks Pass from the booth or in Jindabyne, or online. You’ll need to book ahead to stay at the campground and once you arrive the spots are allocated on a first come basis.

Facilities

The Thredbo Diggings campground has a short gravel road to gain access from the main road, but your 2WD will have no trouble here – unless you come in winter, in which case you might run into some snowy, slippery trouble (you’d likely need chains).

The only water available is from the Thredbo River, so you’ll need to bring your own or bring a filtration system. There are basic toilets and no rubbish bins –  so make sure you pack away everything you bring and, as always, leave no trace.