Driving Tips
Brought to you by Defender
The unstoppable Defender is no stranger to driving in challenging conditions, especially on snow-covered and icy roads. So, we thought we’d compile and share a few driving safety tips, so you can leave the sliding and jumping for when you’re on the slopes.
Planning Your Trip Tips
- Before you leave, check for Kosciuszko National Park alerts or closures – you don’t want to arrive and have to turn back.
- In extreme weather, roads can be closed, so keep your eye on live traffic and weather reports before you leave.
- In extreme weather, roads can be closed, so keep your eye on live traffic and weather reports before you leave.
Driving Tips
- Watch for signs of tiredness both to and from Thredbo. Take breaks along the way.
- Leave double the distance between you and the car in front.
- Avoid harsh breaking and sharp steering movements on icy roads. When it’s slippery, it takes longer to stop.
- Ensure your radiator has effective antifreeze.
- When it is foggy or the weather deteriorates, use your fog lights (if you have them).
- An extra handy tip: if your windscreen ices over, don’t pour warm water on it as there’s a risk of cracking it. Use a windscreen scraper instead.
Snow Chain Tips
If you’re in a 4WD vehicle such as a Land Rover, chains are not compulsory for entering the Kosciuszko National Park. However if your vehicle is a 2WD, it’s a different story. Sure, you can still get to Thredbo, but between 1 June and 11 October it’s compulsory 2WD vehicles carry chains on certain roads. These include:
- Kosciuszko Road from the park boundary at Thredbo River.
- Alpine Way between Thredbo and Tom Groggin.
- Island Bend/Guthega Road for its full length.
- It’s recommended chains are used on the Alpine Way between Jindabyne and Thredbo, and on the Snowy Mountains Highway.
It’s also worth noting that the road from Khancoban to Cabramurra and many Kosciuszko National Park minor roads are closed in winter.
As we mentioned, snow chains are not compulsory for 4WD and AWD vehicles, but just in case, we do recommend you carry a set – especially if you’re not used to driving on alpine roads in the snow season. It pays to be extra prepared.
Hiring and Using Snow Chain Tips
There are plenty of places to hire snow chains – from service stations to ski hire shops. What’s important is you understand how to fit them properly (believe us, it’s not difficult).
Defender Accessories
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Defender At Thredbo
The Land Rover Defender has quite the history in Australia’s alpine area, having played a huge part in the construction of the mighty Snowy Hydro. Now, decades on, the Defender returns. Keep an eye out for the Defender joining the Thredbo crew around the slopes. Or, you can build your own and enjoy the most capable Defender for yourself.
Whether you ski, snowboard, hike, mountain bike or are visiting for the first time, our app is your companion to Australia’s Premier Adventure Destination.
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Thredbo sits on the traditional land of the Monero – Ngarigo people who have looked after this land, water and community for over 60,000 years. We thank them for all they have done and continue to do to look after their country, a special place which we all love and respect.
