Upper Murray River
Also known as: Murray Gates
Alpine gorge on NSW/VIC border; views to Kosciuszko NP and Tom Groggin Station; pristine pools
Is there water?
Whether there is a river here on your dates, and what kind of water it is.
Snowmelt-fed natural flow from Kosciuszko; level-critical
Dec-Feb; needs ~0.8m in the gorge (approx 0.45m at Biggara) for true whitewater (Confirm.)
December to February (snowmelt-fed)
Cold snowmelt water; warm summer air (wetsuits optional in warm spells)
Very dangerous in flood (>1.6m); alpine weather; cold snaps
Grade & who can come
A river changes grade with its level. These grades describe a normal flow - in flood the same run is harder, and often a different run entirely. Check the gauge before you commit.
Sports section Grade I-III; Murray Gates Grade III+/IV; Class I-IV
Rafting; kayak
Commercial 6 km sports section suits novices; Gates run for experienced only - natural split
Sports rafting suits novice-experienced, children from 30kg (commercial); Gates for experienced paddlers
The run
Murray Gates (Grade IV, level-dependent); very dangerous above ~1.6m gauge with minimal scouting
Murray Gates hazardous in high water; rock formations; strainers
Upper Murray sports section and Murray Gates gorge
Low-moderate; some commercial groups in summer
Access & shuttle
Within/adjacent Kosciuszko NP; Tom Groggin camping ground
Permits and operators change - confirm before booking.
Put-in near Tom Groggin (approx 30 min from Thredbo); meet at Tom Groggin picnic/camping ground
Operator river transfers; car shuttle on Alpine Way
Tom Groggin camping ground; multiday possible on longer gorge runs
Whitewater kit; wetsuit for cold spells; limited mobile coverage - operator carries emergency comms
Khancoban; Corryong; Thredbo; Tom Groggin
Hazards & exits
Flood danger; cold water; level-critical Gates
Very dangerous in flood; road access via Alpine Way; operator safety cover on guided trips
Commercial guided sports rafting available; Gates for self-supported experts
This profile is desk research, compiled from public sources - not a first-hand river run report. Coordinates are approximate.