Issue link: https://viewer.e-digitaleditions.com/i/111460
outtahere Fish break the water's surface in the calmer spots and it's easy to see why people come here for fly fishing – if not for the fish, then for the escape to nature and the fresh alpine air. Georgia tells us there are platypuses about, too, but I don't manage to spot one, and I listen out for the rumble of the hundreds of brumbies that still gallop through these parts. Big, beautiful gum trees line the riverbank, along with native wildflowers, shrubs and grass. Hundreds of tiny white moths hover around some of the plants that overhang the water, and as the sun comes out it makes the water sparkle, catching Above and below, the flecks of fool's gold. I pause at the beauty of it and next page: all before paddling into the next set of rapids, trying River sledding down to remain balanced while holding on to my sled. the Thredbo River; River sledding is a great activity that gets you out wildflowers are in and among the natural beauty of the area, as well abundance in the as providing fun and adventure. warmer months; The 3.8-kilometre course starts at Thredbo trek to Australia's highest peak. Diggings and pops us out two hours later near Bullocks Hut in Kosciuszko National Park, which borders the expansive 60-hectare Lake Crackenback Resort and Spa, my alpine haven for the weekend. Bullocks Hut is a small historical building that was constructed in the 1930s for a Dr Bullock and his family to use as a fishing lodge. Fast Fact It's one of about 200 huts in the The 690,000ha Australian Alps originally used by early settlers, drovers and prospectors. Looking around the well-preserved national park, it's hard to imagine much has changed since then, though the huge, patchy areas of brown and blackened trees are a reminder of recent bushfires. The area is renowned for its cultural history, which harks back to the days of drovers and bushmen (this is real The Man From Snowy River country), as much as its natural beauty. During the bushfires in 2003 and 2007 many of the historical huts, some of which are 150 years old, were destroyed. During one particular blazing battle, firefighters had to choose between saving one of the huts – a relic of Australia's past – or an area where the fragile, critically endangered corroboree frog is known to live. Despite the threat to the frogs from the fire, dry heat, smoke, ash and general Kosciuszko National Park devastation, the firefighters were able to encompasses alpine protect the habitat of the tiny yellow-andand sub-alpine areas black corroboree frog, no doubt saving the containing 21 plant species from extinction, for now. species that are not Out of the river and back at Activate, we found elsewhere in peel off our wetsuits. Whether you want to try the world. fly fishing, mountain biking, hiking, kayaking, tennis or archery, there is a lot to do here. Bordering the national park means there is plenty of terrain to explore and there are walking and riding trails virtually from the door of your chalet. In the spirit of trying another new activity (and because it's now pouring with rain and I'm wet anyway), I sign up for the Segway Eco Tour. The battery-operated Segways, which produce no emissions during operation, have two big off-road wheels, a platform to stand on and a centre pole and handles for steering. They're perfect for exploring the bush and splashing through puddles without getting dirty, Georgia enthuses. After a short lesson in operating these strangelooking craft, we spend an hour manoeuvring over rocks, grass, mud and small wooden bridges, quietly zooming around the bush, creeping up on kangaroos and exploring the terrain surrounding the lake and 17