The camp takes its name, so the local story goes, from Australian trekking groups who pitched their tents on this open ridge in the 1970s and 80s. Today it is a broad, sloping lawn with a handful of lodges and a tented camp along its upper edge, surrounded by oak and rhododendron forest. It sits inside the Annapurna Conservation Area, but at 2,060 m it is low enough that altitude is not a concern for healthy travellers.
The view is the reason to come. Machhapuchhre seems close enough to touch from here, about 20 km to the north-east, with Annapurna South, Hiunchuli, Mardi Himal and the Annapurna massif along the skyline, and the Lamjung Himal further east. In the evening the peaks turn orange and the lights of Pokhara come on in the valley to the south-east. In the morning the sun rises behind Machhapuchhre and lights the whole range.
Australian Camp is the easiest taste of the Annapurna foothills. Families, older travellers and honeymoon couples do it as an overnight trip from Pokhara, while trekkers pass through on the first day of the Mardi Himal trek or on the walk to Dhampus and Landruk. The trail from Kande is a steady stone staircase through forest, short enough for children from about six. Allow a full afternoon and the following morning; the drive back from Kande or Phedi to Lakeside takes under an hour.
What to see and do
- Sunrise behind Machhapuchhre
At dawn the sun climbs from behind Machhapuchhre's twin summit, outlining it in gold before lighting Annapurna South and Hiunchuli. Unlike Sarangkot, there are no tour buses, and you watch from the lawn a few steps from your lodge door.
- Sunset over the Pokhara valley
Late afternoon light paints the Annapurnas pink while the valley to the south fills with haze. As dark falls, the lights of Pokhara and Phewa Lake come on far below. Clear evenings from October to December are the most reliable.
- The stone trail from Kande
The walk up from Kande at about 1,770 m climbs roughly 300 m in 1–1.5 hours on stone steps through oak and rhododendron forest. It is steady rather than steep and passes a few tea shops for rests.
- Rhododendron forest in spring
From late February to April the forest around the camp and along the ridge to Pothana flowers red and pink with rhododendron, Nepal's national flower. It is one of the easiest places near Pokhara to see the bloom.
- Walk on to Dhampus
From Australian Camp an easy trail continues east through forest and fields to Pothana at about 1,990 m, then down to the Gurung village of Dhampus. This makes a classic two-day loop back to Pokhara via Phedi.
Experiences in Australian Camp
How to reach Australian Camp
Road
Drive from Pokhara north-west on the Pokhara–Baglung highway towards Naudanda for about 25 km to Kande (45–60 minutes by private car or taxi). Local buses to Baglung pass Kande but are slower. Your vehicle can collect you at Kande or, if you walk on to Dhampus, at Phedi.
On foot
From Kande, a stone trail climbs about 300 m through forest to Australian Camp in 1–1.5 hours. A guide is required for foreign trekkers under current Annapurna Conservation Area rules. From the camp, Pothana is about 1 hour east and Dhampus another 1–1.5 hours beyond.
Where to stay
Several family-run lodges and a tented camp stand along the top of the meadow, most with rooms or tents facing the mountains. Rooms are simple, with twin beds, blankets and either shared or basic attached bathrooms; hot showers are often solar or gas-heated. Meals are dal bhat, noodles, pancakes and simple Indian and continental dishes. There are no hotels of 3-star standard here, so pack a warm layer and a sleeping bag liner in winter. We reserve the best available view rooms for our guests, and travellers who prefer more comfort can do the hike as a day trip and return to Pokhara.
Tips from our trip managers
- Start the walk from Kande by 2 pm so you reach the camp before the evening light show.
- Carry a warm jacket and hat; December and January nights drop close to freezing at 2,060 m.
- Bring your ACAP permit and TIMS card, which may be checked on the trail.
- Leave heavy luggage in Pokhara and carry only an overnight daypack up the steps.
- Pay for hot showers and phone charging in cash, as lodges charge small fees for both.
