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Annapurna Regionअस्ट्रेलियन क्याम्प

Australian Camp

A grassy clearing at about 2,060 m above Kande with a wide view of the Annapurna range and Machhapuchhre, an easy walk from the road.

Plan a trip here
Machhapuchhre and the Annapurna range above forested ridges, seen from Australian Camp.
Photo: Sabina Bajracharya (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Altitude
2,060 m*
Best months
Feb-Apr, Oct-Dec
Type
Trek stop
District
Kaski, Gandaki
Permit
Permit required

Why go

Australian Camp is an open grassy shoulder at about 2,060 m on the ridge above Kande, about 1-2 hours' walk from the Pokhara-Baglung road. From the clearing the view runs from Annapurna South and Hiunchuli to Machhapuchhre, Annapurna IV and Lamjung Himal, with Pokhara and Phewa Tal visible to the south on clear days.

It is the first stop on the Mardi Himal trek and an alternative start for the Annapurna Base Camp trek via Pothana, Tolka and Landruk. On its own it makes a one-night trip from Pokhara, often continued to Dhampus and down to Phedi.

History and culture

Locally the clearing was known as Thulo Kharka, 'the big pasture', grazing land for the villages around. Trekking sources say that Austrian visitors camped here in the 1980s and that 'Austrian Camp' turned into 'Australian Camp', which was easier to say; the story is told locally but not documented. Today lodges and tented camps stand around the meadow.

Things to do in Australian Camp

  • Sunrise from the meadow

    The peaks to the north catch the first light; on clear mornings Pokhara is visible to the south.

  • Walk to Dhampus

    Continue about an hour east and down to the Gurung village of Dhampus, then to Phedi for transport back.

Weather and the best time to visit Australian Camp

Weather in Australian Camp

Forecast for 2,060 m. Conditions change fast in the mountains.

Weather data: MET Norway, licensed CC BY 4.0. A forecast, not a guarantee.

Best time to visit

Feb-Apr, Oct-Dec

  1. Jan
  2. Good month: Feb
  3. Good month: Mar
  4. Good month: Apr
  5. May
  6. Jun
  7. Jul
  8. Aug
  9. Sep
  10. Good month: Oct
  11. Good month: Nov
  12. Good month: Dec
Autumn (Sep-Nov)
October and November bring clear mountain views and dry trails; lodges are busiest in these months.
Winter (Dec-Feb)
December to February is often clear with frosty mornings; a good time for views at this height.
Spring (Mar-May)
March to May brings rhododendron flowers in the forest, warmer days and more afternoon cloud.
Monsoon (Jun-Aug)
June to August is wet, with leeches, slippery trails, landslide risk and peaks often hidden by cloud.

Where to stay

LodgesTeahousesCamping

Several lodges and tented camps around the meadow.

No partner stays are listed here yet. List a property.

Getting there

Drive to Kande on the Pokhara-Baglung road, then walk up.

Nearest hub: Pokhara

  • roadPokhara to Kande by bus, taxi or jeep, roughly 45 minutes to 1.5 hours.
  • walkKande to Australian Camp, a forest climb of about 1-2 hours.
Mount Everest 8,848.86Kangchenjunga 8,586Dhaulagiri I 8,167Manaslu 8,163Annapurna I 8,091Australian CampKathmandu
Boundary: Government of Nepal, Survey Department (2020). Peak data: Wikidata.

Permits and fees

Permit required

Australian Camp is at the southern edge of the Annapurna Conservation Area. Treks continuing to Mardi Himal or ABC need an ACAP permit; for a short hike, sources disagree on whether it is checked.

  • Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP): Issued by the National Trust for Nature Conservation in Kathmandu and Pokhara or online; checked on the trail.
  • TIMS card: Check whether a TIMS card is currently required.
  • Guide rule: Since April 2023 foreign trekkers in national parks and conservation areas are generally required to go with a licensed guide; check the current rule.

Verify before travel: permit rules and fees change. Checked 2026-10-06 against National Trust for Nature Conservation (Annapurna Conservation Area Project, e-permit links).

On the trail

On the Australian Camp trek, Mardi Himal trek, Annapurna Base Camp trek (via Pothana).

Previous stop:
Kande
Next stop:
Pothana or Dhampus
A typical day:
From Kande, about 1-2 hours and roughly 300 m of climbing through forest.

Practical tips

  • Mobile signal is generally good.
  • There is no ATM; carry cash.
  • This route stays below about 2,500 m, so altitude illness is unlikely, but insurance that covers trekking and evacuation is still sensible. This is general information, not medical advice.

Treks through Australian Camp

The fishtail summit of Machhapuchhre above brown grassy ridges near Mardi Himal High Camp

Mardi Himal Trek

A ridge trek from Kande near Pokhara through rhododendron forest to the open crest below Machhapuchhre, with a day climb to Mardi Himal Base Camp at about 4,500 m.

Days
6 days
Maximum altitude
4,500 m
Difficulty
Moderate
Lodges and prayer flags at Australian Camp with Annapurna South and Machhapuchhre behind.

Australian Camp Trek

A one- or two-day walk from Kande near Pokhara to Australian Camp, a grassy viewpoint at about 2,060 m facing the Annapurnas and Machhapuchhre, returning via Dhampus and Phedi.

Days
2 days
Maximum altitude
2,060 m
Difficulty
Easy
A grassy dirt track leads through tall pine forest on the way to Balthali village.

Balthali Village Trek

A short, low walk south-east of Kathmandu from Dhulikhel to the Buddhist pilgrimage site of Namo Buddha, on to the farming village of Balthali, and down to the old Newar town of Panauti. No permit needed.

Days
3 days
Maximum altitude
1,750 m
Difficulty
Easy

Questions about Australian Camp

Why is it called Australian Camp?

Trekking sources say Austrian visitors camped here in the 1980s and the name changed to Australian Camp over time; its local name is Thulo Kharka.

How far is Australian Camp from Pokhara?

About 45 minutes to 1.5 hours by road to Kande, then 1-2 hours on foot.

Do I need a permit for Australian Camp?

For treks beyond it, an ACAP permit is needed; for a short hike, check locally as sources disagree.

More in Annapurna Region

All of Annapurna Region
Manang village in the upper Marsyangdi valley with Annapurna III and Gangapurna behind.

Town or village · 3,519 m

Manang

A high stone village in the upper Marsyangdi valley below Annapurna III and Gangapurna, where Circuit trekkers stop to acclimatise.

Snow-covered ground and lodge roofs at Annapurna Base Camp below Annapurna I and its neighbouring peaks under a deep blue sky.

Trek stop · 4,130 m

Annapurna Base Camp

Lodges at about 4,130 m in the glacial basin of the Annapurna Sanctuary, below the south face of Annapurna I.

Prayer flags and a small stone hut at the Thorong La, with patches of snow on grey scree under a blue sky.

Mountain pass · 5,416 m

Thorong La

The 5,416 m pass between Manang and Muktinath, the high point of the Annapurna Circuit.

Trek stop · 2,310 m

Bamboo

A group of lodges in the bamboo forest of the Modi Khola gorge, the first overnight stop above Chhomrong on the way to Annapurna Base Camp.

Chhomrong village spread across a steep hillside, seen from Lower Sinuwa across the valley.

Trek stop · 2,170 m

Chhomrong

The last permanent Gurung village before the Annapurna Sanctuary, built on a steep staircase facing Annapurna South and Machhapuchhre.

Trek stop · 1,650 m

Dhampus

A Gurung hill village above Phedi with views of Machhapuchhre and the Annapurnas, close to Pokhara.

Trek stop · 3,420 m

Dobato

A small high lodge stop on the ridge between Tadapani and Khopra, the base for sunrise at the Muldai viewpoint.

Nearby

Morning view over Pokhara with Phewa Lake, the city under low cloud and the Annapurna range on the skyline.

Town or village · 822 m

Pokhara

A lakeside city about 200 km west of Kathmandu, with the Annapurna range and Machhapuchhre rising close to the north.

Editorial draft: facts are being checked against the sources below. Last checked 2026-10-06. Sources: Mardi Himal trek, Wikivoyage, Australian Camp day hike from Pokhara, North Nepal Trek, The Dhampus trek in Nepal's Annapurna region, Much Better Adventures