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Phone, PLB or satellite messenger, signal mirror on Kosciuszko

Also called: Charged phone, Mirror, Personal locator beacon (PLB)

What it is for

A way to call for help: a charged phone where there is coverage, a satellite messenger or personal locator beacon where there is none, and a mirror to signal. Check the local rules: some countries restrict satellite devices.

What Kosciuszko asks for

Standard
A personal locator beacon (PLB) (NPWS lends one free at Jindabyne, Perisher, Tumut and Khancoban) and a charged phone with the Emergency+ app (000); coverage on the tops is patchy. A satellite messenger is fine. Tell someone your plan: NPWS highly recommends its trip intention form for remote travel or backpack camping
⚖Do not bring flares: carrying or using a flare in a national park is an offence (clause 23(1)(c): 30 penalty units). A PLB or satellite messenger is legal. NPWS's winter 2026 alert called the trip intention form "a requirement for this winter", and after that alert lapsed on 25 Sep 2026 a further NPWS alert, "High altitude walks – snow covered and hazardous conditions", applies from 2 Oct 2026 (last reviewed 5 Oct 2026) and again asks walkers to complete a trip intention form before their visit, calling it "a requirement for this winter"; the wording is current again, and it remains an NPWS alert rather than a regulation. Nothing found shows it became standing or a regulation, and off-season NPWS material treats the form as "highly recommended" for remote travel or backpack camping in all NSW national parks.
Source

National Parks and Wildlife Regulation 2019 (NSW), Internet Archive copy of 2026-05-18 of https://legislation.nsw.gov.au/view/whole/html/inforce/current/sl-2019-0408 (the live site answered 403 to automated reads on 2026-09-27), clause 23; NPWS local alerts, "High altitude walks – snow covered and hazardous conditions", from 2026-10-02, last reviewed 2026-10-05 — https://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/things-to-do/guided-tours/snowy-mountains-4-day-walking-tour/local-alerts and https://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/things-to-do/education-centres/kosciuszko-discovery-centre/local-alerts (the earlier seasonal alert ran 2026-05-30 to 2026-09-25, last reviewed 2026-09-24); NPWS back-country camping guidance — https://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/safety/alpine-safety/kosciuszko-back-country-camping

The full Kosciuszko gear list

Kinds

  • Personal Locator Beacons
  • Two-Way Messengers
  • Smartphones
  • Signal Mirrors

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