Thredbo, Snowy MountainsCredit: Alexandra Adoncello
Scenic road trip along Alpine Way, Thredbo in the Snowy Mountains.
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Savour the Snowys beyond the ski slopes
Thredbo, Snowy Mountains Credit: Alexandra Adoncello
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Marvel at the wintertime magic of the Snowy Mountains region of New South Wales, 450km south of Sydney, even if you don’t ski or snowboard. From thermal soaks that will soothe you to cosy wining and dining that will linger in your memory long after your journey, you’ll find plenty to enjoy across the rugged region.
Get in touch with your adventurous side and try a new winter activity
Slow down and savour the wintery landscapes of Thredbo ski resort on a snow-shoe tour with K7 Adventures. You can also have fun mastering this alpine pastime in Perisher Valley, home to Perisher ski resort, where Wilderness Sports leads you on snow-shoe tours across spectacular landscapes from one hour to a full day.
Unleash your inner child at the Thredbo Leisure Centre, a five-minute walk from Thredbo Village Square, where you can zip down a waterslide, take on Mission Inflatable (a blow-up obstacle course) challenges, and test your skills on the bouldering wall.
Gaze up in wonder at ancient limestone stalactites and stalagmites on a guided tour of the Yarrangobilly Caves, a two-hour drive from Jindabyne, the nearest major town to the ski resorts. Close to the caves is a natural thermal pool that’s 27°C year round — prepare to be utterly enchanted as steam rises from the warm water while you float around in the outdoor oasis, surrounded by snow.
Tap into your sense of adventure with a winter camping trip in the Lower Snowy River area, or step outside your comfort zone by signing up for a mountaineering course, including exhilarating ice-climbing sessions, hosted by Allie Pepper Adventures.
Chairlifts aren’t just for skiing — feel enlivened by the superb mountain views on a ride high up into the alpine on Merritts Gondola. At the top you’ll find Merritts Mountain House, a European-style dining and entertainment venue, where you can relax with a steaming mug of delicious hot chocolate or join the party at its weekend afternoon après sessions backed by DJ beats.
Embrace the thrill of tobogganing and snow tubing on the designated slope beside Perisher Valley Car Park on Pipers Ridge. Or take a deep breath and relax with a session at Jindabyne Yoga Shala, which offers classes in vinyasa, yin and hatha yoga in Jindabyne and Thredbo to reset body, mind and soul.
Marvel at the wintertime scenery on a mountain drive
Fall under the soothing spell of the mountains when they’re draped in snow on the 170km Kosciuszko Alpine Way, which traverses the Monaro Plain from Cooma, through Jindabyne and past Thredbo, then down a steep and winding section to pretty Khancoban.
Feel the Snowy Valleys Way inspire as you cruise some 300km through the beautiful valleys and plains that birthed some of Australia’s most iconic legends. Starting in Gundagai, it winds south through Tumut and the apple town of Batlow, and on to Tumbarumba.
Be intrigued by the artworks of the 150km-long Snowy Valleys Sculpture Trail, which features more than 20 sculptures by Australian and international artists, in and around the towns of Adelong, Batlow, Talbingo, Tumbarumba and Tooma. Then admire the changes in the landscape as the Snowy Valleys Way drive unfolds towards the famous Murray River.
Even the main highways will take your breath away in the Snowy Mountains. The 129km Snowy Mountains Highway takes you from Tumut along high country valleys and peaks, past the Yarrangobilly Caves and Selwyn Snowfields, and on to Adaminaby, known for its trout fishing. Take in the splendour of Australia’s high country from the comfort of your car, with a number of lookout points along the way offering stirring views.
Backcountry, Kosciuszko National Park Credit: Destination NSW
Woman enjoying the scenic views across Kosciuszko National Park.
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Backcountry, Kosciuszko National Park Credit: Destination NSW
Woman enjoying the scenic views across Kosciuszko National Park.
Thredbo, Snowy Mountains Credit: Destination NSW
Family crossing the bridge to Thredbo ski resort in the Snowy Mountains.
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Thredbo, Snowy Mountains Credit: Destination NSW
Family crossing the bridge to Thredbo ski resort in the Snowy Mountains.
Indulge in mountain cuisine
Warm your bones by the fire as you tuck into a flavourful dish at The Lott in Cooma, a cosy café housed in a century-old wool store. Grab a coffee here , too, or head to Kettle & Seed, also in Cooma, which uses beans roasted by local Snowy Mountains Coffee; best paired with a daily baked cake, quiche or a bulging fresh sandwich.
Dive into an array of dining options in the mountain hub of Jindabyne. Part café, part grocer, The Market serves wholesome dishes and great coffee for a welcome pick-me-up. Then grab organic fruit and veggies and specialty grocery items to take away.
Taste the freshness of the produce as you start your day with a wholesome breakfast such as truffle mushrooms on sourdough at Birchwood. After a busy day in the Snowys, you’ll welcome the warmth of longstanding local favourite Café Darya, also in Jindabyne, and its delicious Persian dishes, including dips, pastries and stews. Indulge your cravings for pizza and pasta at long-standing Bacco Italian Restaurant; or take a spicy detour to Mexico at Cocina Taqueria for traditional tacos and share dishes.
Cure cravings for French farmhouse-style cuisine at Crackenback Farm, just 15 minutes from Thredbo, where you can enjoy a hearty meal at the restaurant before cosying up in one of the six stylish guestrooms. Or settle in by the huge stone fireplace at Alpine Larder at Lake Crackenback Resort & Spa and graze on pizza, burgers and salads made using local produce.
You can also pair fine food with premium accommodation at Nimbo Fork Lodge, near Tumut. Taste the region on a plate at its Three Blue Ducks restaurant before nodding off in an elegantly styled cottage or lodge suite so comfortable you won’t want to check out.
Treat yourself to cool-climate tipples
Get a feel for the region’s craft brewing scene at Jindabyne Brewing, which pours a tasty range of beers, paired with a seasonal menu of snacks and meals. Sample a fresh brew at Kosciuszko Brewery, located on-site at Jindabyne’s Banjo Patterson Inn, where beers including a refreshingly fruity pale ale make a seamless transition from vat to tap. Or enjoy the scenic drive to Dalgety Brewing Co. to sip a craft brew or two over a relaxing brunch or lunch.
Appreciate the friendly service just as much as the boutique wines you sample at Shut the Gate, a boutique wine producer in Berridale, just a 25-minute drive from Jindabyne. Or linger over gin, vodka or schnapps made from locally sourced fruit at Thredbo’s Wildbrumby, which has a distillery door, organic raspberry farm and a restaurant overlooking a sculpture garden designed to engage you more deeply with the ruggedly beautiful landscape.
Retreat to a cosy winter lodge
Harness the restorative benefits of nature by bedding down at one of the lodges managed by the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service throughout Kosciuszko National Park. Gaze out over Lake Jindabyne from the dinner table at Creel Lodge, or truly switch off from the world at Yarrangobilly Caves House, as there’s no mobile phone service here. Feel at one with the alpine landscape at The Eastern’s boutique apartment or cabin, close to Thredbo Village, which both offer design-driven interiors and incredible mountain views.
Relish the serenity and seclusion of Tinkersfield, which has transformed six high-country buildings into rustic-chic accommodations that sleep from two to 11 guests in the Crackenback Valley. Or feel closer to nature than ever at Stay Crackenback’s pair of cosy hideaways for two: The Nest, a modern apartment, and The Crest tiny house are both nestled in 40 hectares of wildlife-rich bushland.
Step back into the region’s pioneer days at Moonbah Hut, which offers two charming timber cottages near Jindabyne that sleep four or five guests and feature stone fireplaces, granite walls and exposed beams. Or admire how state-of-the-art Mill Cabin in Crackenback, which sleeps two, honours the region’s past with its stockman hut-style design and beautiful local granite stonework. Warm up by the wood stove and enjoy long soaks in the Japanese-inspired wood-fired outdoor bath.
Nimbo Fork Lodge, Killimicat Credit: Destination Riverina Murray
Rolling fog across the property at Nimbo Fork Lodge, Killimicat.
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Nimbo Fork Lodge, Killimicat Credit: Destination Riverina Murray
Rolling fog across the property at Nimbo Fork Lodge, Killimicat.
Yarrangobilly River Walk, Kosciuszko National Park Credit: Destination NSW
Couple enjoying a walk by natural thermal springs in the Yarrongobilly area, Kosciuszko National Park.
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Yarrangobilly River Walk, Kosciuszko National Park Credit: Destination NSW
Couple enjoying a walk by natural thermal springs in the Yarrongobilly area, Kosciuszko National Park.
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Main Range Track, Kosciuszko National ParkCredit: Destination NSW
Stunning scenic views across Kosciuszko National Park from the Main Range Track.
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Embrace summer in the Snowy Mountains
Main Range Track, Kosciuszko National Park Credit: Destination NSW
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Be dazzled by the transformation of the New South Wales Snowy Mountains — around five hours southwest of Sydney — into an adventure playground each spring and summer when the snowmelt reveals hidden trails and other pleasant surprises. Whether you’re into hiking, horse riding or mountain biking, here’s how to explore this picturesque alpine wonderland, and where to refuel on wine and comfort food afterwards
Step into natural beauty
Immerse yourself in spectacular alpine scenery while exploring the region on two feet. Choose from dozens of tracks where you can be wowed by waterfalls, learn about the region’s history, or challenge yourself on a hike through Kosciuszko National Park. This is one of the largest national parks in the state, and is home to Australia’s highest mountain, Mount Kosciuszko (2,228m).
Bask in the achievement of scaling the continent’s highest peak as you soak up the views from the summit of Mount Kosciuszko. From the ski town of Thredbo, the Kosciuszko Express Chairlift zips you up 560 vertical metres to the start of the walkway to the mountain’s summit. Challenge yourself on this day hike, with plenty of uplifting views along the way.
Get a buzz traversing Australia’s highest suspension bridge (1627m above sea level) on the Guthega to Charlotte Pass Walk, which opened in 2022. The first stage of the multi-day Snowies Alpine Walk, which will stretch for 55km when completed, is a 9km day walk linking the alpine villages of Guthega and Charlotte Pass. Feel soothed by your surroundings as you follow the trail along the upper Snowy River, winding through a surreal sub-alpine landscape dotted with gnarled snow gums and bursts of wildflowers.
Or tackle the less strenuous but similarly scenic Bullocks Track. Starting from the Thredbo Diggings campground or the Bullocks Flat Skitube carpark, this 2.5km trail meanders alongside the crystal-clear Thredbo River (look out for platypuses at dusk and dawn) with a dazzling backdrop of the jagged Ramshead Range, often capped in snow. Look out for adorable grazing wallabies en route.
Put in some pedal power
Feel enlivened by the cool mountain air on your cheeks as you navigate the Snowy Mountains on a mountain biking adventure. Enjoy a scenic introduction into the untouched Pilot Wilderness Area on the Cascade Hut Trail, a remote path that twists through snow gum woodland and fields of wildflowers. A small part of the 650km Australian Alps Walking Track, the 10km one-way trail is great for both beginners and experienced mountain bikers.
Hire a mountain bike (or road bike) in a number of Snowy Mountain towns, including Cooma, Jindabyne and Thredbo, as well as from Lake Crackenback Resort and Spa, which has 18km of mountain biking trails on its doorstep. The resort can also arrange a shuttle to Thredbo for bikers keen to tackle the Thredbo Valley Track; it’s a scenic 17km ride back to the resort, or 37km if you follow the recent extension of the track to the Thredbo Valley picnic area.
Or get your adrenaline pumping in the Thredbo Mountain Bike Park, delivering a mix of cross-country and gravity trails as well as a skills park and flowing single tracks offering superb views over Australia’s highest peaks and alpine lakes. Discover trails for every experience level, from a kids-only area to chairlift-accessed gravity trails, plus two-hour beginner, intermediate and advanced clinics daily, for those looking to fine-tune their skills.
Slow your pace to take in the historic sites, rolling fields, eucalypt forest and historic bridges and cottages lining the Tumbarumba to Rosewood Rail Trail, 21km of sealed and safe tracks following the region’s one-time rail line. With its gentle gradient and sweeping curves, you’ll find it’s perfect for families.
Snowy Mountains Summer Highlights Credit: Destination NSW
Highlight footage showcasing summer activities in the Snowy Mountains.
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Snowy Mountains Summer Highlights Credit: Destination NSW
Highlight footage showcasing summer activities in the Snowy Mountains.
Kosciuszko National Park, Kosciuszko Credit: Tourism Snowy Mountains
Hikers enjoying a scenic walk through Kosciuszko National Park, Kosciuszko.
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Kosciuszko National Park, Kosciuszko Credit: Tourism Snowy Mountains
Hikers enjoying a scenic walk through Kosciuszko National Park, Kosciuszko.
Jump in the saddle
Experience the Snowys from an exciting new perspective atop a trusty steed. South of Jindabyne, Snowy Wilderness resort is set on more than 3,000 hectares of alpine high country. Check in to one of its eco-friendly one- and -two-bedroom lodges, then explore ridges, gullies, rivers and forest on guided horse treks lasting from a couple of hours to a week. Nearby in Crackenback, Thredbo Valley Horse Riding offers a range of trail rides across its 1,100-hectare estate. Admire the scenery from your elevated perch as you clip-clop across alpine streams, up steep forested ridges and through pretty meadows. Experienced guides are on hand to assist kids and non-riders on easy trails, while young children will thrill to a pony ride.
Enjoy a taste of the region
Deepen your knowledge of the Snowy Mountains’ surprisingly sophisticated cool-climate wine scene on visits to its cellar doors. Local sparkling wines regularly take home awards, but the area is also known for excellent pinot noirs and chardonnays. Settle in for a tasting, or perhaps a wine-paired lunch overlooking the vines at Courabyra Wines, or savour the intimacy of the award-winning cellar door experience available by appointment at Mount Tumbarumba Vineyard.
You can also linger over gin, vodka or schnapps made from locally sourced fruit at Crackenback’s Wildbrumby, which has a distillery door and café overlooking a sculpture garden. Or pair local beer with a hearty meal and serene lake views at Jindabyne Brewing. Find a scenic perch and sip everything from a fresh and fruity golden ale to a rich, malty red larger. Alternatively, relax over a craft brew in an achingly picturesque farm-style setting at Dalgety Brewing Company, a 10-minute drive north from Dalgety.
Uncover a new favourite local feed at the likes of Jindabyne Emporium, a casual eatery and overlooking Lake Jindabyne bar (try the decadent Canadian-inspired poutine), or take a bite out of Batlow, home to some of Australia’s sweetest, crispest apples. Seek out its shrine to this fruit, the iconic Big Apple statue, for a fun selfie. Sample local hand-crafted cider at Crafty Cider, which has a cellar door in nearby Kunama. Or time your visit for the end of the apple harvesting season to join locals in celebrating cider brewed in Batlow and beyond at the annual Batlow CiderFest in May.
Horse Riding, Snowy Wilderness Resort Credit: Destination NSW
A scenic horse ride around the Snowy Wilderness property in Ingebirah, Snowy Mountains.
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Horse Riding, Snowy Wilderness Resort Credit: Destination NSW
A scenic horse ride around the Snowy Wilderness property in Ingebirah, Snowy Mountains.
Courabyra Wines, Tumbarumba Credit: Destination NSW
Scenic views across Courabyra Wines vineyard in Tumbarumba.
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Courabyra Wines, Tumbarumba Credit: Destination NSW
Scenic views across Courabyra Wines vineyard in Tumbarumba.