Overview
There's so, so much more to the Snowy Mountains than skiing and snowboarding. When the ice and snow melt away, a whole wonderland of adventures emerges. If you're into the outdoors, get ready to walk and ride (by bike or horse) some of the most spectacular terrain in Australia. If you're a mad foodie, then gear up to taste a bunch of excellent cool climate wines, linger over schnapps made with local produce and sink into some fine French cooking while overlooking a shimmering lake. Meanwhile, for arty types, there are galleries galore. Here are five jam-packed itineraries that'll keep you busy in the Snowies for days — if not weeks — whatever your inclination.
Destination NSW.
FOR FOOD LOVERS
The Snowies' pristine mountain streams and unspoilt farming land mean there's an abundance of fresh, local produce to sample — from wild-caught trout to freshly picked berries. For a hearty brekkie, grab a table at Central Road 2625 in Thredbo. If you're still in town by dinner time, there's irresistible Italian fare at Segreto within the Thredbo Alpine Hotel.
Alternatively, make tracks east to Lake Crackenback Resort for local, seasonal dishes at Cuisine or a woodfired pizza at the laidback Alpine Larder. And a hop, skip and jump down the road is idyllic Crackenback Farm, where farmhouse-style dishes are served up on a sun-dappled terrace. Most conveniently, it's just around the corner from the Wildbrumby distillery, whose delicious European schnapps are made from local fruit.
Another option is to head northwest from Thredbo to Tumbarumba, a cool climate wine region known for its stellar chardonnay and pinot noir. Among the outstanding cellar doors are Courabyra and Tuscany-inspired Tumbarumba Wine Escape. If you're after a coffee, head to Nest Cafe or for a meal, there's Elms Restaurant within the Tumbarumba Motel.
Snowy Mountains.
FOR ADVENTURE SEEKERS
How long have you got? Even a total adrenaline junkie could spend months in the Snowies without running out of things to do. A hike is a good place to start, and the classic is the Main Range Walk, a 22-kilometre loop that swings by several glacial lakes before climbing to the summit of Mount Kosciuszko. Looking for a shorter stroll? There are loads of options, including Nichols Gorge in the northern section of Kosciuszko National Park.
If mountain biking's your thing, you have hundreds of kilometres to conquer, covering all standards. Novices can get started on the easy Lake Jindabyne Foreshore Trail, then have a crack at the Thredbo Valley Trail, which offers a mix of beginner and more challenging sections. For experienced riders, the 50-kilometre Cascade to Pinch Trail is an extraordinary adventure, taking in stunning alpine terrain and epic panoramas.
Then, of course, there's horse riding, for which the Snowies are legendary, thanks to The Man From Snowy River. Take a brief ride with Thredbo Valley Horse Riding or consider a multi-day escapade with Cochran Horse Treks, which involves staying at homesteads along the way.
Lake Crackenback Resort Sculpture Trail.
FOR ART AFICIONADOS
From Banjo Paterson to Prue Acton, numerous writers, artists and musicians have sought refuge and inspiration in the Snowies' dramatic, unpredictable landscapes. Begin your explorations at Raglan Gallery and Cultural Centre in Cooma, set inside a 150-year-old former inn. Next, head to Jindabyne to visit Kunama Gallery, where there's a permanent exhibition of works by Alan Grovesnor, who spent decades painting nearby landscapes before passing away in 2012. Also in Jindabyne is the Snowy Region Visitor Centre; its tiny gallery hosts temporary shows by local artists.
Should you happen to be passing through in early autumn, make your visit coincide with Lake Light Sculpture, an outdoor event that fills the shores of Lake Jindabyne with illuminated sculptures and the town with artists from far and wide. Visiting at another time? Despair not. Instead, make your way to Lake Crackenback Resort Sculpture Trail or to Wildbrumby distillery, where co-owner Brad Spalding displays his sustainability-themed works made of recycled materials. Then, continue north to Tumbarumba to check out Artists on Parade.
Paul Sinclair / Destination NSW.
FOR HISTORY BUFFS
The Snowy Mountains are famous all over the world for being home to the Snowy Hydro Scheme. Built between 1949 and 1974, this engineering feat channelled the energy of the Snowy River and transformed it into hydroelectricity, which today provides 4500 gigawatt-hours per year to the ACT, NSW and Victoria. To find out all about it, drop into the Snowy Hydro Centre in Cooma. While you're at it, pop into the visitors' centre, grab a map and take the Lambie Town Walk, a five-kilometre stroll that passes through three heritage-listed areas.
To stay in the 19th-century, visit the Early Settlers Hut built in the 1840s at Delegate and Burnima Homestead, a 32-room mansion in Bombala with a six-acre garden that dates back to 1896. Half-way up Mount Kosciuszko will transport you into the early 20th-century should you visit the Seaman's Hut, a shelter built in 1929 following the deaths of skiers W. Laurie Seaman and Evan Hayes.
Destination NSW.
FOR SIGHTSEERS
If your trip to the Snowies is all about seeing classic sights at a leisurely pace, then make your first stop Yarrangobilly Caves, a series of limestone marvels in the northern part of Kosciuszko National Park. Here you'll also find a thermal pool, which is a warming 27 degrees celsius all year-round, and a relaxing river walk.
Continuing south, stop by Lake Eucumbene, the biggest lake to have been created by the Snowy Hydro scheme, where you can try your hand at trout fishing, and Lake Jindabyne, which appeared in Australian films Somersault (2004) and Jindabyne (2006). Then, it's on to Thredbo where you can get instant mountain views without having to strain a muscle on the two-kilometre-long, 560-metre-high Kosciuszko Express Lift. While you're in town, take a stroll along pretty Thredbo River. Or, to get an even higher perspective on mighty Mount Kosciuszko, book a scenic flight with Heli Fun.
Discover all that the Snowy Mountains has to offer outside of winter months, from picturesque hikes to culinary excursions and so much more.