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Snowy Mountains
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Explore the Snowy Mountains for alpine walks, ski resorts, mountain towns, Aboriginal heritage and the engineering legacy of Snowy Hydro.

Australia’s Snowy Mountains occupy the south-eastern high country of New South Wales, rising towards the Great Dividing Range and the country’s highest summit, Mount Kosciuszko. The region extends from the pastoral Monaro around Cooma and Jindabyne to the alpine resorts, high plains and western valleys near Tumut. Its character changes markedly with altitude: broad grazing country gives way to eucalyptus forests, granite ridges, snow gums, alpine herbfields and glacial lakes.
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Kosciuszko National Park is the region’s defining landscape. Above the treeline, walking tracks cross exposed ridges and delicate alpine vegetation, while lower elevations contain limestone caves, mountain streams, woodland and historic huts. The summit walk to Mount Kosciuszko is a popular warm-weather excursion, whereas Perisher, Charlotte Pass and Thredbo become centres for skiing and snowboarding during the winter season. Conditions can change quickly, and the high country demands preparation even on marked routes.
Jindabyne is the principal service town for the central resort area, set beside a large lake created by the Snowy Mountains Hydro-electric Scheme. Cooma, the region’s main inland centre, combines transport links, museums and practical services with a strong connection to the scheme and the post-war migrant communities who built it. To the west, Tumut and the upper valleys provide access to forests, reservoirs, historic settlements and a greener, less alpine expression of the mountains.
The Snowy Mountains are also a cultural landscape shaped by Aboriginal custodianship, pastoralism, gold mining, hydro-electric engineering and seasonal work. Ngarigo and Walgalu peoples maintain enduring connections with the high country, which was used for travel, ceremony and resource gathering long before European settlement. The annual movement of stock to the summer pastures, remembered in the tradition of mountain cattlemen, remains an important part of regional identity.
Outdoor travel is central to the experience, from hiking, cycling, fishing and horse riding in warmer months to snow sports in winter. Local produce reflects the cool climate and rural setting, with trout, beef, lamb, berries, apples, cheeses, honey and craft beverages appearing on menus and at farm shops. Distances, seasonal road conditions and limited services in remote areas make it sensible to plan the region as a series of bases rather than attempting to cover every valley in a single day.

When is the best time to visit Snowy Mountains?

Best: December–February · 24–25°C
Average daytime high and rainfall by month
MonthHigh (°C)Rainfall (mm)
January (best)25100
February (best)2595
March2390
April1985
May1680
June1375
July1270
August1375
September1780
October2085
November2290
December (best)2495

Getting to and around Snowy Mountains

How to get there

Most visitors drive to the Snowy Mountains from Canberra, Sydney or Melbourne, with Cooma, Jindabyne and Tumut serving different parts of the region. Canberra is the nearest major airport and is outside the Snowy Mountains, while regional flights and public transport connections should be checked before travel because services can change. The Monaro Highway provides access to Cooma from the north and connects with roads towards Jindabyne and the alpine resorts; routes from Victoria approach through the high country and western valleys. During winter, resort access roads may require chains or be affected by snow and ice.

Transportation

A car is the most flexible way to explore the dispersed towns, valleys, lookouts and park entrances, although driving times are longer than distances on a map suggest. Local buses and seasonal resort transport can serve parts of the central ski area, but coverage is limited outside the main towns and should not be assumed for remote trailheads. Walking and cycling are practical within towns and on selected signed routes, while mountain roads require care because of wildlife, changing weather, steep gradients and occasional snow. Check access requirements and park alerts before driving into Kosciuszko National Park.

Destinations in Snowy Mountains

Resorts, valleys and scenic spots worth a trip of their own.

Best attractions in Snowy Mountains

The Snowy Mountains’ attractions range from demanding alpine walks to accessible heritage and nature experiences. Kosciuszko National Park provides the main setting, with routes across the Main Range, the summit area around Mount Kosciuszko, the Snowy River country and lower-elevation forests. Thredbo and Perisher are the principal winter resort centres, while warmer months bring hiking, cycling, fishing, horse riding and scenic drives. Around Jindabyne, the lake supports boating and fishing, and the town is a practical base for exploring the central mountains. Cooma offers museums and interpretation connected with the Snowy Mountains Hydro-electric Scheme, migration and regional life. In the western part of the region, Tumut and the upper valleys provide access to forest landscapes, reservoirs and historic mountain roads. Yarrangobilly Caves, within Kosciuszko National Park, add a significant limestone-cave experience, with guided access and surrounding walking tracks. Historic huts, mining remains and pastoral sites reveal earlier uses of the high country, while wildlife encounters may include kangaroos, wallabies, wombats and alpine birdlife. Each season presents a different landscape, but access, weather and conservation restrictions should be checked before travelling.

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Best landmarks in Snowy Mountains

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Explore Snowy Mountains on the map

Plan your trip on one map. See where the top cities, national parks and sights are, and book hotels and experiences in a few clicks.

Best restaurants in Snowy Mountains

Dining in the Snowy Mountains reflects the region’s grazing country, cool climate and outdoor economy. Cooma, Jindabyne, Thredbo and Tumut provide the broadest choice, from cafés and bakeries to pubs, casual restaurants and accommodation-based dining. Menus often draw on local beef, lamb, trout, berries, apples, honey and cheeses, while farm shops and regional markets are useful places to find produce for self-catering. In the high country, meals are generally informal and shaped by the ski season, with hearty breakfasts, soups, grilled food, burgers and baked goods particularly common around resort and trailhead communities. Rural pubs and inns offer traditional Australian country fare, while newer venues may pair local produce with Australian wines and craft beverages. The Snowy Mountains does not have one single defining cuisine; its food identity comes from the combination of Monaro pastoral traditions, alpine produce and ingredients sourced from the wider southern New South Wales region. Book ahead during winter weekends and holiday periods, especially in smaller resort settlements where places to eat are limited.

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Best bars in Snowy Mountains

Evenings in the Snowy Mountains are generally social rather than club-focused. Jindabyne has the region’s broadest concentration of pubs, bars, casual restaurants and venues associated with the winter visitor economy, while some establishments host live music or seasonal entertainment. Thredbo and Perisher offer après-ski gatherings, resort bars and dining after a day on the slopes, though the atmosphere and opening arrangements vary with the season. Cooma and Tumut are oriented towards traditional pubs, clubs, cafés and relaxed evening meals rather than a large late-night scene. Breweries, Australian wines and locally produced beverages may feature on regional menus, but alcohol is not central to every evening: outdoor operators, small cinemas, early dinners and quiet accommodation are also part of the local rhythm. In rural districts, distances and limited transport make it important to plan a safe journey back to accommodation rather than relying on late public transport.

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Best nightclubs in Snowy Mountains

Evenings in the Snowy Mountains are generally social rather than club-focused. Jindabyne has the region’s broadest concentration of pubs, bars, casual restaurants and venues associated with the winter visitor economy, while some establishments host live music or seasonal entertainment. Thredbo and Perisher offer après-ski gatherings, resort bars and dining after a day on the slopes, though the atmosphere and opening arrangements vary with the season. Cooma and Tumut are oriented towards traditional pubs, clubs, cafés and relaxed evening meals rather than a large late-night scene. Breweries, Australian wines and locally produced beverages may feature on regional menus, but alcohol is not central to every evening: outdoor operators, small cinemas, early dinners and quiet accommodation are also part of the local rhythm. In rural districts, distances and limited transport make it important to plan a safe journey back to accommodation rather than relying on late public transport.

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Best shops in Snowy Mountains

Shopping in the Snowy Mountains is concentrated in the service towns and resort villages rather than in large retail centres. Jindabyne has outdoor shops, supermarkets, galleries, cafés and stores selling equipment and clothing for walking, cycling and snow sports. Cooma provides a broader everyday retail base, while Tumut serves the western valleys with practical shops, food outlets and local businesses. Farmers’ markets, farm gates and regional food shops are good places to look for honey, preserves, berries, apples, cheeses, trout and other produce from the southern New South Wales high country. Galleries and craft outlets may feature photography, paintings, ceramics, textiles and locally themed goods, while heritage centres and visitor facilities sell books and material about Aboriginal culture, pastoral history and Snowy Hydro. Souvenirs are often practical or food-based rather than luxury items, and supplies become more limited as you travel deeper into the national park or towards alpine resorts. Plan major equipment purchases in the towns before heading into remote areas, particularly outside the main winter season.

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Snowy Mountains essentials

Currency and Payment
The currency is the Australian dollar (AUD), as throughout Australia. Cards and contactless payments are widely accepted in Cooma, Jindabyne, Thredbo and other established visitor centres, but carrying some cash is sensible for small businesses, remote areas and unexpected connectivity problems. Mobile and internet coverage can be intermittent in the national park and mountain valleys, so do not rely exclusively on digital payments, online maps or mobile wallet services. Australian tipping is not compulsory, although modest rounding or a discretionary tip may be offered for good service.
Safety
Mountain weather can change rapidly, with cold, wind, snow, ice and low visibility possible even outside winter. Check forecasts, carry suitable clothing and tell someone your plans before longer walks. Stay on marked routes where advised, take care near rivers and unstable edges, and keep food secure around wildlife. In winter, fit vehicles with appropriate tyres and carry snow chains when required by road authorities. Bushfires, smoke, heat and fallen trees can affect lower elevations in warmer months. Distances between services are substantial, so carry water, food and a charged phone without assuming continuous reception.
Emergency Situations
Call 000 in an emergency for police, fire or ambulance services anywhere in the Snowy Mountains. In remote country, explain your location using a track name, grid reference, landmark or emergency marker if available, and do not leave an injured person alone unless remaining there creates greater danger. Park rangers and emergency services coordinate responses to incidents in Kosciuszko National Park, while the State Emergency Service may assist with storms, floods and other weather-related events. Check official park and road alerts before entering alpine areas, as rescue access can be delayed by terrain and conditions.
Do's and Don'ts
Do respect Kosciuszko National Park rules, Aboriginal cultural sites, historic huts and fragile alpine plants; use designated camping areas and take rubbish away. Do slow down for kangaroos and other wildlife, particularly around dawn and dusk. Do follow local fire restrictions and never assume a fire is permitted. Do not enter closed roads or tracks, drive off-road, take firewood from restricted areas or feed wildlife. In ski areas, follow marked boundaries and safety instructions. Remember that Australian customs such as queuing, responsible drinking and straightforward service etiquette apply here as they do nationally.
Local Tips
Base your itinerary around one or two districts rather than trying to cross the mountains repeatedly. Jindabyne is convenient for the central resorts and lake activities, Cooma is useful for services and Snowy Hydro history, and Tumut provides a different approach to the park through forested western country. Summer daylight allows longer walks, but alpine tracks can still be exposed and cold. In winter, reserve accommodation early and allow time for equipment collection and road checks. Look for locally produced trout, beef, lamb, berries, apples and cool-climate wines in farm shops, markets and regional eateries.
Eve, your Evendo local guide

From Eve

Local phrases worth knowing

You don't need to get them perfect. A few words go a long way, and locals appreciate the effort.

6 phrase groups · English, local and pronunciation

Basics
EnglishLocalSay it
HelloG'day[g'day]
GoodbyeSee ya[see ya]
YesYeah[yeh]
NoNah[nah]
Please/You're welcomeNo worries[no worries]
Thank youCheers[cheers]
Excuse me/SorrySorry mate[sorry mate]
How are you?How's it going?[how's it going?]
Fine. And you?Good, you?[good, you?]
Do you speak English?Do ya speak English?[do ya speak English?]
I don't understandI don't get it[I don't get it]
Eating & Drinking
EnglishLocalSay it
I'd like to see the menu, pleaseCan I see the menu, please?[can I see the menu, please?]
I don't eat meatI'm a vegetarian[I'm a vegetarian]
Cheers!Cheers![cheers!]
I would like to pay, pleaseCan I get the bill, please?[can I get the bill, please?]
Emergencies
EnglishLocalSay it
Help!Help![help!]
Go away!Piss off![piss off!]
Call the Police!Call the coppers![call the coppers!]
Call a doctor!Get a doctor![get a doctor!]
I'm lostI'm a bit lost[I'm a bit lost]
I'm illI'm not well[I'm not well]
Shopping
EnglishLocalSay it
I'd like to buy...I wanna buy...[I wanna buy...]
I'm just lookingJust browsing, thanks[just browsing, thanks]
How much is it?How much's this?[how much's this?]
That's too expensiveThat's a bit steep[that's a bit steep]
Can you lower the price?Can ya do a better price?[can ya do a better price?]
Time & Numbers
EnglishLocalSay it
What time is it?What’s the time?[what’s the time?]
It's one o'clockIt's one o'clock[it's one o'clock]
Half past (10)Half past ten[half past ten]
MorningMorning[morning]
AfternoonArvo[arvo]
EveningEvening[evening]
YesterdayYesterday[yesterday]
TodayToday[today]
TomorrowTomorrow[tomorrow]
1One[one]
2Two[two]
3Three[three]
4Four[four]
5Five[five]
6Six[six]
7Seven[seven]
8Eight[eight]
9Nine[nine]
10Ten[ten]
Transport & Directions
EnglishLocalSay it
Where's a/the...?Where's the...?[where's the...?]
What's the address?What's the address?[what's the address?]
Can you show me (on the map)?Can ya show me on the map?[can ya show me on the map?]
When's the next (bus)?When's the next bus?[when's the next bus?]
A ticket (to ....)A ticket to...[a ticket to...]

History of Snowy Mountains

Aboriginal Country and Alpine Seasonal Use

The high country is part of the traditional lands of Aboriginal peoples including the Ngarigo and Walgalu, with connections extending across the mountains, tablelands and river valleys. Seasonal gatherings in the alpine country supported ceremony, exchange and the collection of foods such as the nutritious alpine grass known as murnong or yam daisy. These traditions pre-date European exploration by many thousands of years. Aboriginal heritage remains a living part of the region, and visitors should understand that the landscape is not simply wilderness but Country with continuing cultural significance.

Pastoral Expansion and the Mountain Stock Routes

European pastoral settlement spread across the Monaro and adjacent valleys during the nineteenth century, establishing the grazing economy that still shapes the region around Cooma and Jindabyne. Seasonal grazing in the high country produced the distinctive culture associated with the mountain cattlemen, who moved stock to alpine summer pastures. The practice was later restricted within Kosciuszko National Park, but its history survives through huts, bridle trails, oral traditions and the enduring symbolism of the Australian high-country horseman.

Gold Mining at Kiandra

Gold was discovered at Kiandra in the Snowy Mountains in the 1850s, prompting a rush to one of the highest mining settlements in Australia. At its peak, the town had hotels, shops, government services and a substantial transient population, although severe winters and difficult access made life challenging. Mining declined after the initial rush, leaving ruins and earthworks that are now interpreted within the national park. Kiandra’s story illustrates how quickly mineral discoveries could create, and then transform, remote settlements in colonial Australia.

Creation of Kosciuszko National Park

The alpine country was progressively protected during the twentieth century, beginning with the establishment of the National Chase around Mount Kosciuszko in 1906 and later changes in status and boundaries. It became Kosciuszko National Park in 1967. Protection brought greater recognition of alpine ecosystems, threatened species, huts and Aboriginal heritage, while also creating a framework for recreation and resort development. The park now safeguards much of the Snowy Mountains’ high country, including alpine grasslands, snow gum woodland, glacial landforms and important river catchments.

The Snowy Mountains Hydro-electric Scheme

Constructed between 1949 and 1974, the Snowy Mountains Hydro-electric Scheme transformed the region through a network of dams, tunnels, power stations, aqueducts and reservoirs. It diverts and stores water for electricity generation and irrigation, linking the Snowy and Murrumbidgee systems through difficult mountain terrain. The project brought workers from many countries to the district and helped shape modern Australian immigration and engineering history. Lake Jindabyne, Talbingo Reservoir and the power infrastructure around the mountains remain prominent physical reminders of this national undertaking.

Winter Tourism and the Modern Alpine Economy

Skiing developed in the Snowy Mountains during the twentieth century, initially through clubs and facilities near Kiandra and later through larger resort development at places including Perisher and Thredbo. Improved roads, lifts, accommodation and national park management turned winter recreation into a major seasonal industry, while summer walking and cycling broadened the visitor economy. Today the region balances tourism with grazing, conservation, water management and the protection of landscapes whose ecological importance extends well beyond the ski season.

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