Snowy Mountains
- For other "snowy mountains" see Sierra Nevada (disambiguation), for example.
The Snowy Mountains, nicknamed the Snowies (or Snowys), is a region in Southeastern New South Wales. The highest region of mainland Australia and one of the cooler areas of New South Wales, they are notable for their ski-fields and are the centre of snow sports in New South Wales.
Understand
The Snowies are the tallest in Australia (if still no match for New Zealand or New Guinea) and the best it gets in terms of alpine weather on the continent. While the mountains here are nowhere near as tall as New Guinea's 4500-m mountain range, those don't receive as much snowfall as the Snowies. Interestingly, the Australian Alps receive more snowfall than the Swiss Alps, which sounds unusual to most.
Flora and fauna
The usual alpine vegetation, as well as kangaroos, dingos, etc. Emus, a rare sight elsewhere in New South Wales, are frequently spotted around Mt Kosciusko National Park.
Cities
- 1 Adaminaby – at the eastern end of the Snowy Mountains Hwy section of Kosciuszko National Park.
- 2 Berridale
- 3 Bombala – historically a significant regional centre, though its importance has since dwindled down.
- 4 Cooma – the modern regional centre for the Snowies and a budget alternative for accommodation.
- 5 Jindabyne – just below the snowline.
- 6 Khancoban – a Snowy Hydro town near the Victorian border.
- 7 Nimmitabel – another town whose importance dwindled down since the closure of the Bombala Railway Line.
- 8 Talbingo – another small Snowy Hydro town with a big dam.
- 9 Tumut – on the border with the Riverina region, this town is an entry to the Snowy Mountains.
Other destinations
- 1 Kosciuszko National Park – home to the highest mountain on the Australian continent
- 2 Alpine Way – scenic road that runs from Jindy to Khancoban.
- 3 Yarrangobilly Caves – several caves + a hot spring.
Ski resorts
- 4 Charlotte Pass – village and ski resort, snowbound in winter
- 5 Crackenback – close to the Bullocks Flat Skitube to Perisher
- 6 Perisher – Australia's largest ski resort, based at Perisher Valley, but also including Guthega, and ski fields at Smiggins Holes and Mount Blue Cow
- 7 Thredbo – village and ski resort, the best Australia can offer for an alpine village
Get in
The Snowy Mountains are on Australia's eastern seaboard and are equidistant from Sydney and Melbourne.
Most people travel to the region by car as this is the most flexible and rewarding way of exploring the mountains. However for visitors traveling from afar, there are regular bus services to Cooma and Tumut from Sydney and Canberra, and many plane connections into Canberra (CBR IATA) with car hire available. Flights also serve Cooma Snowy Mountains Airport (OOM IATA), however, delays are common due to morning fog.
The Snowies are well served by a network of sealed roads with diverse and spectacular scenery. The Alpine Way from Jindabyne to Khancoban, the Snowy Mountains Highway between Tumut and Cooma, the Monaro Highway running south from Canberra and the Elliot Way from Tumbarumba to Cabramurra all pass through stunning landscapes.
If you are just interested in the skiing, Murrays offer a day trip from Canberra to the ski resorts during the ski season, with lift packages, and one-way fares available. Often you can get this bus for little more than the cost of the lift passes and ski hire.
If you are coming from the south via Khancoban, make sure to fill up at the Caltex there since that will be the last stop for Alpine Diesel or even just normal fuel for the mountain drive up north which takes 78km and 2 hours. There are numerous coffee shops nearby as well, so your cup of coffee or hot chocie won't be missed. This is also the only part where you might see snow on the road throughout winter, due to the high altitude of 1600m, but the entire journey's altitude ranges from 250m in Khancoban to about 1600m in Siberia.
Get around
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Rental car restrictions: Many rental car companies forbid you from taking your car past Jindabyne during winter (usually Barry Way, Alpine Way and Kosciuszko Rd). If you are renting a car, make sure your rental car company allows you to take your rental car (with or without chains) on those roads. |
During winter snow chains must be carried by 2WD vehicles on the Alpine Way, Kosciuszko Rd and Guthega Road. Some roads may close at short notice, so check conditions on the official New South Wales traffic site.
When in town, it's best to walk rather than take the car. Cars can be freezing in the mornings, and often it's not worth the effort to take it out and park it. When climbing up, gondolas are also available, however, passes are required.
There's no public transport in towns and there are also no taxis in the ski resorts. The nearest fully run airport is in Cooma OOM IATA, however, to get around, flights wont do the job, so you'll need to know how to drive, and not just urban driving, but also driving on narrow winding roads that vary in elevation. See driving in New Zealand for some useful advice.
See
Australia's high country is home to spectacular peaks, clear mountain streams and a plethora of accessible natural attractions for lovers of the outdoors. Walking and horseriding are two great ways to explore the alpine landscape and take in some of the country's most impressive scenery in the warmer months.
The Snowy Mountains is a significant and untamable high country where many Australian myths and traditions of Australian identity were born. Whether from nature's pure beauty or legends of early settlers, there's a story to be told and history to be learnt - from icons like the heights of Mount Kosciuszko to the famous high country huts, to Snowy Hydro feats of ingenuity, beautiful mountain brumbies and to rivers that flow with legends.
The Snowy Mountains Scheme is one of Australia's largest engineering and construction operations. The ideas behind the scheme is to divert the winter snowmelt waters westward into the Murrumbidgee rivers, irrigating large parts of inland Australia and at the same time generating Hydro-Electricity. There are several large lakes, tunnels, and Hydro power stations that form part of the scheme that you can visit. Tours take visitors a kilometre into the mountainside and offer a vivid insight into the sheer scope of this iconic part of the nation's post-war development.
You can see the headwaters of the Murray River at Tom Groggin, along the Alpine Way between Thredbo and Khancoban.
Do
The mountains are beautiful year round and the region annually attracts some three million visitors seeking nature-based and adventure holidays.
If you've come this far, you can't go home without doing some form of snow-related activity. Skiing is by far the most common activity, but snowboarding is still very popular. If it's your first time visiting the Snowy Mountains, most beginner skiers choose to ski at one of the state's two main ski resorts: Perisher and Thredbo. For skiers up for a challenge, Charlotte Pass or Cabramurra are two off-the-beaten-track ski resorts designed for skiers with previous skiing experience.
Whether you're after a rugged back-to-nature experience, want to be cosseted in alpine splendor or simply feel like going somewhere beautiful, diverse and interesting with the whole family, the chances are high that you'll find it in the Snowy Mountains. Attractions, outdoor activities, tours and events - the Snowy Mountains has it all.
- Abseiling, rock climbing and caving
- Bushwalking, the top of Australia is only a few hours hiking from Charlotte Pass or Thredbo during summer via the many Mount Kosciuszko summit trails.
- Cycling/mountain biking and motorcycling
- Fishing
- Horse riding
- White water rafting, kayaking and canoeing
- In winter, alpine skiing and snowboarding. Thredbo, Perisher, Mount Selwyn, or Charlotte Pass all have a large variety of terrain for beginners to advanced. You can ski with gum trees. Snow shoeing and cross country skiing: see also Winter sports in Australia
- A wide variety of Backcountry/off-piste skiing/spit boarding options are available and easily accessible from Guthega and Dead Horse Gap.
- Snowy Mountains Backcountry, ☏ +61 400 349 319. Guided backcountry skiing/snowboarding/snowshoeing tours, equipment hire and sales.
Buy
For supplies, large towns like Cooma or Tumut should have a Woolies (Woolworths) or a Coles. If in a small town, then there are smaller local shops for you to get your supplies from.
To get ski equipment, renting equipment is often cheaper at cities or large towns and in some cases, the equipment may be of better quality. Snow chains are also cheaper to rent here, and some shops are open 24 hours a day. However, if you can't have access to one of these towns, then equipment is available at the ski. However, these can be a little expensive and have a lower quality.
Eat
There are many places to eat and drink in the Snowy Mountains. Cafes are scattered all around the towns, including the mountain resorts at Thredbo or Perisher.
Finding good food in big towns like Jindabyne or Cooma is usually not a problem. These towns have a diverse range of good restaurants, cafes and eating establishments in general. Food prices are also reasonable, mainly because these towns are more accessible and well below the snow line.
Although you can find good food in the towns, it is very limited in Thredbo and Perisher Valley, and even more so in more remote ski resorts like Charlotte Pass or Blue Cow. They tend to be sparse, expensive, and in winter, very crowded (although this is true at all ski resorts). High quality food is available, but expect to find a fair amount of low-quality expensive food. In particular the cheap foods, like pizza, can be on the expensive side in the mountains with less competition.
In other non-tourist towns like Bombala or Talbingo, variety tends to be limited but often inexpensive. Usually you will find a few cafes and one or two restaurants.
Drink
Most towns usually have at least one pub. Expect all drinking holes to get packed to the rafters during ski season. The closest thing to an après ski scene in Australia is at Thredbo, but even this is more live music at pubs than spraying champagne bottles at each other at a nightclub.
Sleep
There's a wide range of accommodation in the Snowies, but the bulk of it is in utilitarian apartment blocks or motels. Budget accommodation is generally in short supply, although there's a solitary hostel in Thredbo and camping can be a good option in summer or, if you're hardcore enough, in winter.
During ski season, particularly the mid-July winter school holidays, minimum stay restrictions apply (usually Fri-Sun or Sun-Fri), prices go through roof (a mediocre apartment can easily cost $1000/night) and many places still sell out.
Go next
The Snowy Mountains area is in New South Wales, which holds tons of great activities, and is also near the Australian capital, Canberra. If you want to experience more snow on the other side of the border, High Country is just on the other side of the Murray.