Crackenback is an up-and-coming resort area in the Snowy Mountains region of southeastern New South Wales.

Understand

Named after the nearby Lake Crackenback, Crackenback's primary claim to fame is close proximity to the 1 Bullocks Flat terminus of the Skitube alpine railway to Australia's largest ski resort, Perisher, avoiding the twisty and perennially congested journey down the road to Jindabyne. Some accommodations are walking distance to the Skitube, while others are not even close, so check locations before booking.

Get in

Crackenback is around 6 hours by road from both Sydney (via Canberra) and Melbourne. The only access road to Crackenback is the Alpine Way between Jindabyne (NSW) and Towong (Victoria). If coming from the NSW side, Crackenback is just before the Kosciuszko National Park entrance gate at Bullocks Flat, so national park fees do not apply and carrying snow chains is not required.

Get around

There is no public transport in this neck of the woods, so you pretty much need to have your own car. Lake Crackenback accommodation is within walking distance of the Skitube station though if you're not lugging too much stuff.

See and do

• 1 Thredbo Valley Horse Riding, 2627/1056 Alpine Way, ☏ +61 2 6456 2142. Horse-riding in a sub-Alpine wilderness area – something you'd expect to do in Wyoming, not New South Wales. (updated Jul 2023)

Buy

There are no shops in Crackenback, the nearest facilities are in Jindabyne and Thredbo.

Eat

Dining options in Crackenback are largely limited to hotel restaurants. Most accommodations offer kitchens for self-catering.

• 1 Crackenback Farm. French farmhouse cuisine. Also offers B&B lodging. (updated Apr 2023)

Drink

• 1 Wildbrumby Distillery, Wollondibby Rd. Su-F 10AM-5PM, Sa 10AM-6PM. Distillers of schnapps, vodka and gin, although tastings are only available for the sickly sweet fruit liqueurs: try the habanero-and-apple Flame Tongue if you need to clear your sinuses. Open daily, while the Stillhouse cafe opens Thursday to Monday. (updated Apr 2023)

Sleep

In ski season, nearly all accommodations permit staying only a 2-night (F-Su) or 5-night (Su-F) cadence. Expect to pay nearly $1000/night. Outside ski season, prices are much lower and conditions more flexible.

• 1 Lake Crackenback Resort. The first resort built in the area. (updated Apr 2023)
• 2 Ecocrackenback, 11 Wollondibby Road. 4-star "habitats" plonked down on a hillside about 10 minutes' drive from both Jindabyne and the Skitube. Well equipped with heated floors, BBQ, gas fireplace etc, but the entire building shakes like an earthquake whenever a gust of wind blows through. $349-785/night low/high season. (updated Apr 2023)

Go next

• Perisher
• Thredbo