Snowy Mountains Region

The Snowy Mountains region is located in southeastern Australia, mainly in southern New South Wales, with parts extending into northeastern Victoria. It is best known for containing Australia’s highest mountain range, including Mount Kosciuszko, and is largely protected within Kosciuszko National Park. The region features alpine and subalpine landscapes, with snow-covered peaks in winter and wildflower meadows, forests, and clear rivers in the warmer months.

The Snowy Mountains are also significant for their role in the Snowy Mountains Hydro-electric Scheme, one of Australia’s largest engineering projects, which provides renewable energy and irrigation water. The area is a popular destination for outdoor activities such as skiing, snowboarding, hiking, mountain biking, and fishing, and includes well-known towns and resorts like Jindabyne, Thredbo, and Perisher.

The Snowy Mountains are Australia’s highest mountain range, located in southeastern New South Wales and extending into northeastern Victoria. They are part of the larger Australian Alps and include Mount Kosciuszko, the highest peak in the country. The region is known for its alpine and subalpine landscapes, with snow-covered mountains in winter, rolling high plains, rivers such as the Snowy River, and unique plant and animal life adapted to cold conditions.

The Snowy Mountains were formed over hundreds of millions of years through a combination of geological processes. Originally, ancient seabeds were compressed and uplifted by movements in the Earth’s crust, forming mountains and plateaus. Over time, these mountains were heavily shaped by erosion from wind, water, and ice, which wore down the peaks and created valleys and plains. During past ice ages, glaciers played an important role in shaping the landscape, carving out features such as cirques and alpine lakes that can still be seen today.

Snowy Mountains Hydro-electric Scheme

One of Australia’s largest and most important engineering projects. It is a system of dams, tunnels, power stations, and aqueducts built to generate hydroelectric power and divert water inland for irrigation. The scheme collects water from the Snowy Mountains and redirects it westward into the Murray and Murrumbidgee river systems, providing renewable electricity and supporting agriculture across inland New South Wales and Victoria.

Construction of the scheme began in 1949 and was completed in 1974, taking 25 years to finish. At the time, it was one of the most complex engineering projects in the world. More than 100,000 workers from over 30 countries were involved, which had a major impact on Australia’s post-war immigration and helped shape the country’s multicultural society. Workers built 16 major dams, 7 power stations, and hundreds of kilometres of tunnels through solid rock.

Today, the Snowy Mountains Hydro-electric Scheme continues to play a vital role in Australia’s energy system through Snowy Hydro, producing renewable electricity and supporting energy storage through pumped hydro. The scheme is also an important part of the history and identity of the Snowy Mountains region and is remembered as a symbol of national development, cooperation, and engineering achievement.

Kosciuszko National Park

Kosciuszko National Park is located in southeastern New South Wales, Australia, within the Snowy Mountains region. It is about 400 kilometres southwest of Sydney and close to the borders of Victoria and the Australian Capital Territory. The park is home to Mount Kosciuszko, the highest mountain in Australia, and includes alpine landscapes, rivers, and popular ski resort areas such as Thredbo and Perisher.

Kosciuszko National Park offers a wide range of activities throughout the year, making it one of Australia’s most popular outdoor destinations. In the warmer months, visitors can enjoy hiking and bushwalking, including the famous walk to Mount Kosciuszko’s summit, as well as shorter scenic trails through alpine meadows and forests. Cycling and mountain biking are popular on designated tracks, and camping, picnicking, fishing, and kayaking can be enjoyed around rivers, lakes, and areas like Lake Jindabyne. The park is also known for its wildlife, so nature watching and photography are popular activities.

During winter, Kosciuszko National Park becomes Australia’s main snow sports region, with activities such as skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing at resorts like Thredbo, Perisher, and Charlotte Pass. Visitors can also enjoy scenic chairlift rides, alpine village experiences, and cultural and historical sites related to the Snowy Mountains Hydro-electric Scheme.

Yarrangobilly area

A popular and scenic part of Kosciuszko National Park, known for its natural beauty, history, and relaxing experiences. One of the main attractions is the Yarrangobilly Caves, a limestone cave system featuring impressive formations such as stalactites, stalagmites, and underground chambers. Nearby is the historic Yarrangobilly Caves House, where visitors can stay, enjoy a café, or have a picnic while taking in views of rolling hills and open grasslands.

Another highlight of the area is the Yarrangobilly Thermal Pool, a naturally heated outdoor pool that stays warm year-round, even in winter. Visitors can swim, relax, and enjoy the peaceful bush setting surrounded by native forest. The area also offers walking tracks, scenic drives, wildlife spotting opportunities, and fishing in nearby rivers. Overall, Yarrangobilly is ideal for visitors looking to combine sightseeing, gentle outdoor activities, and relaxation within the Snowy Mountains region.

Walks in the National Park

Kosciuszko National Park has some of Australia’s best walking tracks, ranging from short scenic strolls to full-day alpine hikes.

The most famous walk is the Mount Kosciuszko Summit Walk, which starts at Thredbo and follows a raised path to the top of Australia’s highest mountain. Along the way, you can see alpine meadows, snow gums, granite outcrops, and sweeping views of the Main Range, with wildflowers in summer and snow-covered scenery in winter.

Another popular walk is the Main Range Track, a longer and more challenging circuit that takes walkers through dramatic alpine landscapes. This walk passes glacial lakes such as Blue Lake and Lake Albina, rocky ridgelines, and wide open plains with panoramic mountain views. It is ideal for experienced walkers and showcases some of the park’s most remote and striking scenery.

For shorter and easier walks, the Snowy River Walk and Dead Horse Gap Walk are excellent options. These tracks offer views of rivers, valleys, and historic sites, as well as chances to see wildlife like kangaroos, wallabies, and birdlife. Overall, walking in Kosciuszko National Park allows visitors to experience alpine landscapes, unique plants, wildlife, and some of the most impressive natural scenery in Australia.

Maps and Downloads – https://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/visit-a-park/parks/kosciuszko-national-park/visitor-info#Maps-and-downloads

Kosciuszko National Park factsheet (print)
Kosciuszko National Park map
Thredbo-Perisher area bike rides brochure
Thredbo-Perisher area walking tracks brochure
High Plains area walks and rides brochure
Khancoban area walks and rides brochure
Pilot Wilderness and Lower Snowy River brochure
Selwyn area walks and rides brochure
Tumut area tracks and trails brochure
Kosciuszko alpine safety brochure
Kosciuszko winter activities brochure
Yarrangobilly area tracks and tours brochure
Southern Kosciuszko drives

Fees and Passes – https://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/visit-a-park/parks/kosciuszko-national-park/visitor-info#Fees-and-passes

Attractions

Jindabyne
- Statue of Count Paul Strzelecki
- Lake Jindabyne
- St Columbkillies Catholic Parish Church
- Alpine St Andrews Uniting Church
- Jindabyne Brewing
Khancoban
- Murray 1 Power Station Lookout
- Khancoban Pondage
Tumut
- Lombardy Poplars
- All Saints Anglican Church
- Court House (1878)
- Police Station (1874) and stables (1879)
- Oriental Hotel
- Bank of New South Wales (now Westpac) (1891)
- CBC Bank (now the National) (1889)
- Montreal Theatre
- Rotary Lookout
- Tumut Museum
- Roman Catholic Church of the Immaculate Conception
- Tumut Broom Factory
- Adelong Falls Walk
- Blowering Dam
Cooma
- Lambie Town Walk
- Centennial Park (1890)
- Man from Snowy River Sculpture
- Avenue of Flags
- Post Office (1872)
- Court House (1886)
- NSW Correctional Services Gaol Museum
- Nijong Reserve
- Southern Cloud Memorial Park
- Snowy Hydro Discovery Centre
- Mount Gladstone Lookout
- Nanny Goat Hill Lookout
- Cooma Monaro Railway Museum
Tumbarumba
- Arrowhead Dark Night Shine (Sculpture)
- Set Square (Sculpture)
- Court House (c.1880s)
- Tumbarumba to Rosewood Rail Trail
- Paddy’s River Falls
Talbingo
- Tumut 3
  - “Nearby public viewing area offers interpretive signage”¹
- Snowy Mountains Scheme Talbingo Visitor Display Centre
- Talbingo Shopping Centre (Whitty Street)
- Interdenominational Church – The Church of St Paul
- Miles Franklin Memorial Park (cairn)
- Jounama Pondage
- Talbingo Dam
Berridale
- Poplar Drive
- Berridale Public School (1883)
- Aitchison Cottage
- Eucumbene Trout Farm
- Dalgety Brewing Co (previously Snowy River Vineyard & Microbrewery)
Adelong
- Historic Walk (Tumut Street)
- Bank of New South Wales building (1882)
- Hotel Adelong
- Post Office (1886)
- Old Pharmacy (1877)
- St Andrew’s Presbyterian Church (1878)
- Wesley Uniting Church (1886)
- Police Station (1874)
- Court House (1874)
- Adelong Public School (1877)
- James Catholic Church (1862)
- Adelong Creek
  - Suspension bridge
  - Sculptures
    - USAGI Shelter
    - Follow the Signs
    - A Scene
    - Gumnut Cap
    - Schism
    - The Elder
    - The Big Wave
    - F.E.H.
    - Pink Eggplant
- Adelong Falls Gold Mill Ruins
- Adelong Alive Museum
Cabramurra
- Tumut 3 Power Station
  - “The descent to the spillway of Tumut Ponds Dam”²
- Kosciuszko National Park
Adaminaby
- The Big Trout
- Heritage Trail around New Adaminaby
  - St John’s Anglican Church
  - Uniting Church
- Old Adaminaby Cemetery
- Lake Eucumbene
- Snowy Scheme Museum
- Historic buildings in Old Adaminaby
- Australian Saddle Safaris
- Old Adaminaby cemetery
  - Charlie McKeahnie’s grave
Kiandra
- Kiandra’s Heritage Trail
  - Court House
  - Post & Telegraph Office
  - Kiandra Dance and Temperance Hall
- Mt Selwyn Snowfields
Perisher Valley
- Kosciuszko National Park
- Ski resort region
Guthega
- Ski resort region
- Guthega Dam
Smiggin Holes
- Kosciuszko National Park
- Ski resort region

Skiing

Skiing in the Snowy Mountains region is the main winter sport attraction in Australia, with the best ski areas located within Kosciuszko National Park. The most popular resorts are Perisher, Thredbo, Charlotte Pass, and Selwyn Snow Resort. Perisher is the largest ski resort in the Southern Hemisphere and is well known for its wide variety of runs suitable for beginners through to advanced skiers. Thredbo is famous for its long runs, including Australia’s longest ski run, and its lively alpine village. Charlotte Pass is smaller and more secluded, offering a quieter experience, while Selwyn is especially suited to families and beginners.

The best time for skiing in the Snowy Mountains is usually from late June to early October, depending on snowfall and weather conditions. July and August are typically the peak months, with the most reliable snow cover, though resorts also use artificial snowmaking to extend the season. In addition to downhill skiing, the region offers snowboarding, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and tobogganing. With alpine scenery, well-developed resorts, and a range of skill-level options, the Snowy Mountains are the centre of Australia’s winter snow sports.