Top Towns of the Snowy Mountains

Our Guide to the Towns and Villages of the Snowy Mountains

Our Guide to the Towns and Villages of the Snowy Mountains

The Snowy Mountains are known for its towering peaks, picturesque landscapes, and vast natural beauty. Beyond our iconic ranges, there is so much more to explore around the region. Whether you want to admire the stunning vistas, explore the alpine trails, or indulge in some adrenaline-fueled activities, the Snowy Mountains offer a little something for everyone. Come explore the many towns and villages of the Snowy Mountains…

Adaminaby

Adaminaby acts as the gateway to Northern Kosciuszko National Park and is the closest town to Lake Eucumbene, one of the region’s most pristine alpine waterways. A town renowned for not only its excellent trout fishing waters, but its very own ‘Big Thing’, a 10m high fibreglass Big Trout which sits in the middle of the township. Adaminaby is a great base when exploring the Yarrangobilly Caves and Thermal pool area of Kosciuszko National Park, Kiandra Goldfields, and Selwyn Snowfields.

Explore the history of Australia’s greatest engineering feat at the Snowy Scheme Museum, where you’ll find fascinating design, construction and operation artefacts used on the Snowy Mountains Scheme. Ride Man from Snowy River country on a Reynella Rides Horseback Safari or Cochran Horse Treks. Catch the monthly CWA Markets held on the village green on the first Saturday of each month. Not to be missed, the Adaminaby Easter Fair held on Easter Saturday is the biggest in the region and includes markets, rides, live music and more famously, the Whacky Quacky Duck Race.

Explore Adaminaby:

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Welcome to Trout Country!

Berridale – Small town feel, big town creativity

A charming village with poplar-lined streets, Berridale is a popular stopover en route to the snowfields of Kosciuszko National Park. Some describe it as a blink and you’ll miss it town, but it’s worth slowing down and enjoying all that this small, up and coming town has on offer.

Discover award winning wine producers, Shut The Gate Wines at their Snowy Mountains Cellar Door, as you graze on artisan cheeses by the fire or browse gourmet food supplies from their inhouse providore. You can’t go past a coffee from vintage inspired coffee van, Meet You Halfway, or woodfire pizza from Out of Bounds Pizza Van. Browse through the eclectic mix of homewares and fashion boutiques, including Thorn and Snow, Unique Boutique and The Collective Berridale. Just outside of town is the Coolamatong Golf Course, an 18-hole course. If you are in the region over Easter, be sure to stop in to the Berridale Easter Fair for a great day out the whole family will enjoy.

Explore more of Berridale:

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The Best Country Pubs of the Snowy Mountains

Stop for a glass of cool-climate wine and DIY cheeseboard

Bombala

Tucked in the southeast corner of NSW, this tiny historic town sits on the Bombala River and is renowned for its platypus population. To catch a glimpse of these adorable Australian icons, head to the Bombala Platypus Reserve early morning or late afternoon. Pack a picnic and enjoy the quiet and pretty reserve which offers a viewing platform for platypus spotting, as well as bird hides to watch the abundant wildlife, and picnic facilities. Or take a leisurely stroll along the 2.2km River Walk whilst keeping an eye out for platypus.

Pick up a ‘Walk Back in Time in Bombala’ brochure from the Platypus Country Visitor Information Centre and explore Bombala’s fascinating heritage and historic buildings, including the 1930s Olympia Theatre, the Bombala Railway Station and Court House.

For a fantastic family day out, you can’t go past a traditional country show. The Bombala Show is held in March and highlights the region’s produce, sheep dog trials, show jumping, fun rides and more.

Explore Bombala:

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The Best Country Pubs of the Snowy Mountains

Can you spot a platypus?

Bredbo – A quaint rural village of the Monaro

Nestled between the picturesque Tinderry Mountains and the Monaro grasslands, the quaint rural village of Bredbo was established in 1888. The village has preserved its old country charm and lifestyle, today providing travellers and locals alike with a perfect stopover with great pies, a historic pub and the famous Christmas Barn.  

This small bustling village is home to a number of historic buildings including the Bredbo Inn, which was the original stagecoach stop on the way to the South Coast or Snowy Mountains from Canberra and a popular stop for railway travellers. Take a walk down to the Bredbo and Murrumbidgee Rivers to find some excellent spots for fishing or picnicking, enjoy a truffle hunt and paddock to plate experience at Macenmist Black Truffles and Wines, or visit the ever popular Bredbo Christmas Barn. The Bredbo CWA Village Market is a lively market held on the 4th Sunday of each month. Enjoy various stallholders set up in the village hall, and a sausage sizzle.

Enjoy a bite to eat at the historic Bredbo Inn

Charlotte Pass

Charlotte Pass is Australia’s oldest and highest ski resort sitting at an elevation of 1,765m. The charming alpine village is completely snowbound in winter, boasting ski-in-ski-out accommodation with the only way to get there via oversnow transport. In the summer months it is a hive of adventure! Charlotte Pass is the starting point for the Mt Kosciuszko Summit walk and Main Range walk to Australia’s highest mountain. Enjoy a short walk to Mount Stillwell Lookout for unbeatable views of the Main Range.

​Open year round, enjoy a bite to eat and a drink on the outdoor deck of Stillwell Hotel featuring sweeping mountain views. If you are in the area over the Easter period, the chair lift operates for scenic rides offering gorgeous views of the Main Range

Explore Charlotte Pass:

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There is plenty of adventure to be had in Charlotte Pass

Cooma

Set amongst rolling plains, legendary rivers and snow capped peaks, Cooma is the largest town in the Snowy Mountains Region offering a bustling atmosphere with a much-loved rural charm. With a rich history dating back to the 1800’s, The Lambie Town Walk offers the perfect opportunity to take in some of the heritage sights of this charming town. Or spend some time at the Snowy Hydro Discovery Centre which offers a fun experience for the whole family where you can learn all about the past, present and future of the mighty Snowy Scheme.

Cooma has a thriving arts community offering an array of local galleries like the Raglan Arts & Cultural Centre and the award-winning Charles Davis Photography Gallery. Enjoy Cooma’s busy events calendar with the monthly Cooma Rotary Markets, CMR Fresh Produce Markets, national busking competitions and the Multicultural Festival, just to name a few.

Cooma is surrounded by natural beauty and offers a range of outdoor activities, including mountain biking and bushwalking. Head to Mount Gladstone to take in the views from the lookout and exceptional mountain bike trails.

Explore Cooma:

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Explore the might Snowy Hydro Scheme

Dalgety – A charming, heritage town that sits on the banks of the Snowy River.

Surrounded by the impressive rolling hills and granite boulders of the Monaro Plains, Dalgety is a much loved base for adventurers and holiday makers wishing to explore the wider Snowy Mountains region. It was once in the running to become Australia’s national capital and today is the only NSW town on the Snowy River.

Fish, swim, canoe – the iconic Snowy River is a lovely place to cool off or enjoy a picnic on the banks as you search for platypus, wombats and birds. Grab a map from The Snowy River Holiday park and enjoy a stroll along the Dalgety Historic Town and River Walk, or enjoy a beer and hearty meal at the historic Buckley’s Crossing Hotel. A little further out of town, don’t miss sampling some locally brewed beer at Dalgety Brewing.

Explore Dalgety:

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The only NSW town on the Snowy River

Delegate

Surrounded by picturesque landscapes, lush forests and sweeping valleys, the small town of Delegate offers plenty for visitors to explore. Take a walk along the numerous walking trails and hiking routes, such as the Coolumbooka Nature Reserve and the Delegate River Walking Track. Delegate is known for its rich history and cultural heritage, so it’s worth spending some time on the Delegate Heritage Walk, which takes visitors on a tour of some of the town’s oldest buildings and sites.

Experience the friendly community spirit and rural charm at local events and festivals throughout the year, such as the Delegate Show and Delegate Heritage Festival.

Explore Delegate:

Uncover The Snowy Mountains: 6 Hidden Gems To Explore This Summer

Explore the rich history of Delegate

Guthega

The picturesque ski resort village of Guthega is a 40-minute drive from Jindabyne, and a favourite winter spot amongst snow enthusiasts. In the summertime, it offers a peaceful retreat away from the hustle and bustle of city life. With its serene surroundings, it offers the perfect place to simply relax and unwind. If you are looking for a little adventure, Guthega offers plenty of hiking trails. Take a leisurely stroll along the Thredbo River on the Illawong Walk or challenge yourself with a 22km trek along the Main Range Walk.

Enjoy something to eat and drink at Basecamp Cafe which is open all year round and offers tasty meals with panoramic views of the mountain ranges.

Explore Guthega:

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Enjoy a unique mountain escape in Guthega

Jindabyne – The adventure Capital

Known as the adventure capital of Australia, this picturesque town is situated on the shores of Lake Jindabyne with stunning views of the surrounding alpine landscapes. A popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts, visitors can explore skiing, snowboarding, hiking, mountain biking, fishing, water sports, and more.

Jindabyne is a thriving tourist community offering top eateries and brew houses to match. Sample award-winning schnapps from Wild Brumby Distillery as you stroll around the sculpture gardens, or try some locally brewed beer from Jindabyne Brewing and Banjo Paterson Inn. If adventure is your thing, enjoy some time on Lake Jindabyne with ReThynk or venture into the sky with a scenic helicopter flight.

Jindabyne offers a range of events throughout the year including Easter’s flagship event, Lake light sculptures. Mountain bikers will love the Snowies MTB Festival, three days of mountain biking held in Jindabyne each February. Don’t miss the thrills and spills of Jindabyne’s Man from Snowy River Rodeo in December. There are also a number of markets which run through the year including the Jindabyne Markets and the Snowy Community Markets.

Explore Jindabyne:

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Australia’s adventure playground!

Nimmitabel

This small historic township of the Monaro sits on the Great Dividing Range, at 1060m above sea level. The name Nimmitabel is based on an Aboriginal word meaning the ‘dividing of the waters’, and marks the place where southern waters flow into the Snowy River and the northern waters flow into the Murrumbidgee River.

The town has become famous for its Steampunk at Altitude Festival, which is held in May every year. Offering entertainment for the whole family,immersive yourself in the creative costumes, live music, shopping and entertainment inspired by the steampunk genre.

You can’t go past the smell of freshly baked goods from Nimmitabel Bakery, or a walk along the Heritage Trail Walk exploring the many historic sites such as Geldmacher House (circa 1863), the Town Well, Old Stone Mill, Police Station and old Lock-up, and many other interesting features and buildings. Grab a self guided tour map from Cooma Visitors Centre.

Explore Nimmitabel:

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Enjoy a stroll through historic Nimmitabel

Perisher

Australia’s largest ski resort by winter, a sleepy adventure village come summer. In the warmer months, Perisher transforms into a tranquil base for nature lovers, adventure seekers, and anyone looking to enjoy the great outdoors. Offering many scenic trails that boast stunning mountain views and incredible displays of wildflowers, this quiet area is a haven for explorers of all ages.

Perisher has many scenic trails that offer stunning views of the mountains and an incredible display of wild flowers. Be sure to explore the popular Porcupine Walk and Rainbow Lake Walk. Whilst most of the town is closed for the summer period, Valhalla Lodge is a true alpine lodge which is open all year round. They offer guided hiking tours, incredible all-inclusive accommodation and food packages and an awesome deck with unbeatable views to unwind on after a long day of exploring the trails.

Explore Perisher:

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A sleepy summer adventure village with loads to explore

Thredbo

Australia’s favourite ski resort in winter, Thredbo truly comes alive in the summer offering something for the entire family to enjoy. Fill your summer adrenaline needs on award-winning mountain biking trails and stunning alpine walks, play a round on Australia’s highest golf course, fly fish in the Thredbo River or take a scenic chairlift ride to the top of the mountain and enjoy a meal at Australia’s highest restaurant, Eagles Nest. Plus, there is plenty for the kids to enjoy like the mission inflatable at Thredbo Pool, bobsled rides and loads of school holidays fun and carnivals.

Thredbo offers a huge line up of events all year round, including live music and concerts, beer and wine festivals, Mountain Biking festivals and the famous Thredbo Blues Festival. Enjoy the alpine lifestyle with an array of shops, cafes, and restaurants in the village, providing visitors with a comfortable base from which to explore the area.

Explore Thredbo:

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Adventure to the top of Australia!
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