Historical sites and heritage

Filters

Snowy Scheme Museum

The Snowy Mountains Hydro-Electric Scheme commenced construction in 1949 and was completed in 1974. The Scheme has a story to tell like no other in Australian history. Set on a grand scale, it was a project ahead of its time, a perfect stage on which our post-war migrant workforce could perform. The Scheme includes massive irrigation systems feeding off the Murray and Murrumbidgee Rivers to generate clean renewable energy for the eastern States. The community-based undertaking to establish a Snowy Scheme Museum in Adaminaby, came to fruition on 15 October 2011, with an opening ceremony attended by the Governor General, Quentin Bryce. Its historically significant collection of in excess of 6000 iems which include machinery, vehicles, tools, instruments, laboratory equipment, artworks, maps, books, engineering drawings and documents. The Snowy Scheme Museum highlights the achievements of the Scheme construction workers and their families, the ingenuity, construction techniques and machinery, and the role the project played in the development of twentieth century Australia. The museum provides a multi-dimensional insight into the greatest engineering project ever undertaken in Australia and a monumental chapter in Australia's history.

Cooma Monaro Railway Museum

The Cooma Monaro Railway is a Heritage Tourist Railway and Museum based in Cooma, New South Wales. Housed in the beautifully restored Cooma Railway Station, the 'Travel for Pleasure' exhibit tells the story of the golden age of railway travel in NSW and the Snowy Mountains while the restored station offers visitors the opportunity to step back in time and explore an operational Signal Box, Station Masters Office and Waiting Room. Take a walk around one of the last remaining complete railway yards in NSW and climb aboard our steam locomotive, 3203. Work is currently underway to return tourist trains to the rails with CPH Rail Motor shuttles to Snowy Junction before focusing on the restoration of tourist trains to Rock Flat, Nimmitabel and Bombala.

Dalgety

The historic village of Dalgety sits on the banks of the Snowy River in New South Wales. Situated on the Monaro Plains and below the Snowy Mountains, Dalgety is an area of rolling hills with granite boulders scattered across the landscape. The Dalgety Bridge, built in 1888, is a grand structure that was an engineering feat in its day. Platypus are often seen in the river below it. Once considered as a site for the National Capital in 1904, Dalgety survived after the Snowy Mountains Scheme was built and the old towns of Jindabyne and Adaminaby were flooded. Enjoy the Historic Town and River Walk and view its heritage buildings and idyllic country setting.

Big Trout

The Big Trout is located 52 kilometres northwest of Cooma in Adaminaby. The town of Adaminaby is close to a popular trout fishing spot, which makes it an ideal location for the 10 metre tall Big Trout. This huge fibreglass structure was built by Adaminaby artist Andy Lomnici,. It was completed in 1973 and is an icon for the beautiful mountain town of Adaminaby. The Big Trout underwent a restoration project in 2024 by Sydney-based mural painter Ryan Loughnane. The iconic sculpture proudly takes her place alongside the 150 "Big Things" scattered throughout Australia.

Southern Cloud Memorial

The Southern Cloud Memorial is dedicated to the airliner, Southern Cloud, which was one of Australia's greatest air mysteries. On March 21, 1931, the three-engine aeroplane disappeared without a trace on a flight from Sydney to Melbourne. It was Australia's first big civil airline disaster. The mystery was solved 27 years later during the Snowy Mountains Hydro Scheme construction. On October 26, 1958, Tom Sonter, a carpenter, left his camp 15 miles from Happy Jacks and came upon pieces of rusted metal. The riddle of the Southern Cloud had been solved. The Southern Cloud lay on the southwest side of the densely timbered mountain ridge of the now Kosciuszko National Park. The Memorial is made of concrete wings 40 feet across that soar from the blunt apex of a triangle. A grill encloses the face of the memorial and the recovered engine parts of the Southern Cloud and other historic relics. Recorded information is available, telling the story of the Southern Cloud. It was erected by the Cooma Lions Club.

Tadeusz Kosciuszko Monument

The Tadeusz Kosciuszko Monument was a bicentennial gift from the Federal Council of Polish Associations in Australia to the town of Cooma. Located at the northern entrance to Cooma the monument commemorates the discovery and naming of Mount Kosciuszko, and the contribution of Polish settlers to the Snowy Mountains Scheme. There is an information turnout, and coach and car parking is available.

Nimmitabel Heritage Walk

Discover the rich history of the village of Nimmitabel by taking the Heritage Walk which explores the township and can be completed in an hour, or can be broken into shorter walks. The walk encompasses Geldmacher House - circa 1863, the Town Well, the Old Mill - circa 1872, the beautiful St Andrews Church, Cenotaph and many other interesting features and buildings that make up the history of this lovely little village. There are also some lovely little shops and cafes to pop into along the way. Information is available from the Cooma Visitors Centre (loc. on the corner of Centennial Park, Cooma, open 9am-3pm, 7 days a week) or the Nimmitabel Post Office.

Snowy Hydro Khancoban Visitor Display

Discover the proud history and exciting future of the Snowy Scheme at the Snowy Hydro display in Khancoban. Located within the thriving local business, Pickled Parrot Providore in Khancoban the display provides an overview of the Snowy Scheme, Snowy Hydro’s operations and Australia’s renewable energy future. Explore the incredible facts and figures of this engineering marvel, learn about the exciting Snowy 2.0 pumped-hydro expansion mega project, and view operating screens to see how much the power stations in real-time. Don't miss the Snowy Scheme model and the Geehi display, both of which showcase the impressive ingenuity and engineering. While visiting, take the time to relax and enjoy the hospitality and delicious food at the Pickled Parrot Providore.

Oriental Hotel Tumut

One of the historic hotels of the region, renowned for its pub food and friendly atmosphere, "The Ori" is worth a visit. Stay for a quick drink, lunch or dinner, overnight stay or function. The Oriental Hotel Tumut has been on the site since the early 1850's. It was originally called the Queen's Arms. Their five double or three twin air-conditioned bedrooms are upstairs and are a great budget accommodation option for singles, couples or groups if you have sampled sufficient craft beer, cocktails or local wines. The shared bathrooms are recently renovated. Tea and coffee facilities available.

Snowy Hydro Discovery Centre

Explore the Snowy Mountains and the mighty Snowy Scheme. Take a virtual tour in a state-of-the-art immersive theatre. Experience how Snowy Hydro operates today and find out about the pumped-hydro expansion mega project, Snowy 2.0.  Hear stories from former workers and the current workforce about life on the Snowy. Recharge at the Discovery Cafe with a range of fresh, delicious bites and treats. Then, explore the Discovery Shop for innovative science and STEM-themed products.

Bombala Historic Railway

Bombala Historic Railway opened in 1921. It is a precast concrete building with a tin goods shed. The goods shed houses a small museum and lavender distilling plant. It also has a turntable and weighbridge. The precinct is 900 metres long. The line is known as the Goulburn Bombala line with Bombala the end of the line. The station and information structure is almost complete. A well maintained precinct ground with easy access to all parts of the station . Set in a regional setting on the southern end of the Southern Tablelands NSW in the Monaro Region.

Tumut 3 Power Station

Walk around Tumut 3 Power Station and see the size and scale of one of the engineering marvels of the modern world. View the power station from external viewing areas with informational signage. A picnic area with toilets is available for the visiting public. Unfortunately, as the power station is operational there is no internal access or tours available.

North Glory Cave

Explore North Glory Cave by guided tour to glimpse a rarely seen underworld in Kosciuszko National Park. Only accessible by guided tour, a visit to this remarkable cave is a journey into a hidden world of vast chambers and stunning crystal features. Meet your guide at Glory Arch, the giant cave entrance with an impressive opening to the sky, the Glory Hole. From there you'll explore a series of enormous chambers seemingly fit for royalty like Queen's Chamber, with its immense stalactites and intriguing crystal formations. In Smugglers Passage look up to see the ancient spiral of a dry stream carved in the ceiling. Here the cave walls also bear signatures of European settlers written during colonial times. Helictite Chamber will delight you with its delicate crystal formations that glitter and point in every direction. Finally, you'll explore the mysterious Devils Kitchen, with its trove of stunning calcite crystals. If North Glory Cave has you curious to see more of this remarkable cave system, take a self-guided tour of South Glory Cave. This cave is located right next door and the self-guided tour is included in the price of your ticket. Back outside, there'...

Kosciuszko National Park

From Jindabyne to Tumut, NSW's largest national park will keep you busy for a weekend or for weeks. Ski or snowboard the highest runs in the country at Thredbo and Perisher and try cross-country skiing in winter. Go camping, descend underground to magical Yarrangobilly Caves or climb to the summit of Mount Kosciuszko on the Main Range walk in summer. Why not take on the challenge of Snowy's Alpine Walk? This 56-kilometre hike connects alpine villages at Guthega, Charlotte Pass, Perisher Valley and Bullocks Hut. Spend 4 days walking in the Snowy Mountains and see glacial lakes, wildflower meadows, historic huts and spectacular views. Adventure seekers can also get their thrills on the Thredbo Valley track. Beyond high mountain peaks, you'll find more to explore. There's great fishing and paddling in the lower Snowy and upper Murray rivers. Throw a line in a mountain stream or reservoir like Blowering, Eucumbene and Tantangara or stop in for a swim in the spring waters of Yarrangobilly Caves Thermal Pool. You could also saddle up for a horse ride in the High Plains or near Khancoban.

Yarrangobilly Caves

Step into the depths of Yarrangobilly Caves and you’ll discover stalagmites, stalactites and delicate decorations like shawls and cave corals. Explore six caves created from a belt of limestone laid down about 440 million years ago in Koscuiszko National Park. The largest cave, called South Glory, with its lofty chambers, presents a unique opportunity to explore on a self-guided tour. The other caves, including Jersey and Jillabenan, are guided Discovery tours that run three or four times daily (closed Christmas Day). Tickets can be purchased from Yarrangobilly Caves Visitor Centre. Come properly prepared for adventure: sturdy, enclosed shoes are a must and the caves are very cool, so bring a jacket even in the warmest weather. You’ll also want to bring your swimmers because once you’ve explored what’s below ground, you can take the short walk along Yarrangobilly Caves - River walk to the thermal pool above ground. Year-round, it stays at a constant 27ºC and it's magical paddling here in winter.

Yarrangobilly Caves – Bluff lookout walk

While most of the walks around Yarrangobilly Caves meander down towards the river and thermal pool, this one heads up to Bluff lookout, and striding out here is a great way to work up an appetite. It can be quite a steep climb at times, but the rewards are many when you reach your destination. From Glory Hole carpark, follow the road up Yarrangobilly Valley. Take a detour along Jillabenan Cave access track to look down upon Harrie Wood gorge, before continuing a little further along the road to the Bluff lookout sign. The 150 metre track takes you to the lookout, perched high above Yarrangobilly Caves House, nestled into the valley. When you’re finished soaking in the view, the track heads 500m downhill to the picnic area behind the visitor centre, where you can cook up lunch on the free electric barbecues.

Yarrangobilly Caves – Glory Farm walk

This extension to the Yarrangobilly Caves – Thermal Pool walk (1.4 kilometre return) takes you past the popular thermal pool, to the site of one of the area’s historic farms. Stop for a dip in the natural spring waters of the thermal pool, then continue on this 1.2 kilometre return hike from the pool, along the eastern banks of Yarrangobilly River, to Glory Hole Farm. Henry Harris grew all the meat and vegetables for the Kiandra miners at his farm here in the late 1800s. There’s not much left of the farm these days – though you’ll see remnants of an old colonial oven, building foundations, and a small cemetery. The non-native plantings of the old farm are a strong contrast to the bushland, particularly during autumn when their leaves change colours. In the spring and early summer, the wattles bloom gold and the bitter peas yellow and red. For more information on the history of the Yarrangobilly Valley be sure to drop into the Yarrangobilly Caves Visitor Centre.

Yarrangobilly Caves – Castle walk

A spectacular and inspiring walk for photographers, birdwatchers and bushwalkers, Castle walk, near Yarrangobilly Caves, follows Yarrangobilly River past Glory Arch and South Glory Cave. With the sight of spectacular limestone cliffs – where you may even discover ancient fossils – and the opportunity to combine it with a cave tour, this medium walk in the north of Kosciuszko National Park, delights in all seasons. Spend the warmer months swimming and fishing in the pristine mountain waters, while the currawongs and kookaburras chatter in the trees. Winter often blankets the area in snow and offers the chance to see glistening icicles clinging to the South Glory cave entrance. With overnight options at nearby historic Yarrangobilly Caves House and Lyrebird Cottage, you might be tempted to linger a while in the magnificent high country.