Cooma

Set among rolling plains, legendary rivers and snow capped peaks, Cooma is the largest town in the Snowy Mountains region.

The mountain bike trail network at Mount Gladstone is one of the best in the country.

Cooma is home to many historic buildings

The Snowy Hydro Discovery Centre offers a fascinating insight into Australia's most celebrated engineering project

Enjoy the sounds of the Australian National Busking Championships

Stunning parks and nature walks abound

Find our more about Australia's fascinating corrective services history

Cooma offers 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.

The town 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.

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

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Cooma Visitors Centre

Welcome to the regional tourist information centre nestled in the heart of the Snowy Mountains. The friendly staff eagerly await, ready to assist you in exploring this diverse area. Discover Cooma's variety of experiences—from local history to cultural immersion, outdoor adventures, and breathtaking natural landscapes. The newly refurbished centre is your one-stop shop for information, souvenirs, and local insights. Chat with the knowledgeable staff about attractions, events, and activities available in the Snowy Mountains, including bushwalking, biking, snow experiences, and accommodations. They provide reliable, up-to-date information on roads, snow conditions, dining, and history. The professional team is here to help you make the most of your time in the Snowy Monaro region. Whether you need fishing licenses, local discounted national park passes, family history and genealogy assistance, or recommendations for things to do, they have you covered. Recognised as a Level 2 Accredited Visitor Information Centre, their service extends beyond in-person visits—they also offer assistance over the phone, email, and mail, providing complimentary information packs to kick-start your journey. Your stay here isn't just about exploration; it's an invitation to unwind, indulge, and enjoy a multitude of experiences. So relax, savour the moment, and immerse yourself in the wonders that await in the Snowy Monaro region.

Birdsnest Nest Stays

Hosted by birdsnest, Nest Stays offers boutique accommodation across two lovingly renovated heritage terrace homes. Located on picturesque and historic Lambie Street in Cooma NSW, and just a hop, skip and jump away from their store and HQ, Nest stays provides a contemporary and stylish escape. Terrace One is a lovingly restored 3 bedroom heritage terrace home with all the modern comforts. Two luxurious bathrooms including a stone rain shower, fully equipped kitchen, dining area, cosy lounge and generous outdoor patio with outside kitchen. Terrace 2 is a lovingly restored 4 bedroom heritage terrace home with all the modern comforts. Two luxurious bathrooms including a generous stone bathtub, dining area, fully equipped kitchen, cosy lounge and a private backyard patio and outside kitchen. Their mission in restoring these beautiful homes was to create a luxurious nest for our customers, from far and wide, to come and enjoy. And now they have given you the perfect excuse to getaway, enjoy times with good friends and let them spoil you. Between the two terraces they can cater for 2 to 10, with an option for a 2, 3 or 4 night getaway package including a private shopping experience in the Nest Lounge for your group, a $50 voucher for each guest and a delicious welcome basket of goodies.

Centennial Park at Cooma

Centennial Park is located in the centre of town and was originally designated a market square in 1849 by the white settlers of the town. The park's music shell was built in 1959 and provides a sheltered entertainment area. Also in the park is the Avenue of Flags, representing the 27 nations from which workers on the Snowy Mountains Scheme came. Centennial Park is also home to the Cooma-Monaro Time Walk, a series of mosaics depicting the history of the Monaro. The mosaics were created by local artist Chris Graham and students at the local TAFE College in 1988 (Australia's Bicentennial Year). A sculpture of the Man from Snowy River sits atop a granite boulder near the Cooma Visitors Centre and in the northeast corner of the park sits 'The Shearer' by sculptor Rix Wright. Shaded trees and picnic benches make it a lovely spot to take a break during your trip.

Cooma

Cooma is the major town of the Snowy Mountains region and a gateway to the State's alpine area. From Mount Gladstone you can enjoy sweeping views of the mountains and the plains. Outdoor activities such as bushwalking or mountain bike riding or fly-fishing for trout in the near- by streams and lakes are some of the wonderful activities on offer. The region has been home to Aboriginal communities for tens of thousands of years. Over time, a number of Aboriginal groups have been identified as having ancestral connections to the region. The majority of the now Snowy Monaro region is Ngarigo Country which is home to its people and their stories. Ngarigo culture continues to be shared and celebrated, both on Country and by people living outside the region. In 1949 Cooma became the headquarters for the Snowy Mountains Hydro-Electric Scheme, the biggest civil engineering project ever undertaken in Australia. More than 100,000 people from over 30 countries were employed in the region on a project that lasted until 1974. Visit the Snowy Hydro Discovery Centre for insight into this amazing story. Explore the town's National Trust classified sites including Victorian cottages, gaol, courthouse and post office on the Lambie Town Walk. Visit the surrounding Deua and Wadbilliga National Parks to see native animals and wildlife. Cooma has on offer a wide variety of accommodations and makes a perfect base for exploring and experiencing all that the Snowy Mountains and Kosciuszko National Park have to offer.

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.

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Perisher Ski Resort

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Cooma

Explore Cooma

Cooma Visitors Centre

Birdsnest Nest Stays

Centennial Park at Cooma

Cooma

Cooma Monaro Railway Museum

Inspiring stories

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Unique Places To Stay in the Snowy Mountains

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