Known as Australia’s adventure playground, the Snowy Mountains come to life during the summer months with hiking, biking, fishing and swimming just some of the amazing activities on offer. To help you plan your summer getaway, we’ve put together a list of the top activities to do in the Snowy Mountains in summer…
Want to book the best holiday in the snowy mountains? Check out some great deals on accommodation, plus other fantastic experiences!
Thredbo Resort, An Adventure all Year-Round
A summer experience in the Snowy Mountains isn’t complete without checking out all the activities on offer at Thredbo Resort. Best known for its world class mountain biking trails with a 2-wheel adventure suited to the whole family, there’s also an incredible network of hiking trails that range from beginner to advanced. One of our favourite, lesser-known summer activities is teeing off from Australia’s highest golf course. Thredbo’s 9 hole course runs alongside the Thredbo River and around the base of the mountain, offering outstanding playing conditions and beautiful views.
Discover The Snowy Hydro Scheme
We all know mountain weather can be unpredictable, so you can’t go wrong with having a wet weather back up. The Snowy Hydro Discovery Centre in Cooma is a must-visit rain, hail or shine. Explore the past, present and future of the mighty Snowy Scheme with special experiences including a virtual fly over of the Snowy Mountains in the state-of-the art immersive theatre, real-time screens displaying generating and pumping times, and the latest updates from the Snowy 2.0 project.
Taste Summer in the Snowy Mountains
The Snowy Mountains are home to a tasty array of places to eat and drink with an impressive emerging lineup of breweries and wineries. When visiting the mountains, you simply can’t look past a visit to The Wildbrumby Distillery. Boasting Australia’s highest distillery, The Wildbrumby Distillery combines award winning schnapps, gin and vodka (all distilled onsite) with a hearty Austrian inspired menu. For a great pub feed, The Banjo Paterson Inn in Jindabyne is the place to go. With two dining options – Clancy’s Brasserie offering classic pub meals and mouth watering steaks, or The Overflow with the best burgers and pizzas in town! Also, home of the Kosciuszko Pale Ale, you can request an on site tour of the brewhouse.
Cast A Line into a Famous River!
The Snowy Mountains are known as an angler’s paradise, with fish aplenty in our waterways. We love the Thredbo River for its easy access fishing spots, but our favourite way to enjoy the pristine waters is on a guided fly fishing tour. If you’re looking for a great family-friendly fishing experience, then the Eucumbene Trout Farm (open Saturday’s only) is an awesome day out. Don’t forget, you can try your hand at winning some awesome prizes in the Snowy Trout Challenge which runs until 31 May, 2022.
Hike Australia’s High Country
Home to some of Australia’s best hikes, The Snowy Mountains is a walker’s dream. Whether it’s an easy stroll to a beautiful lookout, or a full day adventure to the top of Australia’s highest mountain, there’s an awesome Snowy Mountains hike to suit you.
Our top tip – pick accommodation that lets you stay close to the action so you can tick off as many walks as you like! And you can’t get much closer than mountainside at Guthega Inn! It’s the perfect spot to stay when exploring trails around the Perisher area (check out our favourites, Illawong Walk or Porcupine Walk). Lake Crackenback Resort is another top family-friendly stay, and a great central location. The Resort also includes a number of easy graded hikes to do within and around the area.
Swim In Scenic Pools Fed by Mountain Streams
The waters of the Snowy Mountains run a little cooler and cleaner than most places, making finding a gorgeous swimming spot an adventure of its own. Cool off in the Snowy River along the Illawong Walk, explore the Thredbo River Walk, keep your eyes peeled for a cascading waterfall pool to take a dip in or enjoy any of the relaxing ‘beaches’ around Lake Jindabyne. If you’re after a truly memorable Lake Jindabyne experience then you can’t look past a flight board tour with ReThynk.
Explore the Snowy Mountains On Horseback
Explore the legend that is Banjo Patterson with your own horse riding trip through the iconic Snowy Mountains. Thredbo Valley Horse Riding offers a range of trail rides to suit every level and ability, from a one-hour slow walk taster to a two-hour fast galloping adventure. If you are looking for a really epic adventure on horseback, you can jump into a stunning multi-day tour with Cochran Horse Treks offering a wilderness experience you won’t forget!
Mountain Biking Fun in the Snowy Mountains
Mount Gladstone in Cooma is fast becoming a local and national favourite mountain biking destination. Just 4km from Cooma, the bike park offers well maintained single tracks, with a stunning lookout that offers panoramic views of the Monaro plains. The iconic Thredbo Valley Track (TVT) is a sure favourite mountain biking experience, no matter your ability. The 35km track winds through the Thredbo Valley along the Thredbo River, making for a stunning ride. You can choose the section of the track that suits your riding ability, from easy rides to exhilarating adventure ride options.
Enjoy the Quaint and Historic Towns of the Snowy Mountains
There is so much more to the Snowy Mountains than just the high alpine areas! The region is home to many quaint and historic towns and villages, full to the brim with tasty restaurants, unique pubs and fun shops to explore and enjoy. Try Bredbo for its truffles (when in season), Berridale to taste a local wine, Dalgety for a stop at a top country pub, Bombala for a platypus sighting, Delegate to find out more about the region’s rich history and Adaminaby for a truely one-of-a-kind fishing experience!