What To Do On A Rainy Day In The Snowy Mountains

Take a drive along the winding Alpine Way. Image: Boen Ferguson

Don’t let the wet weather dampen your Snowy Mountains’ adventures! There are plenty of activities to keep you and the kids busy on the days the sun refuses to shine. Keep reading for our top picks for what to do on a rainy day in the Snowy Mountains…

Escape The Rain At The Cooma Car Club Museum

Be transported back in time at the Cooma Car Club Motoring Museum. The walls are lined with motoring memorabilia including historical cars and motorbikes from around the Snowy Monaro region on display for all to enjoy. Dig into a milkshake and hot dog at the fully operational 1950’s American style diner as you explore the rich and beautiful history of motoring around the Snowy Mountains. See the website for opening times.

Image: Cooma Car Club

Visit Lake Crackenback Resort & Spa

If getting out in the elements isn’t completely out of the question, there’s plenty of activities to keep you busy at Lake Crackenback Resort on a rainy day. Disc golf, archery, trampolines, hiking and biking trails, and play equipment are available on the grounds. Or head in doors and warm up by the fire at Alpine Larder for a tasty bite to eat, or indulge in a day spa experience like no other.

A beautiful moody day in Lake Crackenback

Get Wet At Thredbo Leisure Centre

If you can’t beat them, join them! The Thredbo Leisure Centre is a fun activity that the whole family can enjoy. Featuring an indoor heated swimming pool with wading pool, waterslide and the Mission Inflatable obstacle course, plus a bouldering wall, squash court and recreational trampolining centre. There’s loads of fun activities to keep you and the little ones occupied when the weather outside is less than ideal.

Discover The Snowy Hydro Scheme

You’ve probably heard of the Snowy Scheme, but what do you really know about this important engineering masterpiece? The Snowy Hydro Discovery Centre in Cooma offers a fun experience for the whole family with interactive displays, short films and hands-on exhibits and activities where you can learn all about the past, present and future of the Snowy Scheme. You can make a day of it by heading out to the Snowy Scheme Museum in Adaminaby or going for a scenic drive to visit the power stations and dams around the Snowy Mountains.

Go For A Walk Among The Snow Gums

Just because it’s wet outside doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy the outdoors! Grab a raincoat and take a walk among the iconic snow gums along the Snow Gums Boardwalk. Marvel at the vivid colours of their wet twists and turns. The best part? It’s only a short walk so you’ll be back in the warm car in no time and off to find a cosy corner to get dry!

Take A Gondola Ride At Thredbo

A great way to get out of the rain, but still enjoy some mountain views, is to take a ride on the Merritts Gondola at Thredbo. The Gondola is open for scenic rides Friday – Sunday, as well as school holidays. Ride up to the Cruiser area for mountain views and tasty dining at Merritts Mountains House.

Image: Thredbo Media

Take A Day Trip To Yarrangobilly Caves & Thermal Pool

Well worth the scenic drive (a beautiful wet weather experience in itself), the Yarrangobilly Caves area is a truly breathtaking experience. Discover some of the most beautiful limestone caves in Australia, with 6 show caves open to the public. Take a self-guided walk through the lofty chambers of the South Glory Cave, and then head down to the thermal pool. Fed by a natural spring, the thermal pool stays a constant 27 degrees all year round and is a great way to spend a rainy day.

Visit An Art Gallery Or See A Movie

The Snowy Mountains are home to some incredibly talented artists and a rainy day is the perfect excuse to get out and enjoy them! Head to Cooma to see the work of award winning wildlife photographer, Charles Davis at his gallery located in a beautifully restored church, then head to Raglan Art Gallery located on Cooma’s heritage listed Lambi Street. You can also enjoy the local works of artists, sculptures and photographers at the Jindabyne Art Gallery and the Snowy Region Visitor Centre.

You simply can’t beat fresh warm popcorn and the big screen on a rainy day! Head to the cinema in Jindabyne or Cooma and get cosy with the snack bar whilst you sit back and enjoy the latest movies on offer.

See the works of iconic wildlife photographer, Charles Davis in person at his Cooma gallery

Go For A Scenic Drive

You can still enjoy the sights even if it’s a little wet outside with a scenic drive around the stunning Snowy Mountains region. Enjoy the spectacular mountain views along the Kosciuszko Alpine Way Drive and Kosciuszko Road to Charlotte Pass, or head out to the plains of the Monaro on the Jindabyne – Dalgety – Berridale loop and enjoy some of the amazing ‘off the beaten track’ places to eat and drink. Some of our favourite’s are:

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