The Great Dividing Range between the New South Wales and Victoria border is home to the famous Snowy Mountains or Snowies as they are also known. The Snowy Mountains are situated within Kosciuszko National Park where you will find Mt. Kosciuszko, the highest summit on Australia's mainland.
For more than 20,000 years the Snowy Mountains were home to a number of Aboriginal groups with a unique way of life. The high country was first settled in earnest by European stockmen, graziers and landholders in the early 1800s. This endeavour, immortalised in Banjo Paterson's poem 'The Man from Snowy River' created a myth that has become part of Australia's identity.
Today it's a significant tourism destination that attracts a lot of visitors each year for recreation and relaxation activities and to explore the rich history and landscape. The region is fantastic in the summer months with the staging of many major events and festivals. The area is also the perfect base for a natural adventure or to enjoy activities in a spectacular mountain environment.
This area attracts people for its summer bushwalking, horse riding and wildflowers as well as for its winter skiing season. White-water rafting is also popular on the Murray River which marks the border of New South Wales and the Kosciuszko National Park. There is a range of accommodation within the Snowy Mounatins.
Travelling to the Snowy Mountains from the east and you will pass through Cooma, which hosts a huge Hydro-electric scheme in the Snowy Mountains. West of Cooma is Jindabyne, a modern town situated on the edge of Lake Jindabyne. There are several water activities in the lake during the summer. There are also walking and activity tours into the Snowy Mountains from here. Accommodation is very popular in this area so book in advance. You can also try the letting agencies during the ski season which often rent out lodges.
The ski season runs from June to October although the best time for snow seems to be from July to September. You can never guarantee the weather, but don't worry the ski resorts have purchased snow making equipment so visitors won't be disappointed. Whether you enjoy skiing or snowboarding the resorts offer both, as well as equipment hire.
There are a range of cross country trails which are very popular to explore, including Grey Mare Range, Kiandra to Kosciuszko and Thredbo or Charlotte Pass to MT Kosciuszko. The Perisher Valley also hosts cross country racing, while mountain climbers head to the cliffs around Blue Lake.
Charlotte Pass is a small and isolated resort at the base of MT Kosciuszko, which offers a great day pass including transport, lift pass and lunch. For beginners and families then Mt. Selwyn is a good place to go.
Featured Snowy Mountains Activities
TOUR NAME
LOCATION
RATES (AUD) from
Perisher Valley Hotel Early Season 2 Night Package(EX1974) (Ski Snow & Ice) The Perisher Valley Hotel Early Season 2 Night Package includes two nights accommodation at the Perisher Valley Hotel during the early snow season between 11th June 2010 to 19th June 2010.
This pa...
Perisher Valley
$428.00
Perisher Valley Hotel Holiday Season 3 Night Package(EX1975) (Ski Snow & Ice) The Perisher Valley Hotel Holiday Season 3 Night Package includes three nights accommodation at the Perisher Valley Hotel during the holiday seasons between 20th June 2010 to 26th June 2010 and 29th A...
Perisher Valley
$738.00
Perisher Valley Hotel Late Season 2 Night Package(EX1978) (Ski Snow & Ice) The Perisher Valley Hotel Late Season 2 Night Package includes two nights accommodation at the Perisher Valley Hotel during the late snow season between 12 September 2010 to Close.
This package in...
Purchase this DVD that captures the sweeping contrasts of New South Wales. Includes footage of the Great Dividing Range to Bathurst, Goulburn and Albury, through the rich grazing lands.
Marvel at Dubbo's Western Plain Zoo and discover the rare opal at Lightning Ridge. Explore the Ghost Towns and outback city of Broken Hill and admire the splendour of the Menindee Lakes in the Kinchega National Park.
Investigate the Minnamurra Rainforest and enjoy the waterfalls of the Illawarra Plateau. Explore the snowfields of the Snowy Mountains, Mt Kosciusko and traverse the Murray River from the Alpine headwaters to Lake Hume. Moving on to the Southern Coast of New South Wales and the panoramic vistas's of Jervis Bay, the famous Blow Hole at Kiama and north to Port Macquarie, Coffs Harbour and Byron Bay.
PLEASE NOTE: The New South Wales travel destinations outlined above are only a small selection from the tens of thousands of Australian travel information pages available on Australian Explorer. A comprehensive list of destinations for New South Wales Holidays can be found on the main New South Wales Holidays location guide.
