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 Summer Months | Winter Months
Visit the Snowy Mountains summer season
The Snowy Mountain's region of New South Wales takes in much of Australia's high country. More than half of the alpine habitat in Australia falls inside the Snowy Mountains boundaries. When you visit the Snowy region you can expect to see some of Australia's most spectacular and wild scenery. High peaks, clear mountain streams and cool, crisp air – coupled with the abundance of unpolluted freshwater streams, the famous Murray and Snowy Rivers, magnificent valleys and undulating meadow, the region is proudly unique and abundant in its natural attractions.
The Snowy Mountains region is approximately five hours by car south from Sydney, eight hours north from Melbourne and just over an hour south from Canberra. Public transport is also available, with coach, hire car and air services.
Not only is the Snow Mountains region the winter playground for New South Wales, it can be said that the Snowy hosts more than its fair share of adventure. Some activities you can participate in include * Snow skiing, abseiling, climbing and caving, bushwalking, cycling, mountain biking and motorcycling, fishing, horse riding, white water rafting and other water sports.
Summer Sports in the Snowy Mountains
 Bushwalking: The Snowy Mountains offers a very diverse range of walks For experienced bushwalkers, a ong haul multi-night walk through national parks and wilderness areas are available, suited to fully self-sufficient walking parties. Families can find walks in the alpine areas, which give a feel of the high country, but don’t overly tax short legs.
By far the most popular walk in summer is the summit walk. Eight kilometres from Charlotte Pass or six kilometres from the chairlift at Thredbo, to the top of mainland Australia. For most visitors, Mt Kosciuszko is a summer must.
The South-east walks take in the National Parks of Kosciuszko, South East Forests, Deua and Wadbilliga and many reserves, wilderness areas and state forests. One word of caution. The whole of the Snowy Mountains region is an alpine area and has variable weather that can see snow fall in mid summer and heavy rain in winter.
For short walks try Sawpit Creek, Kiandra Heritage Trail and Rainbow Lake. For a full day there is the Main Range Walk, Nicole Gorge Walk & Burrungubugee. For a Full Pack bushwalk, Mt Jagungal, Dead Horse Gap - Cascades and Kosciuszko - Kiandra are recommended.
 Horse Riding: But of course, why walk when you can ride! Horse riding in The Snowy Mountains will expose you to the most unrivalled panoramic views you'll see, wildflowers, rivers, forests, wildlife and historic huts. A horse riding adventure in spectacular alpine country is unique because these natural wonders are experienced through the distinct perspective developed from a relationship between man and beast.
A wide variety of rides are available in different areas of the Snowy Mountains, suitable for all riding abilities. Day visitors may choose from one hour lessons, two hour trail rides and half or full day adventures through unspoiled mountain bushland.
Multi-day riding treks, from two days to three weeks, follow traditional stock routes through sub alpine farmland and rugged mountain terrain. Some rides are supported by 4WD transport and include chalet accommodation with gourmet food. Others specialise in pack horse safaris with camping under the stars offering a true high country wilderness experience.
There are rides where you can fish, raft a river, explore limestone caves or relax in a spa after a long day in the saddle. All rides ensure great company, improved horsemanship and an inspiring high country experience - the perfect escape from the pressures of city life!
 Fishing: The Snowy Mountains region is considered to be the premier trout fishery in New South Wales. It was host to the 1999 World Fly Fishing Championships and other championships. The headwaters of the Murrumbidgee, Eucumbene and Snowy Rivers, the lakes of the Snowy Mountains Scheme; Eucumbene, Jindabyne & Tantangara; and the Three Mile Dam at Kiandra, as well as the numerous basalt streams of the Monaro, cater for all disciplines of angling in a myriad of fishing environments. The fast, cool mountain streams, mostly over 800m above sea level, typically consist of rapids, alternating with deep pools and beds of coarse gravel and pebble. In contrast, the lower basalt streams of the Monaro offer nutrient rich waters with slower meandering courses.
There is no closed season on the lakes in the Snowy region; only the rivers are closed during the winter months while the fish are spawning (June to October long weekends). Some rivers and streams are declared for ‘fly and lure’ only. Your copy of the inland fishing rules will outline in which waterways it is illegal to fish with bait.
 A fishing licence is required to fish all waters in NSW. See the Fisheries Inland Fishing Guide for more information and costs. Licences are available from most tackle outlets, please check with your local fisheries office. You can also buy a licence from the Snowy Region Visitor Centre, Tumut Region Visitor Centre and the Khancoban Information Centre.
Mountain Bike Riding: The Snowy Mountains has a great range of mountain bike riding to choose from. If you like single track you should try Cooma’s awesome network of tracks. There are over 40 km of trails so you will never get bored.
If velo-cruising is your style then head to Thredbo with its long downhill.
 The northern end of Kosciuszko National Park is unsurpassed for day after day of wilderness riding. For pure downhill fun in the wilderness the escarpment downhills of South East Forests National Park stand out. You can screami through tall forests, over endless water bars and with views all the way to the sea, it’s hard to imagine one area offers so much diversity.
When riding in Kosciuszko National Park there are some rules you need to be aware of. Mountain bike riding is permitted on management trails and fire trails only, not on walking trails. The use of fire trails on private property is at the prerogative of the land owner. Riders should always practice minimal impact principles as outlined in the Australian Alps National Parks ‘Mountain Bike Code’ available at local visitors centres.
White Water Rafting: As the snow melts in the high country and seasonal rains feed the alpine rivers and streams - it’s time to go whitewater rafting. Whitewater rafting is becoming one of Australia’s most popular outdoor adventure activities, not only because of the thrills and spills, but also because it provides a unique way to look at some of the country’s most inaccessible landscapes.
 Just about anyone can do it, a reasonable level of fitness is required, and basic swimming skills are recommended. No previous experience is necessary as each raft is steered by a qualified guide and everyone in the raft paddles under the guide’s instruction.
The Upper Murray River is popular for one and two day rafting trips and is graded 3 and 4 which is medium to challenging. The grading system is more an indication of the level of excitement rather than experience required. The Rafting Season in the Snowy Mountains is a spring to summer sport. Its starts in September and finishes at the end of February. The Rivers are The Upper Murray River and Snowy River.
Kayak & Canoeing: Another water sport actively pursued in the Snowy is kayaking and canoeing. The Snowy Hydro Electric Scheme has created some matchless flat water canoeing on the big lakes of Jindabyne, Eucumbene and Three Mile dam near Cabramurra.
But the real fun happens on the rivers. The geology is granite, so the rivers are generally over rounded forms carved from this excellent river bed material. At one end of the scale, some of the best white water for beginners is in the Snowy River below the Pinch River Junction, graded around 2. Above the Pinch is some more technical water, graded 3.
 The Snowy River is dammed at Jindabyne, but good, higher graded water is available from Munyang Power station. The Thredbo River, given the right conditions, can be really fun kayaking a section known locally as “Afternoon Delight”, near the old national park ranger station. Caution on the Thredbo - there is a grade 6 below the Skitube - get ‘The Canoeing Guide to NSW’ and avoid an embarrassing rescue.
Of course more technical paddling is available on the Upper Murray River, a river still not dammed. In the north, the Murrumbidgee has some beautiful rapids, excellent countryside and is easily accessible. The best conditions are generally during the spring snow melt or after rainfall.
Abseiling & Climbing: Although not abundant in easily accessible crags, the Snowy Mountains do have some wonderful areas of rock suitable for abseiling and climbing. The giant granite tors of the Snowies provide an excellent range of challenges accessed on foot or by chairlift to the top of the range. Keen climbers can access the indoor climbing walls at the Australian Institute of Sport centre in Thredbo and the Winter Sports Academy gym in Jindabyne. There are local companies offering adventure trips and training programmes.
4WD Enthusiasts: For the adventurous drivers, the Snowies offer gravel roads that are well worth exploring. They include the Barry Way, running south from Jindabyne through the Snowy River Gorge to East Gippsland in Victoria; the Boboyan Road from Adaminaby to Canberra through the Namadgi National Park; and the Maffra Road from Dalgety across the Monaro to Bombala.
This information was compiled from resources available from Tourism Snowy Mountains. Please visit their website at www.snowymountains.com.au for a more detailed rundown of this exciting region.
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