Snowy Mountains Drive

Fast facts

• Best trout fishing, horse-riding and hiking in Australia
• Home to Kosciuszko, the State's largest national park and Australia's tallest mountain

Why drive it

The Snowy Mountains Drive is a thrilling excursion through some of the most dramatic natural landscapes in the country. It has Australia’s highest mountains, home to the head waters of the Snowy River, the coolest winegrowing region in the State, and the lakes and power stations that make up one of Australia’s greatest engineering feats.

The region is also rich in reminders of Australia’s history, from the stone huts of the mountain cattlemen to the remnants left over from the gold mining days. Begin your tour from either Tumut or Cooma, both of which have a fine range of accommodation.

Along the way

• Try your hand at fly fishing with an expert local guide.
• Throw your leg over a saddle and experience the thrill of horseback riding in “Man from Snowy River” country.
• Take a hike on the walking trails of Kosciuszko National Park.
• Ride the Kosciuszko Express Chairlift from Thredbo Village and take a hike to the top of Mt Kosciuszko.
• Tour of the amazing North Glory Hole Cave, part of the Yarrangobilly Cave system, where you can also swim in a thermal pool.
• Witness the lighter side of bush life at The Boggy Creek Show – a humorous re-creation of bush life and social customs near Tumbarumba.
• Explore Kiandra, a ghost town still rich with memories from the time when this was a booming gold mining village.

Snowy Mountains Map and further information

Don't miss

• A round of golf on Australia's highest course overlooking the Thredbo River
• The pure fruit schnapps at the Thredbo Valley Distillery
• A short trip on a 1924 rail motor from historic Cooma railway station on weekends
• The excellent work of local craftworkers at the Batlow Woodworks Gallery
• Historic mountain huts built by stockmen, fisherman and skiers