Fast facts
- Country town on the northern foothills of the Snowy Mountains
- Rolling valleys, mountain streams and alpine mountain ranges
- 445 km south-west of Sydney, population 6,200
Why go there
The major centre for a rich grazing district, Tumut lies on the edge of Kosciuszko National Park and is a northern gateway to the Australian Alps and major ski resorts. It is a pretty town with many historic buildings and remnants of a vibrant past. Tumut in spring and autumn provides wide swathes of colour and a welcoming ambience.
History
Explorers Hume and Hovell explored the Tumut Valley in 1824. By the late 1820s, settlers were well-established but the town was slow to develop. Growth occurred with the Kiandra goldrush in the late 1850s. Eventually Tumut became an important service centre for the surrounding region, an economy flourishing on sheep, beef cattle, dairying and timber.
Things to do
- Walk the self-guided heritage trail to view many fine historic buildings.
- Browse the Tumut Museum with its extensive historical collection.
- Marvel at the Tumut Valley African Violet Farm, seven km outside town.
Events
- The Falling Leaf Festival in April celebrates the colours of autumn.
Don’t miss
- The panoramic view across the area from Rotary Lookout.
- The Pioneer Cemetery with some of the area’s earliest settlers’ graves.
- Stockwell Gardens and the River Walk.
- Trout fishing in the Tumut River.
- The Blowering Dam with the second largest storage capacity in the Snowy region.
