Explore the Snowy Mountains (when it isn’t snowing)
5hr drive south from 📍 Sydney to 🏔 Jindabyne
We acknowledge the traditional owners, the Ngarigo and Walgal people. We pay our respects to the Traditional Owners of the lands where we work, and travel through. We pay respect to their Elders, past, present and emerging.
Regional Explorer Reccos 🥾 Michelle Bates
Favourite coffee spot? Birchwood Cafe, always seems to be filled with ‘weekend locals’. Coffee was great. Plus there is a cute crystal shop next door while you wait. Impulse rose quartz anyone? We also like to stop in for coffee and food en route to or from Thredbo at The Lott Cafe in Cooma. It is SO good.
Favourite places for grab and go lunches? We are generally out hiking around Lake Jindabyne, Thredbo, Crackenback, and Guthega - so it’s backpack sambos for us. We stock up on supplies at the Jindabyne Woolies to make sambos and throw our local spend toward many, many coffees and brownies for the road.
Favourite place for a dine in dinner? Banjo Patterson Inn is where we stop for a chicken schnitzel, the deliciousness potentially increases post hike, but it hits the spot.
Favourite activities? Hiking 100%. The chairlift in Thredbo up towards Mt Kosciosko is fun too, and can save your legs a bit. Then the beautiful hike up to the summit. I still havn’t seen it on a clear day, but I hear its heaven! We loved it even when it snowed the day we went up. A different kind of core memory was engaged.
We pulled into a camping ground called Thredbo Diggings Campground (Checkout CamperMate App for great camp ground intel) between Thredbo and Crackenback - I am sure we discovered heaven!
Favourite spot for sunrise and sunset? Over Lake Jindabyne is pretty bloody special. Tyrolean Sunset Hill for a high vantage point with big views of Jindabyne. The Sunset Hill viewpoint is accessed via a steep dirt road about 200m away from the Tyrolean Village turnoff. You can visit this spot any time of the day.
Favourite time of year there and why? March because the temperature is still warm enough, but a beautiful chill at night. There are so many beautiful hikes to do. I have never personally done any mountain biking, but the mountain biking scene there is next level. They have new programs there for you to try as a beginner. Worth a Google.
How can people best support the region? Book a trip in the off season, it is a completely different incredible experience! I am going to take on the new Ultra Trail Australia Kosciosko race there in December. I went as a spectator last December, and it was an amazing experience.
About Mish Maree
Mish Maree (she/her) is the Founder and Editor of Regional Explorer. She has worked in media for the last 15+ years and has thrown it all in to explore more of our country. She loves trail running and fire cooking. Mish is available for freelance travel writing. For enquiries, reach out to michelle@for-outsiders.com
Top picks for adventure
Accessible adventure | 👩🦽Bundilla Thredbo Track 1.1km (Thredbo-Perisher area) National Parks (with accessible parking and accessible toilet) allow 1hr to soak in this great track with mountain and river views. You can book mobility chairs from Kosciosko National Park from the Snowy Mountains Visitor Centre
*we are currently collaborating with adventure operators to create accessible adventure experiences
Maxo relaxo nature reset (we are not exerting ourselves here but we are out in nature) | 🧺 Picnic around a quiet spot on the 7km track around Lake Jindabyne and finish the day off with 🌅 Sunset at Charlottes Pass Lookout (Google map)
Beginner adventurers
🥾Guided hikes with K7 guides (enquire with K7 guides for a custom experience in summer or winter)
🚵♀️ Beginner Mountain Bike Tours and lessons from K7 Adventures
🎣 2hr beginner fly fishing lesson at Lake Crackenback Resort from $160pp (you don’t need to be staying at the resort)
🛶 Kayak in Lake Jindabyne - hire from 1hr from $40 from Sacred Ride Jindabyne
Top picks for accommodation
Note on location: The price jumps up dramatically if you are staying at the ski fields. We recommend staying in Jindabyne as a base. It is where all the shops, supplies, and so fourth are. It is a 30 minute drive into the snow fields areas, which is easy, it is such a pretty drive and part of the experience. In the snow season, catch the Ski Tube because parking will not be your friend. To save on accommodation when we wanted to take someone to see snow for the first time, we stayed in Canberra and did a day trip to Thredbo area, which is about a 2hr drive each way.
Our top rated Airbnbs : 1 - 2 people 👥 | Families (TBC) 👨👧👦👨👨👧👦 👨👩👦👦 👩👧👧 | Groups 👯♀️👯♂️ (TBC) | Accessible 👨🦼🧑🦯 (TBC) | Pet friendly 🐶
Our top rated stays: Stay Crackenback properties - check out their website HERE for dreamy photos and information for what’s on offer (book directly for best rate) these properties are owned and run by locals, they know what’s up!
Camping / van bookings : National Park booking at Thredbo Diggings Campground $6 camp booking fee 🍂
Quick links for while you are there ⚡️
Regional Explorer loves 🫶
Coffee & breakfast | Birchwood Cafe Jindabyne (Google Map)
Grab and go lunch | Head to Nuggets Crossing and have a mosey around to see what takes your fancy (Woolies, shops, snow sport hire, retail, and food options)
Food | Banjo Patterson Pub (Schnitty’s are litty)
Butcher | Jindabyne Butcher (Google Map)
Bakery | Nimmitable in Jindabyne (Google Map)
Dinner spots | To be confirmed by a Regional Explorer. The internet has mixed reviews and suggestions, we don’t feel confident recommending any tbh.