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.
Bushwalking: The Snowy Mountains offers a very
diverse range of walks For experienced bushwalkers, a long 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.
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 scream 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:
- Barry
Way, running south from Jindabyne through the Snowy River Gorge
to East Gippsland in Victoria
- Boboyan Road from Adaminaby to
Canberra through the Namadgi National Park
- Maffra Road from
Dalgety across the Monaro to Bombala.
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