Adaminaby

On the water

The town once lay nine kilometres further southwest, until it was the first town to be drowned by Lake Eucumbene as part of the Snowy Mountains Hydro-Electric Scheme. The town and most of its significant buildings were relocated (sometimes brick by brick) to higher ground in 1956. Lake Eucumbene is the largest lake in the Snowy Scheme, holding nine times the volume of water of Sydney Harbour. 

A fishing paradise for keen anglers, the lake is stocked with an abundance of rainbow trout, brown trout and Atlantic salmon. The pristine alpine lake is also home to the Snowy Mountains Trout Festival, a competition open to fishers of all levels. In summer, it’s a popular spot for swimming, canoeing and water skiing.

One trout you can't catch is Adaminaby’s very own ‘Big Thing’, the Big Trout, a 10m high fibreglass sculpture created by local artist and fisherman Adam Lomnici in 1973. The iconic sculpture pays homage to the exceptional fishing in the wild and beautiful rivers of this region, and takes its rightful place alongside Australia’s other ‘Big Things’.

Lake Eucumbene, Adaminaby

Things to do

Explore the history and heritage of Australia’s greatest engineering feat at the Snowy Scheme Museum, where you’ll find fascinating design, construction and operation artefacts. Exhibits include memorabilia and photographic displays along with bulldozers, a tunnel train and other vehicles used on the scheme.

Yarragobilly Caves Thermal Pool - Snowy Valleys

Kosciuszko National Park is an adventure playground for skiing and snowboarding in winter, with Selwyn Snow Resort just a 40-minute drive from Adaminaby. This compact resort is ideal for families and first timers, with many beginner runs and Australia's largest toboggan park. The ski fields of Perisher, Thredbo and Charlotte Pass are around 90 minutes away. 

In the summer, explore hiking and mountain bike trails through stunning alpine scenery. Discover limestone formations on an underground tour of Yarrangobilly Caves. Afterwards, soak in the thermal pool, fed by spring waters naturally heated to 27 degrees.

Reynella Rides, Adaminaby

Experience the magic of the high country on horseback with a Reynella Rides horse riding adventure. Keep an eye out for wild brumbies and enjoy a billy tea and fresh damper by the fire with Cochran Horse Treks. Choose from single-day to multi-day treks through the alpine countryside immortalised in Banjo Paterson’s poem The Man from Snowy River.

The Pines Cottage, Adaminaby - Credit: Rob Mulally/DPIE

Getting there & where to stay

Adaminaby is just over a 4.5-hour drive from Sydney, 6.5 hours drive from Melbourne and less than two hours from Canberra. Cooma and the Snowy Mountains Airport are just 40 minutes away. Rent a car or arrange a transfer to Adaminaby. There’s a good selection of places to stay in Adaminaby, including farmstays, cottages, hotels, B&Bs and the historic Currango Homestead.