7 of the best summer outdoor adventures in the Snowy Mountains

Lace up your boots 

Walking trails are threaded all across the Snowy Mountains, ranging from easy summer strolls to challenging multi-day adventures. The most famous is the Mount Kosciuszko Summit Walk, taking you to the top of Australia’s highest peak. There are two trails to choose from – a 13-kilometre hike from Thredbo starting with a ride on the Kosciuszko Express Chairlift or an 18.6-kilometre hike from Charlotte Pass. In spring and summer, the mountain will be covered in wildflowers. 

Mount Kosciuszko Summit walk, Kosciuszko National Park - Credit: NSW Government

Experienced hikers can take the more challenging Main Range Track, a 22-kilometre loop that passes glacial lakes and historic huts to reach the summit of Mount Kosciuszko, before returning to Charlotte Pass. You can also split the walk over a few days and camp in the back country. Or tackle the new Snowies Alpine Walk, a 56-kilometre, four-day epic that links the villages of Guthega, Perisher and Charlotte Pass. Camp along the way, stay in cosy cabins or base yourself in a village and complete the walk in sections. 

Perisher to Bullocks Flat, Snowy Mountains

There are also plenty of easier trails, perfect for first time hikers or families. The Thredbo River Track follows the water, winding through snow gum woodlands, past huge granite boulders and over footbridges. Look out for platypus in the river. Hop between the rocks on the Mount Stillwell Walk, which offers great views of Mount Kosciuszko, then learn about the native animals of the park along the nearby Snow Gums Boardwalk. 

Snow Gums Boardwalk, Kosciuszko National Park - Credit: Elinor Sheargold

Put in some pedal power 

From Australia’s highest peak and alpine lakes to forests and giant boulders on the rolling Monaro Plains, the Snowy Mountains is magic on two wheels. There are fantastic road cycling routes through the mountains including the 85-kilometre Dalgety Loop, the 62-kilometre Eucumbene Dam trail, and the classic 80-kilometre Jindabyne to Charlotte Pass ride, offering spectacular views to Mount Kosciuszko at the top.  

Thredbo Mountain Bike Park opens in November each year, with a great network of cross country trails, skills parks and the exhilarating Cannonball Downhill Trail. The new Cruiser area has three gravity trails for beginners and intermediates, and beginner bikers can enjoy East Street, a two-kilometre flow trail, or the Thredbo Valley Track, which meanders along the Thredbo River.  

Thredbo Mountain Biking, Snowy Mountains

The Mount Kosciuszko Summit Trail is the highest ride in Australia and offers glorious views of the Snowy Mountains. Riding is permitted between Charlotte Pass and Rawson Pass, where you can leave your bike on a stand and walk the 1.4 kilometres to the summit. Cascade Hut trail winds through the snow gum woodland of Pilot Wilderness Area. In spring, beautiful wildflowers fill the area. The 20-kilometre return track can be extended to an overnight adventure, if you continue on to Barry Way.  

Thredbo Valley Track, Kosciuszko National Park

Explore more than 18 kilometres of bike trails at Lake Crackenback Resort. Bring your own bike, or hire kids, adults and electric bikes from the activity centre. You can also take a guided ride and learn about bush tucker and wildlife en route, or join a skills session to improve your technique and confidence. Just outside Jindabyne, Bungarra Alpine Centre has a professionally built mountain bike trail network, with over 20 kilometres of bike tracks and four skills areas. 

In the southeast is Bombala, the heart of platypus country and a popular destination for mountain biking and road cycling. Explore trails in Bondi State Forest and Southeast Forests National Park, which borders the far South Coast. The Tumbarumba to Rosewood Rail Trail in the Snowy Valleys offers 21 kilometres of easy riding along a safe, sealed track, and passes by heritage buildings and over restored bridges. 

Tumbarumba to Rosewood Rail Trail, Tumbarumba

Jump in the saddle 

Home of the wild brumby and immortalised in Banjo Paterson’s 1890 poem The Man from Snowy River, this magnificent high country is even better on horseback. Rides vary from one-hour wanders to full-day and multi-day treks, where you’ll be camping under the bright stars at night and swapping stories around the campfire. All horseback tours are led by experienced local guides. You can also bring your own horse and take advantage of the stables across the region. 

Snowy Wilderness Horse Riding, Jindabyne, Snowy Mountains

Thredbo Valley Horse Riding in Crackenback, near Jindabyne, offers a range of trail rides in wilderness areas, including alpine streams, steep forested ridges and pretty meadows. There are special rides for kids and novice riders on easy trails. Pony rides are also available for young children. Argalong Trail Rides is a working horse and cattle farm in the foothills of the Snowy Mountains and offer short rides around the property. 

Thredbo Valley Horse Riding, Thredbo Valley

To see more of the beautiful backcountry, saddle up for a trek. Snowy Wilderness Resort is part of a sanctuary for brumbies and you can undertake half-, full- or multi-day rides. Cochran Horse Treks runs two-day rides that can also include moonlight riding, allowing you to appreciate the mountain scenery under the glow of a full moon. Australian Saddle Safaris’ treks are three to five days long and include comfortable canvas tents, hot showers and three-course meals. 

Snowy Wilderness Horse Riding, Jindabyne

Throw a line in 

With Australia’s highest peaks creating a beautiful backdrop, the lakes, rivers and water catchments of the Snowies offer great fishing for recreational anglers. The cool, alpine waters are renowned for brown and rainbow trout, and you can also find Atlantic salmon and native species like Murray cod or golden perch. 

Thredbo River Fly Fishing, Snowy Mountains

The Thredbo River meanders from Thredbo to Lake Jindabyne and is a fly fishing haven. The area near Bullocks Hut, where the Thredo and Little Thredbo rivers meet is a popular fishing spot. You can also cast your line along the Tumut, Goobarragandra, Tuross, Snowy and Bombala rivers. If you need some tips from the pros, book a guided tour with Snowy Monaro Fly Fishing or Snowy Valleys Fly Fishing.

Thredbo River Fly Fishing, Snowy Mountains

Adaminaby is the home of the Big Trout, so you would expect to find some nearby. Lake Eucumbene is a manmade dam just 10 minutes outside of town and is considered one of the best fisheries in the country – it’s always well stocked with trout and salmon. Find more trout in Lake Jindabyne, Khancoban Pondage and Talbingo Dam. 

The Big Trout, Adaminaby, Artist Andy Lomnici - Credit: Don Fuchs

Exploring underground 

Formed around 440 million years ago, the Yarrangobilly Caves are in the northern part of the Kosciuszko National Park. The dramatic limestone caves are decorated with elaborate stalactites, stalagmites and cave coral. Six are open to visitors and you can explore on your own or join a guided tour. Afterwards, follow a short trail to the Yarrangobilly Caves Thermal Pool – the sparkling water comes from a natural spring and is a pleasant 27 degrees all year round. 

Yarranobilly Caves Thermal Pool, Yarrangobilly

Get wild on the water 

The Snowy River winds through the mountains for more than 500 kilometres, its clear waters fed by rain and melting snow. Discover some of its most remote regions by kayak. A multi-day guided tour with Walking Rivers or Alpine River Adventures will take you into gorgeous back country that is otherwise inaccessible. Paddle over rapids and drift through calm pools with just the sound of birds for company. 

Alpine River Adventures, Numeralla

On Lake Jindabyne, hire a kayak or stand up paddleboard from Boss Outdoor Sports to explore its tranquil waters and meandering coastline. The team at Sacred Ride can give you a lesson on fun new toys like water e-bikes and efoil boards. Khancoban Pondage and Lake Eucumbene are also popular spots for boating. 

Lake Crackenback Resort and Spa, Crackenback

Ride the rails 

The world’s first year-round alpine coaster can be found at Thredbo. With a track that winds 1.5 kilometres around the mountain, you can reach speeds of up to 40 kilometres an hour in your thrilling, open-air carriage. You’ll go over bridges, through a tunnel and around loops as you whizz past the beautiful summer scenery. 

Thredbo Alpine Coaster, Thredbo

Refuel and refresh 

After all that activity, take some time to relax and sample the Snowies’ best local produce. Tucked into the Thredbo Valley, Wildbrumby is Australia’s highest distillery and has been making traditional Austrian-style schnapps for more than 20 years. Visit the distillery door to sample the schnapps, gin, vodka and gluhwein (all made using local fruits and botanicals), dine at the cafe and explore the sculpture garden. In Tumbarumba, Ladbroken Distillery Brewhouse makes small batch whisky, gin, vodka and liqueurs. Take a behind the scenes tour then enjoy a tasting and stonebaked pizza. 

Wildbrumby Distillery and Cafe, Thredbo Valley

Craft beer is big business in the Snowy Mountains. In Jindabyne, you’ll find Snowy Way Brewing at the Banjo Patterson Inn and Jindabyne Brewing in an industrial shed on the edge of town. There are more boutique brews at the Dalgety Brewing Company and Tumut River Brewing Co. If you’re a wine drinker, head for Courabyra Wines in Tumbarumba which has a pretty cellar door for tastings and a restaurant that focuses on local ingredients. The Shut the Gate Snowy Mountains Cellar Door stocks a range of cool climate wines from boutique vineyards. 

Tumut River Brewing Co., Tumut

Miss Heidi’s Teahouse is a little piece of Austria near the Mount Gladstone lookout, serving schnitzel, pancakes and other traditional treats. For classic French farmhouse cuisine, visit Crackenback Farm or relax with a burger and a beer at Jindabyne Emporium. Birchwood Jindabyne is popular for breakfast and Pinot’s Wine Bar offers delicious drops and snacks after dark. In Killimicat, in the foothills of the mountains, Three Blue Ducks Nimbo is elevated farm to table dining with a focus on sustainable, ethical and delicious food. 

Jindabyne Emporium, Jindabyne