Getting to the Snowy Mountains

Driving

This spectacular region can be easily accessed throughout the year with routes passing through towns such as Jindabyne and Cooma to the east, Tumut to the north and Tumbarumba to the west. From Sydney, the scenic drive takes around six hours, and a 2.5-hour drive from Canberra. Thredbo and Perisher can be reached directly by car, whereas Charlotte Pass can only be accessed by the oversnow transport from Perisher. Make sure you have snow chains, which must be carried in 2WD vehicles in Kosciuszko National Park between June and October. 

Guthega Ski Village, Snowy Mountains

All vehicles must pay a fee to enter the park. It’s a good idea to purchase a digital annual pass, which allows entry to all the national parks in NSW, from the NPWS website before you arrive. Annual passes are not available for purchase at the park entry gates. During winter, it is vital to drive to the conditions as visibility can be low and roads icy. Please check these alpine-driving safety tips before your journey. 

Skitube

To get to Perisher Resort or Blue Cow, you can park your vehicle at Bullocks Flat near Jindabyne and catch the Skitube, a Swiss-designed rail track that travels up the mountains. The journey from Bullocks Flat to Perisher takes 10min and it’s a further 7min on to Blue Cow. Skiers staying at Charlotte Pass can also catch a snowcat from the Skitube terminal at Perisher.

Skitube, Kosciuszko National Park - Credit: Perisher

Airports

The Snowy Mountains Airport is located near Cooma, and only an hour’s drive from the ski resorts. During the ski season, Qantas offers daily return flights from Sydney and Brisbane, while Rex flies between Sydney daily from Sunday to Friday. During the rest of the year there is a reduced service.   

To get to the Snowy Mountains, you can also fly into Canberra, a two-hour drive from Jindabyne or a 2.5-hour drive from Thredbo and Perisher. Wagga Wagga Airport is approximately 70 minutes from Tumut and Tumbarumba. It’s easy to hire a car or arrange transfers from these airports. 

Snowy views across Charlotte Pass, Snowy Mountains

Coach & train

There are a number of coach operators with services from Sydney and Canberra to Jindabyne, Thredbo and Perisher. NSW TrainLink services operate between Sydney and Cooma, Jindabyne and Bombala, via Canberra, and Tumut and Tumbarumba too, via Cootamundra. From Melbourne, take a train to Bairnsdale for a coach to Bombala and Cooma.

Thredbo Village, Snowy Mountains

Snowy Mountains Bus Service  

If you’re staying in Jindabyne, you can make use of the Snowy Mountains Bus Service, which offers return travel to Perisher or Thredbo every day during ski season. Services run hourly, increasing to every 30 minutes to Perisher in the school holidays and during peak times.