Tumbarumba

Things to do

Situated in the NSW Snowy Valleys, this charming town was established in the goldrush of the 1800s and has plenty to offer all year round. You can find out about the town’s history at the Tumbarumba Museum and at the Pioneer Women’s Hut Museum.

Scenic country, Tumbarumba

For a spot of shopping, drop into Forage Merchant and Occasions, housed in a restored 100-year-old chapel, for locally grown flowers and gifts. While Twisted Willow Homestore features a large collection of handcrafted fashion, jewellery and homewares. Ride Tumba is the spot to rent electric bikes, and Tumba Bikes and Blooms is a pretty nursery now also offering bike hire.

Braymont Gardens is a hidden gem in more ways than one. It is home to an exquisite tree church inside a hedge. Nestled in a vineyard, it has beautiful views over the mountains, as well as gorgeous gardens, ponds, sheep, ducks, miniature cattle and a cafe.

Braymont Gardens, Tumbarumba

Outdoor adventure

A new offering for visitors is the Tumbarumba to Rosewood Rail Trail, a 21-km cycling or walking trail that appeals to all ages. The Trail opened in 2020 and riders or walkers are rewarded with beautiful panoramas, gentle gradients and sweeping curves. Once you get to Rosewood check out the gnomes at the gnome tree.

Tumbarumba to Rosewood Rail Trail, Tumbarumba

For more extreme action, mountain biking in Kosciuszko National Park is an exciting challenge, as are the various bushwalking trails. You can also walk in the footsteps of early explorers, Hume and Hovell, on the track that bears their names. Locals and visitors love going for a swim in Paddy’s River Falls, a beautiful spot. Check out the view over the falls from the lookout above as well. Trout fishing is also popular in the rivers and streams of the high country.

Paddy's River Falls, Tumbarumba

Created by the team behind Sculpture by the Sea in Bondi, the Snowy Valleys Sculpture Trail is a 150km permanent public collection of nearly 60 sculptures in 12 locations across the Snowy Valleys. Discover sculptures by artists from 14 countries in the towns of Adelong, Batlow, Talbingo. Tumbarumba and Tumut, as well as a number of vineyards and state forests.

Snowy Valleys Sculpture Trail, Tumut - Credit: Grant Hardwick/Snowy Valleys Sculpture Trail

Eat & drink

The Tumbarumba Wine Region makes cool-climate wines of elegance and complexity. Enjoy a tasting at Allegiance Wines, Johansen Wines or Obsession Wines – just to name a few. Be sure to check when the cellar door is open before arrival. Courabyra Wines takes things up a notch, offering vineyard tours, a gorgeous on-site restaurant overlooking the mountains and a half-day helicopter tour.

Truenorth Helicopter on the grounds of Courabyra Wines, Tumbarumba

The region’s wines and produce are celebrated at Tumbarumba Tastebuds in October and Tumbafest in February. You can also try local produce at Nest Cinema Cafe Books, which hosts a daily movie screening and live music. Sitting beside a stream in town, Ladbroken Distilling Co. makes an idyllic spot for a spirit tasting, tour or workshop.

Bendigo Bank Tumbafest, Tumbarumba - Credit: The Happy Photographer; Tumbafest

Getting there

Tumbarumba is a one-hour drive from Wagga Wagga Airport, and a five-hour drive from Sydney and Melbourne.