Yes, I know, one goes to the Snowy Mountains when it snows!
Well, not necessarily. The Snowy Mountains are great in Spring too, when the views are wonderful, the walks are great and the weather just right. That was when we went there.
Where are the Snowy Mountains? In Kosciuszko National Park in New South Wales, Australia – drive time is two hours from Canberra, seven hours from Melbourne and five hours from Sydney.
We started at Jindabyne, a delightful little town with a lovely lake. Our lakeside hotel had a large terrace with the entire lake just in front of us. Evenings were a pleasure as the setting sun slowly changed the colours, reflections and shadows all around. The town is small but quaint, with a couple of nice places to eat.
There is a lot to do in Jindabyne in the springtime if you are athletic – horse-riding, mountain biking, sailing, canoeing, fishing and your choice of bushwalks from very easy to very tough. If you aren’t into any of that, the lakeside is a wonderful place to enjoy peace and nature, especially in the evening.
After breakfast while gazing at the lake we set off for Perisher and Charlotte Pass on a twisty hill road that repeatedly offered lovely views of the lake and the hills around it. On the way there is a tall concrete tower with a surge water tank -where we stopped for a great view and a photo-op.
We were stopped at the entrance to the Kosciuszko National Park and told to pay a small fee to enter the Park and to get snow chains. We found this a bit odd because there was no trace of snow anywhere on the road, but a rule is a rule, so we went back and rented a set for the day from a gas station. We, then, found out that there is a possibility of unseasonal snow in Spring!
Back to the Park and on our way to Perisher, we saw notices saying that the road to Charlotte Pass was closed due to snow. Snow?? That raised our hopes of seeing some snow. Almost at the end of the 33 KM hill road to Perisher valley we got the first glimpse of snow on a hilltop far away. But soon there was more and more, until there was clean white snow (not the grey slushy stuff) covering both sides of the road. Unexpected, but nice!!
Perisher valley is bowl shaped, surrounded by hills, and surprise, surprise, there were hundreds of people skiing down the snowy slopes and the ski-lifts were working at full pelt. We watched the skiers, took a couple of walks, fortified ourselves at the café and decided to get back towards Jindabyne.
Perisher valley offers many walks of different difficulty categories, and even bushwalking. One of the easy, but long walks is on the Perisher to Blue Cow link trail which is all of 10 KM but gives you fantastic views of Blue Cow Mountain, the Brindabella Range and Schlinks Pass. Porcupine Walk that starts and ends at the Perisher village, and takes less than one hour return, is worth a mention. Another interesting walk that is moderately challenging is Illawong Walk – popular with bird watchers. The choices are many and even if you can’t manage a very long or difficult walk you will find one that turns out to be just right for you.
On our way back we went all the way to Thredbo, a pretty little village at the foot of a slope with a stream running through it. It has a great vibrant environment with good cafes, bars, restaurants and shops. It is another great skiing center in winter, but in spring you can take the Koscuiszko Express scenic chairlift ride. It takes just 15 minutes one way and rises 560 vertical metres, offering breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains of the Kosciuszko National Park and the stunning Thredbo Valley.
The Snowy Mountains are great in any season, and we are so glad that we made it a part of our rambling and our leisurely drive in south-east Australia.
Loved the photos. Jan. I had never heard about them before. I guess the chair lift would give a stunning view of the surrounding landscape.
Beautiful photos. The Snowy Mountains look awesome! Definitely have to keep them in mind for our bucket-list Australia road trip!
It’s amazing to think of Australia with snow! But then I imagine weather diversity is a given seeing just how huge Australia is. Beautiful photos, I’d love to explore this part of Australia one day.
I’ve only been there is summer, so no snow! One day I will get there and see snow in my own country for the first time!
Looks like a beautiful part of Australia! And since I don’t ski, I love to visit mountains in the spring or summer instead and go hiking.
This definitely looks like a great spot for hiking. I love the landscape and would love to be able to visit one day.
Have never heard of snow in Australia and this looks like a beautiful part of Australia to visit. Hopefully I will one day.
I’m with you Jan. I visited parts of the Snowy Mountains, however not when there’s been any snow. You’ve also however shown me parts that I haven’t visited. This area around Jindabyne was always one place.
What a beautiful place. I love the mountains and am so sad we missed this when we visited Melbourne last year. I would have love to hike in those mountains.
Australia just seems to have it all, warm weather AND snow, thats so cool!
Maybe some day I will get to see that but for now I think I will try to stay in europe 🙂
Fantastic memories of my time working a ski season in this area. I lived in Jindabyne but worked in Thredbo. It must have been such a treat to see the snow, especially at this time of year (even in winter the season is usually quite short!). I have never visited outside the time I was there & would imagine it is beautiful in the spring, without the snow. Great to see your photos & get a glimpse of how spectacular the area is!
What an amazing place Australia is. It’s nice to view snowcapped hills in Australia. The pics are awesome!
personally, i’d opt for the snowy mountains when it’s not snowing too! this looks like a beautiful place to spend a warm sunny day… i just love your photos & hope to visit the snowy mountains when they aren’t snowy!!
Interesting. I was unaware that there was anywhere in Australia with snow.
So glad you got to see snow! The snow on those mountains looks absolutely beautiful! What a great adventure!
I would love to hike on the snowy mountains on my next trip to Sydney. The landscape looks stunning and I’m sure it’d look even better during snowfall.
I had not heard about the Snowy Mountains before. And was glad to hear that people visited not just in the snow. Although weird that you needed to get snow chains when you saw no snow. There are many parts of western Canada that have snow chain rules that are determined by date and not weather. The views are certainly stunning. And we would definitely stop in Thredbo for a snack when we are don. I sure hope we get to re-plan our visit to Australia soon.
I’ve never been to Australia but what a beautiful part of the country to visit. I like seeing the snowy mountains in spring, it reminds me of the dolomiti in Italy! I enjoyed your photos too!
It is such a pretty region. I would definitely have to get fit for all those trails. It’s so much nicer to walk in pretty places. So this Perisher to Blue Cow link trail goes on my list. And to see snow in spring is fun, but I would like to go when I can walk without snow and have a picnic here.
First time I heard of the Snowy mountains in Australia but they look georgous! Very alpine! I can imagine that the area is a great outdoor destination year round. Do you know, if there are any sports climbing crags too?
Yes, Natascha! There are two climbing crags one in Thredbo and another from Charlotte pass. 🙂
What a scenic view! I wouldn’t mind trailing 10km for this! I don’t associate Australia with snow, but this post gave me a different perspective.
I would love to visit Snowy Mountains when winter or during spring. Each season the scenery must be beautiful there. As I’m Polish the Kosciuszko National Park is on my dream list. It’s great that you provide helpful tips on how to visit and how to get there!
I would prefer to go to the Snowy Mountains during spring. I am not a fan of the cold and snow in my shoes. I think I would enjoy it way more. I like green places and riding mountain bikes. I also like long hikes and taking pictures. It does look like an amazing and fun place.