8 of the best summer outdoor adventures in the Snowy Mountains

Go hiking

Walking trails are threaded all across the Snowy Mountains region and its NSW National Parks, ranging from easy summer strolls to take in the wildflower meadows 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 13km hike from Thredbo (a certified sustainable destination) starting with a ride on the Kosciuszko Express Chairlift or an 18.6km hike from Charlotte Pass.  

Experienced hikers can take the more challenging Main Range Track, a 22km 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 Snowies Alpine Walk, a 56km, four-day epic that links the villages of Guthega, Perisher Valley and Charlotte Pass. Camp along the way, stay in cosy cabins or base yourself in a village and complete the walk in sections.

There are also plenty of easier trails, perfect for first-time hikers or families. The Thredbo River Track follows the water, winding through stunning subalpine flora, past huge granite boulders and over footbridges. Look out for platypuses 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 (don’t forget to keep an eye out for spring blooms such as yellow billy buttons and paper daisies).  

In the Snowy Valleys’ nearby Bago State Forest, the Bago Sculpture Forest sees visitors walk past public art sculptures from local, national and international artists, while the Forest’s Wellness Walk offers visitors the unique opportunity to walk under towering pines via an accessible track incorporating sculptural features. 

Cycle the region’s many trails

Monaro Plains, the Snowy Mountains is magic on two wheels. There are fantastic road cycling routes through the mountains including the Dalgety Loop, the Eucumbene Dam trail, and the classic 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 Cruiser area has three gravity trails for beginners, and beginner bikers can enjoy Easy Street, a 2km flow trail, or the Thredbo Valley Track, which meanders along the Thredbo River.  

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 1.4km to the summit. Cascade Hut trail winds through the snow gum woodland of Pilot Wilderness Area. In spring, beautiful wildflowers fill the area. The 20km-return track can be extended to an overnight adventure, if you continue on to Barry Way.    

Explore more than 18km of bike trails at Oaks 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, 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 more than 20km of bike tracks and numerous 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 21km of easy riding along a safe, sealed track, and passes by heritage buildings and over restored bridges. Alternatively, Mt Tumbarumba is Australia’s first community-owned mountain bike park – drop into Ride Tumba for bike hire. 

For guided cycling experiences, check out K7 Adventures, Sacred Ride and Australian Cycle Tours.  

Go horse riding

Immortalised in Banjo Paterson’s 1890 poem The Man from Snowy River, this magnificent high country is even better on horseback. Set out on a one-hour wander, or full-day or multi-day trek with one of the Mountains’ experienced guides, where you can camp under the bright stars at night and swap stories around the campfire. (You can also bring your own horse and take advantage of the stables across the region.) 

Thredbo Valley Horse Riding in Crackenback 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 offers short rides around the property.   

To see more of the beautiful backcountry, saddle up for a trek. With Snowy Wilderness Resort is you can undertake half-, full- or multi-day rides. Cochran Horse Treks runs multi-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 tents, hot showers and three-course meals.  

Go fishing

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.

The Thredbo River meanders from Thredbo to Lake Jindabyne and is a fly fishing haven. The area near Bullocks Hut, where the Thredbo 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 Clearwater Fly Fishing Guides, Snowy Monaro Fly Fishing or Snowy Valleys Fly Fishing. 

Adaminaby is the home of the Big Trout. Lake Eucumbene is a constructed dam just outside of town and is considered one of the best trout fisheries in Australia: trout and salmon abound. Find more trout in Lake Jindabyne, Khancoban Pondage and Talbingo Dam. Note: be sure to organise your NSW fishing licence beforehand.    

Explore caves

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 the Yarrangobilly Caves Thermal Pool Walk to the Yarrangobilly Caves thermal pool – the sparkling water comes from a natural spring and is a pleasant 27 degrees all year round.   

Hit the water 

Discover some of the Snowy River’s 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.   

At Lake Jindabyne, hire a kayak or fishing gear from Boss Outdoor Sports to explore its tranquil waters. The team at Sacred Ride can get you up and running on fun new toys like water bikes and e-foil boards. Khancoban Pondage and Lake Eucumbene are also popular spots for boating.   

Ride a rollercoaster

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

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 Distillery 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 spirits. Take a behind-the-scenes tour then enjoy a tasting and pizza.   

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 to 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.   

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.   

*Main Range Track is closed until late October 2025. Plan ahead by checking the NPWS website for alerts and closures before visiting a park.