Adaminaby

Discover an angler's haven on the banks of Lake Eucumbene. With the capacity to hold nine times the volume of Sydney Harbour, the original river was dammed to form the lake which is the central storage for the Snowy Mountains Hydro-Electric Scheme. It also meant the township had to be relocated with more than 100 buildings being dismantled and re-erected. The area is a great winter base for the family friendly Mount Selwyn ski resort which is a 40-minute drive away. After the snow season, the town transforms into a summer resort with plenty of fishing, horse riding, bushwalking and water-skiing. The historic town of Kiandra and the Yarrangobilly Caves are nearby.

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Cooma

This gold-rush town on Monaro Plains is the largest town in the Snowy Mountains and the gateway to the ski fields. Cooma has been home to graziers, prospectors and the many surveyors, engineers and hydrographers who sought to harness the power of the mighty rivers for the Snowy Mountains Hydro-Electric Scheme. Discover its rich history along the Lambie Town Walk, and explore art galleries, craft stores, restaurants, and other attractions.

Jindabyne

This town sits on the banks of its namesake lake against a stunning backdrop of soaring mountains. The area is a haven for adventurers and nature lovers with walking, mountain biking, horse riding, four-wheel driving, whitewater rafting, canoeing, kayaking and other water sports. In summer, trout can be found in the lakes, rivers and streams. In the winter, the area is a great base to explore the ski fields at Thredbo and Perisher. Jindabyne was relocated in the late 1960s when the hydro-electric scheme called for the flooding of the original town, which now lies submerged under the lake.

Khancoban

Tucked into the foothills of the western face of the Snowy Mountains, this picturesque town was originally built to house the workers and families (over 100,000 migrants from some 30 countries) during the construction of the hydro-electric scheme. Beautifully landscaped with trees, parks and gardens, it overlooks a tranquil lake which is central to popular trout streams; the Khancoban Pondage is stocked with Atlantic salmon, brown trout and rainbow trout. Water activities including fishing, boating, whitewater rafting, canoeing, and water skiing are the adventure sports of choice here.

Thredbo

This picturesque alpine village is a place for all seasons. A popular ski resort, the place is abuzz with skiers, snowboarders and snow fans in the winter. As the white slopes turn green in the spring, hikers and bikers make the most of the magnificent natural bushland scenery. There’s also golf, tennis, swimming and fly fishing. Ride the Kosciuszko Chairlift for spectacular views of this area.

Tumbarumba

This charming township is filled with vineyards, sheep stations, streams and well-conserved heritage buildings. Retrace the steps of the famous trek made by explorers Hume and Hovell on their way to Port Phillip in 1824 along a 12-kilometre walking track that takes in gold mining sites and waterfalls.

Tumut

Aboriginal for "quiet resting place by the water", Tumut is a great year-round destination for nature lovers and adventurers. Choose from trout fishing, water skiing, canoeing, caving, sailing, bushwalking, golf and tennis. The town's charm rests with the changing seasons and the majestic scenery. Along the 2-kilometre Tumut River Walk you can admire the birdlife of the Riverglade Wetlands, as well as the many historic buildings and remnants reflect a vibrant heritage of the pioneers who settled here.

Adaminaby

Snowy Mountains

Adaminaby

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More in The Towns of Snowy Mountains

Cooma

Jindabyne

Khancoban

Thredbo

Tumbarumba

Tumut