Jindabyne, NSW: Snowy Mountains Adventures and Relaxation
Things to do around Jindabyne and the Snowy Mountains, go far beyond your typical outdoor adventures, offering some seriously memorable experiences. In summer, Lake Jindabyne is fabulous for kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, sailing, or sailing.
For hikers, there’s incredible bushwalking and hiking trails, like the one leading up to Mount Kosciuszko, Australia’s highest peak. The wildflowers along the way may tempt you to stop and make paper daisy chains, or be spontaneous and cool off in glacial ponds. The 4-5 hr hike to the top is exhilarating and well worth the effort.
Jindabyne is the gateway to the Snowy Mountains and all ski resorts are easily accessible from there. (Thredbo is about 30 mins from Jindabyne, Perisher 40 min, and Charlotte Pass, about an hour.) Shuttle buses during the ski season make it easy to get to the slopes, or drive yourself for added convenience. Plus, Jindabyne has ski gear, hiking and camping stores.
When the snow falls, Jindabyne turns into a lively base for skiers and snowboarders with access to some of the best winter landscapes. Jump on a snowmobile tour and ride through the backcountry or book a stargazing session, as Jindabyne offers some of the clearest skies in the region.
No matter the season, Jindabyne is full of local events, from farmers’ markets and food festivals to cultural experiences that showcase the area’s rich history and Indigenous heritage. Whether it’s summer or winter, “Jindy,” as the locals call it, always has something fun on offer.
Getting to Jindabyne, NSW
Jindabyne is a 5-hr drive from Sydney or 2 hours from Canberra, with a scenic route through the Snowy Mountains. There’s no local airport, but Canberra Airport (1-hr flight from Sydney) is 2 hours away by car, and Cooma Airport is 45 mins away, with direct flights from Sydney. Once there, the Snowy Mountains and all the attractions of Jindabyne are within easy reach.
Things to do around Jindabyne: Wellness & Pampering
- Jindabyne Heavenly Bodies Massage Centre: Providing Healing modalities, by a Health practitioner of over twenty years experience and expertise. Nuggets Crossing, Jindabyne, NSW. Ph 0417 554 457
- The Studio Jindabyne: All things hair – style cuts, skin fades, creative colour, grey coverage, hair on your wedding day and everything in between.
- In Knead Massage and Therapeutics: Providing Relaxation, Sports and Remedial Massage Treatments. 1 Snowy River Ave, Jindabyne, NSW Ph 0431 733 357
- Sankalpa Living: Massage Therapy. 7 Baggs St, Jindabyne, NSW
- Spa and Wellness Centre: From deep tissue massages that relieve the aches and pains of mountain adventures, to rejuvenating facials and indulgent spa packages.
- Jindabyne Mobile Massage: Sharon, massage therapist goes to your accommodation and also available at Crackenback Farm. Hot stone massage is used to release muscular tension, pain, increase relaxation. Ph 0412 033 742
Things to do around Jindabyne: Explore & Discover
Outdoor Activities and Scenic Day Trips
- Where else on Earth can you hike to the highest peak of on the continent, Mount Kosciuszko, with only average level of fitness? It is 13km round journey to the summit but not too strenuous with designated walking surfaces
- Mountain bike your heart out on designated trails.
- Take a guided Summer Kosciuszko Electric Bike Tour
- Participate or cheer the cyclists on at the Snowy Classic Event usually between March & April from the Jindabyne town centre. Enjoy live music, gourmet food stalls, beer, wine, soft drink, local produce and wares, massage tent, children activities & entertainment & cycling expo. For further info, go to cycling classics community
- Ultra Trail Kosciuszko by UTMB is exciting too! Oceania’s Alpine Ultra-Trail, taking place in the Snowy Mountains, amongst granite outcrops and snow gum forests, is crafted to create the ultimate runner’s high. Check entry to races on the website.
- Kids Easter Adventure Carnival, Land Rover 75th Anniversary, Cooma Monaro Railway Fresh Produce Markets, Jindabyne Lions Easter Art Show & Auction, Adaminaby Easter Fair and Markets, Berridale Easter Fair and the Lindt Easter Bunny visit in Thredbo.
- Lake Light Sculpture. The largest dedicated arts festival of the Snowy Monaro. Set on Lake Jindabyne Foreshore, this much-loved festival returns, transforming the foreshore into a spectacular outdoor gallery.
- Catch a beauty at the Snowy Trout Challenge in October (500 large tagged rainbow trout have been released into the local waterways of the Snowy Monaro with great prizes up for grabs.
- Fly high with Snowy Mountains helicopters
- Giddyup with Thredbo Valley Horse Riding
- Mount Stillwell Snow Experience
- Advanced Back-Country Tour
- Enjoy the Alpine Alps Walking Track Tours (guided and self guided)
- Check out the calendar year of Thredbo Events
- The Annual Thredbo Blues Festival is held on the Australia Day week-end.
Indoor Activities and Unique Experiences
- Brewery beer tasting or Schnappy Hour at Wildbrumby Distillery between the hours of 4pm – 6 pm every Friday and Saturday afternoon. Enjoy a range of specialty cocktails and antipasto platters.
- Enjoy other local brews at Snowy Mountains Craft Brewery in Berridale, or head to the Alpine Hotel Jindabyne for a refreshing pint. For more local options, check out The Berridale Inn for brews from Snowy Mountains Brewery. Perfect for a post-adventure drink!
- Have fun at the fireworks at The Delegate Show.
- Car Museum: Vintage car lovers should check out the cars and motorbikes from the Cooma Monaro region with motoring memorabilia, and a fully operational 1950’s American Diner.
- Yoga and Meditation at The Shed.
- Hire a bike, canoe, rock climb or take a family friendly hike
- A great family day out (usually in March) at The Dalgety Show
- Annual Cannonball MTB Festival has a prize of over $100K. Check it out.
Things to do around Jindabyne: Good Eats & Casual Dining
- Jindabyne Emporium: offering artisanal food with local ingredients. Kosciuszko Rd, Jindabyne
- CoffeeBeatsDrink: A popular stop for great coffee and light snacks. 31 Kosciuszko Rd, Jindabyne
- Takayama Restaurant Bar: A delicious fusion of Japanese and modern Australian dishes. Shop 19/2 Snowy River Ave.
- Eagles Nest Restaurant: is Australia’s highest restaurant with unmatched views at the top of the Kosciuszko Chairlift Kosciuszko Express, Quad Chair, Thredbo, NSW
- Alpine Hotel in Coomba (for wood fire pizza), Coffey’s Hotel Cooma (exceptional Asian flavours with a side of traditional pub classics) or Buckley’s Crossing Dalgety (the oldest pub in the mountains), or The Imperial Hotel, Bombala (great hospitality, sausage rolls served bar side and open fireplace) or The Berridale Inn, The Snowgoose Hotel Adaminaby (sitting next door to the Big Trout), Banjo Patterson’s Jindabyne (with cocktail bar serving up delicious jugs and the freshest vat-to-tap beers with Kosciuszko Pale Ale brewhouse located on premises).
- Sundance Bakehouse: A local favourite for fresh, delicious bakery goods, from pastries to hearty sandwiches.6 Kosciusko Rd, Jindabyne
- Splitz Food Truck: Offering tasty burgers and fries and more. 14/33 Kosciuszko Rd
- Tracie’s Café: A simple, homely café offering great breakfast and lunch options. Shop 3 Snowy Valley Centre, Kosciuszko Rd, East Jindabyne
- Trader Joe’s Garage Café: Great for a relaxed meal with a mix of coffee, sandwiches, and hearty meals. 3/6532 Kosciuszko Rd
- Clancy’s Brasserie: Offering pub style meals with fresh, local ingredients in a 1 Kosciuszko Rd, Jindabyne
- Bistro: A beautiful setting with high-quality pub dishes, focusing on local produce and seasonal flavours on the lake. Kosciuszko Rd, Jindabyne
- Clancy’s Brasserie in Banjo Patterson’s Inn. 1 Kosciuszko Rd
- Parc Café: With a menu created to answer to more than simply hunger, it satisfies the desire for nutritional + sustainable gratification. 49 Kosciuszko Rd, Jindabyne.
- Nimmitabel Bakery
- Ela Messa
- Sweet and Soul
- Birchwood
Things to do around Jindabyne: Foodies & Gourmet
- The Market: A place to access fresh, local produce, organic fruits and vegetables – ethical and low waste.
- Perrotta’s Italian + Bar: (at Lake Crackenback)
- The Snowy Mountains Travellers Rest: Fine dining with wine pairing.
- Nimmitabel Bakery @Jindabyne
- Mr Chef Indian Restaurant: A blend of delicious Indian flavours with fresh, high-quality ingredients. Perfect for spice lovers. Shop 3A/33 Kosciuszko Rd, Jindabyne NSW
- Butchery, Old Town Centre
- Snowy Mountains Cookies: baking gourmet foods made without artificial colours, flavours or additives or preservatives. Now a factory outlet at 7a Lee Ave, Jindabyne NSW
Retail Escapes Around Jindabyne NSW
- Memorial Hall Monthly Markets: browse local produce, handmade goods, and unique finds at these monthly markets.
- Design and Detail: a quirky little store offering a mix of homewares, furniture, and gifts with a local flair.
- High Country Outfitters: outdoor gear, clothing, and accessories
- Apres-She: a stylish boutique with fashion and accessories
- Jindabyne Sports: sporting needs, from ski gear to fitness equipment.
- Rip Curl: surf gear and stylish activewear,
- Monchichi Souvenirs and Gifts: Shop 7, Nuggets Crossing, this spot has a fun range of souvenirs and quirky gifts.
- Larry Adler: high-end homewares, fashion, and lifestyle items
- Gravity: a fantastic mix of streetwear, skate, and snowboard gear
- Time II Ride: For all your snowboarding / skiing needs, plus rentals and accessories.
- Jindabyne Art Gallery: regional art and offering unique, locally-made souvenirs.
- Snowy Mountains Sports: outdoor gear, clothing, and accessories
Need Roadtrip Inspiration?
Check out our fabulous scenic roadtrips at Travellarks Getaways.
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