Jindabyne

Into the great outdoors

There’s something for everyone to do all year round in this thriving mountain town. In winter, it’s all about the snow. Perisher and Thredbo are just 30 minutes' drive from Jindabyne or you can park the car at Bullocks Flat and catch the Swiss-designed Skitube to the resorts. Spend a day on the slopes at Charlotte Pass via the snowcat transfer from Perisher. There are also guided backcountry ski and snowboarding adventures with Alpine Access Australia and K7 Adventures.

Thredbo, Kosciuszko National Park

For a birds eye view, take a scenic helicopter flight with Snowy Mountains Helicopters and soar high above Kosciuszko National Park, flying past the peaks of Mount Kosciuszko and Mount Townsend. Keep an eye out for wild brumbies below. You can even book a remote wilderness picnic, which includes a helicopter flight to a secluded cabin in the national park and a gourmet lunch for two.

 Snowy Mountains Helicopters, Jindabyne

In the summer months, the crystal-clear waters of Lake Jindabyne are ideal for fishing and water sports. Horse riding tours are popular throughout the Snowy Mountains and Thredbo Valley Horse Riding in nearby Crackenback offers short trail rides and longer treks through beautiful wilderness areas. At nearby Lake Crackenback Resort and Spa, you can try a Segway tour or enjoy canoeing and fishing. 

Hiking and walking trails wind throughout the surrounding bushland. Try the picturesque trail around the edge of the lake, follow the easy Waterfall Walking Track through fields of wildflowers or venture further into the Kosciuszko National Park. The area is also known for mountain biking. Bungarra Alpine Centre just outside of town has 20km of trails for all skill levels, there are 18km of trails around Lake Crackenback and the Thredbo Valley has a number of world-class trail, including the legendary Cannonball Downhill Trail that follows a long ski run.

Lake Jindabyne, Jindabyne

Food, drink & events

Jindabyne has plenty of top eateries and brewpubs on offer. Try Australian schnapps from locally-sourced fruit at the Wildbrumby Distillery, and enjoy strolling around the beautiful grounds and sculpture gardens. Pinot’s wine bar is a hot favourite with the locals. For craft brews made with pure mountain water, head to Jindabyne Brewing or Kosciuszko Brewing at the Banjo Paterson Inn.

Wildbrumby Distillery and Cafe, Alpine Way in Jindabyne

Mountain bikers will love the Snowies MTB Festival, a three-day mountain biking extravaganza held in Jindabyne each February. The Snowy Classic cycling event, which starts and finishes at Lake Jindabyne, is a great new addition to the event calendar. Don’t miss the thrills and spills of Jindabyne’s Man from Snowy River Rodeo in December.

Snowies MTB Festival, Jindabyne Credit: In2Adventure

Getting there & where to stay

Jindabyne is a five-hour drive from Sydney, seven hours from Melbourne and just two hours from Canberra. The slopes of Thredbo and Perisher are only a 30min drive from Jindabyne in good conditions and the Bullocks Flat Skitube station is 20 minutes away, with plenty of parking. Jindabyne has a huge range of accommodation including holiday parks, chalets, hotels, luxury homes, cottages and B&Bs. The sprawling Lake Crackenback Resort and Spa is on the edge of the Kosciuszko National Park and ideal for both winter and summer stays.