📍25 Best Things To Do In Cooma, NSW. (Activities & Attractions 2024.)
LOOKING FOR THE BEST THINGS TO DO IN COOMA, NSW?
Cooma, capital of the Snowy Mountains! Cooma is a gorgeous town that is the gateway for the handful of incredible ski resorts in New South Wales. But don’t just pass through or pick up supplies, because as I learned from multiple visits going in and out of Kosciuszko National Park, it has plenty of activities, attractions and things to do in Cooma during both the summer and winter months, like discovering the ingenuity behind one of the world’s greatest engineering projects at the Snowy Hydro Centre and learning about what life is like at the Crime Through Time Museum that makes well worth hanging around.
👉 My top 3 picks for what to do in Cooma & surrounds:
- Learn about the Snowy Mountains Scheme at the Snowy Hydro Discovery Centre.
- See what life is like Crime Through Time Museum.
- Day trip to Kosciuszko National Park.
Planning Your Trip? Use My Favourite Resources!
Tours/Experiences: I recommend Viator.
Accommodation: I recommend Booking.com.
Renting Vehicles: I recommend RentalCars.com.
Best Things To Do In Cooma.
1. Discover The Local Heritage Park.
Centennial Park.
Centennial Park sits next to the Cooma Information Centre in the middle of town. While small, it pays tribute to some things that set Cooma apart. Most notable is the Avenue Of Flags, which follows the park’s perimeter and pays homage to the people who contributed to the landmark Snowy Mountains Scheme and is considered one of the top engineering feats ever achieved.
Many of those who helped make the project a reality were from all across the globe and famously turned Australia into the multicultural nation it proudly is today. Underneath the flags along the Snowy Mountains Highway side of the park is a series of mosaic artworks depicting the town’s evolution, including the scheme. Nearby is also a statue of the Man from Snowy River, a character made by famous Australian poet and writer Banjo Paterson in a poem of the same name.
2. Learn About One Of The World’s Greatest Feats Of Engineering.
Snowy Hydro Discovery Centre.
One of the best places to visit in Cooma and the one I found the most fascinating is the Snowy Hydro Discovery Centre on the eastern outskirts of town. This beautifully modern attraction has a series of displays highlighting the core aspects that went into the mammoth task of creating the ambitious engineering feat known as the Snowy Mountains Scheme.
It involved creating 16 interlinked dams across New South Wales’s alpine region to capture the snow melt and generate a sustainable source of renewable electricity whilst ensuring the area surrounding the Murray and Murrumbidgee regions and river systems always had enough water.
What’s also remarkable about the scheme was how much of a role it played in forging Australia’s national identity. Over 65% of the 100,000 people who worked on the 25-year project between 1949 and 1974 were migrants who left their wartorn countries to start a new life. They came from over 30 countries, including Italy, Germany and Norway and are recognized as birthing the Land Down Under as a multicultural nation, which you can also learn about at the Discovery Centre.
👉 Don’t forget to check out the monument across the car park.
3. Stop By The Shiny Monument.
Tadeusz Kosciuszko Monument.
At 2,228m, Mt Kosciuszko is Australia’s tallest mountain. It’s an easy day drive from Cooma to the stunning mountain village Charlotte’s Pass, where hikers can follow an easy 9km one-way trail to the summit.
Polish explorer Paweł Strzelecki, the first person recorded to reach the peak, named it after his nation’s hero, Tadeusz Kosciuszko. And not far from the Snowy Mountains Discovery Centre is a shiny monument of the revered general and military engineer.
4. Walk The Heritage Trail.
Lambie Town Walk.
A fantastic way to become familiar with a town is to stroll around the place, and in Cooma, there’s no better way to explore them than following the Lambie Town Walk trail.
Pick up a brochure from the Cooma Information Centre or download the brochure here and follow the 5km track around the picturesque township where there are plenty of heritage buildings and fascinating points of interest to discover.
5. Discover The History Of Life Behind Bars.
Crime Through Time Museum. – Donation Entry.
Of all the places to visit in Cooma, the Corrective Services NSW Crime Through Time Museum is one of the town’s must-see attractions. This outstanding museum is full of gaol memorabilia collected from numerous lock-up facilities across New South Wales from various eras dating back to the convict days. It is an endlessly intriguing insight into what it’s like to be behind bars and is a great place to take kids to give them an understanding of the consequences of breaking the law.
Although they are a lot kinder to the prisoners these days as the focus is more on reform than punishment, this is another thing that makes this museum so great, because the people who work there are friendly guards and currently serving minimum security inmates, the only place in Australia that does so! It even has some souvenirs and gifts you can buy made by the prisoners as a way for them to make money too!
It’s a thoroughly fascinating museum and an excellent set-up that bridges the gap between free folk and felons and one I enjoyed much more than I thought I would, especially because the guard worker went into detail about life in the cells, and let me pull the lever on the old gallow, which ended up being one of my favourite memories of this town.
👉 Be sure to check out the War Memorials at Monaghan Hayes Place in front of the museum in the middle of the road.
6. See Vehicles From Yesteryear.
Cooma Car Club Museum. – $.
Of all places to see in Cooma, one attraction car enthusiasts will not want to miss is the Cooma Car Club Motoring Museum. The museum features a series of historical cars, bikes and associated memorabilia for the public to enjoy rediscovering and reminiscing about from bygone eras.
7. Discover The Alpine Trains
Cooma Monaro Railway. – $.
But if it’s locomotives you prefer, then head to the Cooma Monaro Railway. The heritage museum showcases numerous artifacts from the region’s golden age of alpine rail travel inside the lovingly restored train station. They are also working to return tourist trains to the station so people can enjoy scenic trips aboard the heritage railway carriages.
8. Enjoy Picturesque Views Overlooking The Town.
Nanny Goat Hill Lookout.
Another Cooma attraction not to miss out on is Nanny Goat Hill Lookout. The viewpoint lies in town a short distance from the highway atop a distinctive stone wall guarded by a lovely goat statue and has beautiful views overlooking the picturesque township. While the scenery is lovely any time of day, it is especially so just before sunset. And it’s even more magical if you come during winter after the fleeting snow has settled on the ground.
9. Gaze Out At Even More Beautiful Scenery.
Mt Gladstone.
Nanny Goat Hill Lookout isn’t Cooma’s only scenic viewpoint. Mt Gladstone Lookout lies 6.2km outside town and is a peaceful spot to take in the picturesque landscape of the surrounding countryside.
10. Tear Up The Mountain On Two Wheels.
Mt Gladstone Mountain Bike Park.
Mt Gladstone Reserve isn’t just home to a beautiful lookout, but it’s also where some of the best outdoorsy things to do in Cooma are. There are a handful of walking trails bushwalkers will enjoy alongside an extensive network of biking trails two-wheel enthusiasts will love.
Best of all, the trails come in various lengths and difficulties, so people of all ages and skill levels, from kids and beginners to enthusiasts and experts, can find a track they’ll have a blast completing.
👉 For a map of Mt Gladstone Reserves trails, click here.
11. Pay Homage To The Victims Of A Plane Crash.
Southern Cloud Memorial.
Another thing to see in Cooma is the Aviation Pioneers Southern Cloud Memorial. The memorial is easily spottable from the main road thanks to its distinctive shape. It pays tribute to the Southern Cloud aircraft that crashed in a remote section of the Snowy Mountains whilst flying between Sydney and Melbourne in 1931.
It was the first commercial air crash that occurred in Australia. A Snowy Mountains Scheme worker discovered the wreckage 27 years later, in 1958. Smaller pieces of the wreckage are incorporated into the beautiful memorial to commemorate those who perished in the accident.
12. Discover A Gorgeous Hidden Gem.
Lambie Gorge.
Hiding not far from the Aviation Pioneers Memorial is the starting point for Cooma’s best-kept secret and my favourite find. A short scenic trail through the town’s residential area, just down the road from the Aviation Pioneer Memorial leads to Lambie Gorge, a surprisingly impressive and rugged rocky landscape that is up there with the most beautiful places to visit in Cooma.
The trail is hard to find, but just following the path along the sports fields western car park becomes a bit hard to follow the closer you get to the constructed viewpoint (I got a bit lost and ended up at the bare rock overlooking the gorge a short distance from the official lookout!). But the view is so pretty, that it is well worth climbing around the boulders to get to it as it is certainly not what you would expect from something this close to town. (Just keep your phone charged to help you find the path back out.)
Interestingly enough, it’s also where they conducted some fundamental testing for the Snowy Mountains Scheme, namely, the durability of bolts in the rocks, which are still easily observable today, making the walk full of surprises and a must-do for those who love natural landscapes.
13. And Another.
Ayers Rock.
Lambie Gorge isn’t the town’s only hidden gem. Ayers Rock is another stunning place not many tourists know about. But no, it’s not that Ayers Rock, but it is lovely nonetheless.
Coomas’ Ayers Rock is a rocky outcrop on a hillside with beautiful views overlooking the town and across the mountains. Although you can get close to the natural lookout by driving, it is only doable with a high-clearance 4WD, as the road is rough! (I did some damage to my conventional vehicle going as far as possible. Eventually, I had to walk to reach the trailhead, which itself may be hard to miss. Look for a small sign on the side of the road.)
That said, the walk isn’t too far from the road or gate, so even if you don’t have one, it’s worth the extra distance as it’s one of the best nature-based things to see in Cooma.
Things To Do Around Cooma.
14. Stop By The Sphere.
Snowy River Sphere.
Many people going through Cooma do so to get to the snow fields in winter. The nearby Kosciuszko National Park is home to all the ski resorts in New South Wales: Thredbo, Perisher Valley, Charlottes Pass, Smiggins Hole & Blue Cow.
In the warmer months, when the snow begins melting away, it’s also a magnificent wilderness to go hiking. And much of it is accessible from two roads leading out of Jindabyne. And the easiest way to reach the picturesque lakeside town is along the Snowy Mountains Highway.
And on that long stretch of mostly grassland plains is the Snowy River Sphere, a metal artwork by the side of the road earmarking that you’ve now officially crossed over into Snowy Mountain territory.
15. Enjoy Some Time At The Water.
Lake Eucumbene.
The Snowy Mountains Scheme has 16 interconnected lakes, and the closest one to Cooma is Lake Eucumbene. It’s also the project’s largest, with a total holding capacity of 4,798 gigalitres. To put that into perspective, that is approximately nine times the volume of Sydney Harbour! You can visit the dam wall and enjoy various activities on and off the water, such as picnicking, walking, biking, boating, kayaking and more!
16. Spend Some Time At Jindabyne.
Jindabyne.
Lake Eucumbene isn’t the only impounded waterbody created for the Snowy Mountain Scheme mega-project near Cooma. Jindabyne, two towns over, is famous for sitting on the shores of Lake Jindabyne, the most well-known lake to result from the monumental engineering achievement. At a maximum capacity of 688,227 megalitres and covering an expanse of 30.35 km², it is a fundamental part of the town and opens up even more opportunities for water-based adventures.
While the lake is a great reason to visit, don’t just come for that, as there are plenty of other places to visit, such as the Banjo Paterson Pub, home to Australia’s highest brewery, which creates the smooth Kosciuszko Pale Ales, which I even enjoyed as a non-beer drinker and the Surge Tower Lookout that overlooks the picturesque waterbody.
Jindabyne is also, of course, most famously known as the gateway to the Thredbo-Perisher section of the magnificent Kosciuszko National Park, home to the tallest mountains in the country, where there is absolutely no shortage of things to do, such as skiing and snowboarding in winter and hiking and biking in summer!
17. Learn More About The Epic Snowy Mountain Scheme.
Snowy Scheme Museum. – $.
If you want to learn even more about the Snowy Mountain Scheme, head northwest to Adambimby.
This small place on the Snowy Mountains Highway has a unique story in the engineering project, as, like Jindabyne, the original town got purposefully flooded to make way for Lake Eucumbene, the largest lake in the scheme. Visitors can learn more about the landmark undertaking, the 100,000 workers from 30 countries who contributed to the projects, the extreme hardships they faced, and some of the equipment they used to create one of the seven engineering wonders of the world.
18. Get A Selfie.
Big Trout.
While in Adambimby, be sure to visit the Big Trout. The giant fish lies just across the road from the Snowy Scheme Museum in front of the local shopping area and is a great spot to get a fun selfie.
Kosciuszko National Park. – $.
Kosciuszko National Park is one of Australia’s largest national parks and the only one in New South Wales that incorporates the Australian Alps.
Cooma, the Capital of the Snowy Mountains, is not just the gateway to the outstanding Thredbo-Perisher region, which incorporates Mt Kosciuszko but is also the southern access to the middle section of this incredible national park.
👉 There are day-use fees to visit Kosciuszko National Park. Alternatively, frequent visitors to NSW national parks can buy an Annual Pass.
19. Explore An Abandoned Pioneer Town.
Kiandra Heritage Trail.
Kiandra is an old abandoned town that came to fruition thanks to the discovery of gold in November 1859, which led to such a swift gold rush that by March the following year, 10,000 people had flocked to the area hoping to strike it rich! But it wouldn’t last long. It came to an end so soon that it became known as Australia’s shortest gold rush, lasting 16 months until March 1961. And the coldest.
While the search for the malleable yellow metal fizzled quickly, Kiandra simultaneously became the birthplace of skiing in the country, thanks to Norwegian gold miners who shared their beloved winter sport with the townsfolk.
These days no one lives in the town. It now lies in Kosciuszko National Park as a heritage site into what alpine life was like during the 19th and early 20th centuries and visitors can enjoy walking around the picturesque abandoned town and exploring the old buildings on the easy 1.2km loop around the site.
👉 Kiandra was heavily affected by the devastating 2019/2020 fires. Although reconstruction is underway, there was little left of the town when I went in November 2022.
20. Explore The Underworld.
Yarrangobilly Caves. – $.
Deeper north into Kosciuszko National Park lies the Yarrangobilly Caves, a series of spectacular limestone karst caves dating back millions of years. Three caves are typically open to the public, South Glory Cave, Jersey Cave and Jillabenan, with more available during the school holidays.
The first is self-guided, while the other two are accessible by guided tour only. But all are well worth the money, especially the first two. (Jersey Cave was my favourite. It was like something out of Dungeons & Dragons with a monster, hidden crystal and everything.)
There is also a small network of scenic trails to discover, including one that leads to a naturally heated thermal pool! However, don’t get your hopes up too high. The water is only lukewarm!
While planning a trip to the Yarrangobilly Caves, consider staying a night at Caves House (I recommend two days to do everything) because the village is an absolute must-visit as it’s one of the best things to see in Cooma’s vicinity.
21. Discover The ACT’s Incredible National Park.
Namadgi National Park.
Kosciuszko National Park isn’t the only alpine wilderness accessible from Cooma. The town also leads to the southernmost entry point of Namadgi National Park in the ACT.
Namadgi National Park is one of the nation’s capital’s most underrated places to explore, featuring plenty of spectacular hiking trails and pioneer alpine dwellings. It’s also abundant in wildlife, especially kangaroos! The cute endemic marsupials especially loved hanging out at the Mt Clear Campground, my favourite camping area in Namadgi.
So if Cooma and Canberra are on your itinerary and you enjoy nature, wildlife and hiking, I highly recommend travelling between them on the back road through Namagdi National Park rather than along the Monaro Highway.
22. Chase Waterfalls.
Wadbilliga National Park.
Another fantastic place to visit in Cooma’s vicinity is Wadbilliga National Park, which lies 43km east of town and features two walks incorporable into one trail. The first is the short and easy Cascades Walk, a 0.8km trail that leads to the viewing platform overlooking the Tuross River and features a small, natural wild swimming pool.
The second walk leads to another lookout with views overlooking the spectacular cliff face Tuross Falls tumbles over. The trail to reach that viewpoint is via a moderately challenging 4km grade 4 track through beautiful bushland.
23. Drop Into A Historical Town.
Nimmitabel.
If you’re heading south out of Cooma towards the Victorian border, ensure you stop by Nimmitabel. This pretty historical township is a fantastic place to get out of the car and stretch your legs.
A short walk along the main street is full of delights, including the Nimmity Bell, a fun play on the town’s name and transitionary symbol of the from its sawmilling roots to a historic tourist town.
24. Discover A Historic Wind Mill.
Geldmacher Mill.
Just around the corner from another historical town treasure. The Geldmachers Mill was constructed almost single-handedly by one man, John Geldmacher, to grind wheat into flour.
It did that for 13 years until 1885, until it unsuccessfully got converted into a sawmill, closed down that same year and abandoned. Eventually, the council saw its heritage value and has been looking after it ever since.
So even though the sails are no longer on the pioneering structure, what’s fascinating about this building is that it is only one of two remaining historical windmills left in New South Wales, making seeing one of these things a rare find.
25. Take A Rest Stop By A Small Picturesque Lake.
Lake Wiliams.
Lake Williams is a small but picturesque lake next to the highway on the southern side of town. With picnic tables close to the parking area, it’s the perfect place to enjoy a snack or meal outdoors before heading off to the next destination.
Cooma Map.
Accommodation: Where To Stay In Cooma.
- White Manor Motel, Cooma
- Yarrangobilly Caves House, Kosciuszko National Park.
Visiting Cooma: Frequently Asked Questions.
Where Is Cooma?
The picturesque country town of Cooma lies at the intersection of the Snowy Mountains Highway (B23) and the Monaro Highway (B27) in the Snowy Monaro region of New South Wales, just south of Canberra and the ACT.
What Is Cooma Known For?
Cooma is known as the capital of the Snowy Mountains. It’s the largest town in the Snowy Monaro region and essentially a one-stop shop for everything you need to explore these fabled Australian peaks for both the peak winter and off-peak summer seasons.
It’s also the home of the landmark engineering project, the Snowy Mountain Scheme, an extensive series of interconnected impounded lakes across Kosciuszko National Park that provide a sustainable water and hydroelectricity source for people living in the South East & Tablelands.
As many workers came from all across the globe to work on the scheme following World War II, Cooma is also known as the birthplace of Australia’s multiculturalism.
Does Cooma Get Snow?
Being a town near Australia’s Snowy Mountains, it’s not uncommon for Cooma to experience snowfall during the winter months. However, it is typically light and doesn’t stay on the ground long.
If you’re looking for a winter getaway filled with snow activities, consider visiting Thredbo, Perisher, Smiggin Holes, or Blue Cow. These ski resorts offer a variety of snow sports for all skill levels.
What Is The Distance From Canberra To Cooma?
There are two routes to travel between the beautiful and thoughtfully designed showpiece that is the nation’s capital, Canberra, and the Snowy Mountains gateway, Cooma.
The fastest and most direct route is the Monaro Highway (A23/M23) which is a distance of 116km and takes about an hour and twenty minutes to traverse.
The alternative way to reach the small town is to drive the length of the ACT, passing through the spectacular Namadgi National Park, before heading into New South Wales for the rest of the way. It’s a bit further at 136km long and takes at least 2 hours and 10 minutes to drive as it has a long section of dirt road.
But it’s such a spectacularly scenic route with heaps of incredible walking trails, wildlife and camping opportunities that it is a must if you have time. Best of all, while it’s a bit rough, it is passable for conventional vehicles too.
How Far Is It From Cooma To Thredbo?
Cooma is 97.3 km from Thredbo Village. Driving there would take one hour and twenty minutes to reach the beautiful ski resort along the Snowy Mountains Highway before turning onto Alpine Way for the rest of the journey.
The road goes through the open countryside plains of the Snowy Monaro region into the beautiful town of Jindabyne before heading into Kosciuszko National Park.
How Long Would It Take To Get From Cooma To Perisher?
A drive from Cooma to the Perisher Valley ski resort would take an hour and a half to traverse the 119km distance following the Snowy Mountains Highway and Kosciuszko Road.
The route passes through the vast plains of the Monaro countryside into the picturesque lakeside township of Jindabyne before heading into the alpine mountains of Kosciuszko National Park.
Conclusion: What To Do In Cooma.
Although Cooma is the largest town in the region and the official gateway to the Snowy Mountains, it’s not a town many people stop in for long to see, rather passing by to reach Kosciuszko National Park, whether that be through heading west to the much smaller but much more well-known Jindabyne, or by heading north to the Kiandra and the Yarrangobilly Caves. But don’t be so quick to get to your destination because, as I discovered, there are plenty of incredible things to do in Cooma, making it well worth stopping by.
If you plan to visit Cooma, consider looking at these other posts.
