📍14 Best Things To Do In Jindabyne, New South Wales Throughout The Year. (2024.)
LOOKING FOR THE BEST THINGS TO DO IN JINDABYNE, NSW?
Jindabyne is a small country town in the Snowy Monaro region of New South Wales. Its most famous attraction is the lake it sits at the edges of, which is the most well-known of the 16 waterbodies created for the world-famous landmark engineering project, the Snowy Mountains Scheme.
I visited it for several days as part of my three-month trip through the NSW and the ACT and discovered plenty of epic things to do in Jindabyne and its surrounds, because lakeside picnics and watersports aren’t the only things this picturesque place has to offer, as it’s also the gateway to Australia’s tallest mountains and all of the state’s incredible ski resorts, providing plenty of fun for everyone, especially those who love outdoor adventures.
👉 My top 3 picks for what to do in Jindabyne:
- Kayak or go boating on Lake Jindabyne.
- Go skiing or snowboarding at one of the ski resorts.
- Enjoy wild adventures in 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 Jindabyne Year-Round.
1. Enjoy The Town’s Iconic Namesake Lake.
Lake Jindabyne.
Lake Jindabyne is the number one thing people associate with this town. It’s not only a predominant feature of its landscape, but it also has an intriguing backstory as it’s not a naturally occurring lake. What’s also fascinating to know is the township isn’t even the original Jindabyne.
That is all because of the Snowy Mountains Scheme, which consists of 16 interconnected lakes to provide a sustainable water source for those living in the Murrumbidgee and Murray River basins and renewable hydroelectricity to much of southeast New South Wales. For some of those basins to exist, a few towns had to be relocated to higher ground, Jindabyne being one of them.
While old Jindabyne is now under many gigatonnes of water, the current Jindabyne now sits lakeside to the waterbody that flooded its predecessor. But that also means the town has plenty of picturesque views overlooking the lake and even more easily accessible walks along its shoreline.
It’s also a mecca for those who love doing all sorts of watersports, including but not limited to kayaking, boating, stand-up paddleboarding, hydro foiling and water biking, making this simultaneously one of the most beautiful, exciting and diverse attractions in Jindabyne.
2. Get A Brief Overview Of The Snowy Mountains Scheme.
Snowy Visitor Centre.
If you’re interested in learning more about the Snowy Mountains Scheme, the Snow Visitor Centre in the middle of town has a small section in addition to the information desk and gift shop that gives a brief overview of what the lengthy 25-year construction process entailed.
The massive project also gets credited for forging Australia’s identity as a multicultural nation, as many of the 100,000 people came from wartorn countries to help with the monumental build, which also gets touched on at the display.
On a completely unrelated topic, the Snowy Visitor Centre is also home to the town’s cinema, so if you’re itching to see a movie during your travels, this is where you can come to catch the latest flick.
👉 If you’re interested in learning more about the Snowy Mountain Scheme, the Snowy Hydro Discovery Centre in Cooma goes into much more detail.
3. Try Some Local Beer. (Kosciuszko Pale Ale.)
Kosciuszko Brewing Company/Banjo Paterson Pub.
One of the best things to do in Jindabyne is try the local brew. Not only does the town manufacture a beer in honour of Australia’s tallest mountain called the Kosciuszko Pale Ale, but it’s also fittingly crafted in the nation’s highest brewery.
So while it is available in many of the area’s local bars and liquor stores, there’s no better place to try its warm and comforting malt and hop flavours than at the beautiful Banjo Paterson Pub where they make it.
4. See The First Guy To Summit Mt Kosciuszko.
Sir Paul Edmund Strzelecki Monument, Banjo Paterson Park.
Continuing with the Kosciuszko theme, just across the road from Australia’s highest brewery that makes the beer named after Australia’s tallest peak is a statue dedicated to the guy who first summited the snow-capped mountain.
Sir Paul Edmund Strzelecki was a Polish explorer and geologist who became the first white man to reach the 2228m mountain in 1840 during an expedition through the Snowy Mountains with James Macarthur, James Riley and two Aboriginal guides: Charlie Tarra and Jackey. He named it after Tadeusz Kosciusko, a national hero of Poland and the American Revolutionary War.
The Banjo Paterson Park has a large-scale full-body statue of the pioneering explorer worth visiting. But it’s also a beautiful, easily accessible place to get to the lake and enjoy a lovely walk, cycle or picnic by the shoreline.
5. See The Lake From The Local Lookout.
Snowy Hydro Surge Tank Lookout.
While Jindabyne has lovely lakeside pathways and beautiful viewpoints along the roads in and out of town, there is one formal lookout you can drop by and take in the picturesque scenery without going for a walk or worrying about all the traffic flying past.
The Snowy Hydro Surge Tank Lookout is on the outskirts of town on the Kosciuszko Road to the national park’s Perisher Valley and Charlottes Pass. It is in an awkward spot next to a bend in the road and is essentially only accessible from one direction (inbound towards Jindabyne). The parking area is also pretty rough and unmaintained (at least it was when I was there). But, it is easy to find as a large concrete tower earmarks its location, and the viewpoint has beautiful views overlooking the famous lake.
6. Stop By The Sphere.
Snowy River Sphere.
The Snowy River Sphere is a famous art sculpture at the side of the road as you drive the 63km distance between Cooma and Jindabyne. It earmarks that you’ve reached the Snowys and is a great place to stop and take a fun photo to showcase you’re now in alpine territory.
7. Go For A Scenic Flight Over Australia’s Tallest Mountains.
Scenic Helicopter Flights.
One of the ultimate things to do in Jindabyne is take a scenic helicopter flight and see the country’s tallest mountain, Mt Kosciuszko, in all its wild and untamed beauty from above.
While companies operate year-round, providing unforgettable trips over the vast Australian Alps, there is something profoundly magical about doing so during winter, when there is nothing but pristine snow-capped mountains as far as the eye can see that make a mid-flight the quintessential way to see the breathtaking landscape.
👉 While Mt Kosciuszko is the most popular, there are other flights that go over Lake Jindabyne and the Snowy Mountain Scheme locations too.
Best Things To Do In Jindabyne In Summer.
Kosciuszko National Park. – Thredbo-Perisher Section
8. Get Lost Hiking In The Australian Alps.
One of the best things to do in Jindabyne during summer is to hit the trails. With the town on the doorstep of Kosciuszko National Park, there is so much awe-inspiring beauty to discover, and there’s no better way to appreciate it all than on foot.
The most popular trail is, undoubtedly, the 18km return summit track to Mt Kosciuszko. For people to say they climbed Australia’s tallest mountain makes it a bucket list item for many people visiting the national park. And I can tell you from my own experience that the view from the top is utterly magnificent, so it’s well worth the hike.
If that’s too long, there are also many more breathtaking shorter alpine and sub-alpine trails to discover, such as the Mt Stilwell and Porcupine Rocks walks. (Even if you don’t have time or cannot physically attempt these tracks, the lookout at the end of Kosciuszko Road has equally majestic views of the continent’s highest peaks and is well worth the drive to Charlottes Pass for that alone.)
But if you’re the more adventurous hiker, there is no shortage of other long and even multiday trails you can embark on, and all are spectacular. Intrepid walkers with sat-nav equipment can even go off-trail and discover places the tracks don’t go to. It is also one of the few places in Australia where you can pitch a tent wherever you want (sans a few restrictions) and enjoy an overnight expedition! And with such an expansive pristine wilderness to explore, it’s no wonder it’s regarded as a trekker’s wonderland through and through.
9. Go On A Biking Adventure.
Kosciuszko National Park.
For those who like to get their fill of nature on two wheels, Kosciuszko National Park has plenty of scenic bike trails to explore. While you can’t go on all the ones where you can walk, there are wilderness cycling trails for everyone.
Head out for a few hours and enjoy the fresh air and picturesque landscapes on a casual cycle, or embark on a full-day or overnight adventure far away from civilisation. With so much wide open space and barely another soul around for miles, this is a fantastic way to switch off and reconnect with nature.
10. Have Some Family Fun.
Lake Crackenback.
As the name suggests, Lake Crackenback Resort and Spa is an upscale nature resort located on the banks of a scenic lake. It’s one of the most beautiful and unique accommodation options in Jindabyne’s vicinity, with rustic chalets overlooking the mountains or overwater apartments to choose between.
What’s also great about it is the many facilities and attractions it offers aren’t just for the people staying there, but for day use visitors too, such as the 9-hole golf course, walking and biking trails, tennis courts, archery boards and canoes, which are perfect for people of all ages, making it one of the best places to visit in Jindabyne for families and group get-togethers.
11. Visit Jindabyne’s Other Lake.
Lake Eucumbene.
As Jindabyne sits on the shores of Jindabyne Lake, it’s understandably, the most popular watery playground in town. But it’s not the only one nearby.
Lake Eucumbene, halfway to Cooma, is not only one of the Snowy Mountains Scheme’s 16 interconnected lakes, but its ability to hold 4,798,000,000 cubic m of water at maximum capacity also makes it, by far, the biggest.
That also equates to significantly more real estate to discover by boat or kayak. There are also some picnic areas, a swimming area, biking trails and a lookout with views across the dam wall, making Jindabyne’s other lake a great place to spend a day outside.
Best Things To Do In Jindabyne During Winter.
Kosciuszko National Park.
12. Hit The Snow!
Thredbo, Perisher, Charlottes Pass & More.
No mid-year trip to Jindabyne is complete without heading up the slopes and playing in the snow. After all, it is the gateway to most of New South Wales ski resorts and the primary reason people pass through this picturesque lakeside town.
And you’re spoilt for choice too. Thredbo and Perisher are the headliner villages most people are familiar with. But there are also smaller ones, such as Charlotte’s Pass, Smiggin Holes and Blue Cow, so there is absolutely no shortage of scenic ski lifts to take you up the mountain and fantastic groomed trails to take you back down for skiers and snowboarders of every skill level.
14. Go Backcountry Snowshoeing.
For those who prefer exploring the snowy alpine wilderness away from the crowds and touristy runs, you can always embark on a backcountry snowshoeing adventure. For those unaware, it’s like hiking, but with special exoskeletal equipment attached to your shoes that increase traction and surface area so you are less likely to slip over or sink while walking on the snow.
It’s a tremendously beautiful and unforgettable way to experience the pristine landscapes of the Australian Alps that you can either do as part of a guided tour from one of the ski resorts or hire a pair of snowshoes from many stores in town and on the slopes and go your own way. (Navigation experience required for the latter.)
14. Learn How To Save A Life.
If you are interested in snow safety for exploring the mountains beyond the ski resort, there’s just the thing at Thredbo. They recently launched an exciting new exercise to help you brush up on your wilderness survival skills.
The Avalanche Training Centre aims to teach people about avalanche safety and dive deep into what to do if one occurs and the best way to locate others who may have become buried in the snow, which are fundamental things to know should the worst befall you and your group while you’re out there.
Those embarking on one of Thredbo’s backcountry adventures will have this incorporated as part of their expedition, but it’s not exclusive to them. Anyone not participating in them can still do the training, which may help them save lives. And best of all, it’s completely free.
Jindabyne Map.
Accommodation: Where To Stay In Jindabyne.
- Mid-Range: The Jindy Inn.
- Luxury: Hamilton House.
Visiting Jindabyne: Frequently Asked Questions.
Where Is Jindabyne?
Jindabyne is a small but beautiful lakeside town located at the base of the Kosciuszko National Park in the Snowy Monaro Region of New South Wales.
For more context, it also lies south-southwest of the Australian capital, Canberra and is about halfway between the ACT’s southernmost border and Victoria.
How Far Is It From Jindabyne To Thredbo?
At 35km away, Thredbo Village is the closest ski resort to Jindabyne. The drive takes about half an hour during good daytime conditions when the road is dry.
However, although it is generally well maintained because this area receives seasonal snowfall, driving time takes much longer as more care is needed to traverse the slippery roadway safely.
Part of that also means chains are legally required to be fitted to your vehicle’s wheels when snow or sleet is on the bitumen. While on, you are only permitted to drive at speeds of 30km/h, thus increasing the time it takes to arrive there.
And if you’re driving at night, it’s advisable to go even slower, because especially as a wilderness area, there are lots of animals about.
How Far Is Jindabyne From Canberra?
At 178 km away, Jindabyne is just over a two-hour drive from the gorgeous Australian capital city of Canberra. Head out of the CBD and south along the Monaro Highway to the Capital Of The Snowy’s, Cooma, where you’ll then go west south-west for the final stretch to Jindabyne along Kosciuszko Road.
How Far Is Jindabyne From Sydney?
Jindabyne is a considerably further distance from the NSW state capital Sydney than Canberra at 459 km long.
There are two main ways to go, but the shortest follows the South Western Motorway(M5) and Hume Highway(M31) from Sydney to Canberra. From there, head along the same route from Canberra to reach Jindabyne. The drive takes about 5 hours to commute non-stop.
When Is The Best Time To Visit Jindabyne?
If you love traditional winter sports, such as skiing, snowboarding, tabogganing and backcountry snowshoeing, June to August is prime visiting time as that is when there is excellent snow coverage.
But if you love summer activities like hiking, biking and swimming, October to April is the best time to head there.
September and May are typically the transitionary months, so depending on that year’s weather cycle, you can sometimes toe the line and enjoy a little bit of both.
Conclusion: Best Things To Do In Jindabyne, NSW.
With it being so close to two lakes, several ski resorts and the biggest and only alpine national park in New South Wales, there is no shortage of fantastic things to do in Jindabyne and nearby.
If you plan to visit Jindabyne, consider looking at these other posts.
