Snowy Valleys Way

Drive through rugged scenery in the foothills of the Snowy Mountains. See Mount Kosciuszko; at 2,228 metres it’s Australia’s highest peak. At the northern end of Kosciuszko National Park are the Yarrangobilly Caves, with guided and self-guided tours.

Gundagai is home to the Dog on the Tuckerbox statue, which commemorates a faithful pet that guarded its dead master’s food container. Buy fresh produce at Batlow farmers market.

Yarrangobilly Caves, Kosciuszko National Park
Kosciuszko National Park

Visit Australia’s high country

The Snowy Valleys Way is a 300-km drive passing through the foothills of the Snowy Mountains in Kosciusko National Park. This alpine region is the backdrop for Australian poet Banjo Paterson’s epic The Man from Snowy River.

The Snowy Valleys Way starts at Gundagai and passes through Tumut and Tumbarumba, near the entertaining Boggy Creek Show, before crossing into Victoria and ending at Beechworth. This beautiful region is full of stories about bushrangers, Australia’s equivalent of outlaws and highwaymen.

As with other driving destinations, you’ll enjoy shopping at farm gates and orchards. One of many attractions is a cider brewery at Batlow, Australia’s apple central. Each spring the town celebrates its juicy apples with the Apple Blossom Festival.

Tumbarumba, mentioned in James Joyce’s poem Finnegan’s Wake, is the perfect base for exploring the Snowy Mountains and Mount Kosciuszko can be seen from here. The area is well known for its cool-climate wines and cellar door sales.

Trout fishing is popular in the mountain rivers and lakes; there are plenty of fishing tours in the region with rods and reels provided. You can also explore the striking snow gum forests on horseback, with tours such as Snowy River Horseback Adventure.