Snowy Mountains Highway
Kosciuszko National Park
Overview
Snowy Mountains Highway is a scenic driving route between Tumut and Cooma, taking in caves, campgrounds, ski fields, trails for hiking, biking and horse riding in northern Kosciuszko National Park.
- Where
- Yarrangobilly area, High Plains area, Tumut area, Selwyn area in Kosciuszko National Park in Snowy Mountains
- Distance
- 129km one-way
- Time suggested
- 2hrs
- Please note
Fuel is available at Cooma, Adaminaby and Tumut. Please make sure you’ve got enough in the tank before entering the park.
Snowy Mountains Highway is not only a great driving route through Australia's high country, it's also the gateway into northern Kosciuszko National Park and the many activities this region of NSW offers. So load up your vehicle with family or friends and take a road trip to the south of the state.
Bring your walking shoes and enjoy short historic walks, or longer strolls to scenic lookouts. Guided or self-guided tours of Yarrangobilly Caves can be followed by a swim in the nearby thermal pool; there’s nothing quite like soaking in 27-degree water when there’s snow on the ground.
In summer, more trails for hiking, mountain biking and horse riding can be reached from Tantangara Road or Long Plain Road. Enjoy heritage accommodation at Currango Homestead, or head into the remote high plains to explore the gorges, walks, huts and campgrounds, such as Blue Waterholes campground.
Along the way:
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Tumut Visitor Centre
Tumut Visitor Centre, on Snowy Mountains Highway, is the ideal starting point for a visit to northern Kosciuszko National Park, offering information, booking services, and souvenirs.
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Black Perry lookout
Black Perry lookout, near Talbingo Mountain in Kosciuszko National Park, offers scenic views over the Snowy Mountains region, and is close to Tumut and Yarrangobilly Caves.
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Yarrangobilly Caves Visitor Centre
Yarrangobilly Caves Visitor Centre is your one stop destination for information on cave tours and tickets, and top tips on where to stay and what to do in the Yarrangobilly and northern areas of Kosciuszko National Park.
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Conservation program:
Southern corroboree frog conservation project
An iconic endangered species, the southern corroboree frog, found only in Kosciuszko National Park, faces the grave threat of extinction. Saving Our Species aims to prevent this from happening by battling chytrid fungus, protecting frog habitat from pests, and fostering a captive breeding program.
General enquiries
- National Parks Contact Centre
- 7am to 7pm daily
- 1300 072 757 (13000 PARKS) for the cost of a local call within Australia excluding mobiles
- parks.info@environment.nsw.gov.au
Operated by
- Tumut Region Visitor Centre
- 9am to 5pm daily. Closed Christmas Day.
- 02 6947 7025
- tumutrvc@environment.nsw.gov.au
- The Old Butter Factory, 5 Adelong Road, Tumut NSW 2720
Park info
- in the Selwyn area of Kosciuszko National Park in the Snowy Mountains region
The Selwyn area is open all year, but some roads and trails may close due to weather conditions or park management issues. Kings Cross Road and the Khancoban-Cabramurra Road are closed in winter (June to October long weekends). Some campgrounds in the Selwyn area close in winter.
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Park entry fees apply in winter on Link Road
June to October long weekends: $29 per vehicle per day (24hrs from purchase); motorcycles $12; bus passengers $11.45 per adult, $3.60 per child per day (24hrs). Single and Multi-Day passes available from entry stations, NPWS visitor centres, pay machines or via the Park'nPay app.
See vehicle entry fees for other areas in Kosciuszko National Park.
Buy annual pass
- in the Tumut area of Kosciuszko National Park in the Snowy Mountains region
The Tumut area is open all year but some roads and trails may close due to weather conditions or park management issues.
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No park entry fees apply in the Tumut area. See vehicle entry fees for other areas in Kosciuszko National Park.
Buy annual pass
- in the Yarrangobilly area of Kosciuszko National Park in the Snowy Mountains region
The Yarrangobilly area is open all year. See individual show caves and guided tours for times and prices. Additional tours run during NSW school holidays. Contact Yarrangobilly Caves on (02) 6454 9597 to confirm the tour times for your visit.
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Park entry fees apply in the Yarrangobilly area
$4 per vehicle per day applies at Yarrangobilly Caves for motor vehicles without a Kosciuszko National Park day pass or NPWS All Parks annual pass.
See vehicle entry fees for other areas in Kosciuszko National Park.
You’ll need to buy a ticket or cave pass from the Yarrangobilly Caves Visitor Centre to visit all Yarrangobilly’s caves.
Buy annual pass
- in the High Plains area of Kosciuszko National Park in the Snowy Mountains region
Long Plain Road and Tantangara Road (beyond the dam wall) are closed in winter from June to October long weekends. This period may be extended so it’s a good idea to contact the Tumut Visitor Centre. Areas may have to close at times due to poor weather or fire danger.
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No park entry fees apply in the High Plains area. See vehicle entry fees for other areas in Kosciuszko National Park.
Buy annual pass
What's nearby:
Things to do (40)
- 4WD touring (1)
- Adventure sports (1)
- Birdwatching and wildlife encounters (1)
- Cafes and kiosks (1)
- Cycling (1)
- Fishing (6)
- Historic heritage (3)
- Horse riding (3)
- Picnics and barbecues (3)
- Road trips and car/bus tours (3)
- Show cave tours (6)
- Sightseeing (5)
- Snow sports (3)
- Swimming (6)
- Visitor centres (2)
- Walking (18)
- Waterfalls (3)