Summer Activities

Things to do in Jindabyne in Summer

Visitors flock to the Snowy Mountains in the winter months to enjoy the world-class skiing, snowboarding and backcountry adventures of the Snowy Mountains, but Jindabyne is an all-season destination where the adventures continue through the warm summer months, with fewer crowds. Jindabyne is a lakeside destination that deserves attention year-round.

In addition to the lake activities, water sports and energetic vibe of Lake Jindabyne in summer, Kosciuszko National Park offers an additional 6,000 sq km of secluded wilderness, scenic lakes and a vast network of hiking and biking trails in the high country. Spend the day on the cool lake waters, explore the trails, go in search of wild brumbies, soak up the summer sun and breathe in the crisp mountain air as you discover the beauty of the Snowies in summer.

Visitor Centre & Areas of Interest

Snowy Region Visitor Centre

The Snowy Region Visitor Center in Jindabyne is a great first stop on your holiday with Snow Escape Holidays. Get advice on things to do in the Snowy Mountains, pick up some maps and brochures to plan your trip and buy your national parks pass needed for entry into Kosciuszko National Park.

Snowy Mountains Hydro Discovery Centre

Located on the Monaro Highway in Cooma, the Snowy Mountains Hydro Discovery Centre gives insight into one of the world’s modern engineering marvels, the Snowy Mountains Hydro-Electric Scheme. The state of the art visitor center is open 7 days a week with guided tours every half hour, two theatres for educational short films, picnic grounds and an on-site café.

Thredbo Leisure Centre

The Thredbo Leisure Centre is a fun activity for the whole family. The center features an indoor heated swimming pool with a wading pool, waterslide, inflatable obstacle course and bouldering wall for the kids. The 9-hole Thredbo golf course borders the Thredbo River and is Australia’s highest course with unique challenges for all levels of golfers and a disc golf park for added family fun in Jindabyne.

Adventure & Sport

Kayaking & Watersports

Lake Jindabyne is fed by the cool alpine water from the Snowy River, Thredbo River and Eucumbene River and boasts an abundance of water sports in the warmer months. The sapphire blue lake comes alive with catamarans, sailboats, canoes, kayaks and stand up paddleboards. Swimming in Lake Jindabyne is best at the clay pitts or in Rushes Bay on the eastern shores. Swim or paddle out to Lion Island or Cup Island, engage in action water sports or take a sunrise yoga class on an SUP. Whichever way you choose to enjoy Lake Jindabyne, you’ll be rewarded with beautiful views and fun water adventures. The snow shed from the mountain ranges makes for exhilarating white water rafting and river adventures on the Upper Murray or the mighty Snowy River, an unforgettable day on the river for the whole family.

Rock-climbing & Abseiling

The Snowies boast five of the highest mountains in Australia and are a prime NSW destination for rock-climbing, abseiling and alpine bouldering for all levels. Recreational climbers can escape into the Australian Alps with an experienced and qualified instructor to learn the ropes, advance your skills and enjoy the spectacular beauty of Kosciuszko on another top Jindabyne summer activity.

Helicopter Tours

There’s no better way to see the Snowy Mountains than from the skies. Take a scenic flight over Kosciuszko National Park to the peak of Mt Kosciusko or indulge in an exclusive helicopter experience ranging from winery tours to wilderness picnics in the alpine wilderness.

Ride the Kosciuszko Express Chairlift & Merrits Gondola

The Kosciuszko Express Chairlift & Merits Gondola at Thredbo is open to hikers and mountain bikers year-round. The 15-minute scenic ride rises 560 vertical metres and puts you in the heart of Snowy Mountain outdoor adventures with access to Thredbo’s extensive network of hiking trails and mountain biking tracks and Australia’s highest restaurant, the Eagles Nest.

History & Museums

Jindabyne was created in the 1960s after the original settlement was drowned by the Snowy Mountains Hydro Scheme. The town moved to higher ground and today remnants of the old town including The Creel fishing lodge and SunnyBrae cottage can still be seen at the bottom of the lake at Waste Point. Local historical sites include the Statue of Count Paul Strzelecki on the shoreline of Lake Jindabyne (he named Australia’s highest mountain in honour of the Polish leader and patriot Tadeusz Kosciuszko) and an Irish harp (a memorial to the Irish men and women who worked on the construction of the Snowy Mountains Scheme).

Kunama Snowy Mountains Center for the Arts

East Jindabyne, NSW

Phone: 6457 1100

This state of the art Jindabyne gallery showcases the works of local artists, sculptors and craftsman and features a permanent exhibition dedicated to the life and creations of landscape artist Alan Grosvenor whose artwork depicts the beauty of the Snowy Mountains.

Raglan Gallery

Lambie Street, Cooma

Phone: 6452 3377

The Raglan Gallery & Cultural Center is located on Lambie Street, a historic district of Cooma with beautiful homesteads dating back to 1840. The Gallery hosts exhibitions throughout the year with a gift shop of local artworks. While you’re there be sure to take a self-guided tour of the historic homesteads on Lambie Street.

Corrective Services Museum

Vagg Street, Cooma

Phone: 6452 5974

The Corrective Services Museum in Cooma displays the history of crime and punishment in Australia with artifacts and objects dating back to the mid-19th century. Minimum security inmates take guided tours and give insight to the life of a prisoner. Engaging, educational and fun.

Outfitters & Guides

The OM Collective

Jindabyne, NSW

Health & Wellness travel is at an all-time high so why not combine leisure with wellness and start your day with an SUP yoga class on the glassy waters of Lake Jindabyne or a lakeside yoga class at the sailing club. OM Collection has group classes and private sessions available to ensure your holiday is balanced, calming and rejuvenating.

Alpine River Adventures

Jindabyne, NSW

Phone: 0428826938

Alpine River Adventures are ready to ride the white water rapids of the Snowy River with you on the adventure of a lifetime. This Jindabyne white water rafting tour takes you into the Kosciusko National Park and through the alpine wilderness on class 1 to 3 rapids, ideal for both novice and advanced whitewater adventures. Minimum age requirement is 10 years.

Sacred Ride

Thredbo Terrace, Jindabyne

Phone: 6456 1988

Sacred Ride is an outdoor center located in the heart of Jindabyne with everything from cycling and skating gear to snow and water activity rentals in Jindabyne. If you’re looking for a rental, head to their convenient location for bike and skate rentals or water equipment rentals including sailing boat, canoe, kayak and SUPs. A day of adventure awaits and Sacred Ride as you covered.

K7 Adventures

Thredbo, NSW

Phone: 402 298 821

Located at the base of the Kosciuszko Express Chairlift, K7 Adventures are ready to show you the best of their alpine playground with packages for abseiling, caving, rock-climbing, hiking, mountain biking and awesome clinics for kids in a fun, safe environment the Australian outback.

Snowy Mountain Helicopters

Jindabyne Airport, NSW

Phone: 1300 950 718

Snowy Mountain Helicopters are located at Jindabyne airport and offer a truly unforgettable experience with scenic flights over Lake Jindabyne, Mt Kosciuszko and the Snowy Mountains. Go above and beyond and book a helicopter experience like no other with Snow Mountain Helicopters.

Sentinel Sports

Jindabyne Town Center

Phone: 6420 0110

Sentinel Sports (formerly Monster Sports) specialize in the sales and rentals of winter sports equipment and summer rentals. They have a wide range of SUPs and kayaks for summer lake activities and mountain bikes or town cruisers to explore town and the wilderness on wheels.