There’s something magic about heading south out of Sydney when the temps start to drop. One minute you’re weaving through city traffic with a takeaway coffee wedged between the seats, the next you’re watching frost form on your mirrors while the kids argue over who gets the best sleeping bag.
The Snowy Mountains aren’t just for skiers and chalet types, they’re a playground for 4X4ers, campers, bushwalkers, trout fishos, and anyone who reckons a fire under the stars beats a heater in a hotel. Whether you’re hauling a trailer or just packing the swag, the route from Sydney to the Snowies is one of the best weekend (or week-long) getaways NSW has to offer.
The Route: More Than Just a Drive
You’ve got a few ways to tackle it. The fastest is the Hume through Canberra, but if you’re not in a rush, take the long way via Gundagai, Long Plain, and into Kosciuszko National Park the back way. The trip itself is part of the adventure.
Stop in at Tumut for a pie, detour past the Blowering Dam for a stretch, and load up fuel in Talbingo — because once you're up the hill, service stations are scarce.
a convoy of 4wd driving through a river crossing in a forest
Alpine Action
Once you hit the Snowies proper, it’s choose-your-own-adventure territory. If you’re there in winter, you’ve got Thredbo and Perisher for the snow crowd, but if you’re more into muddy boots than ski boots, there’s still plenty on offer.
Bushwalks to Kosciuszko’s summit are doable in warmer months, or with snowshoes if you're keen for a challenge. There are MTB trails, horse treks through alpine meadows, and enough winding fire trails to keep any 4X4 owner smiling. Just check seasonal closures, many of the best tracks are off-limits in snow season.
a mountain obscured by clouds with a forest in the foreground
Bush Camping Gold
Forget hotels, this is a region built for campsites by the fire. The national park has some cracking options: Island Bend, Ngarigo, and Thredbo Diggings are all popular picks. There’s riverfront access, fire pits (when allowed), and long-drop toilets if they’re needed.
The real gold, however, is in the lesser-known bush camps. Grab a topo map or fire up the Wikicamps app and look for those quiet spots along the Thredbo or Swampy Plains River. You’ll often find a flat bit of ground, a few trout rising in the evening, and no one else around for miles. Bliss.
Great For Families (and Mates With Utes)
The Snowies strike a rare balance. It’s wild enough to feel like an adventure, but civilised enough that you’re never too far from help. That makes it ideal for young families and groups of mates looking for a mix of action and downtime.
You can spend the morning exploring the tracks, then park up in the arvo for a hot chocolate and a marshmallow over the fire, or go trout fishing while the kids kick the footy. There are even thermal pools in Yarrangobilly if you want to pretend you’re somewhere fancier than a snow-dusted creek bed.
a convoy of 4wds driving on a track
A Few Tips Before You Go
- Pack for all seasons — The Snowies can throw four of them at you in a day. Beanie and boardies territory.
- Check NPWS for track closures and fire bans — Don’t be that guy trying to run a campfire in a total fire ban.
- Bring plenty of food — Supplies are few and far between, so don’t get caught out.
- Respect the wildlife — Brumbies, wombats and ‘roos all call this place home. Don’t be the tourist feeding Twisties to a wallaby.
wild brumbies in a snowy mountians field
What Are You Waiting For?
The Sydney-to-Snowy run is one of those trips you’ll come back to again and again. Not because it’s easy, although it can be, but because it’s the kind of landscape that changes with every visit. Snow one time, wildflowers the next. A muddy recovery with your mates in January, followed by a barefoot swim in a freezing river come June.
It’s a region that rewards the prepared, the curious, and those who don’t mind roughing it a little to get a better view. And really, isn’t that what touring’s all about?
Mud or snow
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