Things to Do in Jindabyne
Perched on the shores of Lake Jindabyne at the gateway to Kosciuszko National Park, Jindabyne is one of New South Wales' most rewarding destinations — and not just in winter. Whether you're chasing fresh powder on the slopes, hiking to Australia's highest peak, paddling across a glittering lake Jindabyne, or sipping schnapps at Australia's highest distillery, there's no shortage of things to do in Jindabyne throughout the year.
Use this guide to make the most of your stay — and when you’re ready to book, our properties put you right in the heart of it all.
TOP Winter Activities in Jindabyne
Skiing & Snowboarding at Thredbo and Perisher
Jindabyne is the ideal base for hitting the slopes. Thredbo and Perisher — two of Australia’s premier ski resorts — are just a 30-minute drive from town, making Jindabyne the most popular and convenient place to stay for a snow trip in NSW.
- Thredbo offers skiing and snowboarding across its runs, plus the Alpine Coaster — the first of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere to operate year-round.
- Perisher is Australia’s largest ski resort and offers designated toboggan and snow play areas. Winter access is available via the Skitube.
- Charlotte Pass is accessible from Jindabyne via the Oversnow transport shuttle from Perisher Valley’s Skitube Terminal — a favourite for those wanting a more intimate mountain experience.
Snow season typically runs from June through to September.
Snowshoeing in Kosciuszko National Park
When the snow settles, Kosciuszko National Park opens up some exceptional snowshoeing routes. Head out from Thredbo or Charlotte Pass into the backcountry for a quieter, slower way to experience the high country. Guided snowshoe tours are available for beginners.
Nordic Skiing at Perisher
For a different pace to downhill skiing, Perisher offers an extensive cross-country trail network of marked cross-country trails through the high alpine landscape. Nordic skiing suits everyone from families looking for a gentle snow walk to seasoned skiers after a serious aerobic workout. Gear hire is available locally — Wilderness Sports in Jindabyne is a good first stop.
TOP Summer Activities in Jindabyne
Hiking & Shared Trails
The region offers world-class hiking and versatile shared trails. The iconic Mount Kosciuszko Summit Trail remains a favourite; starting from Thredbo’s chairlift, the 13km return rewards you with mainland Australia’s highest views. For a bigger challenge, the 55km Snowies Alpine Walk connects Guthega, Charlotte Pass, Perisher, and Lake Crackenback.
Looking for gentler terrain? The Thredbo Valley Trail and Jindabyne Shared Trail are massively popular for scenic walking and relaxed mountain biking—perfect alternatives to the extreme downhill parks.
Wherever you roam, look out for wombats, echidnas, wallabies, spring wildflowers, alpine snow gums, and the Snowy River.
Mountain Biking
When the snow melts, the trails open up for mountain biking. Options around Jindabyne include:
- Bungarra Alpine Centre — a purpose-built mountain bike park with 20 kilometres of trails for all abilities, just outside Jindabyne.
- Oaks Lake Crackenback Resort — 18 kilometres of bike trails, approximately 20 minutes from town.
- Thredbo — the only lift-accessed mountain bike trails in Australia, with 40-plus kilometres of high-country riding.
Fishing at Lake Jindabyne
Lake Jindabyne has a well-earned reputation as one of NSW’s best trout fishing destinations. Trolling from a boat is the most effective technique, while fly-fishing from the shore is best at dawn and dusk.
A NSW fishing licence is required and can be purchased online via Service NSW. Fishing season is typically October to June (season dates vary slightly each year — check NSW DPI).
Year-Round Things to Do in Jindabyne
Located on Alpine Way between Jindabyne and Thredbo, Wildbrumby is Australia’s highest distillery. Using pristine alpine water and native mountain botanicals, it produces award-winning schnapps, gin and vodka.
Schnapps flavours include baked apple, butterscotch and limoncello — perfect après-ski warmers. The distillery door is open most days (hours vary seasonally — check ahead)
Check the Wildbrumby website before visiting for current hours and any events.
In the warmer months, Lake Jindabyne becomes a hub for water sports. Kayaking, canoeing, stand-up paddleboarding, windsurfing and sailing are all popular. Equipment hire is available through Sacred Ride in town.
Far from the light pollution of Sydney and Canberra, the Snowy Mountains offers some of the clearest night skies in NSW. On a clear night in Jindabyne, the Milky Way is genuinely visible to the naked eye, and during periods of high solar activity there’s even a chance of spotting the Aurora Australis on the southern horizon. No equipment needed — just lie back somewhere dark, away from town lights, and look up. The high country air is crisp and clean, and the silence makes it all the more extraordinary.
See the Snowy Mountains from the air with a scenic flight from Jindabyne Airport. Options range from a quick 10-minute flight over Lake Jindabyne to a 30-minute flight over Mount Kosciuszko, or a full 60-minute journey across the High Country plains — where you may spot wild brumbies below. Flights operate year-round.
Some operators offer a combined helicopter-and-lunch experience, landing at Wildbrumby Distillery for a tasting and meal.
Explore the landscape that inspired Banjo Paterson’s The Man from Snowy River on horseback. Thredbo Valley Horse Riding runs guided rides through the high country, where you might even catch a glimpse of wild brumbies in their natural habitat. Suitable for beginners through to experienced riders.
For something more adventurous than lake paddling, kayak down the Thredbo River. The river winds through the valley with the mountains as your backdrop — a genuinely spectacular way to spend a few hours.
Ski legs sore? Jindabyne is chock full of yoga studios, saunas and wellness centres to get you recovered and back on the slopes.
Opened in March 2024 following a $1.5 million upgrade funded jointly by the Australian and NSW Governments, the revamped Jindabyne Skate Park sits right on the shores of Lake Jindabyne. The new facility features a half-pipe, mini-ramp and a refurbished bowl, designed for skaters, BMX riders and scooter riders of all abilities. Seating, shade structures and a striking mural by local Jindabyne artist Mike Shankster complete the space. Night lighting means the fun continues after dark.
For a guided taste of the region, Sip the Snowies runs bespoke culinary tours across the Snowy Mountains, showcasing local produce, wineries, breweries and distilleries. Tours typically include tastings at two venues, a grazing platter and a visit to boutique shops in Jindabyne. No two tours are exactly the same — check their website for current options.
Take home something more memorable than a magnet. Feldmark Pottery in Jindabyne offers guided wheel-throwing classes where you create your own ceramic pieces alongside a grazing platter and local wines. The gallery and studio also stocks handmade ceramics and sculptural pieces by resident artist Andrei Davidoff. Bookings recommended.
The Jindabyne Art Gallery, run by local artists in the Jindabyne Memorial Hall, showcases paintings, photography and sculpture inspired by the alpine landscape and mountain culture. Entry is free.
For a film, Jindabyne Cinema (snowymovies.au) screens current releases right in the town centre — a great option for an afternoon off the mountain.
Day Trips from Jindabyne
Jindabyne’s central location makes it one of the best bases in the Snowy Mountains for exploring the wider region. Here are four day trips well worth adding to your itinerary.
Cooma
The largest town in the Snowy Mountains, Cooma is an easy 45-minute drive north of Jindabyne and rewards a full day's exploration. The headline attraction is the Snowy Hydro Discovery Centre on the Monaro Highway, where you can unravel the engineering story behind one of Australia's greatest infrastructure projects — the Snowy Mountains Hydro-Electric Scheme. Open regularly (hours vary — check before visiting), entry is free. Cooma's historic precinct is also worth a wander, with heritage streetscapes, the old Cooma Correctional Centre (now a heritage museum), and a good selection of cafes and lunch spots to fuel the return drive.
Yarrangobilly Caves & Thermal Pool
One of the Snowy Mountains' most extraordinary natural attractions, the Yarrangobilly Caves sit in the deep gorges of the Yarrangobilly River Valley, about 1.5 hours north of Jindabyne via the Snowy Mountains Highway. The limestone caverns are estimated to be around 440 million years old and are explored on guided tours led by National Parks rangers, with stalagmites, stalactites and underground chambers at every turn. After the caves, a short river walk leads to the thermal pool — a natural hot spring that maintains a constant temperature of around 27°C year-round, making it a genuinely unique swim whatever the season. This is a full-day trip best combined with a stop at the historic Kiandra gold town along the way.
Gaden Trout Hatchery
Just a 10-minute drive from Jindabyne on the banks of the Thredbo River, the Gaden Trout Hatchery is one of Australia's main centres for breeding and rearing cold-water sport fish — and one of the most underrated half-day outings in the region. Guided tours run regularly (times vary seasonally — check ahead) and give visitors an up-close look at how brown and rainbow trout are raised before being released into the region's lakes and rivers. The park-like setting along the Thredbo River makes it a lovely spot for a picnic, and in the warmer months you can combine a hatchery visit with a float down the Thredbo River or a ride along the Thredbo Valley Track.
Dalgety & the Snowy River — Platypus Spotting
One of the most quietly rewarding day trips from Jindabyne, the historic village of Dalgety sits on the banks of the Snowy River just 35 kilometres away. The 1888 Dalgety Bridge is a grand feat of engineering and one of the best spots to stand and watch for platypus in the river below — this is considered one of NSW's most reliable platypus viewing locations, with sightings common at dawn and dusk. The Dalgety Historic Town and River Walk takes in heritage buildings including the 1889 Buckley's Crossing Hotel, and the pub across the road is well worth a stop for lunch. Low-key, beautiful, and completely off the radar of most snow tourists.
Dead Horse Gap & the Alpine Way Scenic Drive
For a shorter but spectacular half-day escape, the drive along the Alpine Way to Dead Horse Gap is one of the most dramatic alpine routes in NSW. The gap sits at around 1,580 metres above sea level between Thredbo and the Victorian border, and on a clear day the views across the Snowy Mountains are breathtaking. The route passes through dense snow gum forest and open subalpine meadows, with excellent roadside wildlife spotting — kangaroos, wombats and wallabies are regularly seen grazing at the forest edge. In winter the roadside snowdrifts and icy creek crossings add a different kind of drama. Continue across the border into Victoria's alpine region for a true cross-state road trip, or simply turn around and take it all in again on the way back.
Adaminaby & Lake Eucumbene — The Monaro Scenic Loop
For a classic high-country road trip, head north from Jindabyne through the sweeping open plains of the Monaro to Adaminaby — a small town famous for the giant fibreglass Big Trout on the main street, one of Australia's more endearing roadside photo opportunities. From Adaminaby, continue to Lake Eucumbene — Australia's largest inland lake by volume, created as part of the Snowy Mountains Hydro-Electric Scheme in the 1950s and holding nine times the water of Sydney Harbour. It's one of the country's premier trout fishing destinations, and the drive around its shores through golden grassland and granite country is spectacular in any season. At certain water levels, the rooftops and foundations of Old Adaminaby — the submerged original town — reappear from the shallows, a hauntingly beautiful sight. Stop at the Adaminaby Bakery for country-style pies for the road home.
Eat & Drink in Jindabyne
Jindabyne punches well above its size when it comes to dining. Here’s a cross-section of the best the town and surrounds have to offer.
Restaurants
Crackenback Farm Restaurant is the standout fine dining experience in the region — a French-inspired farmhouse restaurant set on 80 acres in the Thredbo Valley, just 10 minutes from Jindabyne. The seasonal menu leans on locally sourced produce, the wine list is excellent, and dining by the fire in winter is hard to beat.
Embers Fireside Grill is the town’s most polished hotel restaurant, offering contemporary Australian cuisine — think Snowy River trout, premium steaks and woodfired pizzas.
Cocina Taqueria brings Mexican flair to the mountains with a dimly lit, intimate dining room, a menu built around tacos, burritos and share plates, and an impressive list of tequilas, mezcals and margaritas.
Jindabyne Bowlo is a classic local favourite offering a relaxed atmosphere, hearty bistro meals, and stunning panoramic views over Lake Jindabyne.
Bacco Italian Restaurant has been a Jindabyne institution for over 25 years — rustic, reliable and unpretentious, with gourmet pizzas, housemade pastas, and a kids’ menu.
Takayama Restaurant & Bar serves Japanese izakaya in the town centre — small plates, ramen, karaage and katsu alongside Sapporo and yuzu cocktails.
The Banjo Paterson Inn is the classic gathering spot for après-ski, with Clancy’s Brasserie downstairs (pub favourites including the famous Snowy trout), The Overflow upstairs for burgers and pizza, and Musters Bar with lake views and live music on weekends.
Brumby Bar & Grill has been a local stalwart since 1982 — warm and stylish inside despite the modest exterior, with a stone fireplace, solid pub fare and a lively atmosphere.
Cafés
ESSpressois a cosy, early-morning café tucked inside the ESS Board Store in Jindabyne, making it the perfect pit stop on your way to the mountain. Serving up premium Allpress coffee and delicious fresh toasties, it’s a local favourite to fuel up before hitting the slopes or trails.
Birchwood is the go-to breakfast and brunch spot in Jindabyne — award-winning café food, great coffee on Single O beans, and a relaxed vibe that works equally well pre-mountain and post-hike.
Parc Café sits next to the Visitor Centre in the heart of town and is a solid all-day option for coffee and a casual meal.
Breweries, Bars & Distilleries
Jindabyne Brewing Co. is the local craft brewery tucked into the backstreets of town on Nettin Circuit, with lake views, a relaxed warehouse atmosphere, and five core beers on tap plus rotating seasonals.
Kosciuszko Brewhouse at the Banjo Paterson Inn is the original home of Kosciuszko Pale Ale, one of Australia’s most widely recognised craft beers, brewed on-site with limited-edition seasonal releases throughout the year.
Wildbrumby Thredbo Valley Distillery (covered in full in the Year-Round activities section) is the region’s headline drinks experience — Australia’s highest distillery, open for schnapps, gin and vodka tastings, with an onsite café and sculpture garden.
Bar Lula is a cosy, sophisticated wine bar in the heart of Jindabyne, brought to you by the team behind Berridale’s renowned Shut the Gate wines. It offers a warm alpine haven where you can settle in with a curated selection of local and international wines, craft beers, and delicious share plates.
Shopping in Jindabyne
Jindabyne’s shopping scene has grown considerably in recent years, with a strong mix of outdoor gear, boutique fashion and locally made gifts spread across two main hubs.
Nuggets Crossing Shopping Centre on Kosciuszko Road is the main retail hub, with Woolworths, BWS and dozens of specialty stores including ski and snowboard gear hire, souvenirs, fashion and specialty food outlets.
Jindabyne Town Centre along Snowy River Avenue and Gippsland Street has a growing number of boutiques and dining spots worth exploring. Highlights include Meadow Store — a sustainable clothing boutique and personal colour analysis studio run by local designer Samantha — and Design & Detail, stocking quality fashion and homewares.
For ski and adventure gear, ESS Baordstore, Wilderness Sports, Rip Curl, Sentinel and Sacred Ride all have strong local presences with hire and retail options across snow and summer activities.
The Jindabyne Markets are typically held monthly (check local listings for current dates) — a good spot for local produce, handmade goods and a browse.
Jindabyne Events Calendar
Jindabyne and the surrounding Snowy Mountains region has a strong events calendar year-round. Here are the headline events worth timing your trip around.
Snowies MTB Festival — February One of Australia’s most celebrated multi-stage mountain bike events, the Snowies MTB Festival takes place across three days in February and is hosted at Oaks Lake Crackenback Resort. It’s one of the few opportunities to ride the full length on closed trails. Suitable for solo riders and teams, with course options for different ability levels.
Man From Snowy River Bush Festival – Held annually in Corryong (approximately 2.5 hours from Jindabyne), the Man From Snowy River Bush Festival draws close to 20,000 visitors and features four days of horsemanship, heritage and competition — including a campdraft, working dog championships, bull riding, live music, bush poetry and a street parade. The 2026 festival ran 16–19 April. A genuinely unique celebration of Australian high-country culture and well worth building a longer trip around.
Snowy Trout Challenge — The Snowy Trout Challenge runs throughout the summer fishing season, offering cash prize draws for anglers who catch tagged rainbow trout in Lake Jindabyne, Lake Eucumbene and Lake Crackenback. It’s a great incentive for fishing guests to get out on the water and adds an extra competitive edge to what is already one of NSW’s premier trout fishing regions.
Thredbo Flare Run & Fireworks — The Saturday night Flare Run and Fireworks spectacular has been a Thredbo tradition for over 30 years — every Saturday night in winter, expert skiers and snowboarders descend the Supertrail with flaming flares, followed by a fireworks display over the village. Free to watch, running June through October. A Thursday night family version with LED flares on Friday Flat is also available for kids throughout the season.
Peak Festival – Australia’s “coolest” winter music festival, held annually at Perisher Valley in the Snowy Mountains. Running over the June long weekend to kick off the ski season, this free, family-friendly event features over 30 live acts across multiple stages, along with an art show and alpine activities.
Lake Light Sculpture is a striking outdoor art exhibition held annually along the Lake Jindabyne foreshore over the Easter long weekend. This signature autumn event transforms the alpine landscape into an illuminated, open-air gallery as the sculptures are dramatically lit up after dark.
Plan Your Jindabyne Stay
Jindabyne is approximately five hours from Sydney and two hours from Canberra, making it an accessible long-weekend or week-long destination year-round. The Snowy Region Visitor Centre at 49 Kosciuszko Road (open 8:30am–5pm daily) is a great first stop for maps, National Park entry information and local recommendations.
Whether you’re booking a winter ski trip or a summer hiking escape, having the right base makes all the difference.