Visit The Snowy Mountains during your Sydney trip for an unforgettable winter family experience!
Thredbo, Snowy Mountains, Image by Destination NSW
Being from sunny Singapore where it’s perpetually ‘Summer’ all year round, we’re always on the constant lookout for travel destinations that could offer us a cool respite when it comes to planning for holidays.
Lucky for us, we get to experience winter in the middle of the year without having to travel that far to New South Wales. And the best part is, this winter period also coincides with one of the longest school holidays for the kids, making planning for a family trip so much easier!
So with all that said, get ready for a mid-year winter trip to Sydney & New South Wales with our handy guide to experience the perfect winter family getaway at The Snowy Mountains. Don’t forget to use the promo code <RENEWYOURSELF> for $30 (min spend $150) off activities during your New South Wales adventure!
Travel essentials for your adventure to The Snowy Mountains
Here’s a final call before you embark on your adventure. Do you have everything you need for your trip?
- Met all the requirements to enter New South Wales, Australia
- Enough data to update your family and friends back home with pictures of your trip
- Accommodations in Sydney if you’re planning for an extended trip
Getting to The Snowy Mountains
Blue Cow, Perisher, Image by Destination NSW
Located in the southern part of New South Wales, the Snowy Mountains region is a must-visit destination if you’re looking to experience a winter wonderland in Australia; and yes as its name suggests, there will be snow, a lot of it!
Even if you’re not a big fan of winter activities like skiing or snowboarding, there are still breathtaking wintery landscapes to take in while on a nature tour, thermal hot springs that will leave you feeling fresh and rejuvenated and of course delicious food and fine wine (for the parents of course) to keep your tummy satisfied! How’s that sound for the perfect family getaway.
#KlookTip: The best time to visit The Snowy Mountains is between June to October. If you’re specifically looking to experience the winter activities there, the peak snow season is between late July to August.
By plane from Sydney
If you’re travelling with young kids and looking for a fuss-free way to get to The Snowy Mountains, you can catch a direct flight from Sydney that will only take you an hour!
#KlookTip: Add The Snowy Mountains to your itinerary if you’re already making plans to visit Sydney!
By car from Sydney via the Grand Pacific Drive
Sea Cliff Bridge, Clifton, Image by Dee Kramer Photography
For those who are seeking a more scenic route to The Snowy Mountains, you can include the Grand Pacific Drive into your itinerary! Hire a rental car from Sydney where your journey will start and make your way down south to Jervis Bay while passing through iconic attractions like the Sea Cliff Bridge and Kiama Blowhole.
From Jervis Bay, head west inland to the town of Bungendore for a quick pit stop before driving down south for another 2.5 hours to reach The Snowy Mountains! We would recommend putting aside at least 3 days for this journey, depending on the number of stops you plan to make.
1. Have a day of fun experiencing winter activities at the ski resorts
Thredbo, Snowy Mountains, Image by Destination NSW
When it comes to winter getaways (especially with kids involved), there’s always one thing that everyone looks forward to most, and that’s winter activities like skiing, snowboarding and playing with snow! That is why visiting a ski resort should be the first thing you do when visiting the Snowy Mountains.
Thredbo Ski Resort
Thredbo, Snowy Mountains, Image by Destination NSW
Being one of Australia’s best, the award-winning Thredbo ski resort is a must-visit destination for its picturesque alpine village and for all you adrenaline junkies, having the longest ski runs and highest lifted point in Australia! Don’t worry if you’re an absolute beginner because Thredbo has areas that cater for all different skill levels too.
Thredbo, Snowy Mountains, Image by Destination NSW
For a more unique experience, take things down a notch and explore the best wintery sights that the countryside around Thredbo has to offer on a guided backcountry tour! Learn about the landscape surrounding the resort and even pick up some alpine safety skills from your experienced guides.
Perisher Ski Resort
Blue Cow, Perisher, Image by Destination NSW
This is for all you intermediate to experienced skiers. If getting in multiple runs down slopes of various terrain is your thing, Perisher Ski Resort is your go-to destination! With the resort spanning 7 peaks and covering 1,245 skiable hectares, there’s more than enough space for you to ski yourself silly throughout the day.
Perisher Ski Village, Snowy Mountains, Image by Destination NSW
And with that space comes a wide range of routes catering to riders of different levels and ages, making it truly a family-friendly resort. Did we also mention that Perisher has one of the better snow qualities when compared to other ski resorts!
2. Rejuvenate your body and soul at a natural thermal spring
Yarrangobilly Caves Thermal Pool, Yarrangobilly, Image by Destination NSW
After that long journey down to The Snowy Mountains plus a day or two of activities at the ski resort, your body could do with a good warm soak to relieve all that tension, and the best place to do it is at the Yarrangobilly Caves thermal pool!
Fed by a natural spring, the pool remains a constant 27 degrees all year round, and it’s especially magical to have a soak in it during winter with steam rising from the water’s surface and a blanket of snow surrounding you.
3. Have a hearty meal together as a family
Eagles Nest Restaurant
Eagles Nest Restaurant, Thredbo, Image by Destination NSW
As far as dining with a view goes, how does savouring a spread of mouth-watering winter roast and a mug of warm hot chocolate while being graced by a panoramic view of snow-capped peaks sound?
After spending the day skiing down the slopes of Thredbo ski resort, make one last trip up the mountain to visit Eagles Nest Restaurant, Australia’s Highest Restaurant at 1,937m for an enchanting dinner. We promise the whole dining experience will be worth the journey up!
Getting there: Ride the Kosciuszko Express Chairlift to the top of Thredbo and then head straight into the restaurant
Cuisine Restaurant & Bar
Lake Crackenback Resort & Spa, Crackenback, Image by Destination NSW
If you prefer a more serene experience that’s closer to the ground, visit Cuisine Restaurant & Bar which boasts stunning views over Lake Crackenback and the Snowy Mountains! From fresh seafood to tender & juicy steaks, all items on the menu are sourced from the local region, resulting in a nutritious high-quality meal! And they even have a special menu for the kids too.
Address: 1650 Alpine Way, Crackenback, NSW, Australia, 2627
4. Receive a healing touch from mother nature on a tour around the area
Lake Jindabyne, Snowy Mountains, Image by Destination NSW
Sometimes you’ve just got to take a step back and let nature work its magic on you, this especially being the case at The Snowy Mountains when there’s an abundance of beautiful nature spots waiting to be explored around you.
Kosciuszko National Park, Kosciuszko, Image by Tourism Snowy Mountains
Whether it’s an adult-only early morning hike up Mount Kosciuszko to catch the sunrise or an evening stroll along Lake Crackenback to catch the sunset as a family, there’s a little piece of nature for everyone to enjoy at The Snowy Mountains!
5. Kids day out at Thredbo Leisure Centre
Mission Inflatable at Thredbo Leisure Centre, Image by Thredbo Resort
While the past couple of activities were focused more on things that you could do as a family, this one is specifically for the kids! Just 5 minutes away from Thredbo Village Square is Thredbo Leisure Centre and it comes fully equipped with facilities and activities to keep the little ones occupied for the whole day!
Zero Gravity training facility at Thredbo Leisure Centre, Image by Thredbo Resort
From supervised trampoline lessons where you’ll be able to feel like a superhero flying through the air to conquering an inflatable obstacle course in an Olympic-sized pool like a participant in Ninja Warrior, don’t these activities make you feel like wanting to be a kid again!
6. It’s not a trip to Australia without visiting some Vineyards & distilleries
Wildbrumby
Wildbrumby Schnapps Distillery Door and Cafe, Snowy Mountains, Image by Destination NSW
While the kids are having fun at Thredbo Leisure Centre, take this opportunity to explore some of the best local wines and spirits that The Snowy Mountains region has to offer! If you’re into gin, vodka or schnapps with a slightly fruity note, you’ve got to give Wildbrumby a visit. Enjoy a tasting session of some of their finest spirits made with locally sourced fruits at their distillery or get some fresh raspberries from their organic raspberry farm.
Address: Alpine Way, Thredbo, NSW 2625
Snowy Vineyard & Microbrewery
For all you wine & craft beer lovers, Snowy Vineyard & Microbrewery is the perfect place where you can enjoy both! A regional pioneer in brewing and bottling, The Snowy Vineyard & Microbrewery specialises in wines with unique flavours and 6 craft beer styles that are easy and delicious to drink!
Address: 255 Werralong Rd Dalgety, NSW, Australia 2628
Make the best out of your trip to New South Wales
Now that you’ve got your perfect winter itinerary ready for the Snowy Mountains, make the best of your trip to New South Wales by extending your trip to discover more of this amazing region! With a round flight back to Sydney, explore all the iconic sites that the vibrant city has to offer before embarking on a road trip through regional NSW with gorgeous towns, cellar doors, nature and adventure waiting to be discovered!
