A Winter Road-Trip from Sydney to the Snowy Mountains

On June 1st, the Australian court ruled to uphold a ban on most international travel to and from the country, with the exception of the trans-Tasman travel bubble allowing travelers from Australia and New Zealand to travel freely between the two countries without quarantine.

Australian citizens are hoping to see more of these “Travel Bubbles” between more countries soon! In the meantime, we can sit around dreaming about distant destinations, pondering how long these pandemic travel restrictions will last, or we can discover the beauty and diversity of our own backyard.

 

2021 The Year of the Road Trip

2021 is the year of the road-trip, a time to gather family and friends, create an epic playlist and hit the highways and byways on an iconic Aussie road trip to the Snowy Mountains.

The winter season is upon us! The snow-capped peaks, wide open spaces and world-class alpine resorts of the Snowy Mountains are calling. Travelling by car is by far the safest way to travel during the pandemic. Australia’s premier ski fields are only a scenic road-trip from the city streets of Sydney and our team at Alpine Country Holidays are ready to match you with the perfect holiday home for your Snowy Mountain ski trip.

Venture out safely, feel the freedom of the open road and reconnect with family and friends on a winter road-trip from Sydney to the Snowy Mountains.

 

Sydney to Canberra

Distance: 295km

Travel south from Sydney along the Hume Highway through the historic Southern Highland towns of Bowral and Berrima, the most preserved Georgian village in mainland Australia. If you’re a sports fan, make time to visit the International Cricket Hall of Fame and for wine lovers, a tasting at the highly-acclaimed Artemis Vineyard is a must!

June is Pie Time in the Southern Highlands so make a stop on the iconic “Pie Trail” and pick up some pies for the trip. Stretch your legs (or eat pies!) at the Weereewa Lookout at Lake George and onto Canberra, the capital of Australia. If time permits visit Canberra’s top national attractions, grab a bite at a waterfront restaurant on Lake Burley Griffin and drive to Mount Ainslie Lookout for picture-perfect views over the capital city before heading onto Jindabyne.

 

Canberra to Jindabyne

Distance: 175km

Drive south from Canberra towards Cooma on the Monaro Highway through the tiny village of Bredbo to the gateway to the Snowy Mountains, the gold rush town of Cooma. Learn about one of the engineering wonders of the modern world at the Snowy Hydro headquarters and Discovery Center and look back on the history of crime at the Cooma Gaol Museum.

Take a slight detour off the Snowy Mountains Hwy to admire views of the Monaro plains from Mount Gladstone Lookout, travel on through Berridale and soon you’ll be graced with spectacular views of Lake Jindabyne in the distance.

 

Scenic Road-Trips from Jindabyne

The journey need not end there! During your stay in Jindabyne there are iconic Snowy Mountain scenic drives in every direction that will leave you breathless (and thankful you embraced the freedom of a road-trip to Jindabyne this winter season)!

 

Top Tips for a Safe Road-trip 

1. Be prepared. Plan your journey and rest area stops in advance, allowing extra time for spontaneous adventures, exploring towns along the way and capturing picture-perfect memories at scenic overlooks. The Fuel Check App is a great resource to plan and keep track of fluctuating fuel prices along the way.
2. You’re not always guaranteed signal in the mountains and mobile coverage may be limited, so download your maps, apps and music ahead of time. A printed map is always a good back-up to navigate the Snowy Mountain roads safely.
3. Always check local driving conditions and if it’s your first time driving in the snow in the Snowy Mountains, be prepared! As part of your planning check for road closures on your planned routes and predicted weather for your travel dates.
4. Stay up to date with local Covid-19 travel restrictions and interstate border closures prior to travel. Updates are available on the Department of Health and NSW Covid-19 websites.

Where to Stay & Play in the Snowy Mountains

Stay close to Australia’s premier ski resorts with Alpine Country Holidays. Whether you’re a powder hound in search of on the mountain adventures or a family looking for a safe, secluded escape far from the city limits, our Thredbo, Crackenback, and Jindabyne accommodation are the perfect place to stay and play in the Snowy Mountains this winter.