Australia's five tallest peaks all sit within a few hours' drive of each other, and the tallest, Mount Kosciuszko, reaches 2,228 m. That makes Snowy Mountains holidays with kids a good way to show children real alpine country without leaving the mainland.
The range has snow, glacial lakes, old stockmen's huts and a giant engineering story to explain on the way. It is also cold, high and a long drive from most cities, so a little planning goes a long way. For the wider picture, start with our Snowy Mountains destination guide.
Why the Snowy Mountains suit families
The Snowies are the northeastern half of the Australian Alps, part of the Great Dividing Range. Kosciuszko National Park covers the high country, and the Alpine Way and Snowy Mountains Highway are the major roads through it.
Children get a lot of variety here. In winter there is snow for months, with significant accumulation from May to October. In summer the same landscape turns to walking, with Kosciuszko summit walks and fly-fishing the highlights of that season. All four of New South Wales's snow resorts are in this region.
Things to see with children
Glacial lakes
Mainland Australia's only five glacial lakes are on the Main Range: Blue Lake, Lake Albina, Lake Cootapatamba, Club Lake and Headley Tarn. Blue Lake is the largest and one of the headwaters of the Snowy River. The lakes formed during the last ice age, which peaked about 20,000 years ago, and evidence of the glaciers can still be seen. It is an easy story to tell kids: ice carved these hollows, and they are still here.
Mountain huts and a ghost town
Cattle graziers left mountain huts scattered across the high country, and they are now maintained by the National Parks and Wildlife Service or volunteer groups such as the Kosciuszko Huts Association. Banjo Paterson's poem The Man From Snowy River recalls that era, which makes a nice reading-aloud link for older children.
Kiandra is a different kind of stop. Gold was mined on the high plains there, and at its height the town had about 4,000 people and 14 hotels. The last resident left in 1974, and it is now a ghost town of ruins and abandoned diggings.
The Snowy Scheme
The Snowy Mountains Scheme began in 1949 and employed 100,000 men, two-thirds of them from thirty other countries. By 1974 it linked sixteen dams and seven power stations with 145 km of tunnels and 80 km of aqueducts. Lake Jindabyne, Lake Eucumbene and Talbingo Dam are among the lakes it created. Cabramurra, the highest town in Australia, began as a temporary town for its workers. Older kids who like big machines tend to enjoy this part.
Snow, skiing and the resorts
Thredbo has 14 ski lifts, Australia's longest resort run at 5.9 km, and the highest lifted point in the country at 2,037 m. Perisher, in 2022, had 48 lifts across four village bases: Perisher Valley, Blue Cow, Smiggins Holes and Guthega. It is the largest ski resort in the Southern Hemisphere. The Skitube railway, opened in 1987, carries skiers from Bullocks Flat on the Alpine Way up to Perisher Valley and Blue Cow.
Charlotte Pass has the highest village base of any Australian resort at 1,760 m, and in winter it can only be reached by over-snow transport. That is worth knowing before you promise small children a quick trip. Snow generally falls to around 600 m most winters, but a consistent heavy snowpack is found only above 1,400 m.
Our Snowy Mountains accommodation page covers where to stay, and Snowy Mountains activities lists more to do.
Tours and caravan parks
If you would rather not drive the mountain roads yourself, a private tour is one option. The Snowy Mountains NSW Private Tour 3 Days includes pick-up and drop-off and runs for 3 days, from AUD 1575. More choices are on our Snowy Mountains tours page.
For a budget-minded family stay, Discovery Parks - Jindabyne is a caravan park in Jindabyne with powered sites and cabins. Contact the park for current rates and availability before booking.
Weather and when to go
Pack for cold whatever the season. Averages for the area show how much the months differ.
| Month | Max (C) | Min (C) | Rain (mm) | Rain days |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 18.9 | 7.5 | 87.1 | 10.7 |
| March | 15.2 | 4.9 | 66.5 | 8.4 |
| May | 6.9 | -1.0 | 65.3 | 9.3 |
| July | 2.4 | -4.1 | 94.3 | 12.5 |
| August | 3.4 | -4.2 | 110.0 | 13.3 |
| October | 10.7 | 0.0 | 109.8 | 12.9 |
| December | 16.2 | 5.0 | 102.1 | 11.9 |
Summer days reach about 19 degrees, and nights still dip to around 7. In July the average maximum is only 2.4 and the minimum is -4.1. Snow cover usually melts by November, although it can occasionally linger through summer. Charlotte Pass recorded Australia's lowest temperature, -23.0 degrees, on 28 June 1994. We reckon the warmer months suit very young children best, while winter suits families ready for snow gear and early starts.
Getting there with kids
Distances are long. By road, Snowy Mountains to Sydney is 489 km, about 370 minutes. Other drive times:
| Route | Distance | Approx. time |
|---|---|---|
| Snowy Mountains to South Coast | 335 km | 294 minutes |
| Jervis Bay to Snowy Mountains | 365 km | 317 minutes |
| Snowy Mountains to Wollongong | 448 km | 342 minutes |
| Blue Mountains to Snowy Mountains | 536 km | 421 minutes |
Plan breaks for children on the longer runs. Our Snowy Mountains travel guide has more on getting around, and Visit NSW, the official state tourism site, at visitnsw.com is useful for current information. Background on the range is on Wikipedia.
Frequently asked questions
When does it snow in the Snowy Mountains?
Significant snow accumulates from May to October, and the cover usually melts by November.
Can children see a glacial lake?
The Main Range has five glacial lakes: Blue Lake, Lake Albina, Lake Cootapatamba, Club Lake and Headley Tarn.
How far is the Snowy Mountains from Sydney?
It is 489 km by road, about 370 minutes of driving.
