European explorers tended to be more literal than poetic when naming their Australian discoveries. When Australia’s highest peaks were discovered in the 19th century, they were simply called the “SnowyMountains.” While of course that’s true enough throughout the Southern Hemisphere winter months, especially June through September, by the time November rolls around, you’d be forgiven for wondering how they got that name. Ironically, there is arguably more to see and do in the SnowyMountains in summer than there is in the winter. These are just a few of the activities you can enjoy:
Mountain Biking
The SnowyMountains have become a mountain biker’s mecca in the summer. In fact, there are now internationally renowned mountain bike races held on some of the SnowyMountain’s more treacherous slopes. One extreme example of this is Thredbo’s Cannonball Run, a hair raising 2 mile downhill run that attracts adrenaline junkies from around the world. Of course, with thousands of acres of pristine mountains to explore, there are also hundreds of less death-defying mountain bike trails to explore in the SnowyMountains.
Horse Riding
The classic Australian film, “The Man from SnowyRiver” did a lot towards cementing the SnowyMountains in the public’s imagination as the premier horse riding destination in Australia. Amazingly, if you go to the SnowyMountains for a horse riding adventure, it will live up to its legend. There are trails and guided tours for all levels of ability, including half-day rides in the foothills for beginners to multi-day adventures for experts. You can try your hand at mustering cattle if you think you’re up to the challenge or just take it at a more leisurely pace and wake up each morning to a campfire and a “cuppa” brewed in a “billy” before you hit the trail again.
Hiking
Call it hiking or call it bushwalking as the Australian’s do, there’s no better place to put on your hiking boots and explore than Kosciusko National Park in the Snowy Mountains. You can take self guided hikes on well-established trails or get an experienced guide to take you on overnight or multi-day treks into lesser travelled areas of the mountains. Either way, you’ll love hiking in the SnowyMountains in summer.
Climbing, Caving and Abseiling
If you like roped sports or like the idea of trying them, there are rock climbing, caving and abseiling adventures waiting for you in the SnowyMountains in the summer. In Jindabyne and the other major villages in and around the SnowyMountains you can find dozens of outdoor adventure shops that have experienced guides who can take you to secret spots throughout the SnowyMountains that will not only get your heart pumping, but will briefly stop it with their breathtaking beauty.