Snowy Mountains Scheme

One of the greatest engineering feats of the 20th century, the Snowy Mountains Scheme is a sprawling hydro-electric and irrigation network that tamed the wild rivers of the Australian Alps. For international travellers, it's a fascinating window into postwar nation-building, set against some of Australia's most dramatic alpine scenery. The scheme's visitor centres and lookouts tell the story of the 100,000 workers – many from Europe – who carved tunnels through granite and built dams in what was then a remote wilderness.

Highlights & What to See

• Cooma Visitor Centre – Start here for the big-picture story: interactive models, original machinery, and a film that brings the construction epic to life.
• Snowy Hydro Discovery Centre, Cooma – Dive deeper into the engineering with working turbine displays and a virtual helicopter tour over the scheme's dams and tunnels.
• Lake Eucumbene – The scheme's largest reservoir, perfect for a scenic drive, picnic, or trout fishing. In drought years, you can spot drowned ghost trees and old homesteads.
• Cabramurra – Australia's highest town, built for scheme workers. Its lookout offers sweeping views over the scheme's network.
• Jindabyne Dam & Lake Jindabyne – A gateway to Kosciuszko National Park, with excellent water sports and walking trails that reveal the scheme's integration with the landscape.
• Guthega Dam – One of the more accessible dams, with a short walk to the spillway and stunning alpine views.

Suggested Time to Spend

To appreciate the scheme's scale, allow at least a full day. Start at the Cooma Visitor Centre (1–2 hours), then drive the Alpine Way to see dams and lakes, with stops at Lake Eucumbene and Jindabyne. If you're a keen hiker or want to explore the upper scheme, add another day to visit Cabramurra and Guthega. The scheme can be woven into a longer self-drive itinerary from Canberra to the Snowy Mountains or the Victorian High Country.

Nearby Areas Worth Combining

• Kosciuszko National Park – Australia's highest peaks, with summer walks to Mt Kosciuszko and winter skiing at Thredbo and Perisher.
• Canberra – The nation's capital, 2 hours north, with its war memorial, parliament house, and galleries.
• Thredbo & Perisher – Alpine resorts offering year-round outdoor activities, from skiing to mountain biking.
• Yarrangobilly Caves – Limestone caves with guided tours and a thermal pool, about an hour from Cooma.
• Adaminaby – A historic settlement with the Big Trout and access to Lake Eucumbene fishing.

Please check official sources for current details.