Adaminaby

High in the Snowy Mountains, Adaminaby is a tiny high-country town that punches well above its weight for outdoor adventure and genuine rural character. Originally relocated in the 1950s when Lake Eucumbene was created, the town’s wide streets and classic weatherboard buildings give it a frontier feel. Today it’s the gateway to some of the best trout fishing, bushwalking and alpine scenery in New South Wales, with a friendly pub and a handful of cafés that make it a perfect base for exploring the region.

Highlights & What to See

• Lake Eucumbene – Australia’s largest man-made lake by volume, ringed by golden grasslands and perfect for trout fishing, kayaking, and lakeside picnics with the Snowy Mountains as a backdrop.
• Snowy Hydro Discovery Centre – An interactive museum telling the story of the Snowy Mountains Scheme, with fascinating exhibits on engineering, migrant history, and the transformation of the region.
• Adaminaby Big Trout – The town’s quirky 10-metre-tall trout statue is a classic roadside attraction and a nod to the area’s fishing culture; great for a photo stop.
• Mount Selwyn Snow Resort – A family-friendly ski field just 20 minutes away, offering skiing, snowboarding and tobogganing in winter, and scenic chairlift rides in summer.
• Snowy Mountains Trout Farm – Try your hand at catching your own rainbow trout, which can then be smoked or cooked on-site – a fun activity for all ages.

Suggested Time to Spend

Two to three days is ideal to soak up the lake and mountain scenery. Spend one day fishing or kayaking on Lake Eucumbene, another exploring the Snowy Hydro Discovery Centre and a walk in the nearby Kosciuszko National Park. If you’re skiing, add a day at Mount Selwyn. The town itself can be seen in a couple of hours, but the relaxed pace invites you to linger over a coffee at the local bakery and chat with the friendly locals.

Nearby Areas Worth Combining

• Cooma – The main service town of the Snowy Mountains, 45 minutes north, with the excellent Snowy Mountains Visitor Centre and historic architecture.
• Kosciuszko National Park – Just south, offering world-class hiking (including the Main Range walk), alpine wildflowers in summer, and ski resorts like Thredbo and Perisher.
• Jindabyne – A lively lakeside town with a buzzing après-ski scene, water sports, and great dining, 30 minutes south.
• Yarrangobilly Caves – Limestone caves with guided tours and a thermal pool, about an hour’s drive via the Snowy Mountains Highway.
• Canberra – The national capital is a 90-minute drive north, making it easy to combine with a Snowy Mountains road trip.

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