This welcoming town is a gateway to bushwalking trails, caves, mountains, ski resorts and waterfalls set within the Snowy Mountains.
Cooma is a town for superb outdoor adventures amid the picturesque alpine region of New South Wales. From hiking to hilltop lookouts and waterfalls to well-groomed ski runs, it is a true year-round destination. Spend time visiting Cooma’s galleries, museums and heritage buildings. Enjoy scenic drives past breathtaking landscapes.
Pick up free maps of the town at the Cooma Visitors Centre. Browse displays of works by Australian and Aboriginal artists at the Raglan Art Gallery and Monaro Art Groups Little Gallery. The Snowy Hydro Discovery Centre features an impressive regional water and hydro-electric scheme. Take a guided tour of a prison with an inmate or warden at the NSW Correctional Services Gaol Museum.
Stroll, bike or drive along the Lambie Town Walk, a 3-mile (5-kilometer) route through the town’s historical districts. It incorporates Centennial Park, Southern Cloud Memorial Park and 19th-century landmarks, including Cooma Railway Station. Enjoy views from Nanny Goat Hill Lookout. Find panoramic views, public-use barbecues and picnic grounds at Mount Gladstone Lookout.
Go bushwalking and camping in the alpine countryside, parks and wilderness of the Snowy Mountains. Ride the Kosciuszko Express Chairlift or climb to the summit of Mount Kosciuszko. Explore Yarrangobilly Caves and walk the Blue Waterholes Trail in Kosciuszko National Park. The ski resorts of Charlotte Pass, Perisher Valley and Thredbo open during the winter months.
Relax after a day of activities at the Cooma’s family-friendly bistros, cafés and pubs. Enjoy pancakes, pizzas and Asian and Middle Eastern cuisine. At the Snowy Vineyard and Microbrewery sample specialty semi-dry sweet and fruity wines and a range of craft beers.
Cooma is about a 1.5-hour drive south of CanberraOpens in a new window. Flights operate between Sydney and Cooma Snowy Mountains Airport, which is a 15-minute drive from the town center. Rent a car to reach the Snowy Mountains and marvel at the dramatic scenery via roads such as the Kosciuszko Alpine Way.