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When You’re Ready To Thaw Out, We’ve Got Just The Place!
A free outdoor thermal spring that’s open year round? Grab your cozzies and head to Kozzie.
Think of the Snowy Mountains and swimsuits don’t spring to mind. But that’s probably because you’ve never heard of this natural pool in northern Kosciuszko National Park. In winter, it’s like slipping into a toasty bath that never gets cold, thanks to mother nature working her geothermal magic hundreds of metres below. Whether or not you’ve taken a couple of spills on the slopes, the heat will make that tension ooze out of your muscles. We’re not saying it’s like a setting for a winter rom com, but as steam fogs the surface and (if you’re lucky) snow dusts the valley floor, it’s pretty close.
This is one pool where relaxation is the order of the day. The water is dissolved with calcium, sodium and the hero of muscle relaxants, magnesium. A few laps and you’ll be feeling heavy and sedate as those sore muscles are soothed after your high country hikes, creaky joints from the desk job loosen up, and any hint of a headache vanishes.
The big pool is 20m long and 2.5m deep, ie. no shallow end, so if you’re in more of a jacuzzi mood, step into the kiddy pool. It means you can sit and relax, and the rushing water streaming connecting it to the main waterhole will act like a jet-spa massage.
Don’t be grossed-out if you see algae or even springtime tadpoles in the water. Algae and weed provide a breeding site for frogs, and frogs mean the water is clean and healthy. A local platypus has been known to make an appearance, too.
The hilly walk back up to your car may undo the effects of your thermal dip, so a better option is to stroll 1km along the River walk to gently wake up your limbs. From there, it’s a short scramble up to the path that heads back towards the carpark. Or, if you haven’t filled up on natural beauty yet, turn left and head around the corner to Glory Arch and the lofty chambers of South Glory Cave.
Fresh alpine air, mineral-rich waters to soak away everyday aches, and an absence of entry fees (unless you count the low daily parking fee), puts this leagues above the average day spa.
This article first appeared on the National Parks Blog Page and was written by
ELINOR SHEARGOLD
Go on, Shoe! Explore the Snowys by Snowshoe
Whatever the season, Jindabyne is a great base for you to explore the Snowy Mountains. While most people visit in winter to ski or snowboard, snowshoeing is another great way to explore around and beyond the resort areas. In this article, we’ll give you some handy tips and resources to get you started on your first, or next, snowshoeing adventure.
Where to go
A great place to get started is the Rock Creek Snowshoe Trail at Perisher Valley. It’s a well signposted gentle 3km snowshoe walk that starts opposite the The Man from Snowy River Hotel. It’s a winter-only walk and only available when there is sufficient snow cover, due to the sensitive landscape underneath.
Rock Creek Snowshoe Trail Map. Image: NPWS
The National Parks and Wildlife Service has a handy guide you can view and download, which includes that map you see here.
Also, this great article from bushwalk.com provides a detailed description of the trail, along with a map and images to help you familiarise yourself before you set off.
Getting Started
In Bushwalking Australia Magazine, Bruce Easton published the guide Snowshoeing – Getting Started. It provides a thorough overview of the gear you’ll need and the places you’ll want to go, including a heap of places all accessible from Jindabyne: Perisher, Guthega, Thredbo, and Mount Selwyn, plus Cabramurra and Victoria.
He also published Ten Tips for Backcountry Snowshoeing and Winter. We recommend you check them out for all the details, but here is a snapshot of things you need to consider:
- Planning is everything
- Hone your skills
- The right gear
- Food and eating
- Wild camping or huts
- Tech gear
- Light is right
- Sound information
- Be inspired
- Remember to have fun
So what are you waiting for? Whether you want go for an extended backcountry hike, or just want to break up your snow season holiday with a day off the skis, take a look through this info head into Wilderness Sports in Jindabyne for a chat with one of their experienced staff.
Thanks to bushwalk.com and NPWS for this info. Go ahead and explore their sites for more useful info.
Discover beautiful scenery like this when you snowshoe in the backcountry. Kosciuszko National Park. Image: Lisa Hogben
The Snowy Ride: Registration Now Open
Registration for the 2017 Snowy Ride opened on Saturday 1 July. This year’s Snowy Ride is on Saturday 4 November 2017.
The Snowy Ride is a motorcycle event run annually in the Alpine Region of NSW since 2001 and has helped the Steven Walter Children’s Cancer Foundation (SWCCF) raise in excess of $6 million for research into a cure for childhood cancer.
It’s an opportunity for riders to enjoy a weekend away with friends and family and to ride some of Australia’s best and most picturesque roads. Snowy Ride checkpoints are located at Adaminaby, Dalgety, Berridale, Jindabyne, Cooma, Bombala, Charlotte Pass and riders are to be at the final checkpoint in Thredbo by 4pm on the Saturday.
All monies raised by SWCCF goes to childhood cancer research programs and support of children with cancer. The aim of the Snowy Ride was to involve the motorcycle riders of Australia into raising money for research into childhood cancer and its side effects and to give the local volunteer organisations of the Snowy mountains area the chance to raise money for their own communities.
There’s some awesome prizes up for grabs: the winner and runner up will each receive a Honda motorcycle, with a combined value of $25,000.
Register now for the Snowy Ride.
Plan the rest of your Spring visit to Jindabyne and check out other events in Jindabyne around the same time.
Shop for Ski Gear Deals Round the Clock
When it comes to buying or renting your ski & snowboard gear for your upcoming holiday or last minute getaway, your shopping options are endless in Jindabyne. Whether you’ve planned ahead, or your plan is “there is no plan”, you’ll be able to grab a great deal on anything you’ll need up the mountain.
On your way into Jindabyne, stop into either of the two main shopping hubs – Old Town Centre or Nuggets Crossing – and you’ll find that virtually every second store provides ski gear. Or take a wander behind Nuggets Crossing along Snowy River Avenue and Gippsland Street to find ESS Boardstore.
Nuggets Crossing is a hub for finding all your gear for your next holiday.
If you’re staying in Nettin Circuit, The Shed Ski Hire is really handy. On the way out to the Station Resort along the Barry Way, Monster Ski Hire is at Leesville industrial estate on your right, and they’re open 7am til midnight Thursday and Friday, or 7am-7pm other days. You can hire snow gear practically anywhere…even the local Caltex and BP petrol stations! So you’re sure to get a great deal near your accommodation, wherever you’re staying in Jindy. Savings tip: some shops offer up to 20% discount if you book online.
If you’re arriving late on a Friday night for that weekend trip don’t worry, as many ski hire places are open til midnight, and BP is open 24 hours, meaning you can get ski gear sorted at night and avoid delays in starting your day on the slopes.
Finally, when organising your rental gear remember that it is compulsory to carry properly fitting snow chains when heading to the ski fields in a two-wheel-drive vehicle. Full details on where and when you need snow chains.
Find out more on shopping in Jindabyne including our business directory of retail stores throughout town.
Download this handy guide What to Pack on your ski holiday so you know what to bring with you or grab when you arrive.
Take a Piece of Jindabyne Landscape Home
Do you wish you could stare at this scene all the time, but you don’t live here (yet)? Well not only is there an abundance of breathtaking scenery around Jindabyne and the Snowy Mountains region, but the region is equally abundant in talented photographers and artists inspired to capture it and share it with you.
When you’re visiting the area there are a number of options for you to pop in and view or buy some local photography, arts or crafts. As you head towards Jindabyne from Cooma, there’s Ray Killen Gallery in Berridale, then a detour onto Eucumbene road takes you to Kunama Snowy Mountains Centre for the Arts, formerly the studio of local artist Alan Grosvenor, the Gallery and surroundings will now showcase the work of artists, sculptors and authors. There is also be a permanent exhibition of Alan Grosvenor’s work.
In the National Parks & Wildlife Visitors Centre in Jindabyne you’ll find local arts & crafts, from prints by local landscape photographer Luke Hasaart to the scarves & wraps in silk, wool and cotton by Rasa Mauragis from Snowy Textiles. Each of these textile fashion accessories is a one-of-a-kind piece; eco printed, hand dyed, or naturally dyed using local plants.
When you visit Jindabyne over Easter, you’ll come across the Lake Light Sculpture Festival along with the Art Show and Quilting Exhibition, where you could pick up some seriously crafty souvenirs from your stay!
If you like the images you see throughout this website, you can find comprehensive info on the images and the photographers behind them in our Photographers’ Showcase. Here you can connect with them on their websites and social media so these images can pop up in your feed when you’re procrastinating at your office desk 😉 or better yet, grab a couple of prints for your home or office.
For a different take on these images, try Mandy Lamont’s Little Mountain Lightbox Co – bespoke lightboxes made with recycled timber, either displaying one of her beautiful landscape images or an image or logo that you supply.
Finally, all things arts and culture in Jindabyne, including contact info for all related businesses, can be found at the Destination Jindabyne Arts & Culture page.
Got any tips on great arty places to visit? Let us know at hello@destinationjindabyne.com.au as we’d love to hear it and share it!