Frommer's Australia from $50 a Day 13th Edition - To Parent Directory

206
CHAPTER 4 . NEW SOUTH WALES
is available June through October. It’s run by Snowy Mountain Hire Cars
(& 02/6456 2957) and costs A$48 (US$31) one-way.
In winter only (from around June 19–Oct 5), Greyhound-Pioneer (& 13 20
30 in Australia) operates daily buses between Sydney and Cooma, via Canberra.
The journey takes around 7 hours from Sydney and 3 from Canberra. A oneway
ticket costs A$50 (US$33).
VISITOR INFORMATION Pick up information about the ski fields and
accommodations options either at the Cooma Visitors Centre, 119 Sharp St.,
Cooma, NSW 2630 (& 02/6450 1740; fax 02/6450 1798), or at the Snowy
Region Visitor Centre, Kosciuszko Road, Jindabyne, NSW 2627 (& 02/6450
5600; fax 02/6456 1249; srvc@npws.nsw.gov.au).
HITTING THE SLOPES & OTHER ADVENTURES
Obviously, skiing is the most popular activity here. More than 50 ski lifts serve
the fields of Perisher Valley, Mt. Blue Cow, Smiggins Holes, and Guthega. Perisher
Valley offers the best overall slopes; Mt. Blue Cow is generally very crowded;
Smiggins Holes offers good slopes for beginners; and Guthega has nice light,
powdery snow and is less crowded. Thredbo has some very challenging runs and
the longest downhill runs, but I still prefer Perisher for atmosphere. A day’s ski
pass costs around A$77 (US$50) for adults and A$42 (US$27) for children.
A ski-tube train midway between Jindabyne and Thredbo on the Alpine Way
travels through the mountains to Perisher Valley and then to Blue Cow. It costs
A$15 (US$9.75) a day for adult skiers and A$9 (US$5.85) for child skiers; A$30
(US$20) for non-skiing adults and A$17 (US$11) for non-skiing children.
Prices are cheaper in summer. Ski gear can be rented at numerous places in Jindabyne
and Thredbo.
In summer, the region is popular for hiking, canoeing, fishing, and golf.
Thredbo Village has tennis courts, a nine-hole golf course, and mountain-bike
trails.
ACCOMMODATIONS YOU CAN AFFORD
You’ll have to book months ahead to find a place during the ski season (especially
on weekends). And don’t expect to find a lot of bargains. The Kosciuszko
Accommodation Centre, Nuggets Crossing, Jindabyne, NSW 2627 (& 1800/
026 354 in Australia, or 02/6456 2022; fax 02/6456 2945), can help find and
book accommodations in the area. Other private agents who can help find you
a spot for the night include The Snowy Mountains Reservation Centre (& 02/
6456 2633) and the Thredbo Resort Centre (& 1800/020 622 in Australia).
Super cheap beds are offered by the Thredbo YHA Lodge, Jack Adams Pathway,
Thredbo (& 02/6457 6043; www.yha.com.au). Dorms cost A$23
(US$15) and twins $42 (US$27). There’s a ballot in April for places here during
the ski season.
IN THREDBO
Riverside Cabins These fully self-contained studio and one-bedroom cabins
are above the Thredbo River and overlook the Crackenback Range. They’re also
Tips Ski Condition Updates
For up-to-date ski field information, call the Snowy Region Visitor Centre
(& 02/6450 5600).