Set course for adventure in Jindabyne, a quaint lakeside town in the foothills of the New South Wales Snowy Mountains that makes a great base camp for an energising nature-based holiday. Delight in uncovering a range of exciting seasonal experiences, from action-packed days on the snow to summertime hikes that will leave you feeling anew.  

Choose your own adventure 

Take your pick from the array of activities on your doorstep in Jindabyne, a five-hour drive southwest of Sydney. In warm weather, get your blood bumping on a mountain bike ride or try your hand at rock climbing with K7 Adventures; when the mercury drops, take in the wintry scenery on one of its snow-shoe expeditions. Or get a natural high on a guided horse trek at Snowy Wilderness Resort, set on more than 3,000 hectares of awe-inspiring alpine high country just south of Jindabyne.  

Relish the convenience of Jindabyne as a base for ski resort-hopping in winter. Let the Skitube whisk you from Bullocks Flat to the mountain resort of Perisher in just 10 minutes. Or slide on some snow chains and soak up the stirring scenery on the drive to Thredbo, which takes less than an hour from Jindabyne. 

Discover a whole new set of Kosciuszko National Park experiences in summer. Revel in the sense of achievement of hiking to the summit of Mount Kosciuszko, Australia's highest point at an elevation of 2,228 metres. It's an 18.6km return trail from Rawson Pass, so plan on spending a full day (six to eight hours) out in nature. Or take a more relaxed walk to serene Rainbow Lake in the Thredbo–Perisher region, slowing down to admire wildflowers on the 2.5km-return trail.  

Take a deep breath and calm your mind during a session at Jindabyne Yoga Shala, which offers classes in vinyasa, yin and hatha yoga. Then reward your day's efforts with a celebratory gin, vodka or schnapps made from locally sourced fruit at Wildbrumby, which has a distillery door, organic raspberry farm and restaurant overlooking a sculpture garden. Prefer something softer? Jindabyne Brewing bar and tasting room has unbroken views across Lake Jindabyne — find a scenic perch and enjoy the ultimate taste of the region as you sip everything from a red ale to pilsner and wheat beer. Or take a refreshing swig of pale ale at Kosciuszko Brewery, located at Jindabyne's Banjo Patterson Inn, after an exhilarating day of adventure activities.  

Dive into the local dining scene 

Follow your nose to the delectable range of oven-fresh breakfast pastries on offer at Nimmitabel Bakery. The aroma of freshly brewed Axis Roasters coffee is just as difficult to resist at Birchwood, where you can also fill up before a big day in the great outdoors on cheese toasties, muesli bowls, moreish breakfast salads and more.  

Self-catering? Head to The Market. At this part café, part market, you can choose between sinking your teeth into wholesome dishes or grabbing organic fruit and veggies and specialty grocery items to take away. 

Cosy up at the end of the day at Bacco Italian Restaurant, which has been preparing pizzas and pastas for more than 25 years; kids are well catered for with a dedicated menu of tasty bites. Or take your palate on its own adventure at much-loved Cafe Darya, which dishes up welcoming Persian favourites including dips, pastries and stews. Pair zingy tacos with lip-smacking margaritas at Cucina Grill & Cantina, and treat your travelling companion to an intimate Japanese dinner at Takayama; kick off a memorable meal with a serving of succulent pork gyoza with ponzu dipping sauce. 

Seek out an atmospheric stay  

Lean into farm life at Avonside Alpine Estate, a dreamy off-grid farm stay with a vegetable garden and chickens, sheep and big-eyed highland cattle. The two- and three-bedroom cottages here unite high-style with sustainability in design, and come with calming country vistas.  

Be soothed by the snow gums surrounding Ecocrackenback on the outskirts of Jindabyne as you warm up by the clean-burning ethanol fire in one of its 18 self-contained cabins. Or soak up the similarly scenic setting of Moonbah Hut, which features two charming timber cottages near Jindabyne that sleep four or five guests. With one hut set on a lake and the other by a river, you can begin or end your day with an invigorating dip, while the stone fireplaces, granite walls and exposed beams make the cottages feel particularly snug during the winter months. 

The NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service manages a number of lodges throughout Kosciuszko National Park, including recently refurbished Creel Lodge, where you can enjoy energising Lake Jindabyne views from the breakfast table. As the moon rises over the lake, indulge a childhood pastime by roasting marshmallows over the outdoor fireplace for dessert.  

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