Things to Do in the Snowy Mountains in Summer
Most people picture the Snowy Mountains in winter. Ski boots, chairlifts, après drinks by the fire. And yes, winter here is spectacular. But here’s the thing a lot of people don’t realise: summer in the Snowies is genuinely brilliant, and in many ways, it’s even better.
When the snow melts, Kosciuszko National Park transforms. The ski runs become hiking trails. The mountain lakes fill with crystal-clear snowmelt. Wildflowers carpet the alpine meadows. And the whole region opens up in a way that winter simply doesn’t allow.
We’re based right here at The Stables Resort Perisher, so we see this transformation every year. Summer guests are always a little surprised by how much there is to do. This guide covers the best of it.
Quick tip: The Perisher Valley summer season runs from October through to the June long weekend. Roads are open all the way to the resort, so getting here is easy.
Hike Some of Australia’s Best Trails
This is the big one. The Snowy Mountains are home to some of the most spectacular walking trails in Australia, and summer is when they’re at their absolute best.
Mount Kosciuszko Summit Walk
Standing on top of Australia’s highest peak at 2,228 metres is one of those experiences that stays with you. The summit walk from Thredbo takes around 3 to 4 hours return and is accessible for most fitness levels. The views from the top are genuinely breathtaking, 360 degrees of alpine wilderness in every direction.
Snowies Alpine Walk
The Snowies Alpine Walk is a 56-kilometre multi-day trek that winds through Kosciuszko National Park and right through Perisher Valley. You can tackle the full four-day route or choose individual sections to suit your time and fitness. It’s one of the best long-distance walks in the country.
The logistics of a multi-day walk can be the biggest barrier. That is exactly why we created our Snowies Alpine Walk Transfer Package. It’s a fully supported service exclusively for guests staying at The Stables, handling all your trailhead transfers and luggage so you can walk with just a day pack and return to comfort each evening.
Two options are available:
| Package | Duration | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Full Walk Package | 5 Days / 4 Nights | From $250 per apartment |
| Highlights Package | 3 Days / 2 Nights | From $195 per apartment |
The 5-day option includes the iconic Main Range circuit and the summit of Mount Kosciuszko at 2,228m. The 3-day version covers the trail highlights and suits weekend adventurers or those with limited time. Both include daily drop-offs and pick-ups between Perisher Valley, Guthega, and Charlotte Pass, plus luggage transfers on arrival and departure days.
To add the package to your stay, contact our Guest Services team after booking your accommodation. Transfers must be confirmed in advance.
Closer to Perisher
Not every hike needs to be an epic. A few excellent options right on our doorstep:
- Porcupine Rocks Walk – winds from the Perisher Valley Reservoir through snow gums to massive granite boulders with sweeping views over Thredbo Valley
- Perisher Valley to Bullocks Flat – a 12km walk immersed in classic alpine scenery
- Charlotte Pass Village to Perisher Valley – 12.7km one way through some of the most beautiful high country in NSW
A word on alpine weather: It can change fast up here, even in summer. Always pack layers, sunscreen, plenty of water, and snacks. Sturdy footwear is a must.
Cycling and Mountain Biking
If you’d rather cover ground on two wheels, the Snowy Mountains delivers. The terrain here suits everyone from casual riders to serious mountain bikers chasing technical singletrack.
Thredbo Valley Track
This is the standout ride. The full Thredbo Valley Track stretches 37 kilometres, linking Thredbo village to Lake Crackenback through stunning alpine scenery. There are easier family-friendly sections if you’re riding with kids, and more technical sections for experienced riders who want a challenge.
Perisher to Charlotte Pass
A 20-kilometre return ride from Perisher village to Charlotte Pass, where you can lock up your bike and continue on foot toward Mount Kosciuszko. Mountain bikes can be ridden as far as Rawson Pass, then it’s a 1.4km walk to the summit. It’s a brilliant way to combine both activities in one day.
Bike hire is available in Jindabyne if you don’t want to haul your own gear up the mountain. It’s about a 40-minute drive from Perisher, so easy to sort before heading up.
Horse Riding Through the High Country
There’s something deeply satisfying about exploring this landscape on horseback. The Man from Snowy River country isn’t just a poem, it’s a real place, and riding through the alpine meadows and snow gum forests here makes that very clear.
Local riding centres offer guided tours for all experience levels, from complete beginners to confident riders. Routes typically wind through:
- Alpine meadows dotted with wildflowers
- Snow gum forests with their distinctive twisted trunks
- Mountain trails with panoramic views across the Snowy Mountains
- Areas where you might spot wild brumbies roaming the high country
Guides share the history and stories of the region as you ride, which adds a whole other dimension to the experience. It’s a great option for families, and genuinely one of the most memorable things you can do up here in summer.
Water Sports at Lake Jindabyne
A 40-minute drive from Perisher, Lake Jindabyne is the summer playground of the Snowy Mountains. The lake is enormous, the water is clear, and on a warm summer day it’s absolutely buzzing.
Here’s what you can get up to on and around the water:
| Activity | Good For |
|---|---|
| Kayaking | All ages, easy to hire gear |
| Paddleboarding | Great for a relaxed morning on the water |
| Sailing | The lake is big enough to make it worthwhile |
| Waterskiing | Adrenaline seekers |
| Wakeboarding | Experienced riders and beginners alike |
| Fishing | See the section below |
Not everyone wants to be on the water, and that’s fine too. The lakeside is beautiful for a picnic, a walk along the foreshore, or just sitting in the sun with a coffee. After a few days of hiking, sometimes that’s exactly what you need.
Fishing the Snowy Mountains Rivers and Lakes
The Snowy Mountains are genuinely world-class fishing country. Snowmelt feeds crystal-clear rivers and lakes teeming with trout and Atlantic salmon, and the season lines up perfectly with the summer visit window.
The best spots to cast a line include:
- Lake Jindabyne – the most accessible and popular option
- The Snowy River – iconic and productive
- The Thredbo River – a beautiful stretch with good trout populations
- The Eucumbene River – quieter and often overlooked, which means less competition
Season note: The Kosciuszko National Park fishing season runs from October to the June long weekend. Surrounding areas outside the park are open year-round. You’ll need a fishing licence, which is easy to grab online or from a local tackle shop in Jindabyne before you head up.
Guided fly-fishing tours are also available if you want to learn the craft or just maximise your chances of actually catching something.
Yarrangobilly Caves and the Natural Thermal Pool
This one surprises most visitors. Tucked deep in the Rules Creek Valley within Kosciuszko National Park, Yarrangobilly Caves is home to a natural thermal pool fed by a spring roughly a kilometre below the surface. The water stays at a constant 27°C year-round, which makes it genuinely inviting on a warm summer’s day.
The main pool is 20 metres long and 2.5 metres deep, and it spills over in a gentle cascade into a shallower children’s wading pool alongside it. There’s a picnic area, change rooms, and toilets right next to the pool, so it’s an easy full day out for families.
What to know before you go:
- Access is via a short but steep 0.7km walk down into the valley (Grade 4, about 15-30 minutes)
- The pool is open sunrise to sunset; park entry fees apply ($4 per vehicle per day without a Kosciuszko National Park day pass)
- Keep an eye out for water dragons and platypus around the pool and nearby river
- Mobile reception is limited in the valley, so download maps and directions before you head in
While you’re there, the caves themselves are absolutely worth exploring. South Glory Cave is self-guided, while Jersey and Jillabenan Caves run guided tours several times daily. It’s a genuinely unique experience that most people associate with the Snowies only after they’ve been.
From Perisher: Yarrangobilly is roughly a 90-minute drive north, making it a solid day trip. Head up via the Snowy Mountains Highway and allow a full day to do the pool, a cave tour, and a walk along the Yarrangobilly River.
Dining and Local Experiences Around Jindabyne
Perisher itself is fairly quiet during summer (most on-mountain venues close after the ski season), but Jindabyne is only a short drive away and has a genuinely good food and drink scene.
A few places worth making the trip for:
- Birchwood Café – the go-to for brunch. Consistently good, and busy on weekends for good reason.
- Embers Fireside Restaurant – cosy Australian cuisine in a relaxed alpine setting. Great for a dinner out after a big day on the trails.
- Wild Brumby Distillery – this one is a must. Handcrafted schnapps made right here in the Snowy Mountains, with a menu of locally inspired dishes. The distillery tour is worth doing.
- La Famiglia – a family-owned Italian that’s been a local favourite for years.
Wild Brumby Distillery in particular is a genuinely unique experience you won’t find anywhere else. It’s become a bit of a Snowy Mountains institution, and the schnapps makes for a great souvenir to take home.
Where to Stay: Your Base for Summer in Perisher
The best part about staying at The Stables Resort Perisher in summer? You’re right on the mountain. No driving up and back each day. No scrambling for accommodation in Jindabyne. You wake up in the alpine air and walk straight out into it.
We have 33 self-contained apartments in a range of configurations, from studios and lofts through to family chalets. All the comforts are here: spa baths, fireplaces (yes, even in summer the evenings get cool), full kitchens, and ski racks that double as gear storage for bikes and hiking equipment.
Summer rates are significantly lower than winter, so it’s genuinely excellent value for what you get.
Ready to plan your summer trip? Check availability and book directly at thestablesperisher.com.au. The season fills up faster than most people expect, especially around the Christmas and January school holiday period.
Summary
Quick take: Summer in the Snowy Mountains is about more than hiking. If you want the short version, the best draws are the Snowies Alpine Walk, Mount Kosciuszko, Lake Jindabyne, and the quieter pace of staying on-mountain at Perisher.
For most visitors, the sweet spot is a mix of activity and downtime. Walk a section of the Snowies Alpine Walk one day, spend time at the lake the next, then finish with dinner in Jindabyne and a relaxed night back at The Stables.
Best fit for different travellers:
- Families: Lake Jindabyne, easy walks, and shorter scenic outings
- Couples: Kosciuszko lookouts, winery-style lunches, and a slower alpine escape
- Adventure travellers: Mountain biking, long walks, fishing, and guided horse riding
If you are planning a summer stay, book early for the school holiday period. That is when the Snowy Mountains are at their busiest and the best accommodation options go first.
Frequently Asked Questions
The best summer activities include hiking the Snowies Alpine Walk, climbing Mount Kosciuszko, cycling the Thredbo Valley Track, horse riding, fishing, and spending time at Lake Jindabyne. Yarrangobilly Caves and its natural thermal pool is also a standout day trip. It is also a great time to explore Perisher without the winter crowds.
Yes. Summer is the best time to walk it because the trails are fully open, the weather is milder, and the alpine wildflowers are at their peak. It suits both multi-day walkers and travellers who want to do selected sections. Guests staying at The Stables can add the supported transfer package to make the logistics effortless.
Yes. Perisher is open year-round, and staying on the mountain gives you direct access to hiking trails, scenic drives, and the Snowies Alpine Walk. The Stables Resort Perisher offers self-contained apartments with full kitchens, spa baths, and fireplaces for cool alpine evenings.
A car makes it much easier to explore the region, especially for day trips to Jindabyne, Thredbo, and Yarrangobilly Caves. Some walkers can use the supported transfer package for the Snowies Alpine Walk, which handles all trailhead logistics so you don’t need to drive between stages.
The package is exclusively for guests staying at The Stables and includes daily trailhead drop-offs and pick-ups between Perisher Valley, Guthega, and Charlotte Pass, plus luggage transfers on arrival and departure days. Two options are available: a 5-day full walk package ($250 per apartment) and a 3-day highlights package ($195 per apartment).
Yes. At altitude and far from city light pollution, Kosciuszko National Park offers some of the clearest dark skies in NSW. The Milky Way is visible to the naked eye on clear nights, and during periods of strong solar activity the Aurora Australis can appear on the southern horizon. Plan around the new moon for the best experience.
The Perisher Valley summer season runs from October through to the June long weekend. Roads are open all the way to the resort, and most hiking trails and outdoor activities are accessible throughout this period.
Related Reading
Planning your summer trip? These pages are worth a look before you book.
- Explore Perisher in Summer – the full overview of what the Perisher Valley offers in the warmer months
- Snowies Alpine Walk Transfer Package – everything you need to know about our supported walk transfers, exclusively for guests staying at The Stables
- The Benefits of Staying on the Mountain – why on-mountain accommodation beats staying in Jindabyne for a summer alpine trip
- Accommodation Offers and Packages – current summer deals and special rates at The Stables Resort Perisher
- Your Ultimate Guide for First-Time Visitors – practical advice on getting here, what to pack, and what to expect
Image credit Destination NSW