Nestled on the banks of the Tumut River, Tumut is a historic gateway to the Snowy Mountains, blessed with Heritage-listed buildings, 19th-century pubs and waterfront parks. Tumut is an outdoor lover’s paradise, thanks to the numerous hiking, mountain biking, water sports and skiing on offer.

Things to do

Tumut River provides a range of water activities, from kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding to fishing and houseboat adventures. You can also jump behind a speedboat for some wakeboarding or water skiing. If you prefer to stay on land, head out onto the nearby wilderness trails for hiking or mountain biking. Some of the best are Hanging Rock Loop Trail, Trig Trail and Stony Creek Trail.

Interested in Aboriginal culture? Join the Wiradjuri Aboriginal Cultural Tour, which showcases the customs and traditions of the local Wiradjuri people, including tasting authentic bush tucker and learning how to survive on the land. The tour takes you to nearby Kosciuszko National Park, renowned for cascading waterfalls, the babbling Snowy River and Australia’s highest peak, Mt Kosciuszko.

Stroll down Wynyard Street, which features some of Tumut’s best dining and retail establishments. Duck into Tumut's "Pie in the Sky" Bakery for sweet treats and baked goods, Wing Cheng for authentic Chinese cuisine or Oriental Hotel for a beer in a historic pub. If shopping is on the agenda, check out the Loft Fashion House for women’s clothing, All Things Country for country apparel or Tom’s Outdoors for camping equipment.

If you’re visiting Tumut during winter, drive four hours to Falls Creek in Alpine National Park. This ski village features excellent beginner and expert skiing and snowboarding runs, along with boutique restaurants and a terrain park.

Getting around

Tumut is a straightforward 2.5-hour drive from Canberra and 4.5 hours from Sydney. You can walk around the centre of town, but will need a car to venture further afield.