15+ Things to Do in Jindabyne in Summer
Summer in Jindabyne follows a simple pattern – the lake in the morning, the mountains in the afternoon. From December to February the snow gives way to swimming bays, walking tracks and bike trails, and the town has fewer crowds than it does in ski season. Kosciuszko National Park adds more than 6,000 square kilometres of high country.
Jindabyne in Summer
Summer in Jindabyne is warm by day and cool by night, and it runs from December to February. Average daytime temperatures in town sit around 18°C to 28°C. The Main Range is colder than the lake shore, so pack a warm layer for any day up high.
| What’s on | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thredbo Mountain Bike Park | From 21 Nov | Open | Open | Open |
| Thredbo hiking season | From 21 Nov | Open | Open | Open |
| Summit walk | Snow possible | Usually clear | Clear | Clear |
| Alpine wildflowers | Early shoots | Peak | Peak | Late-season blooms |
| Lake swimming | Cold | Warming | Warmest | Warmest |
| River trout fishing | Open | Open | Open | Open |
| Snowies MTB Festival | — | — | — | 18–20 Feb, 2027 |
Things to Do on Lake Jindabyne in Summer
1. Swim at Claypits or Rushes Bay
2. Kayak or paddleboard to Lion Island and Cup Island
3. Fish for trout
4. Walk or ride the Lake Jindabyne Shared Trail
Summer Walks & Rides in Kosciuszko National Park
5. Walk to the summit of Mount Kosciuszko
6. Ride the Kosciuszko Express chairlift
7. Ride Thredbo Mountain Bike Park
8. Pedal the Thredbo Valley Track
9. Look for wildflowers, brumbies and wombats
Adventure Activities Around Jindabyne
Jindabyne’s guided adventure activities include white water rafting, rock climbing, horse riding and scenic flights. Their schedules and prices change with the season and the weather, so book with them directly.
10. Raft the Snowy River
The snow shed from the mountain ranges makes for exhilarating white water rafting and river adventures on the Upper Murray or the mighty Snowy River, an unforgettable day on the river for the whole family.
Alpine River Adventures runs white water rafting trips on the Snowy River inside Kosciuszko National Park. The rapids range from class 1 to class 3, which suits first-timers as well as people who have rafted before. You can contact them for more information via phone number 0428 826 938.
11. Try rock climbing or abseiling
K7 Adventures runs rock climbing and abseiling sessions with qualified instructors. Beginners learn the ropes and experienced climbers can build their skills. K7 also runs clinics for children.
Located at the base of the Kosciuszko Express Chairlift, K7 Adventures are also ready to show you the best of their alpine playground with other packages for caving, hiking, mountain biking and awesome clinics for kids in a fun, safe environment in the Australian outback.
12. Go horse riding in the high country
Horse riding in the high country takes you through the landscape behind Banjo Paterson’s poem The Man from Snowy River. Guided rides cater for beginners through to confident riders.
Our guide to horse riding in Jindabyne explains the options near town.
13. Take a scenic helicopter flight
Scenic helicopter flights leave from Jindabyne Airport and cross Lake Jindabyne, Mount Kosciuszko and the Snowy Mountains. Longer experiences range from winery tours to wilderness picnics.
See our Snowy Mountains Helicopters page for flight options.
Things to Do in Jindabyne for A Slower Day
Not every summer day needs a trail or a paddle. If you came to Jindabyne for something other than skiing, hiking or biking, these three ideas fill a hot afternoon or a rest day.
17. Explore The Land History
Jindabyne was created in the 1960s after the original settlement was drowned by the Snowy Mountains Hydro Scheme. The town moved to higher ground and today remnants of the old town including The Creel fishing lodge and SunnyBrae cottage can still be seen at the bottom of the lake at Waste Point.
Local historical sites include the Statue of Count Paul Strzelecki on the shoreline of Lake Jindabyne (he named Australia’s highest mountain in honour of the Polish leader and patriot Tadeusz Kosciuszko) and an Irish harp (a memorial to the Irish men and women who worked on the construction of the Snowy Mountains Scheme).
The Snowy Hydro Discovery Centre
The Snowy Hydro Discovery Centre, located on No.1 Monaro Highway in Cooma, which takes a 50 minute drive from Jindabyne, gives insight into one of the world’s modern engineering marvels, the Snowy Mountains Hydro-Electric Scheme.
The state of the art visitor center is open 7 days a week with guided tours every half hour, two theatres for educational short films, picnic grounds and an on-site café.
- Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday: 08:00 – 16:30
- Wednesday: 08:00 – 12:30
- Saturday and Sunday: 09:00 – 14:00
Raglan Gallery
Located on Lambie Street, Cooma, you can contact them via phone number 6452 3377.
The Raglan Gallery & Cultural Center is located on Lambie Street, a historic district of Cooma with beautiful homesteads dating back to 1840. The Gallery hosts exhibitions throughout the year with a gift shop of local artworks. While you’re there be sure to take a self-guided tour of the historic homesteads on Lambie Street.
Corrective Services Museum
Located on Vagg Street, Cooma, contact them via phone 6452 5974.
The Corrective Services Museum in Cooma displays the history of crime and punishment in Australia with artifacts and objects dating back to the mid-19th century. Minimum security inmates take guided tours and give insight to the life of a prisoner. Engaging, educational and fun.
14. Taste local schnapps and beer
Wildbrumby Distillery sits on the Alpine Way between Jindabyne and Thredbo and pours schnapps and gin at its distillery door. In town, Jindabyne Brewing on Nettin Circuit serves its own beers with a view of the lake. Opening hours change with the season, so check ahead and choose a designated driver.
15. Find old Jindabyne at the Visitor Centre and foreshore
Jindabyne was created in the 1960s after the original settlement was drowned by the Snowy Mountains Hydro Scheme. The old site now lies under the lake. On the foreshore you can see the Strzelecki statue and an Irish harp, a memorial to the Irish men and women who worked on the scheme.
The Snowy Region Visitor Centre has maps, local advice and national park passes.
16. Thredbo Leisure Centre
The Thredbo Leisure Centre is an indoor option for the whole family for a wet or windy day. The center features an indoor heated swimming pool with a wading pool, waterslide, inflatable obstacle course and bouldering wall for the kids.
Single entry and membership fees for the Thredbo Leisure Centre vary depending on the activity or pass type.
- Recreational Swim: $9.50
- Mission Inflatable: $9.50
- Gym (15 Years+): $22.00
- Sports Hall: $9.00
- Zero Gravity Trampoline Sessions (30 mins): $16.00
The 9-hole Thredbo golf course borders the Thredbo River and is Australia’s highest course with unique challenges for all levels of golfers and a disc golf park for added family fun in Jindabyne.
17. Take a day trip
There are four popular day trips start from Jindabyne:
Gaden Trout Hatchery
A national trout garden which is 10 minutes away on the Thredbo River. This is a potential alternative to Eucumber Trout Farm after it’s been closed since 2021. Our guide on Gaden Trout Hatchery covers all the details.
Dalgety
Dalgety is a historic village on the banks of the Snowy River, famous for almost becoming the nation’s capital. It’s 35 km away, which takes about a 30 minutes drive from Jindabyne. The village is also well-known with its platypus sightings at dawn and dusk.
Yarrangobilly Caves
Guided Yarrangobilly cave is famous for its structure as well as a thermal pool at about 27°C year-round. It takes 2 hours to drive from Jindabyne. Also, you can find guided tours of the Yarrangobilly Caves.
Where to Stay in Jindabyne for A Summer Trip
Match the property to your plans. Each of these Alpine Country Holidays homes suits a different kind of trip
| Trip | Stay | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Lake swims and paddling | The Wolery (4 guests) | Lakeside, direct trail access |
| Walk everywhere in town | LakeShore (6 guests) | Lake across the street, 3-minute walk to town |
| Couples | Horizons Resort 405 (2 guests) | Shared path metres away, pool, tennis |
| Bike trips | Whistler 3 (8 guests) | Secure bike storage in garage |
| Thredbo walks and rides | Omaru Three (4 guests) | 5-minute stroll to village, bike storage |
| Travelling with a dog | Edge One (2 guests) | Fenced yard, one small to medium dog |
Edge One is the only property in this table that accepts a dog. See our dog friendly accommodation for other options, and book direct for the best rate.
Plan your Jindabyne summer
A Jindabyne summer works best with the lake early and the mountains later in the day. Most of this list sits within about 35 minutes’ drive of town, so you can stay in one place and still reach the lake, Thredbo and Kosciuszko National Park. Christmas to Australia Day is peak holiday time, so book early if your dates fall in those weeks. Browse available properties in Jindabyne and find your Snowy Mountains home for the season.
Frequently Asked Questions
How hot does Jindabyne get in summer?
The nearest Bureau of Meteorology station, at Cooma, records a mean January maximum of around 26-27°C, which gives a fair guide to Jindabyne town. Days are warm enough for swimming, and nights cool down quickly once the sun drops. Temperatures on the Main Range are lower than in town, so carry a warm layer and a rain jacket on any alpine walk.
Can you swim in Lake Jindabyne?
Yes, you can swim in Lake Jindabyne. Claypits and Rushes Bay are the two main swimming spots, and both are free. The lake is fed by mountain rivers, so the water stays cold even in January. These are open lake swimming areas with no lifeguard on duty, so supervise children closely.
What is there to do in Jindabyne besides skiing?
Jindabyne has plenty to do without skis. In summer you can swim, paddle and fish on Lake Jindabyne, walk or ride in Kosciuszko National Park, and visit Wildbrumby Distillery or Jindabyne Brewing. If you are visiting in the cold months, our winter activities guide covers that season.
What are the free things to do in Jindabyne in summer?
Free things to do in Jindabyne in summer include swimming at Claypits or Rushes Bay, walking or riding the Lake Jindabyne Shared Trail, and visiting the Strzelecki statue on the foreshore. Entering Kosciuszko National Park on foot or by bicycle is also free. On clear nights, stargazing away from the town lights costs nothing.
Do you need a national parks pass in summer?
Yes. Kosciuszko National Park charges a vehicle entry fee all year. Outside the winter peak the fee is $17 per vehicle per day, according to NSW National Parks, and it rises to $29 in winter. Walkers and cyclists enter free. You can buy a pass at the Snowy Region Visitor Centre in Jindabyne.
What can kids do in Jindabyne in summer?
Children can swim at Claypits, ride the paved foreshore section of the Lake Jindabyne Shared Trail and visit Gaden Trout Hatchery. At Thredbo, kids aged five and up can ride the lift-accessed bike trails. For more ideas, read our guide to things to do in Jindabyne with kids.
