Major city · Australia
Jindabyne
Base here 2 nights in winter for Perisher and Thredbo, or 1–2 nights in summer for lake walks and fishing; a day trip from Canberra is a 5-hour round drive.
Jindabyne sits just below the snow line on Lake Jindabyne, 2.5 hours from Canberra and 5–6 hours from Sydney. In winter it is a dormitory town for Perisher and Thredbo, with a 30–60 minute snow commute each way; in summer it is a lake and hiking base with insects and some accommodation that has no air conditioning. Two nights covers the ski fields or the lake; one night is enough if you are only passing through to Thredbo.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- AUD
- Best months
- Jun–Aug for snow, Dec–Mar for lake and walking
- avoid Jul–Aug school holidays (peak prices, full car parks); summer heat and insects in Jan–Feb
- Airports
- OOM · CBR
- Nights
- 2
Rules in force · 7
- Oceania ↗Oceania's island states guard their farms and reefs at the border: tick 'yes' on the arrival card for any food, plant, animal product, soil or used outdoor gear, and let the officer decide.
- Oceania ↗Across the tropical South Pacific, cyclones are possible from November to April: choose insurance that covers weather delays and keep one spare night before a long-haul departure.
- Australia and New Zealand ↗Both countries drive on the left, with long distances between fuel stops in the outback and on New Zealand's back roads; fatigue causes more visitor crashes than speed.
- Australia ↗Almost every visitor needs a visa or an electronic authorisation (ETA or eVisitor, depending on passport) before boarding: apply only through the official Department of Home Affairs site or the official AustralianETA app, and check the rules for your passport.
- Australia ↗Declare all food, plant material, seeds, wood and animal products on your arrival declaration; undeclared items can bring on-the-spot fines or visa cancellation. When unsure, declare it.
- Australia ↗Drive on the left. An overseas licence in English (or with an official translation or International Driving Permit) is accepted for visitors; check the state rules and your rental contract.
- Australia ↗Swim between the red and yellow flags on patrolled beaches; rip currents cause most beach drownings.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Jindabyne000 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Jindabyne, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the Australian dollar (AUD, A$).Australia-wide
- SIM or eSIMTelstra has the widest outback coverage; Optus and Vodafone (TPG) are cheaper and fine in cities and along highways.Australia-wide
- Tap waterTap water is safe in cities and towns; in remote places use signed drinking taps.Australia-wide
- TippingRestaurants: Not expected; 10% for very good service in a nice restaurant if you wish.Australia-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets I. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): fits. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Australia-wide
- SafetyA small, low-crime town.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree public toilets in parks, beaches, shopping centres and petrol stations (servos); the National Public Toilet Map app lists them.Australia-wide
- Emergency numbers000 police, fire, ambulance · 112 From mobiles · 131 008 Taxi (national number)
- Sundays & holidaysChristmas Day, Good Friday and Anzac Day morning close most shops; many cafés close by 15:00; country towns close early on Saturday and all Sunday.Christmas Day, Good Friday and Anzac Day morning close most shops; many cafés close by 3:00 PM; country towns close early on Saturday and all Sunday.Australia-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportOOM Cooma–Snowy Mountains Airport (About 45 km (28 mi), 30 min by road; few flights and a limited shuttle, often costing as much as a Canberra coach.).OOM Cooma–Snowy Mountains Airport (About 28 mi (45 km), 30 min by road; few flights and a limited shuttle, often costing as much as a Canberra coach.).
- Getting aroundThe town is small enough to walk or cycle.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeA$5–7 (≈ US$4–5)
- BeerDraught beer in a pubA$8–12 (≈ US$6–8)
- SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a weekA$20–40 (≈ US$14–30)
- Budget bedHoliday-park cabin, a night, per roomA$150 (≈ US$100)
- Mid-range bedHoliday-park cabin, a night, per roomA$300 (≈ US$200)
- High-end bedHoliday-park cabin, a night, per roomA$600 (≈ US$400)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget A$130 (≈ US$90) · Mid A$250 (≈ US$170) · High A$450 (≈ US$300)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- OOM Cooma–Snowy Mountains Airport (About 45 km (28 mi), 30 min by road; few flights and a limited shuttle, often costing as much as a Canberra coach.) · CBR Canberra Airport (Nearest year-round airport with scheduled services; about 2.5 hours by road, winter coach a few times a day, one daily bus in summer.)OOM Cooma–Snowy Mountains Airport (About 28 mi (45 km), 30 min by road; few flights and a limited shuttle, often costing as much as a Canberra coach.) · CBR Canberra Airport (Nearest year-round airport with scheduled services; about 2.5 hours by road, winter coach a few times a day, one daily bus in summer.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Care
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Feb
Care
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Mar
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Apr
not flagged
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
May
not flagged
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
Jun
Best
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
Jul
Care
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
Aug
Care
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
Sep
not flagged
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
Oct
not flagged
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Nov
not flagged
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Dec
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Best: Mar, Jun, Dec. Mixed: Jan–Feb, Jul–Aug. Month by month →
Warmest Jan (26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)), coolest Jul (−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C) low), wettest Jun (9 rain days), driest Apr (7). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Jindabyne: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
8 rd
Feb
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
8 rd
Mar
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
8 rd
Apr
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
7 rd
May
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
8 rd
Jun
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C)
9 rd
Jul
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
9 rd
Aug
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
9 rd
Sep
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
9 rd
Oct
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
9 rd
Nov
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
9 rd
Dec
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
8 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
The town is small enough to walk or cycle. There is no public transport to outlying lodges and effectively one taxi in town (national number 131 008), so plan around a car if you stay outside the centre. Fuel costs more here than in Cooma, especially in ski season. Hitchhiking between town and the ski tube is common; the custom is a gold-coin donation to the driver.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Perisher
goDoor to door: About 30–45 min
Alpine Way and Kosciuszko Road, or the ski tube from Bullocks Flat
Ski tube avoids icy road sections; check snow-chain rules before driving.
Thredbo
goDoor to door: About 40 min
Alpine Way south-west
Chains may be required in winter; the village is the base for the Kosciuszko walk in summer.
Wildbrumby Distillery, Crackenback
goDoor to door: About 15 min
Drive on the Thredbo road
Schnapps, cafe and gift shop; a short stop on the way to Thredbo.
Cooma
goDoor to door: About 45 min
Jindabyne Road to the Monaro Highway
Supermarkets, chain fast food and the regional airport; no chains in Jindabyne itself.
Canberra
cautionDoor to door: About 2.5 h
Monaro Highway north
A 5-hour round drive; only as a day trip if you start early and skip the snow.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Town centre (Nuggets Crossing and Town Centre)
Walk to supermarkets, bars and the lake foreshore; the only area where you can skip a car.
Lake foreshore and Kosciuszko Road
Apartment hotels with lake views; still walkable to the shops.
Crackenback and Bullocks Flat
Closer to the ski tube and Thredbo road, shorter snow commute, priced higher.
The Station, about 5 km out
Motel and apartments run by Perisher with lift-and-transfer packages; without a car you are stuck there each evening.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- A$120–180 (≈ US$80–120) excl. bed
- Mid
- A$200–320 (≈ US$140–250) excl. bed
- High
- A$350 (≈ US$250)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Serviced apartment, 2 bedrooms1 × 2 nights × A$450 | A$900 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 2 days × A$250 | A$1,000 |
| Canberra coach, one way2 × A$60 | A$120 |
| Fuel top-up in Jindabyne1 × A$20 · Expect 20–50c per litre more than Cooma in high season. | A$20 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × A$25 | A$50 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | A$209 |
| Trip total≈ A$575 per person per day, bed included | A$2,299≈ US$1,600 |
Off-season from about A$300; ski season twice or more.
2026 estimate in Australian dollars; lift tickets, ski hire and flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | A$5–7 (≈ US$4–5) |
| Pub meal (counter or bistro) | A$25–40 (≈ US$17–30) |
| Takeaway burger or pizza | A$15–25 (≈ US$10–17) |
| Draught beer in a pub | A$8–12 (≈ US$6–8) |
| Cinema ticket (one screen, visitors centre) | A$15–20 (≈ US$10–14) |
| Ski or board hire, per day | A$50–90 (≈ US$35–60) |
| eSIM or data SIM, about a week | A$20–40 (≈ US$14–30) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Winter snow commute is 30–60 min each way and longer in bad weather or ice; carry and fit chains when directed on Alpine Way and Kosciuszko Road.
- Ski-season accommodation often sells only in fixed blocks (Fri–Sun or Sun–Fri) and prices jump several times over off-season rates.
- There is no backpacker hostel since the town's only one closed in 2020; budget beds are scarce.
- Summer can be hot and insect-heavy, and some local accommodation has no air conditioning — check before booking.
- The bowling club has turned away UK/EU ID in the past; international visitors should carry a passport.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 000
- From mobiles
- 112
- Taxi (national number)
- 131 008
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
JindabyneJindabyne
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Can you take me to this address, please?To this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance000
- From mobiles112
- Taxi (national number)131 008
Embassy
No embassies in town; the nearest consulates and embassies are in Canberra.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Canberra Airport → Jindabyne coach: about A$60–80 (≈ US$40–55) one way, 2.5 h, winter only a few times a day
- Cooma airport shuttle → Jindabyne: about 30 min, infrequent and priced near the Canberra coach
- Taxi in town: metered; one cab, expect a wait
Say or show
- Excuse me — Excuse me / Sorry
- Thanks — Thank you
- How much is that? — How much is it?
- Card OK? — Can I pay by card?
- Where's the toilet? — Where is the toilet?
- Two nights, thanks — Two nights, please
Fuel up in Cooma if you can; Jindabyne prices rise in ski season.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Jindabyne. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Jun–Aug for snow, Dec–Mar for lake and walking · avoid Jul–Aug school holidays (peak prices, full car parks); summer heat and insects in Jan–Feb · month by month →
- 2 airports and 4 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 5 day-trips, door to door
- 5 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for CBR and OOM: last coach times, winter-only services, taxi fallback.
- Four walking clusters with rescue anchors: Nuggets Crossing, Town Centre, lake foreshore, Kosciuszko Road.
- Place pages with verified cutoffs (visitors centre museum, cinema, lake walk, Strzelecki statue) and eat pages with last orders.
- Snow-day and hostile-weather fixtures so gates A–D can go green.