Holiday houses in Berridale

Whether you’re into winter sports or alpine hikes coloured with spring wildflowers, the Snowy Mountains region of southern New South Wales doesn’t disappoint. This part of the state is home to Australia’s highest mountain range, as well as the country’s loftiest peak (Mount Kosciuszko, at 2,228 metres). The area is a magnet for ski and snowboarding enthusiasts who come here to access the winter resorts of Perisher, Thredbo, and Charlotte Pass, each delivering dramatic summits to breathtaking ravines, challenging slopes to gentle hills.

It remains an adventure playground during warmer weather, when hiking, horseback riding, and cycling are the preferred ways to experience the countryside and a bounty of local produce, wine, and trout are all on the menu after a day’s hard play. At the heart of it all is Berridale, a village with a palpable Old World charm, its streets lined with gorgeous poplars and independent stores, enveloped by a lunar landscape of enormous granite boulders.

Berridale’s population swells over the winter sports season, which runs from June through October. When the snow melts in spring, wildflowers blanket the national parkland, creating a fragrant backdrop for hikers, cyclists, and horseback riders; the elevation makes all of these pursuits equally appealing during the mild summer months. Then in autumn, Berridale’s poplars turn the town all manner of fiery hues. Food lovers will not want to miss the June to September Périgord black truffle season here.

Kosciuszko National Park

Whether you want to visit waterfalls, learn about the region’s history, or challenge yourself on a heart-thumping hike through Kosciuszko National Park, one of the largest of its kind in the state, there are dozens of Snowy Mountains hiking tracks to choose from. The day trek to the summit of Mount Kosciuszko passes the granite outcrops of Ramshead Range and takes you across the rooftop of Australia.

Thredbo Mountain Bike Park

This haven for adrenaline seekers delivers a mix of cross-country and gravity trails as well as a skills park and flowing single tracks offering spectacular views of Australia’s highest peaks and alpine lakes. There’s something for every experience level, from a kids-only area to chairlift-accessible gravity trails — plus daily beginner, intermediate, and advanced clinics, for those looking to fine-tune their skills.

Yarrangobilly Caves

Part of a 12-kilometre-long karst system in Kosciuszko National Park, the Yarrangobilly Caves are home to ancient limestone stalactites and stalagmites. Take a tour, then head to the nearby natural thermal pool — 27 degrees Celsius year round — for a relaxing soak, even when the snow is falling.