Tumbarumba

Coming for a weekend visit?

Try these must do suggestions to make the most of your visit.

Saturday

As you approach Tumbarumba from Sydney at Laurel Hill, keep your eyes peeled for brumbies grazing in the clearings of Mountain Ash, the world’s tallest flowering plant. Make sure you stop in to Sugar Pine Walk and take the short stroll amongst a dense stand of enormous sugar pines planted in 1928. This species is the largest and tallest of all pines. If you’re hungry, why not stop in at the Laurel Hill Blueberry Farm for delicious blueberry pancakes, or the Asgard cool climate plant nursery for morning tea.

Once you reach Tumbarumba, drop into the Tumbarumba Visitors Information Centre located in the historic Tattersall’s building. Here you will find loads of information on the region, and history buffs will enjoy the Tumbarumba Museum located within the building. It provides some fascinating displays on Tumbarumba’s gold mining, timber and cattleman’s heritage.  If you can’t get enough of pioneer history, Glenroy Pioneer Women’s Hut Museum has a fabulous themed collection of craftworks and artefacts. There is always a local person available to talk to visitors, and this museum is run entirely by community volunteers.

Alternatively, you could pick up a booklet on the history of the town buildings with suggested walking routes around the town. Along the way take time to browse the gift and antique shops in the charming main street. You could also drop into Artists on Parade, a non profit, community based gallery and artist workspace run by local artists and volunteers. It features regularly changing gallery space and a unique gift shop.

For lunch, try one of Tumbarumba’s authentic country pubs for a counter meal, or check out the unique “4 Bears Cafe” – kids will love the furry atmosphere and the food is great!

After lunch, The Boggy Creek Show is a funny and entertaining “must do” for visitors of all ages.  This is where you can learn how the mountain cattlemen not only live on in folklore and poetry, but also in person. The Boggy Creek operators are third generation mountain farmers, and display a genuine warmth and enthusiasm in the interpretation of their lifestyle.

Alternatively, you could spend the afternoon tasting the delicious Pinot Noir and Chardonnay of the region at cellar doors, open all year round.

A great option for dinner is Nest Cinema Cafe. Nest is a Licensed Cafe, Boutique Armchair Cinema and Beautiful Bookstore all in one cosy space. Open Friday and Saturday nights for gourmet pizza and blackboard dinner specials using local produce - you can even dine while watching a movie.

Alternatively, Elms Restaurant proudly showcases regional and local wines and produce, with a menu designed to make the most of seasonal offerings. The restaurant’s floor to ceiling windows and glass conservatory create a fabulous spacious atmosphere that makes the most of stunning views.

There are a range of accommodation options in the Tumbarumba region, from boutique B&Bs, comfortable motels, to stunning natural campgrounds where you can get back to nature in the beautiful mountain environment. For more information go to www.visittumbashire.com.au

Sunday

On day 2 get up bright and early and head south through the rolling foothills of the Snowy Mountains towards Khancoban. You may like to explore a section of the Hume and Hovell Walking Track at the Henry Angel Trackhead. Here, you can see evidence of early gold mining sluicing and dredging, including a 70 metre tunnel which has now become the Burra creek course. If you would prefer a little less exertion, stop into Paddy’s River Falls instead. As you continue on, you will pass through the small rural locality of Tooma, which was ravaged by a bushfire in 2009 and floods in 2010. The Tooma Inn, established in 1879 is a fabulous example of an early country pub still operating today. Other great country pubs in the region are the Bridge Hotel on the Murray River at Jingellic, and the Tintaldra Pub on the Murray at Tintaldra. Between Tooma and Khancoban you are very close to the Murray River. This agricultural region is called the “Upper Murray” and has a reputation for being some of the best beef cattle grazing land in Australia.  

Khancoban lies on the Western edge of Kosciuszko National Park amongst stunning mountain scenery. The town was originally built to accommodate workers and their families on the Snowy Mountains Hydro-Electric Scheme. According to the Australian Government, The Scheme is by far the largest engineering project ever undertaken in Australia. It is also one of the largest and most complex hydro-electric schemes in the world.

The Snowy Mountains Scheme construction is seen by many as a defining point in Australia's history, and an important symbol of Australia's identity as an independent, multicultural and resourceful country. Murray 1 Power Station on the Alpine Way near Khancoban is the second largest station in the Snowy Mountains Scheme. Next to the station is the Murray 1 Visitors Centre, which offers an interactive experience with a wide range of displays, "hands on" models and exhibits. Light refreshments are available in the Café.

After a bite to eat, why not try your hand at trout fishing in the streams and lakes of the mountains at Khancoban. Khancoban has some excellent trout fishing waterways, such as the Swampy Plains River and Khancoban pondage. The secret of summer fishing in the region is the constant influx of cold water from the mountains, making the temperature ideal for trout.

After a busy day, you could cook your catch of trout on a campfire by the lake, or put your feet up in front of a crackling fire with a glass of local wine one of the many B&B’s in the Khancoban area.

As you come to the end of your visit to Tumbarumba Shire, why not continue along the Snowy Valleys Way as a scenic alternative to the Hume Highway through to Beechworth in Victoria, or Gundagai in NSW.

To help plan your trip and check opening hours, please visit the Tumbarumba Visitors Information Centre, ph. (02) 6948 3333.

Want a printed copy of the Tumbarumba itinerary? Download here.