The Snowy Mountains (the ‘Snowies’) and the Monaro is one of the most spectacular and geographically diverse areas of New South Wales.
A breathtaking fusion of craggy, snow-covered mountains, glacial lakes, gushing rivers, eerie wind-swept plains, forests, and quaint villages.
Depending on the season, you might think you are in Europe, Patagonia, North America or even Mongolia.
Located on the traditional lands of the Ngarigo, Walgalu, Bidhawal and Ngunnawal people in the South-Eastern part of New South Wales, this area is also home to the ‘Snowies’ – the highest mountain range in Australia, which is home to Mount Kosciuszko, Australia’s highest mountain.
LOCATIONS THAT CAN MATCH EUROPE, NORTH AMERICA, PATAGONIA & MONGOLIA
- Rolling plains and rugged mountain ranges
- Highest mountain in Australia
- Grassy steppe lands
- Glacial lakes
- Quaint villages
- Modern regional towns
- Running rivers
- National Parks, State forests and agricultural lands
- Sealed roads that go forever
- Abundant accommodation
- Regional airport
Snow Season
Ski lifts open in June in Perisher, Thredbo, Charlotte Pass and Selwyn Snow Resort. The snow season is at its peak in July and August, but you’re likely to have good snow until October when the lifts close.
Charlotte Pass is a location, snow resort and village in the Snowy Mountains. The pass is located in the Kosciuszko National Park and is the closest village to Mount Kosciuszko.
Thredbo is built in the valley of the Thredbo River, also known as the Crackenback River, at the foot of the Ramshead Range. When the mountain is fully covered by snow, Thredbo has the highest ski lift point in Australia.
Wind-swept Plains
In stark contrast to the snowfields, are the stunning grassy plains along the Snowy Mountains Highway, reminiscent of places like Montana and Wyoming.
Lakes, Running Rivers and Creeks
WHAT HAS FILMED HERE
The region has been the background for a number of films, most recently Leah Purcell’s film, The Drover’s Wife. Other notable films include the award-winning film Jindabyne, starring Laura Linney and John Howard and Somersault, starring Abbie Cornish and Sam Worthington.
SPECTACULAR SUMMERS
GETTING THERE
By Car
The region is well serviced by sealed roads and highways. Cooma is just over a four-hour drive from Sydney and about 80 minutes from Canberra, Australia’s capital.
By Air
Rex Regional Express (REX) flies directly from Sydney into the Snowy Mountains Airport, only 15 kilometres (~9.5 miles) south of Cooma, the largest town in the area.
Traversing the stunning landscapes, historic towns and undulating farmland, are the Snowy Mountains and Monaro Highways. These seemingly endless sealed roads are a popular and spectacular backdrop for TVC car commercials.
ACCOMMODATION
As a popular destination for residents, tourists and filmmakers alike, there is an abundant and diverse range of accommodation options in the region for cast and crew, including in Cooma, the largest town in the region, which has significant infrastructure. For additional information and options, check here.
CLIMATE
As the area varies from tablelands to the highest mountains in Australia, naturally the weather conditions vary according to altitude.
The higher regions of the park experience an alpine climate which is unusual in mainland Australia. However, only the peaks of the main range are subject to consistent heavy winter snow. The sub-alpine areas generally experience fine and sunny weather, with warm to hot days and cool nights in summer, and cool to warm days and cold nights in winter.
Rainfall also varies considerably between the alpine and sub-alpine areas. Generally, the sub-alpine annual average is between 400mm (15.75”) and 500mm (19.68”) with occasional snowfall.
REEL SCOUT IMAGES
Location images of the Snowy Mountains and Monaro Region and other regions in New South Wales are also available via www.screen.nsw.gov.au/reel-scout and on the free Create NSW Film Scout iPhone app on iTunes.
Click here to see more Sydney and NSW locations.
FILMING IN NEW SOUTH WALES
For information on locations, technical and creative talent, studio space, post-production, visual effects facilities and any other aspect of filming, please contact Screen NSW’s Production Attraction team on
[email protected] or + 61 2 8289-6443.
Header image top of page: Main Range behind Blue Cow. Courtesy of Brett Smith.