Jindabyne is a fascinating place to visit… when it’s not snowing. It’s probably even more fun to visit when it is snowing as it is one of the main towns in the Snowy Mountains, so called because it actually snows. Yes, for my English readers, it snows in Australia – Amazing huh?
Apparently the ‘season’ starts in June and by then the town is all of a frenzy as it awaits the first snowfalls. Visiting in March is still pleasurable. An alpine style resort is surrounded by impressive mountains that are part of the Great Dividing Range, albeit some of the more southerly parts and therefore the coolest. Lake Jindabyne completes the picture and also provides a reason for summer time visitors who wish to sail or maybe fish.
Wandering round the town is reminiscent of the rehearsal for a great show. Preparations are being made as shops refit or are getting ready to open, whilst a few close down as they have not survived the summer and the reduced numbers of tourists this brings. The hotel I stay at however has to double check that they have room for me, apparently corporate bookings are high with conferences from Sydney businesses that are keen to escape the big smoke for the cleaner air of the mountains.
JInabyne is the third town that I have visited that has relocated through flooding. However, in the case of Jindabyne it was a planned flooding to create Lake Jindabyne which forms part of the Snowy Hydro Electricity system. Whilst some of the houses were moved to the towns new location overlooking the lake (rather than being on its bed), during periods of drought parts of the old town are sometimes visible.
Lake Jindabyne
