Cooma is the main commercial centre of the Snowy Mountains region and the headquarters of the Snowy Mountains Scheme. It is a large sub-alpine town servicing the needs of its rural population and the Snowy Mountains ski industry operators. The town is about one hour's drive from our main ski resorts and provides a good base for your snow holiday.
Cooma is situated at the junction of the Monaro Highway and the Snowy Mountains Highway.
Rail, coach and air services also operate to Cooma.
Because of its location, Cooma is a good base for families who want to enjoy the snowfields but prefer a wider range of accommodation and town activities.
A rich and diverse history colours Cooma with true Australian spirit. Perhaps the most exciting times were those when our massive Snowy Mountains Hydro-electric Scheme was being built. One hundred thousand workers from more than 30 nationalities poured into the area and many tales of the times are still enjoyed today.
The scheme was commenced in 1949 to provide irrigation waters to those areas west of the mountains. The melting snows which previously ran east and into the Pacific Ocean, were to be harnessed, dammed and diverted to farmers many miles away. As its full name suggests the scheme also generates clean, cheap electricity which helps supply south east Australia.
It took 25 years to complete and is regarded as the most complex, muti-purpose, multi reservoir hydro scheme in the world. Informative tours of the scheme and its towering dam walls, hydro-electricity plants, pipelines and scenic lakes will help you to appreciate the magnificence of this famous chapter in Australian history.
The Snowy Mountains Authority Information Centre at Cooma is a fascinating display of the scheme and its history and tours can be arranged here.
Activities around the Cooma area include of course skiing and snowboarding in season, llama farms, tennis, wineries, golf, gaol museum, bushwalking, boating, swimming, bowling, fishing and much more. Popular with our visitors are trips around the area to discover our bushranger history.
There is also a wide range of accommodation and eating houses throughout the Cooma area.
For further information we suggest you contact the Cooma Visitors Centre.
  
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