Perisher Valley and Charlotte Pass

'determination to survive' at the van park entrance

Friday we set off back up the mountains again.  The sky was clear and the breeze was light so we were hopeful of some special scenery.
Well of course the best laid plans do not always eventuate and just because the weather was great down in Cooma does not mean it is the same up in the mountains. 

We stopped for a cuppa in Jindabyne by the lake and took some photos.  It was evident the level the water had reached and explains why there is still water being released from the lake.  We found it interesting to see printed signs placed strategically around the rest area advising that ‘swimming and recreational pursuits are banned due to the presence of snakes’.  Well that made us look twice where we were putting our feet as we took a short wander.  We found out later that tiger snakes live in the rocks surrounding the lake and with the water level so high they have had to move out of the rocks!!

Jindabyne Lake

note the 'high tide rubbish' level

By the time we reached Perisher Valley we were in the clouds and light rain so needless to say for the rest of the time up high we had the windscreen wipers on and we stayed in the car! 

Perisher Valley village

Charlotte Pass was at the end of the road and was where you can park to take the walk to the top of Kosciuszko.  Charlotte Pass in winter is only accessible by snow vehicle as the road is impassable to vehicles.  Sitting there we were 1815m above sea level.  Many years ago we did the walk to the summit however today was certainly not going to be the next time.  That will have to wait till another day.  Something else to add to the ‘next time’ list.

Returning back down to Perisher we then turned off at Smiggins Holes and took an ‘interesting’ road that loops around past Guthega and Island Bend before returning to the main road to complete our return to Jindabyne.  Approaching Jindabyne we drove out of the clouds and once again back into beautiful sunshine.

Guthega Power Station on Pipers Creek

Pipers Creek tumbling down the mountains

From Jindabyne we headed east to Dalgety, the last remaining town on the Snowy River.  There are still some historic buildings from the late 1800’s in use within the village and some are open to the public.

bridge across the Snowy River at Dalgety

country around Dalgety NSW

From here we looped around and headed back towards Cooma so a shorter trip than last time, just over 200km and a very enjoyable day.

Snowy River at Dalgety

Our last few days in Cooma were spent enjoying the sunshine and also having the opportunity to share a meal and some country hospitality with a cousin I had linked up with.  Thanks Jenni, Brett and Hannah for a warm welcome and an enjoyable visit.

one of the historic buildings along Lambie St in Cooma