It was different to do a three-day break in our car rather than in the motorhome. But for the fact it was just a short trip, it was more sensible to pack the car and go.
We had the car all packed and ready the night before so we could leave by 6am. I had taken a thermos and our coffee percolator, although we got takeaway coffees at our first stop at the start of the Hume Highway. The day was a bit of a let down – there was light rain before Goulburn and no sign of the sun at all.
Lake George had some water in it and the flies chased us back into the car. They were horrible for most of the trip. The only place we didn’t have them was at Charlotte Pass a couple of days later, where it was so windy and cold we couldn’t get out to take photos.
We were booked into Jindabyne Holiday Park, which was situated on Lake Jindabyne. The spot was very scenic and our cabin was basic but comfy. Both of us were so tired and after a walk around the park and a few photos, we were ready for a bite to eat and an early night.
John had planned the first day’s sight seeing – a 340km round-trip along the Alpine Way and the Snowy Highway, taking in Thredbo, Khancoban, Cabramurra and Adaminaby before heading back down to Jindabyne.
What a wonderful day with amazing scenery! Our national park pass covered us in Kosciusko National Park. Thredbo is a very pretty Alpine town. We loved the cute little houses and lodges. The chairlift was transporting walkers up to the Kosciusko track.
We saw snow on the higher elevations on both days of sight-seeing. The dead trees on the higher elevations are beautiful in their starkness along with the orange native shrubs that were everywhere. The creeks and rivers added to the beauty of the area.
Khancoban was our lunch stop and the cafe we visited served good, hearty food. The Khancoban Dam was worth a photo stop.The Big Trout – a 10m-high trout statue is the main attraction in Adaminaby.
We saw the Snowy Hydro power stations and Cabramurra, the highest town in NSW. It was a long day, made longer because we got out to take photos at every turn and I was constantly snapping pictures out the car window. Both of us slept well that night.
Read more: A road trip to northern NSW’s best beaches
Our second day of sightseeing took us out to Smiggin Holes and Perisher, stopping for a look at Gaden Trout Farm on the Thredbo River. We were too early and got there before it opened.
Charlotte Pass is the highest resort town in NSW and at 1760m elevation it wins hands down. There’s lots of snow there – it was so cold and windy just to get out of the car. They have a lookout, which would have been a great photo spot but we had to be happy with ones from the car. They were amazing mountains.
We spent the afternoon looking at a few shops and having lunch at the pub. I was having vegetable withdrawals so enjoyed a plate of Asian vegetable stir-fry and John had a burger.
All too soon it was time to leave and we came home through Canberra, doing a quick tour. We got a bit lost and ended up in the Parliment House car park. We decided to leave Canberra until another time.
Read more from Pam on her blog Our Sydney Suncamper.