Tumut
Tumut River Walk
Tumut
Tumut is a blossoming and picturesque area in the western foothills of the NSW Snowy Mountains, with an abundance of natural wonders and a thriving arts community. Fly fishing, hiking, biking, canoeing, swimming – they are all on the program on a Tumut holiday, along with a plethora of other activities.
Highlights
The great outdoors
There are great outdoor activities in and around Tumut. You can hike or mountain bike the many trails in Tumut State Forest and Kosciuszko National Park, including the Clark Gorge Walking Track to Cave Creek Falls. The Tumut Mountain Bike Park is a good starting point, with terrain for all levels.
Fly fishing in Kosciuszko National Park
Take a fly-fishing lesson with Aussie Fly Fisher to experience some of the great fishing spots in rivers, lakes and nearby dams. On Blowering Dam, where Ken Warby set the world water-speed record in 1978, you can enjoy boating, waterskiing and swimming as well as fishing. The dam is one of the biggest in NSW, with Murray cod, golden perch, trout and silver perch some of the fish ripe for the catching.
At any time of year, it’s lovely to stroll along Tumut River Walk to the bird-rich Tumut Wetlands. Autumn is particularly spectacular, with the leaves lining the river turning from green to gold. Be sure to check out the Labyrinth for Peace memorial along the way, located at Pioneer Park.
Things to do
The Tumut Visitor Centre, on Snowy Mountains Highway, is the ideal starting point when visiting town, located in the historic Old Butter Factory. As well as a 24-hour tourism touch screen, you’ll find a retail shop stocking visitor guides, topographical and 4WD maps. Browse the fine arts and craft at the 5Ways Gallery, before sweeping into Tumut Broom Factory, which has been making millet brooms since 1946.
Falling Leaf Festival is one of the major events in Tumut, held in April every year. It celebrates the spectacular seasonal delights of the area through music, markets and food. The Tumut Rodeo is also on in April, when bucking bulls and award-winning saddle broncs thrill the crowds.
Tumut River Brewing Co., Tumut
Created by the team behind Sculpture by the Sea in Bondi, the Snowy Valleys Sculpture Trail is a 150km permanent public collection of nearly 60 sculptures in 12 locations across the Snowy Valleys. Discover sculptures by artists from 14 countries in the towns of Adelong, Batlow, Talbingo. Tumbarumba and Tumut, as well as a number of vineyards and state forests.
Snowy Valleys Sculpture Trail, Tumut - Credit: Grant Hardwick/Snowy Valleys Sculpture Trail
Eat and drink
Drop into The Coffee Pedaler for fantastic coffee, Local at Learmont’s for a huge range of seasonal produc and, Riverside Cafe for homecooked meals alongside the pretty river. A not-to-be-missed spot is the fantastic Tumut River Brewing Co, where you can sip on cooling craft beer, do a brewery tour and order a pizza.
For an amazing farm-to-table lunch or dinner, book into Three Blue Ducks at Nimbo Fork. Three Blue Ducks has a passion for sustainable and ethically farmed produce, offering the best of the area’s local farms, wineries, craft breweries and artisan producers.
Nimbo Fork Lodge, Killimicat
Where to stay
Kestrel Nest EcoHut is an off-grid retreat in secluded farmland and is Australia’s only Dark Sky Approved lodging. Enjoy unmatched stargazing from hammocks or the outdoor bathtub. The luxurious Nimbo Fork sits on the edge of the Tumut River and offers suites in the main lodge as well as six waterfront cottages. Reflections Tumut River holiday park has direct water access, perfect for fishing, swimming and kayaking, and accommodation ranging from basic campsites to stylish cabins.
Kestrel Nest EcoHut, Mount Adrah - Credit: Krestrel Nest EcoHut
Getting there
Tumut is just over a four-hour drive from Sydney and two hours and 15 minutes from Canberra. You can also fly into Wagga Wagga Airport and hire a car for the 90-minute drive.
