Drives New South Wales, Australia The Snowy Mountains and Canberra
Snowy Mountains Highway: Cooma to Tumut
Snowy Mountains Highway, B72 · Cooma → Tumut
The drive
The Snowy Mountains Highway crosses the high country for 178 km (111 mi) from Cooma to Tumut. It leaves Cooma through farmland to Pine Valley, passes Adaminaby and enters Kosciuszko National Park, then climbs toward Kiandra, an abandoned mining settlement at about 1,400 m, and crosses an open alpine valley. The highest point is just below 1,500 m.
On the western side the road descends past the access roads to Yarrangobilly Caves, then through forest toward Talbingo. It passes Jounama Dam, follows Blowering Reservoir and leaves the park onto the Tumut Plains, ending in Tumut. Long stretches have no town.
There are no park entry gates on the highway, so no entry fee is charged on this road itself.
Along the way
- Cooma (Snowy Mountains Highway)
- Adaminaby
- Kiandra
- Tumut (Snowy Mountains Highway)
Good to know
- Snow and ice can close or restrict the highway in winter, June to September; this is not a seasonal closure.
- Snow chains are recommended for two-wheel-drive vehicles in Kosciuszko National Park during winter.
- Yellow lane markings and red reflector posts at high altitude mark the road edge in snow.
- Towns are far apart, so fill up in Cooma or Tumut.
Open all year, weather permitting. Roads close for snow, fire, storms and repairs: before you set off, check Live Traffic NSW.
Questions about this drive
How long does the Snowy Mountains Highway take from Cooma to Tumut?
Cooma to Tumut on the Snowy Mountains Highway is 178 km (111 mi) and takes about 2 hr 30 min.
Do you need snow chains on the Snowy Mountains Highway?
Snow chains are recommended for two-wheel-drive vehicles in Kosciuszko National Park in winter.
Is there a park fee on the Snowy Mountains Highway?
No. There are no park entry gates on the Snowy Mountains Highway, so entry fees are not payable on the highway.
Is the Snowy Mountains Highway closed in winter?
It is not closed seasonally, but snow and ice can close or restrict it for short periods.
What you get in the app
Free on iPhone and Android. CarPlay and Android Auto come with Apex.
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Distance, time, elevation, curves and intensity are from Carve's route. Checked 2026-10-28.