The Tumbarumba Country Way Of Life Is Unspoiled

February 11, 2000 The Rural News

The Tumbarumba district has a rugged, pioneering history complementing the wilderness the bush land and the forests which it continues to hold and endear today. A pervading adventurous spirit of endeavour against hardship and the elements invigorates its character. The country way of life remains intact and unspoiled at Tumbarumba.

Historic attractions include the nationally significant museum called the Pioneer Women's Hut, which draws visitors from across Australia.

Throughout the district are legacies of the past such as the old-fashioned distilling of eucalyptus oil at Rosewood and the forestry and milling around Laurel Hill.

At Kiandra there are reminders of the gold rush and early mountain huts built by high country cattlemen at Geehi and Round Mountain.

Then there's the Snowy Mountains Scheme which continued the pioneering tradition and endowed the region with lakes and darns and access to the numerous attractions of the mountains.

The town of Tumbarumba has a historic streetscape and its surrounding villages possess many reminders of the past, such as Tooma's historic hotel building.

The snow is only an hour away from most parts of the district and snow capped mountains make a wonderful vista. Tumbarumba has the closest accommodation to Mt Selwyn, an economic family and beginners' ski resort. As Mt Selwyn has no overnight accommodation, Tumbarumba is an ideal base for fun in the snow.

The Elliott Way is open all winter for easy access to downhill runs, snow-boarding and cross country terrain with some of the best skiing experiences being on the Tumbarumba side of the mountains.

There are marked cross country trails between Khancoban and Cabramurra with shelter huts. Non-skiers can enjoy frolicking in the snow on higher peaks on the Kosciuszko National Park.

Renowned for plentiful rainbow and brown trout as well as Murray Cod, the region is an angler's delight. You need to purchase a NSW Inland Fishing Licence and can at the same time obtain information on the best spots.

Big stretches of water can be found at Khancoban Pondage, Talbingo Dam, Geehi Dam, Tooma Dam and Tumut Pond Reservoir. Each have a boat ramp and excellent barbecue facilities are available at Khancoban Dam (where the swimming beach is superb) and at O'Hare's Camping Area on Talbingo Dam.