Snowy days are here and luckily, if you’re an avid skier or just want to experience snowfall, you don’t have to go too far from Sydney for a snowy adventure. There are heaps of places in NSW where you can experience cosy nights by the fireplace, exciting ski trips and hot cocoa by the window. Here are some of the best places to see snow near Sydney.
1. The Blue Mountains
The Blue Mountains are an excellent escape any time of the year. But if you love snow and don’t want to venture too far from the city, this should be top of your list. Taking public transport is advisable as the roads get congested quickly and can be a bit dangerous. From light flurries to heavy snowfall, you can enjoy snow between the months of June and October. Spots to hit in the Blue Mountains include Katoomba, Blackheath and Mount Victoria.
2. The Snowy Mountains
The Snowy Mountains are delightful and unsurprisingly, the place to be if you want your fill of snow. Nestled between Sydney and Melbourne, the best time to visit The Snowy Mountains is between June and October. There are plenty of ski resorts in Thredbo and Charlotte Pass to choose from and adventure junkies can make the most of activities like mountain biking and hiking. This is the place Australians flock to when the cold wave hits and the ideal spot to get a glimpse of snow near Sydney.
3. Orange
Orange is about 250 km away from Sydney and popular for its vivid foliage during Autumn but it also knows how to put on a show during the colder months. If you’re after some R&R, this is the place to head to. The bar culture is also amazing and you’ll likely stumble upon a cosy bar with a crackling fireplace in most parts of town.
4. Perisher
Perisher is located about 5.5 hours from Sydney and is a wildly popular holiday destination for Sydneysiders. With four major ski resorts linked together, Perisher is the largest ski resort in the country. If you want to go all out this winter there’s plenty of exciting activities to choose from, right from snowboarding to skiing to mountain climbing. It also has a great number of resorts and cafes in the area to hunker down in plus bars with outstanding views of the valley.
5. Corin Forest
Corin Forest is located in the Tidbinbilla Mountain Ranges just about 45 minutes away from Canberra and 4 hours away from Sydney and it’s totally worth the drive out of town if you’re after a snow-filled adventure. The fact that it is located in a secluded valley and surrounded by mountains only adds to the magic of Corin Forest. There are also plenty of public transport options from Sydney if you’re not confident about driving in the snow.
6. Oberon
Oberon is the ideal winter getaway especially if you’re looking for some quiet downtime away from the city. If outdoor activities aren’t really your thing and you’d much rather stay warm indoors while still experiencing the magic of winter up close — head down to Oberon. Pro-tip for photographers — make sure you stop at one of the pine plantations near Oberon for that classic pine shot.