Originally built to house workers on the Snowy Mountains Hydro Electric Scheme, Khancoban is now a playground for adventure, and photography.

In the warmer months, swimming, kayaking, waterskiing and wakeboarding are all popular, while fishermen utilise the lake all year round. The view over the water is quite beautiful, especially in autumn when the leaves turn the landscape into a riot of colour.

There is a good boat ramp by the lake, as well as barbecue facilities.

There are some excellent walks in the surrounding mountain ranges, including the Major Clews Hut walk that begins 16 kilometres south of Khancoban.

You’ll hike through forests, along ridgelines and through gullies, with magnificent views all along the track. The Round Mountain Hut walk is another scenic – and relatively easy – route, especially when the wildflowers are out.

Kosciuszko Base Camp is just a short walk to the local pool, the skatepark, our famous Khancoban Rose Gardens, great coffee and the chemist.

If you like a pretty drive, buckle up for the photogenic trip from Khancoban to Kiandra, which is rich in mining history. The road winds through Kosciuszko National Park to Australia’s highest town, Cabramurra, past historic huts, and crosses two dams. 

In winter, Khancoban’s location on the Alpine Way means skiing and snowboarding at Thredbo is an hour and a half away – with Perisher a little longer.

The trip to Yarrongobilly Caves is picturesque and you can visit the limestone caves and the thermal pool.

The Snowy Valleys Sculpture Trail is a 100 kilometres permanent public collection of over 35 sculptures in seven locations. Sculptures by artists from across Australia and the world can be discovered in the towns of Adelong, Batlow, Tumbarumba, the hamlet of Tooma and the Tumbarumba wine region cellar doors at Courabyra Wines, Johansen Wines and Obsession Wines.

Eat and drink

Pickled Parrot Providore is a fantastic general store and cafe in town. Peruse the locally sourced fruit and veg and gourmet products – shelves are mostly stocked from within a 100-mile radius – before ordering a coffee and bite to eat. Be sure to pick up a spice kit by Khancoban Kitchen.