The picturesque Tumut River. Photo: Snowy Mountains: Destination Tumut.
Tumut is one of the gateways to the Snowy Mountains, where the beautiful Tumut River flows along the edge of the town. The area offers numerous spots for peaceful walks, activities on and around the water like kayaking or fishing, and plenty of laid-back ambience. The charming country town is nestled in a valley on the edge of the mountains, surrounded by rolling foothills. It’s the perfect place for a spot of relaxation or exploring the best of what nature has to offer.
Why you’ll love it
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- There are several magnificent historic buildings to explore, including an Anglican church, a courthouse and many pubs that have been in use since the mid to late 1800s, as well as a pioneer cemetery. The Tumut Museum focuses on a collection of Miles Franklin memorabilia, historical photos and agricultural machinery;
- There is a good mix of venues offering a spot to stop for lunch;
- There is no shortage of outdoor activities, including fishing, mountain biking, water sports, hiking, motorbike riding, caving and exploring;
- There’s a farm gate trail and wineries in the area;
- It’s the perfect base for some scenic driving;
- There are plenty of river and wetlands walks to explore, and the region is renowned for its variety of beautiful walking and hiking tracks;
- Tumut has a reputation for being a hub for producing beautiful fresh produce. Pick up some apples, berries or stone fruit in season, or grab some fresh vegetables, eggs, jams and other produce at farm gate outlets;
- There’s a lookout over the entire valley with views across the beautiful Tumut Plains;
- The Falling Leaf Festival is a celebration of autumn colour in the region;
- It has its own brewery – the Tumut River Brewing Co.
Getting there
Although Tumut is in the Snowy Mountains region, the major roads are open all year.
The easiest way to reach Tumut is via the Barton Highway and Hume Highways, before turning off onto the Snowy Mountains Highway near Gundagai.
While there is another, shorter route, it is very rough and not recommended for day trips.
When to go
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No matter when you visit in Tumut, you’ll find something of interest. The display of large numbers of deciduous trees like poplars, elms and willows put on in autumn is well worth seeing. In winter, the crisp, cold mountain air is appealing, and the clean waterways and pristine natural areas are at their best in summer, which is also the time to get your hands on some locally grown cherries. The first apples of the year appear in the region in February, but there are various kinds of produce available almost year-round.
Key details
- Duration: Tumut is around two hours and fifteen minutes from Canberra
- Distance from Canberra: Tumut is just under 200km from the CBD, via the Barton and Hume Highways
- Recommended for: anyone wanting to reconnect with nature and experience stunning mountain scenery and crisp, fresh air, foodies, hikers, and people with an interest in Australian history.
- More information: Visit NSW
Have you been to Tumut recently? What’s your favourite way to spend a day there?
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