![\"Cosy](\"https:\/\/s1.at.atcdn.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/0D8A4519.jpg\")
Cosy room Moonbah Huts. (photo: Elise Hassey)<\/p><\/div>\n
Day 1\u00a0\u2013 an afternoon in the orchards<\/h2>\n
From any city in Australia you can fly direct to the Snowy Mountains Airport, but for the full road-trip experience fly into Wagga Wagga<\/a> (so nice they named it twice) and make your way down and around via two or four wheels to Gundagai, Batlow and Tumut.<\/p>\n\n\n With the mercury rising, melted snow has stuffed nature with goodness and the results are obvious as you head south to Batlow, taking in orchards of apple trees, stone fruits, berries and cherries. Via Batlow Road you\u2019ll stumble across cute farmgate stores such as Mouat\u2019s Farm<\/a> and Wilgro Orchards<\/a> with plump produce picked for your pleasure on display along with jams and preserves.<\/p>\n\n Apple picking kicks off in late February, and from December until early January you can pick your own cherries and berries, though the majority will find their way to mouths rather than back to the car. Batlow is also home to the famous Batlow Cider<\/a> and Big Apple (no Aussie road trip is complete without a sighting of one of our many ‘big things’<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n Stained fingers will steer you further down the road to Laurel Hill and the strikingly beautiful Sugar Pine Walk, which has become a very popular destination for couples to exchange rings.<\/p>\n\n Feel completely enchanted as you walk the 400-metre stretch across a bed of fallen pine needles through the natural cathedral of Native American Sugar Pine.<\/p>\n\n Planted in 1928, the grand pines have since grown in height and popularity, making this little turn-off before heading into Tumbarumba a must-see.<\/p>\n Fantastical landscape just outside of Tumut. (Photo: Elise Hassey)<\/p><\/div>\n If you’re after a different perspective and a chance to break up the drive, book a scenic flight with a True North Heli Tours<\/a>. Meet at Tumut Heliport for a Country Escape tour<\/a> that includes a scenic flight through the the Snowy Valley and into Tumbarumba wineries for a wine tasting and three course lunch. The tour will end where it began, so you can jump back in the car and continue on the road.<\/p>\n\n If you’d rather skip the helicopter flight and continue on the road, stop in at Tumut River Brewing Co<\/a> for a brewery tour and a bite to eat.<\/p>\n You\u2019ll need to fuel up for another day of wandering and, while in Tumbarumba, the pick of the litter is Nest Cafe and Cinema<\/a> on Winton Street. This gem is straight out of a fairytale with book-lined shelves to ponder as you overindulge in blueberry pancakes with ice-cream and a side of coffee.<\/p>\n\n Owner Laura Fraumeni has also converted the back room into a cinema with Friday and Saturday evening flicks accompanied by a tempting pizza selection, the Original White is a favourite with crisp rosemary potatoes, prosciutto, parmesan and pesto.<\/p>\n\n\n From here roll the rubber round the bend for a short 10-minute drive to Courabyra Wines<\/a> on Courabyra Road where brother-and-sister duo Cathy Gairn and Stephen Morrison have been blending together some mighty fine vino that even Sydney\u2019s acclaimed restaurant Tetsuya\u2019s has taken a liking to.<\/p>\n\n They offer private tours of the sub-alpine vineyard for scenery soaking and an insight into the region\u2019s history finished off with a glass of bubbles on the balcony.<\/p>\n\n One winery just not enough? Johansen Wines<\/a> should also be on your pit stop list.<\/p>\n\n It\u2019s hard to leave such dolce vita, but the next leg of the trip is worth it \u2013 the landscapes that continuously unfold before you as you traverse along Tooma Road and then onto the Alpine Way towards Jindabyne are nothing short of spectacular.<\/p>\n\n The area is perhaps even more stunning without the snow-covered peaks, as buxom hills of varying shades of green force drivers to the roadside, smartphones in hand. Google maps estimates a three-hour drive, but allow for extra photo-taking time.<\/p>\n The idyllic setting of Moonbah Huts. (Photo: Elise Hassey)<\/p><\/div>\n Moonbah Huts<\/a> owner Brett Smith has taken the term \u2018handmade\u2019 to another level with his stunning cottages nestled neatly on the outskirts of Jindabyne.<\/p>\n\n The two stone huts, located on the banks of the Moonbah River, were built by Brett over a 10-year period from rocks pulled from the mountains that dwarf these idyllic dwellings.<\/p>\n\n Both huts sleep four and have an open fireplace perfect for post Mt Kosciuszko-climb tea-sipping, or the balcony rocking chair might take your fancy. Brett also caters for the keen angler with fly-fishing lessons in prime rainbow trout territory.<\/p>\n\n With the Kosciuszko National Park ready for wandering, head out of Jindabyne and follow the signs to Thredbo where the main chair lift stays open during the warmer months to take explorers and keen mountain bikers up to Australia\u2019s highest peak at 2228 metres above sea level.\u00a0Fingers crossed the weather is kind as cloud cover can sometimes spoil the breathtaking view out over the national park.<\/p>\n\n Heading back, make sure you pull into the Wild Brumby distillery<\/a> just off Alpine Way to sample some of Brad and Monika Spalding\u2019s schnapps range that will help wash down the veal schnitzel or bratwurst you\u2019ve just inhaled.<\/p>\n\n They also do daily tastings and bottles are on hand for you to fill the car boot before you leave.<\/p>\n Period features at Yarrangobilly Caves House. (Photo: Elise Hassey)<\/p><\/div>\n Today you only need three words: Parc baked beans. This dish will have you nose deep in porcelain and asking for seconds as the crispy chorizo and poached eggs fuel a weary traveller\u2019s appetite.<\/p>\n\n Parc cafe<\/a> in the heart of Jindabyne is a must-stop for breaky before any activity, as the coffee holds a candle to Sydney and Melbourne cafes while dishes will leave you with a satisfied grin. For the sweet tooth, the waffles are worth a dig.<\/p>\n\n To keep your sugar-high going head out to Leesville Estate and the Snowy Mountain Cookies<\/a> factory to be greeted by the infectious smile of owner Nolen Oayda and the aroma of fresh-baked cookies.\u00a0The factory is a window into the growing company\u2019s production and fills local kids with anticipation come school holidays.<\/p>\n\n A trip into Jindabyne wouldn\u2019t be complete without a quick stop into the Banjo Paterson Inn<\/a> for a schooner (or two, if you\u2019re not driving) of Kosciuszko Pale Ale.\u00a0\u2018Koszy\u2019 as it\u2019s affectionately known around these parts, is micro-brewed on site by Chuck Hahn, of the famous Hahn brewing name, and close friend and business partner Richard Burton.<\/p>\n\n The taps at the inn are fed directly from the stills below \u2013 on display through glass windows \u2013 with frothy pours ready for patrons to rehydrate.<\/p>\n Fresh Batlow apples in the orchard at Batlow. (photo: Elise Hassey)<\/p><\/div>\n The Snowy Mountains Highway will lead you north out of town and towards the Yarrangobilly Caves. Much like the trek into Jindabyne, the scenery that accompanies you on your journey north is worth taking a little extra time to savour.<\/p>\n\n The five hauntingly beautiful caves that make up the Yarrangobilly network are getting a little long in the tooth \u2013 440-million years long. The limestone caverns are decorated with stalagmites and stalactites and can be explored on a daily tour.<\/p>\n\n You should also take yourself on a self-guided tour of the river walk to experience the thermal pool, which is naturally warmed to a balmy 27\u00b0C from an underground hot spring. Stroll along the tranquil riverbank before taking in the gaping South Glory cave \u2013 the largest of the five.<\/p>\n\n As you drive out of Yarrangobilly Caves Road and back onto Snowy Mountains Highway, make a detour onto Long Plain Road a few hundred metres north on your right-hand side \u2013 this dusty track leads into wild Brumby territory, so drive with caution and keep an eye out for piles of manure as you creep along hoping to glimpse the majestic creatures.<\/p>\n\n The Swiss-like countryside greets you as you make your way towards Tumut, taking in the grand rivers and sweeping bends. Fond memories linger of the past few days, and you\u2019ll realise that the Snowy Mountains, without snow, are truly captivating.<\/p>\n The Kosciuszko Brewing Company micro brewery at Banjo Paterson Inn. (Photo: Elise Hassey)<\/p><\/div>\n Get there:<\/strong>\u00a0Rex and Qantas fly to Wagga Wagga daily. Avis, Budget and Country Car Hire are available at the airport; you\u2019ll need at least five days to take in the same path, but a few extra days will allow for time to savour it all.<\/p>\n\n Stay there:\u00a0<\/strong>You\u2019ll find a range of deals at visitnsw.com and links to accommodation. Rates range from $195\u2013$350 per night for the Lake Hut and $295\u2013$495 per night for the River Hut at Moonbah Huts<\/a> depending on the season and the number of guests.\u00a0Creel Lodge in Jindabyne and Yarrangobilly Caves House are two other great options, which are available to book through nationalparks.nsw.gov.au<\/a> with prices on application.<\/p>\n\n Play there:\u00a0<\/strong>The snow season ends around September, but has been know to filter into October on rare occasions \u2013 the picking seasons operate December through until May. Mouat Farm<\/a>\u00a0and Wilgro Orchards<\/a>\u00a0are great places to stop and fill your basket with goodies.<\/p>\n Stop at Nest cafe for the blueberry pancakes alone. (Photo: Elise Hassey)<\/p><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" You don\u2019t need sugar on top to enjoy the sweet surrounds. The hidden villages and fantastic local produce make for the perfect Snowy Valleys Way road trip, writes Patrick Higgins. Photography by Elise Hassey For a few months each year the Snowy Valley’s region of Australia, home to our most popular ski resorts and highest […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":164365,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"article.php","format":"standard","meta":{"_expiration-date-status":"","_expiration-date":0,"_expiration-date-type":"","_expiration-date-categories":[],"_expiration-date-options":[]},"categories":[1418],"tags":[1513,4231,4773,5515,4628,5247],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n![\"Fantastical](\"https:\/\/s1.at.atcdn.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/0D8A6959.jpg\")
Day 2\u00a0\u2013 A flick and a pizza in Tumbarumba<\/h2>\n
![\"idyllic](\"https:\/\/s1.at.atcdn.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/0D8A4668.jpg\")
Day 3\u00a0\u2013 your very own alpine hut<\/h2>\n
![\"Period](\"https:\/\/s1.at.atcdn.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/0D8A6593.jpg\")
Day 4\u00a0\u2013 breakfasting in Jindabyne<\/h2>\n
![\"Vines](\"https:\/\/s1.at.atcdn.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/0D8A3321.jpg\")
Day 5\u00a0\u2013 caverns and wild horses<\/h2>\n
![\"Kosciuszko](\"https:\/\/s1.at.atcdn.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/0D8A5661.jpg\")
The details: Snowy Mountains<\/span><\/h2>\n
![\"Stop](\"https:\/\/s1.at.atcdn.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/0D8A3818.jpg\")