Exploring Jindabyne, Charlotte Pass and Thredbo on a Snowy Mountains road trip.
Sometimes the best adventures are the simple ones. A great car, some spectacular roads, somewhere comfortable to stay and absolutely no reason to rush.
This time, I pointed the Subaru BRZ towards the Snowy Mountains for a getaway based in Jindabyne, with plans to explore Charlotte Pass, visit Thredbo and enjoy some of Australia's most beautiful alpine scenery.
And somewhere along the way, I encountered one of the biggest burgers I've ever had sitting in front of me!
The Drive to Jindabyne – Subaru BRZ Territory
There's something special about taking a proper sports car on a road trip.
The Subaru BRZ isn't about huge horsepower or straight-line speed. It's about enjoying the drive, feeling connected to the road and appreciating every corner.
And when your destination is the Snowy Mountains, there are plenty of corners to appreciate.
As the landscape begins to change and the mountains appear in the distance, there's that familiar feeling of leaving everyday life behind.
That's what I love about road trips. The journey is just as much a part of the adventure as the destination.
Staying at Horizons Jindabyne
For this trip, I made Horizons Jindabyne my base.
Jindabyne is a fantastic location for exploring the Snowy Mountains. Sitting alongside beautiful Lake Jindabyne, the town has a relaxed alpine atmosphere and provides easy access to both Thredbo and the Charlotte Pass area.
Horizons is well positioned for a getaway, particularly when you're planning to spend your days exploring the surrounding region.
One of the things I appreciate about staying in Jindabyne is the flexibility. You can head into the mountains for the day, explore the alpine villages and return to town afterwards.
And there's something pretty special about being surrounded by mountain scenery, even when you're not out exploring.
For anyone planning a Snowy Mountains road trip, Jindabyne is certainly worth considering as a base.
Charlotte Pass – A Glimpse of Australia's Highest Mountain
One of the highlights of the trip was driving up to Charlotte Pass.
The scenery changes dramatically as you climb higher into the mountains. The landscape becomes more exposed, the vegetation changes and the views open up into a spectacular alpine environment.
Even without snow covering the ground, there's something beautiful about this part of Australia.
At Charlotte Pass, I stopped to take in the landscape and look across towards Mount Kosciuszko, Australia's highest mountain.
Seeing it from a distance really puts the scale of the Snowy Mountains into perspective.
I also spent some time beside the beautiful alpine waterways, just enjoying the surroundings.
No rushing, no schedule. Just fresh mountain air and an opportunity to appreciate where I was.
Sometimes those quieter moments end up being the most memorable part of a trip.
Thredbo – Mountain Views and a HUGE Burger!
After exploring Charlotte Pass, it was time to head into Thredbo.
Most people associate Thredbo with skiing and snowboarding, but there's plenty to enjoy outside the snow season too.
The village has a great alpine atmosphere, surrounded by mountains, with restaurants, cafés and plenty of opportunities to explore.
Of course, exploring makes you hungry.
And that's where Zack's in Thredbo Central came into the picture.
Now, I've eaten a few burgers in my time, but this thing was ridiculous!
A towering creation loaded with a beef patty, cheese, bacon, onion rings and all the extras, accompanied by a generous serving of chips.
The sort of burger that makes you stop and wonder exactly how you're supposed to get your mouth around it.
Naturally, it deserved a photograph before I attempted to tackle it.
Sometimes a memorable meal becomes just as much a part of the adventure as the places you visit. This was certainly one of those occasions.
Taking to the Mountains – Two Gondola Rides
With lunch out of the way, it was time to explore Thredbo from a different perspective.
I managed to enjoy two gondola rides, taking in the mountain scenery from above.
There's something fantastic about being lifted away from the village as the landscape opens up around you.
The higher you go, the more you appreciate just how spectacular this region is.
It's a completely different experience from driving through the mountains, and one that adds another dimension to a visit to Thredbo.
You don't have to be a skier or snowboarder to appreciate the beauty of the alpine environment.
Sometimes just getting up there and taking in the views is adventure enough.
Why the Snowy Mountains Are Worth the Drive
What I love about the Snowy Mountains is the variety.
One moment you're enjoying beautiful winding roads in a sports car, the next you're standing beside an alpine stream, looking across towards Australia's highest mountain.
Then you're sitting in a mountain village trying to work out how to eat a burger the size of your head!
It's that combination of driving, scenery, food and new experiences that makes road trips so enjoyable for me.
And having Jindabyne as a base makes it easy to explore the region without feeling like you need to cram everything into one day.
There's Plenty Left to Explore
This trip reminded me why I enjoy getting away whenever I can.
It doesn't always take a huge expedition or an international flight to find somewhere special.
Sometimes all you need is a couple of days, a car you enjoy driving and a destination that encourages you to get out and explore.
The Subaru BRZ was a fantastic companion for the journey, the Snowy Mountains delivered spectacular scenery, and that burger at Zack's certainly won't be forgotten anytime soon!
If you're thinking about a road trip to Jindabyne, Charlotte Pass or Thredbo, I'd encourage you to make the trip.
There's plenty to discover, whether you're visiting for the driving, the scenery, the food or simply a change of pace.
Because there's always Plenty Left.
Enjoy road trips, motorcycles, cars and exploring Australia? Follow my adventures on YouTube at Plenty Left, or explore more stories at www.plentyleft.com.au.
