Today was the day for animals. Not only did we snap a shot of Olive with the Big Trout at Adaminaby we availed ourselves of a cool beverage at the Wombat Hotel. We also came around a blind corner to find a wallaby sitting with its tail in the road looking at us. Be careful of the wildlife – if you hit a kangaroo, wombat or brumby you are probably going to end up a bit battered.
When we woke up this morning there had been a definite change in the weather. A cool 11*C. We had intended to head up to Charlotte’s Pass but decided we hadn’t really dressed for the weather as it is often quite a few degrees cooler. Charlotte’s Pass is 42 kilometres along the Kosciuszko Rd towards Perisher. Spectacular scenery is again a feature as well as the well-maintained alpine roads. There is a ski resort there but also a number of viewing platforms to look at the Snowy Mountain Range which, even in summer, often has snow-topped peaks. Alpine hiking and mountain bike riding are popular summer activities. You hike or mountain bike it from here to Thredbo resort. In winter it is a popular ski resort and is closed to cars most of the winter months.
Leaving Jindabyne we took a circuitous route through Dalgetty, Berridale and Adaminaby and then to Tumut. The Snowy Mountains Highway between Adaminaby and Tumut is one of my favourite roads in the region. The other is the Link Rd from Adaminaby to Cabramurra. The reason: brumbies. I know they are an ecological disaster but I fell in love with brumbies after reading ‘The Silver Brumby’ by Elyne Mitchell as a teenager. Whenever we go through the area I always ask Floyd to drive one of these roads so I can keep a lookout. The brumbies are notoriously hard to find, I have managed to take one photo of a couple close to the road but usually you need to be keeping an eye up on the high ridge lines. The constant signage on the road to ‘Beware of wild horses’ and the physical evidence they leave lying around suggests that although I don’t usually see them they are quite prolific. The scenery in the area is also stunning. The vegetation is quite low and scrubby, there are little creeks winding through the hills and then it changes to thick forested area which encroaches right up to the road.
Leaving the brumbies behind we took a break at Tumut before we continued to Jugiong. This just off the highway stop is gaining in popularity every time we visit. The Long Track Pantry is a great stop for a coffee or lunch. It also sells kitchen essentials, country-style pickles and preserves, and other gift wear. Next door the Jugiong Wine Cellar sells boutique wines from many local growers and we always find something nice to take with us. Four Doors Up is a new homewares store just around the corner.
Leaving Jugiong there a few ways to continue towards Young. We took the Jugiong Rd to Harden and then stopped at the Wombat Hotel. The Wombat Hotel is the pub with the longest continuous license in New South Wales. A good reason to celebrate with a drink or something to eat.
We then continued to Cowra. Places to visit here are the Japanese memorial gardens, lots 
of local wineries and Wyangla Dam which is great for fishing, waterskiing and camping.
Another diversion if you have time is to leave Young and head for Greenthorpe along the Iandra Rd. Along Iandra Rd you can drive by Iandra Castle. A beautiful property originally built in 1880 by George Henry Greene it is now listed on the NSW Heritage database. It is being restored by private owners but is opened to the public a few days of the year. You can find dates for the Open Days and some gorgeous pictures on their website.
Day 3 Jindabye to Cowra
Jindabyne to Dalgetty via Barry Way and the Snowy Mountain Highway
Dalgetty to Berridale on the Dalgetty Rd
Berridale turn left on Middlingbank Rd to Snowy Mountain Highway continue to Adaminaby and then to Tumut
Take Gocup Rd from Tumut and join the Hume Highway at Gundagai.
Leave the Hume at Jugiong
Take Jugiong Rd to Harden. Just out of Harden take Wombat Rd to Wombat.
Take the Olympic Highway to Cowra.
Backroad Odyssey 