Tumut lies in the western foothills of the Snowy Mountains and serves as a picturesque gateway to the northern reaches of Kosciuszko National Park. Surrounded by striking landscapes, the town offers easy access to a wide range of outdoor activities and scenic attractions. As part of the broader Snowy Valleys region, Tumut is a popular base for exploring the iconic mountain range, although the town itself sits below the higher alpine peaks.
Tumut is also the centre of a strong softwood forestry industry, based on plantation pine. Nearby sawmills, a chipboard panel factory, and a paper mill form the backbone of the local economy and are the town’s predominant industries.
We spent three nights camping at Jones Bridge on the beautiful Tumut River. We were lucky to secure a great spot at the far end of the campground, which gave us a sense of privacy along with our own direct access to the river.
During our stay, we rode our mountain bikes out to the Blowering Reservoir wall and also took a drive to Blowering Dam itself. The dam is a large and significant structure on the Tumut River, well known for water sports, camping, and fishing—particularly for Murray cod. A fun fact: Blowering Dam was also the site of Ken Warby’s unbeaten 1978 world water speed record.
https://www.sea.museum/en/society-and-water/ken-warby
The dam plays a key role in the Snowy Mountains Scheme, supporting irrigation, hydro-electric power generation, and water supply across the region.
Tumut itself features lovely parkland areas, with scenic walking paths following the Tumut River as it winds through the township. We also visited the Tumut Wetlands, where a network of walking tracks explores wetland habitats, local birdlife, and the cultural history of the area. While some sections were a little overgrown and not as well maintained as expected, it was nonetheless a pleasant and worthwhile walk.
Create Your Own Website With Webador