Ultimate New South Wales Ski Trip Itinerary

Pick your campervan up from Mighty Campers Sydney and begin the journey south to Jindabyne. Alternatively, you can pick up the camper from Mighty Campers Melbourne and travel through the Victorian high country to your destination. Choose your adventure!

Jindabyne is a cosy town in the valley of some of the best New South Wales ski fields. This town is bustling with small-town charm. Head to Nuggets Crossing to grab your groceries and settle in for the night at your campsite. There are plenty of great options of where to stay during your time in Jindabyne. Our favourites include:

Adventist Alpine Village

Adventist Alpine Village is a peaceful campground set amongst the native bushland. Grab a powered camping site under the beautiful gums, and relax in the common areas.

NRMA Jindabyne Holiday Park

NRMA Jindabyne Holiday Park is just minutes away from the action. Nestled in between the buzz of the town and still only 30 minutes from Thredbo and Perisher, this is the perfect middle ground when visiting Jindabyne.

Discovery Parks Jindabyne

Discovery Parks Jindabyne is a home away from home for your winter escape. It has all the modern amenities without the price tag of regular ski holiday accommodation. This campsite features an array of campsite facilities, including powered camping sites, laundry, a bouncing pillow, a playground, and a dump point.

Today is all about getting yourself organised for the week ahead. The first stop is sorting out ski and snowboard equipment. There are plenty of great places to rent gear in town, including:

• BP Ski Hire
• The Shed Ski Hire
• Jindy Ski Hire

Once you have all your gear sorted, take the rest of the day to get your bearings and experience the township. Jindabyne is surrounded by scenic lakes, rolling hills and eucalypt forests. Our top things to do in town include:

• Walk or bike around Lake Jindabyne
• Treat yourself to a drink at Jindabyne Brewing or Wildbrymby Valley Distillery
• Check out Gaden Trout Hatchery

Jindabyne has no shortage of great restaurants and delicious eats. Some of the best places in town to grab a meal include:

• Bacco Italian Restaurant
• Cafe Darya
• Birchwood Cafe
• Parc

Once you’re finished exploring, head back to your campsite for a yummy campervan-friendly dinner.

Begin the day with the short 30-minute drive to Thredbo alpine resort, located in the heart of Kosciuszko National Park. Thredbo is known for its vertical descents and having the longest ski run in Australia: the super trail. This mountain is perfect for advanced riders and beginners alike. Pick up your lift passes for around $150 or grab a multiday pass and save.

If you're not riding, get a feel for the action with a ride up Merritts Gondola. This two-person chairlift is the perfect way to see this alpine wonderland and enjoy a hot drink at Merrits Mountain House. If you are visiting Thredbo on the weekend, try to catch the Saturday night fireworks. These are held every weekend at the resort and are a sight to see!

Spend another day hitting the slopes on Thredbo, exploring new terrain or taking a lesson and mastering new skills. If you are riding up top of the slopes, plan a stop for lunch to enjoy a meal with panoramic views at Australia’s highest restaurant: Eagles Nest.

Are you looking for other activities other than skiing? Thredbo has plenty on offer. Check out the 18-hole Frisbee Disc Golf course or practice your park skills at the Zero Gravity Olympic-sized trampolines.

A new day calls for a new mountain. Located on the other side of Kosciuszko National Park is Perisher Ski Resort. As the largest snow resort operation in the Southern Hemisphere, you are spoilt for choice for runs and lifts. Unlike Thredbo, Perisher is accessible by car as well as ski tube. This railway runs from Bullocks Flat to Perisher Valley and is a great option to help avoid driving the campervan in snowy conditions.

Once you arrive, grab your epic pass or single-day lift ticket. Then it’s time to hit the slopes! Spend the day exploring from Perisher Valley to Blue Cow and everything in between. Perisher is also known for its showstopping events, snow play and tobogganing. If you have the energy, explore what’s on offer before heading back to your campsite in Jindabyne.

Spend another day exploring the 47 lifts across Perisher mountain. Choose to head up for another day of riding, or rest up and drive up in the late afternoon for the neon night skiing and boarding. Every Saturday and Tuesday night Perisher Valley is flooded with dazzling stadium lights. That way, pass holders can enjoy skiing and boarding long after the sun goes down. Bonus points if you show up in your best neon attire!

Charlotte Pass is known for being Australia’s oldest ski resort. It is also Australia's highest! This intimate resort is a great option for kids and families or anyone looking for a relaxing final day on the beginner slopes.

Today marks the final day of the trip. Unfortunately, it’s time to return your gear to the rental shop and begin the return journey. You can choose to drop off your camper at the Mighty Sydney branch or the Mighty Melbourne branch. Then, it’s time to head home (until next season!).

Preparing for a winter campervan road trip

Many try to escape the Australian winter to warmer climates. But if you are craving snow-capped mountains and frosty adventures, New South Wales is one of the best places in Australia to visit in winter. Home to four ski resorts, NSW is popular for a skiing or snowboard adventure, tobogganing, dining, and more. However, gearing up for cosy winter nights and adventure-packed days takes a little planning. Before you pick up your campervan, here are a few things to consider:

Weather considerations

When planning a ski holiday to New South Wales, it's important to plan for possible snowy driving conditions. If there are snowy or poor conditions, some roads may be restricted. It’s not recommended that you drive in your Mighty campervan during turbulent weather or above the snow line. In these instances you will need to park it up and wait for bad patches of weather to clear. Alternatively, you can park up the van and head up the slopes using a shuttle service or (where possible) a ski tube.

What to pack

In the snowy mountains, the weather can fluctuate between wet and cold to warm and sunny. So it’s a good idea to bring a variety of warm, waterproof clothing that will withstand the weather. Light layers are also great as conditions can change quickly. The top items to add to your winter campervan list include:

• Beanie
• Thermals
• Ski gear
• Goggles
• Socks
• Warm waterproof boots
• Warm layers
• Jumpers
• Gloves

For more details and packing ideas, read our guide on what to bring on a campervan holiday.

Entertainment

The sun rises around 7am during the winter months and sets around 5pm. Some evenings will be filled with fun-filled aprés ski (translates to ‘after ski’ in french) or dinners out. However, it’s good to prepare for a few chill evenings in the campervan. Some of our favourite campervan entertainment ideas include:

• Games
• Projector/DVD player to watch a movie
• Cards

Road trip itinerary planner

Before you leave, download the thl Roadtrip app. This app features video walkthroughs of the campervan and maps featuring holiday parks, dump stations and more. The thl Roadtrip app is invaluable in helping you plan your trip to the New South Wales ski fields.

Ready to book your own New South Wales ski trip?

New South Wales ski fields offer panoramic mountain views, world-class skiing and an Australian winter escape like no other. Top it off with the events, activities, dining and easy, cost-effective camping options, and you have the perfect Australian road trip for the winter months.

Ready to start planning your ski holiday to New South Wales? Book your Mighty campervan today.