Jindabyne and the surrounding region are rich in history and culture, and there are several museums in the area that showcase the region’s past. Here are a few notable ones:
The Snowy Hydro Discovery Centre
The Snowy Hydro Discovery Centre is located in Cooma, which is approximately a 50-minute drive from Jindabyne. The centre is an interactive exhibition that showcases the history and engineering behind the Snowy Mountains Hydro-Electric Scheme, which is one of the largest engineering feats in Australian history.
Visitors can learn about the construction of the scheme, which took place between 1949 and 1974, and see how it has contributed to the development of the Snowy Mountains region. The centre features a range of exhibits, including models of the dams and power stations, videos, and displays about the people who built the scheme.
In addition to the exhibition, visitors can take a tour of the nearby Snowy Hydro power station, which is the largest of the scheme’s 16 power stations. The tour takes visitors underground to see the turbines and generators in action and to learn about the process of generating hydroelectric power. The centre also has a café and gift shop.
The Jindabyne Museum
This small museum is located in the Jindabyne Visitor Centre and showcases the history of the town, including its origins as a site for the Snowy Mountains Hydro-Electric Scheme. It also features a collection of vintage ski equipment and other artefacts from the region’s past.
The Jindabyne Museum is a small local museum located in Jindabyne, New South Wales, Australia. The museum is dedicated to showcasing the history of Jindabyne and the surrounding region. The collection includes photographs, maps, artifacts, and other memorabilia that depict the area’s indigenous and European history, as well as its development and growth over time.
The museum has a number of permanent exhibits, including displays on the Snowy Mountains Scheme, which was a large-scale hydroelectricity and irrigation project that began in the late 1940s and continued into the 1970s. Other exhibits include displays on early settlement, skiing history, and local industries such as timber and mining.
The Jindabyne Museum is open to the public on Saturdays and Sundays from 11am to 3pm. Admission is free, but donations are appreciated. It is run by volunteers who are happy to answer questions and provide information about the exhibits.
The Adaminaby Historical Society Museum
The Adaminaby Historical Society Museum is located in the town of Adaminaby, which is about a 40-minute drive from Jindabyne. The museum focuses on the history of the town and the surrounding region, which was largely built around the Snowy Mountains Hydro-electric Scheme.
The museum features exhibits on the local Indigenous history, early settlement, and the construction of the Snowy Mountains Hydro-electric Scheme. There are also displays on the town’s involvement in horse racing, as well as a collection of vintage photographs and other artifacts.
One of the most popular exhibits is a replica of the famous Adaminaby trout statue, which was relocated to a new park in 2017 after being damaged in a flood. The museum also has a gift shop selling local souvenirs and other items.
These museums offer visitors a chance to learn more about the history and culture of the region and are a fantastic way to spend a day exploring the area.