Snowy Mountains

Many bus companies operate from Canberra or Sydney to various towns and villages in the Snowy Mountains. Here are some options: Cooma Coaches (www.coomacoaches.com.au) provide regular bus service linking the villages and towns of the Snowy Mountains. Greyhound (www.greyhound.com.au) provides daily services from Sydney Central Station to Jindabyne and Thredbo via Bullocks Flat, and from Canberra Airport to the ski resorts. Murrays Coaches (www.murrays.com.au) operate services from Canberra and Sydney to Thredbo. NSW TrainLink (www.nswtrainlink.info) runs trains and buses between Sydney and Cooma, Jindabyne and Bombala, via Canberra, and Tumut and Tumbarumba. Seasonal buses take passengers from Jindabyne to Perisher and Thredbo resorts from early June to early October.

Most visitors travel to the region by car, as this is the most flexible and rewarding way of exploring the mountains with its diverse and spectacular scenery. The Snowy Mountains region is well-served by a network of good roads: the Alpine Way runs from Jindabyne to Khancoban; the Snowy Mountains Highway between Tumut and Cooma; the Monaro Highway runs south from Canberra; and the Elliot Way runs from Tumbarumba to Cabramurra. All these routes pass through beautiful landscapes. From Sydney it's an easy six-hour drive down the Hume Expressway. Before reaching Yass, turn left for Canberra/Cooma and follow the signs to Cooma. This is a 460-kilometre drive. Upon leaving Cooma, there is an option of taking the Kosciuszko Road to Jindabyne, Thredbo and Perisher Valley, or taking the Snowy Mountains Highway to Adaminaby and on into the northern end of the Kosciuszko National Park. There is a fee for vehicles using Kosciuszko National Park, with stations on three of the main roads entering the park. There are different prices for summer day and winter day passes per vehicle. Some minor roads may be unsuitable for caravans and hire cars. Always check road conditions before departure by calling the traffic hotline on 132 701. It's compulsory to carry properly fitting snow chains if you are driving a two-wheel-drive vehicle from the June long weekend until the October long weekend on the following roads: Kosciuszko Road from the park boundary at Thredbo River; the Alpine Way between Thredbo and Tom Groggin; and the Island Bend/Guthega Road for its full length.

Fly into Canberra Airport (CBR) from most capital cities, or direct to Cooma–Snowy Mountains Airport (OOM), with seasonal flights operated by QantasLink. Private shuttle services are available from the airports, as well as taxis and car rentals.

Call 131 008 to book a taxi anywhere in Australia.

In the Snowy Mountains region, and Australia more broadly, there are several major pharmacy chains where you can pick up over-the-counter medications, prescription drugs, personal care items, and more. The major pharmacy chains are Blooms The Chemist, Chemist Warehouse, TerryWhite Chemmart, Priceline Pharmacy and Amcal. It's always worth checking the opening hours as these can vary, especially on weekends and public holidays. There are also many independent pharmacies in the region. Adelong Pharmacy 109 Tumut Street, Adelong NSW +61 2 6946 2555 Monaro Pharmacy 82 Vale Street, Cooma NSW +61 2 6452 1599 www.capitalchemist.com.au/monaro Russell St Pharmacy 20a Russell Street, Tumut NSW +61 2 6947 9886 Jindabyne Pharmacy Nuggets Crossing Shopping Centre, Jindabyne NSW +61 2 6456 2977 www.jindabynepharmacy.com.au Capital Chemist Thredbo Squatters Run, Mowamba Place, Thredbo NSW +61 2 6457 6140

Country code: +61 Area Code: (0)2

Australia operates on a 230/240V supply voltage and 50Hz frequency. The country uses Type I power plugs, which feature two flat pins forming a 'V' shape, along with a grounding pin. This standard is also commonly used in New Zealand, Argentina, China, and several Pacific island nations. Remember to pack a universal adapter if your devices use a different plug type to ensure hassle-free charging.