Cooma
Located 120 kilometres or a 90-minute drive south of Canberra, Cooma New South Wales is often referred to as the gateway to the Snowy Mountains. Established in 1849, the town has a rich history tied to Australian exploration and settlement. It is particularly known for its role in the Snowy Mountains Hydro-Electric Scheme. This huge infrastructure project launched in 1949, brought workers from over 30 countries transforming the area into a multicultural hub.
Surrounded by breathtaking landscapes Cooma offers opportunities for outdoor enthusiasts to hike, ski, bike and explore Kosciuszko National Park. Depending on the time of year and season, shops in town cater to all outdoor activities. Its proximity to the alpine region makes it a staging point to Mount Kosciuszko and nearby ski resorts.
Attractions in Town
Centennial Park
Centennial Park was established in 1949 as a market centre. One of the most notable features in the park is the Avenue of Flags. This represents the people of many nations who came to Cooma to help build the Snowy Mountain Scheme. Also located in the park are several statues and the Mosaic Time Warp. The park is also a great place to relax after a day of site seeing or activities.
Avenue of Flags
The Avenue of Flags is a tribute to the international workers who contributed to the Snowy Mountains Hydro-Electric Scheme. This engineering marvel, initiated in 1949, stands as one of Australia’s greatest achievements. It transformed the Snowy Mountains into one of the most productive hydro-electric power systems and irrigation networks. The scheme brought together workers from over 30 nations, creating a melting pot of cultures and an enduring legacy of collaboration and innovation.
Each flag in the Avenue represents one of the nations whose citizens participated in the Snowy Mountains Scheme. From Italy to Germany, from Greece to Poland, and many more, these flags symbolize the global effort that contributed to the realization of the project. When we walked past the flags it brought home just how many countries were involved in the Snowy Scheme.
Banjo Patterson Statue
At the heart of Centennial Park stands the iconic Man from Snowy River Statue. Created by Ian McKay as a tribute to Banjo Paterson’s classic poem (The Man From Snowy River). This is a whimsical statue of both man and horse. The actual poem implies that the rider is the idealised Australian bushman and, the horse is described as strong, agile, and capable.
The Shearer Statue
Created by Rix Wright, “The Shearer” celebrates the art of sheep shearing and its importance to the Australian identity. Shearing not only contributed economically but also culturally, inspiring literature, songs, and folklore that celebrated the rugged, hardworking spirit of the shearer. Compared to the “Man From Snowy River” this statue is very realistic, giving a great impression of sheep shearing.
Mosaic Time Walk
The Mosaic Time Walk is a visual timeline of Cooma, running along the Sharp Street side of Centennial Park. Created by local artists and community members, this installation consists of a series of intricately designed mosaic panels, each representing a significant event, milestone, or aspect of Cooma’s heritage.
Highlights of the Mosaic Panels
The panels of the Mosaic Time Walk cover a wide range of themes, from indigenous heritage to the development of infrastructure and the Snowy Mountains Scheme. The mosaics are very colourful and we liked walking past them to see what they represented. Some of the topics covered include:
Indigenous History
The Mosaic Time Walk begins with panels that pay homage to the traditional custodians of the land, the Ngarigo people. These mosaics incorporate symbols that reflect the spiritual connection between the Ngarigo people and the Snowy Mountains region. Stories of their culture and traditions portrayed, reminding visitors of their deep roots to this land.
The Snowy Mountains Scheme
Perhaps the most defining chapter in Cooma’s history is its role in the Snowy Mountains Scheme, one of Australia’s largest engineering projects. This ambitious initiative, which began in 1949, aimed to divert water from the Snowy River to generate hydroelectric power and irrigation for arid regions. The Mosaic Time Walk commemorates the workers who participated in this monumental undertaking, many of whom were immigrants from across the globe. There are depictions of machinery, landscapes, and human figures.
Development of Cooma
Other panels illustrate Cooma’s growth, from its early days as a pastoral settlement to its development into a thriving town. Scenes of historic buildings, local industries, and everyday life are captured in the mosaics, showing the town’s evolution over time.
Cooma Cenotaph
The Cooma Cenotaph, like many cenotaphs across Australia, was erected in the aftermath of World War I, reflecting the widespread grief and gratitude felt by the community for the soldiers who had fought and lost their lives. Over time, its purpose expanded to honour individuals who participated in subsequent conflicts, including World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, and other peacekeeping missions.
Ernest Corey Memorial
Adjacent to the Cooma Cenotaph stands the Ernest Corey Memorial, dedicated to one of Australia’s most distinguished soldiers. Ernest Corey, a Cooma native, is the only recipient of the Military Medal awarded four times for acts of bravery performed during World War I. His exceptional courage and selflessness as a stretcher-bearer earned him recognition as a hero both locally and nationally.
Commemorative Wall
Near the Cenotaph is a Commemorative Wall, with the names of local veterans and contributors to Australia’s military on brass plaques
Cooma Courthouse
Completed in 1886, Cooma Court House is an enduring
Cooma Courthouse is an example of Victorian-era architecture. Designed by the Colonial Architect’s Office under James Barnet, the building has a beautiful façade, featuring symmetrical windows and ornate detailing, reflects the grandeur typical of institutional architecture of the period.
Constructed from local materials, including sandstone, the court house is worth a look. If you visit the cenotaph, it’s on the opposite side of the road, this is very easy to get to.
Corrective Services NSW Museum
The Corrective Services NSW Museum shows the history and development of correctional services in Australia. It provides visitors with an insightful look into the evolution of the justice system, including the methods of incarceration, rehabilitation, and the social impact of crime and punishment.
The museum covers the justice system from the First Fleet, when penal colonies were established in Australia, to the modern correctional facilities.
There is a wide range of exhibits including artifacts, documents, photographs, and stories from Australia’s correctional history. Some key features include:
Convict Era Artifacts
The museum houses items from the convict era, offering a glimpse into Australia’s beginnings as a penal colony. These include tools, clothing, and personal items used by convicts during their incarceration and labour assignments.
Historic Prison Equipment
Demonstrating the harsh realities of the early prison system, some of the exhibits feature equipment and tools used in historic prisons, such as handcuffs, shackles, and instruments of discipline.
During our visit, entry was by donation only, so it’s an inexpensive place to visit. Although a great collection and well set out, we didn’t spend long here.
Nanny Goat Hill Lookout
Nanny Goat Hill Lookout is in the centre of Cooma, making it an easy destination for visitors. The lookout is accessible by car via well-maintained roads and has ample parking space. Its central position in town allows visitors to combine a visit to the hill with other local attractions. The carpark is directly below the lookout, so there is only a short walk to get some great views.
From the lookout, Nanny Goat Hill gives beautiful vistas of Cooma, the surrounding countryside and the Snowy Mountains.
Nanny Goat Sculpture
Built by local sculptor Chris Graham, is a whimsical sculpture of a nanny goat that stands proudly at the site. Installed around 1980, it adds to the reasons to go there. We found the views here were quite good, giving a great overview of the surrounding area.
Snowy Hydro Discovery Centre
The Snowy Hydro Discovery Centre is an excellent place to learn about the Snowy Mountains Scheme, one of Australia’s greatest engineering projects. The centre’s exhibits trace the history of the scheme and people who built it. For our full blog of the centre, click here.
Snowy River Sphere Sculpture
The Snowy River Sphere Sculpture is a representation of the Snowy Mountains Scheme, one of Australia’s most ambitious engineering projects. This scheme, which began in the mid-20th century, aimed to harness the waters of the Snowy River and its tributaries for hydroelectric power and irrigation. The sphere itself is a beautiful piece of art, designed to evoke a sense of unity and interconnectedness. Its intricate patterns and textures mirror the flow of water and the rugged terrain of the Snowy Mountains.
Located just outside Cooma on Kosciuszko Road, it is very easy to find. We stopped after passing it several times to have a closer look.
Southern Cloud Memorial
Located in Cooma at the intersection of Boundary and Sharp Streets, the Southern Cloud Memorial is made of concrete wings 40 feet across. A grill encloses the face of the memorial which contains recovered engine parts and other historic relics. A large laser cut steel image of the Southern Cloud in the park, gives visitors a glimpse of what it looked like.
Additional memorials in the park commemorate the Polo Flat Aur Crash and the loss on 23 January, 2020 Lockheed C-130 Hercules Fire Bomber 134.
Our full blog on the memorial can be found here.
Our photos are available for purchase on
To see what else there is to do in New South Wales, please see some of our other stories.
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