Tucked away at the foothills of the mighty Snowy Mountains is the cosy and charming country town of Cooma. It’s the perfect place to relax and unwind, take in the natural scenery, and explore an interesting mix of cultural attractions. Whether you’re staying locally, heading up into the mountains or exploring nearby National Parks, Cooma is the ideal base for adventures and discovery in the Monaro region. So, what are you waiting for? It’s time to pack up your Hertz rental car and hit the road as we discover the best that Cooma has to offer.
Gateway to Australia’s High Country
After picking up your drive from Hertz Cooma Downtown, start your journey in the heart of the CBD. As the self-proclaimed ‘capital of the Snowy Mountains’, Cooma town centre is a hive of activity all year round. For a town of its size, you’ll find a surprising wealth of cultural attractions, heritage listed buildings, galleries, boutiques, and top-tier cafes to enjoy.
Discover the Cooma of yesteryear on the Lambie Town Walk, a beautiful short walk (or even shorter drive) that highlights a number of the town’s most prominent and impressive heritage sites - The Courthouse Precinct, The Church Precinct and Lambie Street Precinct. Along the route, you’ll pass one of Cooma’s best kept secrets - Raglan Gallery and Cultural Centre. This gorgeous gallery located in a 19th century homestead showcases works by established and emerging artists from the local area. You’ll find exhibits of everything from paintings to ceramics, sculptures, and jewellery - this is one gallery not to be missed.
Separating old Cooma town from the new city centre is Nanny Goat Hill - a short sprint up to the lookout will reward visitors with extensive views of Cooma and surrounds. The final point on the walk is Centennial Park, a lush oasis in the centre of town. This historic park is decorated with sculptures, historic markers and murals including the Man from Snowy River Sculpture, the Avenue of Flags and Mosaic Time Walk community project. Feeling peckish? As you make your way around town, pop into The Courtyard Coffee Shop. It may look unassuming from the street, but continuing through to the back will reveal a sunny, verdant courtyard - the perfect spot to enjoy a morning pick-me-up, light lunch, or delicious home-baked treats.
Just outside of town, the Snowy Hydro Discovery Centre is a highlight of any visit to Cooma. It’s worth noting that the town owes its prosperity and status as a regional hub to the construction of the Snowy Mountains Scheme, the largest engineering project ever undertaken in Australia and an engineering wonder of the modern world. Take a virtual tour of the scheme in the state-of-the-art immersive theatre, and discover stories of the scheme’s past, present, and future at this truly unique and fascinating museum.
Discover Cooma with Hertz
While Cooma itself has no shortage of attractions to enjoy and secrets to discover, the real beauty of this region lies in its stunning alpine landscape, and what better way to experience it than in your Hertz rental car.
Located an hour east of Cooma, Wadbilliga National Park is one of the best-preserved pockets of largely untouched wilderness in the state and it is home to rugged mountain ranges, hidden river valleys, towering eucalypt woodlands and temperate rainforests. Nature lovers will be enthralled by the abundance of native wildlife including swamp wallabies, possums, platypus, and wombats. Within the park, a short stroll along the tranquil Castade Walking track will lead you to a beautiful natural waterhole, the perfect spot to cool off during the warmer months. For those feeling that little bit more adventurous, the Tuross Falls walking track will reward you with panoramic views of the falls tumbling dramatically into the gorge.
If your idea of a day out looks a little bit more leisurely, you’ll find plenty in the way of delightful food and wine adventures. Enjoy a day on the road exploring the region's famous farm gates, cellar doors and wineries. From crisp apples, sweet berries, earthy truffles and fresh Trout, the region is just awash with beautiful produce. 45 minutes south of Cooma is the quaint town of Berridale, the centre of the Snowy Mountains cool-climate wine region and home to a selection of award-winning wineries including Snowy Vineyard and Shut the Gate Wines. If you do decide to enjoy a wine tasting while you’re out and about, be sure to have a designated driver nominated.
With so much to do in and around Cooma - from cosy cafes, quaint galleries, unique museums, and excellent day trips all at its doorstep - Cooma is a fantastic destination to discover on four wheels. No matter which direction you head, adventures await in the Snowy-Monaro region.
