Jindabyne, New South Wales

Originally situated on a site that is now under the waters of Lake Jindabyne, the township was relocated to its present position in the 1960s before the damming of the Snowy River as part of the Snowy Mountains Scheme. The Scheme was developed from the 1940s as a way of increasing the flow of inland rivers in order to encourage the development of primary industries based on irrigation, and to create hydroelectricity.[4]

Completed in 1967, Jindabyne Dam is a major dam, located approximately 2 kilometres (1.2 mi) south south-east of the relocated township. Parts of Old Jindabyne can be seen when the levels of Lake Jindabyne are low particularly the foundations of the old St Columbkille Roman Catholic Church.[5] The settlement of East Jindabyne is located above what was Old Jindabyne.[6] The dam's main purpose is for the generation of hydropower and is one of the sixteen major dams that comprise the Snowy Mountains Scheme, a vast hydroelectricity and irrigation complex constructed in south-east Australia between 1949 and 1974 and now run by Snowy Hydro.

Jindabyne celebrated the new town's 50th anniversary on 19 December 2014[7] with a long lunch, parade through the town centre, and speech by Peter Hendy MP.[8] The celebrations were attended by His Excellency, General David Hurley, Governor of New South Wales, Member for Monaro, Mr John Barilaro, Mayor of Snowy Mountains Shire, Mr John Cahill.

Lake Jindabyne and surrounds after a snowfall event

Jindabyne is a service town for Australia's highest ski resorts: Perisher, Thredbo and Charlotte Pass. Thredbo and Perisher are approximately 30 minutes' drive into the Kosciuszko National Park, although require the payment of park entry fees (AU$29 per vehicle per day[9]) and the compulsory carrying of snow chains in winter for cars without 4WD. However, Jindabyne also attracts tourists in summer with Lake Jindabyne popular for activities such as fishing, water skiing and wakeboarding. Since the late 2000s mountain biking has become a popular summer activity and as of 2016, is assisting in turning the Snowy Mountains into a year-round adventure-tourist destination.

The town is heavily tourist-oriented with a large range of snow-sport rental outlets and accommodation facilities. Prices can be heavily increased during the peak winter season, although they generally remain lower than those of outlets within the national park and ski resorts.[10]

Lake Jindabyne is a sailing, walking and fishing destination. The body of water is one of the largest fresh water reservoirs in New South Wales, and has a resident population of Atlantic Salmon, Brook Trout, Brown Trout and Rainbow Trout. Lake Jindabyne also has a reputation as one of the best places to catch trout in Australia.[11] The Gaden Trout Hatchery, located about 10 kilometres north-west of Jindabyne, on the route leading to Perisher Ski Resort, holds tours of the hatchery's trout ponds, and is one of Australia's main centres involved in the breeding and rearing of cold water sport fish.[12]

Access to information regarding current tourist activities, business listings can be found using the area's free mobile app, the "Jindy Guide".[13]

Every year during the Easter holidays, the Lake Light Sculpture exhibition is hosted on Lake Jindabyne. The Lake has many sculptures on display including the Count Paul Strzelecki in the Banjo Paterson Park and an Irish harp.[14]

In the 2016 Census, there were 2,629 people in Jindabyne. 76.2% of people were born in Australia and 83.7% of people spoke only English at home. The most common responses for religion were No Religion 39.6%, Catholic 20.3% and Anglican 14.4%.[1]

Jindabyne in winter

Jindabyne has an oceanic climate (Cfb). Diurnal range is high, both in summer and winter. Rainfall is low, with a slight peak in spring–summer and a notable drop in winter. Snowfalls are common in the region, but usually light. Owing to its position on the leeward side of the ranges, Jindabyne receives foehn winds which swiftly melt snow after a westerly frontal system has passed through.

Aerial view from east

Wild brumby horses, in snow near Jindabyne.

Jindabyne Central School (public) and Snowy Mountains Grammar School[15] (private) serve as the town's educational facilities.

Jindabyne receives five free-to-air television networks including all the digital free-to-air channels relayed from Canberra, and broadcast from Jindabyne Hill.

Networks available include ABC, SBS, Prime7, WIN, and Southern Cross Ten

Snowy Mountains TV is also broadcast from the same location, and operates in addition to the other broadcasters under an open narrowcasting licence.

Radio stations in Jindabyne include:

• Raw FM 87.6
• 2XL 96.3 FM (commercial)
• Snow FM 97.7 FM (commercial)
• ABC South East NSW 95.5 FM
• Radio National 97.1 FM
• Monaro FM 93.9 FM (community)
• Racing Radio 102.7 FM

• The Song Farewell Jindabyne was included on the 1966 The Settlers album, The Settlers Sing Song of the Snowy Mountains.
• The song Jindabyne was a single released by Rolf Harris in 1972, on Columbia records. It refers to the old town now beneath the lake.
• The 2004 Somersault was filmed in the town.
• The 2006 Australian drama film Jindabyne directed by Ray Lawrence was filmed entirely on location in and around the town. It stars Gabriel Byrne and Laura Linney.
• The song Around Jindabyne was performed by John Williamson.

• Snowy Scheme Museum

Wikivoyage has a travel guide for Jindabyne.

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Jindabyne, New South Wales.

• Destination Jindabyne is a locally developed initiative and website in partnership with the Jindabyne Chamber of Commerce with current and regularly updated business information and for tourists making plans to visit the town and Snowy Mountains in winter and summer.