Khancoban: Cultural History of the Snowy Scheme

Khancoban brings together the history of the Snowy Scheme, a distinctive lakeside landscape and opportunities for trips along roads and trails. When choosing your destination, several different highlights are available: the Lady Hudson Rose Garden and its commemorative significance, activities at Khancoban Pondage, and visitor information on the Alpine Way. If you’re looking for a hotel, you can first consider whether cultural history, time by the water or excursions will shape your stay.

Cultural history around the Snowy Scheme

The Lady Hudson Rose Garden was established over several years from 1959, when Khancoban was recognised as a permanent settlement. Len McInnes, who worked for the Snowy Mountains Hydro-Electric Authority at the time, was commissioned to design the garden. Its origins connect local history with the era of the Snowy Scheme: Khancoban was recognised as a permanent settlement while the garden was being established.

The garden’s 121 white roses commemorate the people who lost their lives during construction of the Snowy Scheme. This memorial connection links the garden’s design with the project’s construction history. For travellers who want to include local history in their destination choice, the garden offers a tangible link to the development of Khancoban and the Snowy Scheme.

The Khancoban Visitor Display is located at the Pickled Parrot Providore. The Khancoban Visitor Centre is on the Alpine Way at the western entrance to Kosciuszko National Park. It provides maps and information, and sells park passes for visits to the Snowy Mountains.

Water, roads and trails

Khancoban Pondage is a picturesque, three-kilometre-long lake and part of the Snowy Mountains Hydro Scheme. A concrete boat ramp provides easy access for boats of all kinds, and the pondage also offers fishing opportunities. The lake, boat ramp and fishing options give you several ways to plan time by the water.

The Alpine Way is the main route through the Khancoban area and is open to traffic year-round. Along the 108 kilometres between Khancoban and Jindabyne, you’ll find lookouts, campsites, picnic areas, walking trails and bike trails. You can consider the route’s length and what it offers together when planning a drive with stops and activities.

A scenic drive from the Khancoban Visitor Centre to Kiandra is partly closed in winter. If you’re considering this drive, factor the winter closure into your schedule.

The Geehi huts walking track is near Khancoban. It can be explored on foot, by bicycle, on horseback or in a four-wheel-drive vehicle. Your choice of transport is therefore an important consideration when planning this excursion.

Local swimming pool

Snowy Valleys Council owns and operates a public swimming pool in Khancoban. The Khancoban Community Swimming Pool is listed for the 2026/2027 season and has a 25-metre pool. Comparing the water-based options highlights a difference: the pool offers lanes for lap swimming, while the pondage has a boat ramp and fishing opportunities.

Discover more destinations: Killara, Cobbitty, Tumut, Centennial Park, Gumly Gumly, Chinderah, Kioloa, Smiths Lake

For the broader travel overview: New South Wales.