Jindabyne, New South Wales

Jindabyne New South Wales
Jindabyne, as viewed from across Lake Jindabyne
Jindabyne
Coordinates	36°24′0″S 148°37′0″E / 36.40000°S 148.61667°E / -36.40000; 148.61667Coordinates: 36°24′0″S 148°37′0″E / 36.40000°S 148.61667°E / -36.40000; 148.61667
Population	1,727 (2011 census)[1]
Postcode(s)	2627
Elevation	915 m (3,002 ft)
Time zone	AEST (UTC+10)
• Summer (DST)	AEDT (UTC+11)
LGA(s)	Snowy Monaro Regional Council

Jindabyne is a town in south-east New South Wales, Australia that overlooks Lake Jindabyne near the Snowy Mountains, in Snowy Monaro Regional Council. It is a popular holiday destination, especially in winter, due to its proximity to several ski resorts throughout the Kosciuszko National Park, including Thredbo and Perisher. Originally situated on land that is now under Lake Jindabyne, the township was transferred to its present location in the 1960s due to the construction of Jindabyne Dam, on the Snowy River, as part of the Snowy Mountains Scheme. At the 2011 census, Jindabyne had a population of 1,727 people.^[1] The town's name is derived from an aboriginal word meaning "valley".^[2]

History

It is one of the highest settlements of its size in Australia, at 918 metres above sea level.^[3] Light snowfalls sometimes occur during winter. In mid-July in 2004 and 2005, snow fell up to half a metre following freak snowfalls over a large area of 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 hydro-electricity.^[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 top of the church. The settlement of East Jindabyne is located above what was Old Jindabyne.^[5] The dam's main purpose is for the generation of hydro-power 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 ^[6] with a long lunch, parade through the town centre, and speech by Peter Hendy MP.^[7] 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.

Jindabyne has been the setting (and shooting location) for two recent feature films, the multi AFI-winning Somersault in 2004 and [Jindabyne (film)|Jindabyne] in 2006.

Jindabyne is connected to the surrounding area by Kosciuszko Road, the [Alpine Way] and the [Barry Way]

Skiing and tourism

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 ($29 per vehicle per day^[8]) 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.

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.^[9]

Lake Jindabyne is a popular 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 and Rainbow Trout. Lake Jindabyne also has a reputation as one of the best places to catch trout in Australia.^[10] 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. ^[11]

Access to information regarding current tourist activities, business listings can be found using the area's free mobile application, the Jindy Guide.

Education

Aerial view from east

Wild brumby horses, in snow near Jindabyne.

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

Television

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

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

Music

• The song Goodbye Jindabyne was included on the 2007 Carell Casey album, A New Day.
• 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 song Goodbye Carinne Petersen was performed by Victoria Carstens in 2008.
• The song Around Jindabyne was performed by John Williamson.
• The song Jindabyne Lake appeared on the album Novella by Aussie/UK indie band Paperadio.^[12]
• The song Jindabyne appeared on the album Glorious Momentum by Australian folk singer-songwriter Isaac Graham in 2013.^[13]

See also

• Snowy Scheme Museum
• Destination Jindabyne

References

Wikivoyage has a travel guide for Jindabyne.

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