The First Word

START your autumn holiday planning well in advance, as when you realise the exploring options you may just want to extend another week. Yes, there is an abundance to explore with new additions since your last visit.

It may be only short, but the lower Thredbo Valley Track (TVT) extension from Gaden Trout Hatchery to the Kosciuszko Road Thredbo River picnic area is rather stunning. The National Parks and their trail building crew have produced a stellar 1.5km trail. The trail is perfect for everyone, walking or riding, including families with young kids who are looking for adventure. Either end has an ideal picnic area plus stunning Thredbo River views from the trail.

Hikers climbing Mount Kosciuszko will notice some changes at the summit, with works ongoing to improve accessibility. This bucket list walk is one everyone should experience.

On the western side of the mountains the Snowy Valleys Sculpture Trail is perfect for those with time on their hands. The trail runs through four towns across 100km, with the easiest viewing at Adelong where they have multiple sculptures on one trail. Batlow,

Tumbarumba, and Tooma complete the trail. Keep your eye on the Warby Motorsport Facebook page for their next outing at Tumut’s Blowering Dam in their quest for the World Water Speed Record. They are ready to ramp up the speed well beyond 400km to test the boat performance. If all goes well this autumn, they will then make plans for the record attempt.

The autumn event calendar is full, the Country Shows always popular, plus numerous events during Easter. The Land Rover 75th anniversary and the Jindabyne Lake Light Sculpture are among the highlights.

I am no train enthusiast, but I might become one after seeing the work the Cooma Monaro Railway volunteer group have completed. Their new museum is a great asset to Cooma, and they are planning to run tourist train rides. Combined with the Cooma Car Club Museum, they have the automotive scene covered and both are must visits.