18 Thredbo restaurants to live your ultimate après-ski life

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Enjoy stellar schnapps, international cuisine and lively village atmosphere at the best Thredbo restaurants.

From an on-mountain hut serving up gourmet three-course lunches to a truffle cheese fondue and glorious takes on hot chocolate, Thredbo restaurants are an eclectic mix of utter indulgence.

Here, we’ve collated the best Thredbo restaurants in every category so you can enjoy pub classics, terrific to-gos and lavish feasts knowing you’re dipping your toes in the region’s finest.

The shortlist

Best coffee: Zack’s on Central Road
Best views: Eagles Nest
Most Instagrammable: Candlelight Lodge
Hottest new opening: Izakaya By Yamagen
Family-friendly spot: Merritts Mountain House

1. Izakaya By Yamagen

Japanese cuisine at Izakaya By Yamagen, Thredbo
Order authentic Japanese cuisine at Izakaya By Yamagen. (Image: Thredbo Resort)

One of the hottest openings (and drawcards) of the 2024 ski season, Izakaya By Yamagen will again pull steady crowds when the seasonal Thredbo restaurant opens for a second year of slurp-tastic dining in winter. Brought down south by the team behind the Gold Coast’s long-adored Yamagen inside Surfers Paradise’s QT Hotel, the epic Japanese eatery pumps Asian cuisine into Thredbo’s offerings. These snow fields have long cried out for such authentic deliciousness.

The signature ramen in all varieties, plus the sesame-seeded Karaage chicken, is famed but there’s also hand-rolled sushi, deep-fried gyoza, rice bowls and snacks to devour. You’ll find it at the end of the bridge on Friday Drive, right after the Valley Terminal, where a Barbie-pink door simply can’t be ignored.

Cuisine: Japanese

Average price: $$

Atmosphere: Trendy

Location: Friday Dr, Thredbo

2. Alpine Pizzeria

hand-stretched pizzas at Alpine Pizzeria, Thredbo
Find a warm selection of hand-stretched pizzas at Alpine Pizzeria. (Image: Ben Calvert)

Whether you’re hankering for easy takeaway or craving languid carb loading, Alpine Pizzeria is a chilled-out eatery that’ll hit the spot. Slinging hand-stretched pizzas loaded with classic combinations, the Thredbo restaurant knows how to feed starving crowds. Choose from the likes of a Truffle Veg dressed in artichokes, capsicum and zucchini, a Spicy Pepperoni with salami and jalapenos, a 3 Cheese with mozzarella, bocconcini and goat’s cheese, and plenty more.

Meanwhile, Aperol spritzes and limoncello should get the party started and you can add salads, garlic flat bread, cheesy garlic bread and more sides to your table. Trading hours run throughout the entire year.

Cuisine: Italian

Average price: $$

Atmosphere: Casual

Location: Friday Dr, Thredbo

3. Cascades Restaurant

A red meat dish at Cascade Restaurant in Thredbo.
Find French and Italian-inspired cuisine on the menu. (Image: Thredbo Resort)

Slink into Cascades Restaurant for a meal with your beloved, complete with uninterrupted views out across the mountains.

Located right off Thredbo Alpine Hotel in the village, this delightful Thredbo restaurant spins magic out of locally sourced, seasonal produce including seafood and quality local meats. Italian and French techniques influence the presentation, which changes from season to season but often arrives as set courses where you can pick your preferences. Think grilled barramundi with a fennel salad and a hazelnut and almond crumb pork cutlet with pickled cabbage.

It’s one of Thredbo’s fancier eateries, despite dishing up a buffet breakfast to Thredbo Alpine Hotel guests of a morning, so switch out your ski gear for finer threads. The service is impeccable and very experienced, ensuring every want is catered to from start to finish. Don’t miss the ever-evolving dessert menu, dotted with popcorn cake, lemon panna cotta and chocolate mousse with pistachio tulle garnish in the past.

Cuisine: Modern Australian

Average price: $$$

Atmosphere: Romantic

Location: Friday Dr, Thredbo

4. Candlelight Lodge

Live out your European apres-ski dreams at Candlelight Lodge, a Thredbo institution that’s provided cosy stays and heart-warming meals to holiday makers for more than 50 years.

A Thredbo restaurant like no other, it’s an enchanting slice of Austrian heaven complete with a cheese fondue, decked out with white sourdough, cured meats and pickled vegetables, you’ll struggle to overlook. Just don’t — it is pure gooey, when-in-Rome goodness ready to light up every Instagram Story. Other menu highlights include the Jagerschnitzel topped with creamy mushroom sauce, as well as the pork and pistachio terrine starter.

The atmosphere is also charming as fairy lights, vintage tapestry, kitsch Christmas decorations and chunky timber furniture create a space you can’t help settling into. Once you’ve licked your plate clean, take a seat in the bar area where a blazing fireplace and board games play the perfect backdrop to a night filled with schnapps plus international beer and wines.

Cuisine: Austrian

Average price: $$$

Atmosphere: Eclectic

Location: 32 Diggings Terrace, Thredbo

5. Eagles Nest

a family dining at Eagles Nest, Thredbo
Head to Eagles Nest for a soothing cup of hot chocolate. (Image: Destination NSW)

Australia’s highest restaurant is, quite literally, the pinnacle of Thredbo dining. Eagles Nest stands 1937 metres above ground level and offers 270-degree views across the region as Italian-inspired bites fly out the kitchen and into the gobs of famished mountain scalers (it’s open in winter and summer, though precise dates are weather-dependent for obvious reasons).

Easy dishes delight, such as deli boards topped with prosciutto, camembert, olives and breadsticks, and a couple of simple-yet-rich pizzas, as does the drinks menu which features hot chocolate (you’ll need one daily during the winter months in Thredbo) plus wine, beer and obligatory Aperol spritzes (like the hot chocolates, you’ll need one of these regularly, too).

Sweets spanning ice cream and banana bread, and toasties are also up for grabs, but gazing out yonder to the sheer vastness below is really this place’s snare.

Cuisine: Snacks and antipasti

Average price: $-$$

Atmosphere: Awestruck

Location: Top of Kosciuszko Chairlift, Kosciuszko Express, Thredbo

6. Merritts Mountain House

dining at Merritts Mountain House, Thredbo
Feast on hearty meals at Merritts Mountain House. (Image: Thredbo Resort)

Hop off Merritts Gondola for one of the most wonderful Thredbo restaurants of all. Merritts Mountain House is a must-visit for anybody experiencing the Gondola, particularly kids who use the large space out the front of the restaurant to build a snowman or wriggle out snow angels.

Serving up sensational hot chocolate topped with whipped cream and chocolate shavings, this joint is a saviour from the chill in winter (it runs on a more limited schedule in summer) and also sells pies, pastries, wraps, salads, German classics like pretzels and bratwurst sausage, burgers, chips and other hearty meals.

Plus, there’s plenty of grab-and-go sweets for the kids and a bar serving up delicious Glühwein (mulled wine) from the moment doors open.

Cuisine: European, with snacks

Average price: $-$$

Atmosphere: Laidback

Location: Top of Merritts Gondola, Thredbo

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7. T Bar Restaurant

a cocktail by the fire at T Bar Restaurant, Thredbo
Sip punchy cocktails by the fire at T Bar Restaurant. (Image: Thredbo Resort)

A family-friendly Thredbo restaurant right in the thick of the action, T Bar Restaurant is a hit with crowds craving woodfired pizzas and in-village Italian cuisine.

It’s a casual vibe inside this space (which opens seasonally so check the website for accurate trading hours), while the food itself is elevated. During winter, T Bar Trivia is staged on Thursday nights, bringing an even jollier atmosphere as fairy lights strung from the ceiling create festivity all year round.

If pizza isn’t your thing, there’s also seasonal pastas utilising whatever’s peak-fresh of the moment, while creative cocktails, beer and wines are also tempting.

Cuisine: Italian

Average price: $$-$$$

Atmosphere: Intimate

Location: Shop 1, 2 Mowamba Place, Thredbo

8. The Mad Mexican

Tiring of glühwein and stinging for a marg? The Mad Mexican feels you. A Thredbo village restaurant dedicated entirely to Mexican cuisine, this place nails all the classic hits including tostadas, guac and corn chips, tacos, burrito bowls and quesadillas. The menu will change ahead of the 2025 ski season, but you can expect headliners like Pozole Rojo, a slow braised pork stew.

You can also look forward to churros with chocolate sauce as you wash the festivities down with drinks spanning Mexican beers, flavour-packed cocktails and wine.

Cuisine: Mexican

Average price: $$

Atmosphere: Rowdy

Location: 89 Mowamba Place, Thredbo

9. The Local Pub

snow-covered tables at The Local Pub, Thredbo
Breathe in the cold alpine air out on the deck at The Local Pub. (Image: Thredbo Resort)

If it’s winter, park your clan right by the cosy fireplace and if it’s summer, set up shop out on the giant deck. The Local Pub is a spacious and friendly Thredbo watering hole speckled with fantastic spots to unwind after a big day on the mountain.

The food itself is reliable and generous, with favourites like pizzas, chicken schnitzel, chicken parmy, burgers, chicken wings and a collection of grilled meats.

The vibes are light and fun as families take advantage of the pool table and dart board to keep the good times rolling. Out on the deck, the mountain views are priceless.

Kids are also catered for here as a dedicated children’s menu features Napoli pasta, a burger, nuggets and chips and ice-cream with topping.

Cuisine: Modern Australian

Average price: $$

Atmosphere: Easy, breezy

Location: Friday Dr, Thredbo

10. Zack’s on Central Road

Zack’s on Central Road pours up your ultimate caffeine fix, riddled with coffee-starved adventure seekers from daily breakfast hours.

Speaking of the most important meal of the day, breakfast is big here, dishing up eggs benedict, bacon and eggs, sweetcorn fritters and other early morning classics. Once lunch o’clock rolls in, the menu twists with Asian influences — think bahn mis, noodle soups and bao buns. Don’t miss the takeaway menu, too, which dazzles with a S’mores pizza filled with cookie crumble, marshmallows and melted chocolate.

Cuisine: Cafe with Asian influences

Average price: $-$$

Atmosphere: In and out

Location: 4/17 Friday Dr, Thredbo

11. Friday Flat Donut Hut

It is virtually impossible to avoid stopping by this much-adored Thredbo pitstop while visiting the beginner’s area — the waft of deep-fried sugary pastry is too good to refuse. Fresh cinnamon creations are the hottest ticket at the Friday Flat Donut Hut but there’s a range of delectable spoils to indulge in after a day of wrangling little ones on the nearby slopes. Coffee, hot chocolate, more sweets and cold drinks are always in stock.

Cuisine: Sweets and drinks

Average price: $

Atmosphere: Takeaway

Location: Friday Flat, Thredbo

12. Wildbrumby Distillery’s Stillhouse Kitchen

dining in a dome at Wildbrumby Distillery
Dine in a dome at Wildbrumby Distillery. (Image: Destination NSW)

Just a little way outside of Thredbo, on the way to Jindabyne along the great Kosciuszko Alpine Way, lies Wildbrumby Distillery’s restaurant, the Stillhouse Kitchen. The distillery itself is famed for knocking up the delicious schnapps you’ll sample right across the village and mountains, but the team also know how to put on a quality spread.

Pair their mouth-watering schnapps with a mammoth antipasti menu filled with stellar cheese and cured meats, or tuck into a hearty European-inspired main including veal schnitzels, Austrian beef goulash, spinach and ricotta dumplings and sausages on sauerkraut. The vibe is breezy and relaxed with an outdoor deck providing picturesque seating overlooking the beautiful property.

Cuisine: European

Average price: $$

Atmosphere: Scenic

Location: Alpine Way, Thredbo

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13. Sante

Your go-to for char-grilled meats and other South American fare, Sante is an elegant Thredbo barbecue restaurant fuelling meat loving families in the village.

Starters include Chimichurri chicken and duck parfait while a diverse list of mains is evolving however past superstars have included barbecue pork ribs, Wagyu and Black Angus steaks, vegetarian empanadas and slow cooked cuts.

The wine is also top-notch – you can expect excellent drops plucked from Australia and New Zealand.

Cuisine: South American with international influences

Average price: $$$

Atmosphere: Buzzing

Location: 4/ Squatters Run, Thredbo

14. Zach’s Grill

the Berntis Mountain Inn, Thredbo
Be treated to snowy vistas at Berntis Mountain Inn. (Image: Thredbo Resort)

As the name insinuates, the food at Zack’s Grill, located upstairs at Berntis Mountain Inn, centres on grilled meats. Think the likes of 24-hour slow cooked beef short ribs, Wagyu rib eyes and burgers, though the menu changes from season to season so the 2025 ski offering is yet to be perfected.

The good news is this place isn’t exclusive to the cooler months, with a lighter summer menu attracting crowds ahead of the annual influx of snow bunnies. No matter when you drop in, the mountains are positioned directly in front of the windows, so you’ll be treated to sides of postcard-perfect vistas all year round.

Cuisine: Modern Australian, focusing on grilled cuts

Average price: $$-$$$

Atmosphere: Classy

Location: 4 Mowamba Pl, Thredbo

15. Kareela Hutte

the outdoor deck of Kareela Hutte, Thredbo
Dine above the slopes at Kareela Hutte.

A stalwart since 1959, this standout Thredbo restaurant is exclusive but not in the way you might imagine. Open in winter for lunch only, Kareela Hutte is a ski-in, ski-out venue, located at an altitude of 1810m on the 3.7-kilometre Supertrail – a blue run that requires intermediate (or above) skills on the slopes.

Lock in the go-all-out ‘Feed Me’ set menu filled with a grazing board, German rye bread, baked camembert, crispy pork knuckle and more, or choose to snack off the Caviar menu which also features a Bloody Mary oyster shooter.

The European leaning a la carte menu also skews toward the decadent, so pair it properly with your choice of cocktail, expertly shaken by the restaurant’s cheery, passionate team.

Cuisine: European

Average price: $$$$

Atmosphere: Ritzy

Location: Along the Supertrail, Thredbo

16. Black Sallees

friends dining on the outdoor deck of Black Sallees, Thredbo
Soak up the snow-drenched slopes on the gorgeous deck.

If you’re after an on-mountain option (during peak winter only) with plenty of rustic alpine character and a convivial atmosphere, swing by Black Sallees. This bar and restaurant has a gorgeous deck to idle on, perfect for admiring the snow-drenched slopes. Slip straight into Euro mode with a tall German Weizen glass of Maisel’s Weisse wheat beer. There’s plenty of seating inside the timber-clad restaurant too, plus a fireplace to lounge by if you’re after some respite from the cool mountain air.

The menu, meanwhile, skews Asian, rolling out top-notch dumplings, pork belly bites, spring rolls and larger Japanese-inspired curries and ramen. Located on the Village Trail, this Thredbo restaurant is pure on-the-go convenience.

Cuisine: Asian

Average price: $$

Atmosphere: Cosy

Location: Village Trail, Thredbo

17. The Bakery in the Village Square

croissants at The Bakery in the Village Square, Thredbo
Order fresh-baked croissants at The Bakery in the Village Square.

Pies, sausage rolls, lamingtons, banana bread, eclairs, granola cups, croissants – you name it, this popular Thredbo pit-stop probably has it.

The Bakery in the Village Square is among the more affordable places in town for a snack or light meal. Stop by for your morning caffeine fix and a bacon and egg roll, drop in to pick up a loaf of freshly baked sourdough to fashion into sandwiches back in your self-catering apartment, or take one of the gourmet rolls away with you and enjoy a budget on-mountain lunch.

Cuisine: Baked goods and sandwiches

Average price: $

Atmosphere: Takeaway

Location: 24 Diggings Tce, Thredbo

18. Crackenback Farm Restaurant

Typically open from May to June, the Crackenback Farm Restaurant is a lovely spot to escape to outside of Thredbo village. A two or three-course menu takes whatever is seasonally wonderful at the time and whips up contemporary plates, with seafood serving as a star ingredient and a house pate showcasing the team’s adoration for French fare.

Setting the scene further is an open fireplace, while an outdoor terrace is the place to linger if that crisp winter sun is shining.

Cuisine: Modern Australian with French influences

Average price: $$$

Atmosphere: Homey

Location: 914 Alpine Way, Thredbo

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Kristie Lau-Adams
Kristie Lau-Adams is a Gold Coast-based freelance writer after working as a journalist and editorial director for almost 20 years across Australia's best-known media brands including The Sun-Herald, WHO and Woman's Day. She has spent significant time exploring the world with highlights including trekking Japan’s life-changing Kumano Kodo Pilgrimage and ziplining 140 metres above the vines of Mexico’s Puerto Villarta. She loves exploring her own backyard (quite literally, with her two young children who love bugs), but can also be found stalking remote corners globally for outstanding chilli margaritas and soul-stirring cultural experiences.
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Why winter is the best time to be on the New South Wales coast

    Kate Bettes Kate Bettes
    NSW’s beach towns take on a new kind of magic when the cooler months hit.

    Autumn and winter cast a whole new light on the New South Wales coastline. The sun hangs lower, the shadows stretch longer and the air is crisp and fresh. The frenetic summer crowds are gone, and the rhythm slows to the pace of a leisurely winter bush walk through still, damp quiet. From wineries pouring winter reds to the annual whale migration up the ‘humpback highway’, here’s why winter on the New South Wales coast is better.

    Winter on the NSW South Coast

    Winter down south means misty dawns, sipping a flat white on the beach. The thrill of a whale spotting from the headlands and evenings spent slowly savouring Shoalhaven’s wines by the fire.

    Start in Kiama, where waves crash into the famous Blowholes. This natural spectacle is achieved when underground pressure and swell unite, sending sea spray soaring above the basalt cliffs. This means, due to larger waves, you’re even more likely to see an explosive display in winter.

    two people standing in front of kiama blowhole
    See Kiama’s blowholes in full force. (Image: Destination NSW)

    Inland, the Minnamurra Rainforest Walk in Budderoo National Park is all subtropical forest and trilling lyrebird song. Make sure to walk silently along the elevated boardwalks, past winter-swelled creeks and the tangled roots of fig trees. You might just hear one of the musically talented birds mimicking your footsteps.

    Feeling adventurous? Book a session at Illawarra Fly Treetop Adventures for a wobbly walk through the canopy on Australia’s highest zipline.

    Illawarra Fly Treetop Adventures on the new south wales south coast
    Walk among the tallest trees. (Image: Destination NSW)

    Next, it’s time to take the speed down a notch with a drive over to the historic village of Berry. It’s been a beloved stop for generations of Sydneysiders heading south, as has the obligatory stop at its famous doughnut van for crisped, cinnamon goodness. If you’re ready for something a little more chunky, stroll right past the boutiques (okay, go on, just one quick peek) to Milkwood Bakery. Their flaky pastries and all-day breakfasts are best enjoyed under cream-coloured fringed umbrellas.

    Back in Kiama, you’ll also find modern Middle Eastern share plates at Miss Arda, and next-level burgers on The Hungry Monkey‘s extensive menu: an ode to everything pattie-shaped.

    End the day at The Sebel Kiama on the harbour. The apartment-style rooms come with full cooking facilities — a welcome addition for families looking to test out the local produce they picked up along the way. Including, but not limited to, vintages from nearby Crooked River Wines.

    The Sebel Kiama exterior
    Sleep by the harbour.

    Winter on the Mid-North Coast

    A trip up north is a gentle one at this time of year. You’ll still feel that sunshine warming your shoulders, but the lower temperatures make space for rainforest walks, vineyard lunches and long coastal hikes. All without that pesky humidity.

    First stop? It has to be the town of Port Macquarie. Start by marking out a stretch of the nine-kilometre coastal walk you want to tackle (or do the whole thing), which winds from Town Beach to the lighthouse along rugged headlands and quiet beaches. Hot tip: binoculars. Don’t forget them if you want to partake in some close-up sightings of dolphin pods or whales migrating up the ‘humpback highway’.

    Port Macquarie Coastal Walk, winter on the New South Wales coast
    Wander the Port Macquarie Coastal Walk. (Image: Destination NSW)

    Swap sea for canopy at the Sea Acres Rainforest Boardwalk, one of the last remaining pockets of coastal rainforest in the state. The accessible elevated trail passes under climbing ferns and tangled strangler figs, and is alive with scarlet robins, goannas and diamond pythons – if you’re lucky, you might see one slipping through the leaf litter.

    Afterwards, lunch is sorted at Cassegrain Wines, where crisp whites and elegant reds are grown using a blend of French winemaking tradition and Australian innovation. After a tasting, saddle up for a horse ride through the estate.

    port macquarie koala hospital
    Meet Koala Hospital inhabitants at their temporary home. (Image: Destination NSW)

    The beloved Koala Hospital is rebuilding, so meet its furry patients in their temporary bushland abode at Guulabaa – Place of Koala. Here, you can see rehabilitation up close and learn how one of Australia’s most iconic animals is being carefully rewilded and protected.

    Back in town, Whalebone Wharf serves up fine dining with serious views to go with your oysters. Prefer something breezier? Bills Fishhouse + Bar does everything from blue swimmer crab toast to zucchini noodles drizzled in basil and wattleseed pesto. Down by the waterfront, Little Shack slings ceviche, mushroom burgers and fish tacos with casual aplomb.

    At the end of it all, check in to Mercure Centro Port Macquarie, right in the heart of town. From here, everything’s walkable. Just park the car, pop your keys in your pocket, and stroll down to the beach.

    bed at Mercure Centro Port Macquarie
    Check in to Mercure Centro Port Macquarie.

    Winter on the Central Coast

    On the Central Coast, expect to explore oyster farms that sit on estuaries, beaches that stretch empty for miles, and the kind of surprise sightings of whale sprays that can stop a hiker in their tracks.

    The best way to settle into this slower rhythm is with the Bouddi Coastal Walk, an 8.5km trail that dips through rainforest and eroding cliffs. It’s made for unhurried walkers and long-lens photographers.

    Up the coast in Terrigal, it’s prime time to spot humpbacks on the move. Join a cruise or find your own perch — Crackneck Lookout and Norah Head Lighthouse are both local favourites.

    a humpback whale breaching on the central coast
    Spot migrating humpback whales. (Image: Destination NSW)

    Travelling with kids? It would be sacrilege not to visit the Australian Reptile Park. Here, Elvis the saltwater crocodile reigns supreme, and the venomous snake talk somehow manages to be simultaneously terrifying and fascinating.

    If that isn’t enough to wear them out, zip and climb your way through Treetops Adventure Central Coast, a ropes course in the canopy of Ourimbah State Forest. Afterwards, steady your nerves with a garden tasting at Firescreek Botanical Winery, where fruit- and flower-infused wines are served under the trees.

    Switch earth for sea and hop on a boat tour with Broken Bay Pearl Farm. Once you’re out on the water, you’ll learn how pearls are cultivated and have a hands-on lesson in grading and shucking.

    woman holding a pearl at Broken Bay Pearl Farm
    Get a hands-on pearl lesson. (Image: Destination NSW)

    As the day winds down, grab a seat at Yellowtail in Terrigal, which takes seasonal native produce and presents it with Asian flair. Prefer something simple? Award-winning Mount White restaurant Saddles is a quintessential Australian dining destination. Find an impressive breakfast and lunch menu, dedicated to country-style cooking and seasonal produce.

    Stay the night at Pullman Magenta Shores, between the ocean and the lake. There are plenty of ways to relax, with a massage at the day spa, a poolside beanbag and a round or two at the golf course.

    restaurant at Pullman Magenta Shores central coast
    Eat well at Pullman Magenta Shores’ restaurant. (Image: Destination NSW)

    Winter in Wollongong

    Wollongong does contrast pretty well. One moment you’re walking beneath an enormous Buddha, the next you’re ordering soju a few blocks from the surf. It’s a town where skydivers land on beaches, trails lead to paddocks and winter days stretch long and clear beneath the Illawarra cliffs.

    If you’re coming from the north, start by crossing over the Sea Cliff Bridge. Curving dramatically out like a jutting ‘C’ out above the water means you won’t be able to resist pulling over (safely, in designated lookouts) to gaze down at the waves crashing on the cliffs below.

    Just inland is the serenity of the Nan Tien Temple, the largest Buddhist temple in the Southern Hemisphere. You can trace the prayer path, explore the temple gardens and sip delectable Kam Quat Tea in the quiet light at the Dew Drop Inn Tea House.

    monk teaching tai chi at Nan Tien Temple
    Learn about Buddhist practices. (Image: Destination NSW)

    Next, dust off that cowboy hat. It’s time for the Darkes Forest Riding Ranch. Take a guided canter via trail rides among peppermint gums and paddocks. If you’re happier to look at animals than ride them, Symbio Wildlife Park has red pandas dozing in trees, kangaroos that hop up to you and lessons on conservation.

    The brave among you shouldn’t miss Skydive Australia – Wollongong. A free fall over the coast via tandem jumps before tumbling down to the sand is a breath-stopping thrill. Prefer to keep your feet on the ground? Check out the program at Wollongong Art Gallery, which delivers contemporary and Aboriginal exhibitions in the centre of town.

    monkey at Symbio Wildlife Park
    Hang out with the locals at Symbio Wildlife Park.(Image: Destination NSW)

    As evening settles in, nab a table at Baby Face Kitchen. It has an ever-changing set menu, with dishes like hand-picked mud crab with white asparagus and salty brown butter, to sheep’s milk and honey ice cream. For something more casual, Dagwood Bar + Kitchen brings the fun with Korean fried chicken, sake cocktails and weekly all-you-can-eat bao buns.

    Check in to Novotel Wollongong Northbeach, right by the sand. With a beachfront pool and ocean views, it’s an ideal base for whatever pace you choose.

    Novotel Wollongong Northbeach
    Fall asleep listening to the waves.

    Winter on the New South Wales coast starts with a cosy place to stay. Start planning your adventure at all.com.

    18 Thredbo restaurants to live your ultimate après-ski life