Snowy Hydro has been running educational programs for schools visiting the Snowy Mountains Scheme for over 10 years. The programs offer a unique learning experience for students from Primary School to Year 12.

A range of educational classroom resources has been produced specifically for schools, each providing an appropriate case study for a range of syllabuses. Each resource is outlined in this section through their appropriate stages.

As well as these classroom resources, the Snowy Hydro Discovery Centre situated in Cooma (just over an hour from Canberra) has a range of activities tailored to fit your programs. The Centre focuses on the Schemes power stations, dams, water resources and energy market but it also includes displays on key topics such as water, environment, engineering and history. Exhibits ranging from pedal-power bikes, an interactive energy market and hands-on models reinforce a dynamic learning experience for students of all ages.  The Centre delivers tailored presentations to students about the Scheme which cover the environment, cloud seeding, renewable energy, National Electricity Market and water.

Kosciuszko Education Centre – Sawpit Creek

With over 10 different programs available ranging from Stage 1 to Stage 6, the Kosicuszko Education Centre is the destination for your learning activities. Choose the package or packages to suit your students curriculum requirements (based on Science or Geography) and then go off and explore all that Mt Kosciuszko has to offer.

Click here for the Program List & Key Outcomes.

Snowy Mountains Visitor Centre – Jindabyne
The Snowy Region Visitor Centre is conveniently located on Kosciuszko Road in Jindabyne.  Information is available on Kosciuszko National Park and the region. This is provided by an interpretative display area and an extensive range of brochures covering many attractions, activities and points of interest. The centre also houses a licensed café and a 180 seat cinema showing the free film “Spirit of the Snowy Mountains”.

Gaden Trout Hatchery – Jindabyne
The NSW Government’s Gaden Trout Hatchery, on the Thredbo River, 10 km north-west of Jindabyne, is one of Australia’s main centres for breeding and rearing cold water sport fish. Four species, rainbow trout, brown trout, brook trout, and Atlantic salmon are produced by NSW Department of Primary Industries and stocked into the dams and river systems of our trout fisheries in the snowy mountains, southern highlands, the central tablelands and New England areas. Currently operations are being funded by the Recreational Fishing Trusts. This has enabled the department’s fish stocking program to continue to provide many benefits and is recognised for its importance to the community in terms of quality recreational fishing, stock for the aquaculture industry, conservation activities, visitor education, employment opportunities and subsequent economic benefits in regional areas that have grown in response to the activity over many years.

Students can view and sometimes partake in feeding of the big fish that come to the surface in some of the hatchery’s brood stock ponds, watch a 10 minute introduction video that outlines the hatchery’s purpose and operations, and go for a walk around the grounds with one of the experienced hatchery staff.

Yarrangobilly Caves – Tumut
(Approx 2 hours from Jindabyne)

 

Formed in a belt of limestone laid down about 440 million years ago, the Yarrangobilly Caves are some of the most beautiful in Australia.

Experience a Show Cave Tour where the students will be told about the history of the caves. The Castle and Harrie Wood Caves are opened for special discovery tours and by appointment.

The students can also seek out native plants and animals, take a bushwalk along a shady trail, enjoy a swim in the thermal pool, which is a constant 27C. At the end of the Lookout walk, enjoy the views from Bluff lookout over Yarrangobilly Gorge, Harrie Wood Gorge and the historic Rules Creek Valley.

There are picnic and barbecue facilities available.
Leadership Programmes & Activities
Team building activities from guided abseiling, climbing tours to canoeing and horse riding, help students work together and build relationships while having fun. Tours and courses can be added to your itinerary, whether its an hours bike ride or a full afternoon on Lake Jindabyne.

Activities:

• Boat, Canoe & Kayak Hire
• Abseiling
• Horse Riding
• Cycling
• Bobsled Rides (Thredbo)

Travelling Through Canberra?

Parliament and Civics Education rebate (PACER)

The Parliament and Civics Education Rebate (PACER) provides a subsidy for schools travelling more than 150 kilometres to visit the national capital as part of a civics and citizenship education excursion. Schools must visit Parliament House, Old Parliament House (Museum of Australian Democracy at Old Parliament House and/or the National Electoral Education Centre) and the Australian War Memorial, and, where possible, participate in an education program at these institutions.
The rebate is available for Years 4–12 students, and is paid to schools on a per student basis at rates that vary according to the distance travelled. Funds should be used to reduce the costs for individual students.

Click here to download the PACER guidelines and application form.

Why Snowy Mountains Holidays?
Experience:
With many years in the industry, we are well known as one of Australia’s leading Snowy Mountains specialists. We understand the need to provide a comprehensive and budget conscious itinerary.

Local Knowledge:
Based in Jindabyne, the heart of the Snowy Moutains, we are able to offer unique local knowledge and years of experience.