We’re always chasing those moments. Moments when it feel like you could ride forever, when it feels like you’re part of nature, when the fresh air, stunning landscapes and a sense of achievement fill your senses. Moments when your family can all explore a new place together without stressing about traffic, red lights and when your next meeting is. You can find these moments, and so much more, when cycling in the Snowy Valleys.
Highlights
Nestled on the banks of the Adelong Creek, this is the heritage gateway to the Snowy Mountains. Its verandah-lined main street, classified by the National Trust (NSW), has buildings dating back to the gold rush era of the 1800’s.
Adelong’s History
The name ‘Adelong’ is believed to be derived from the local Aboriginal dialect, meaning ‘along the way’. It’s said to have been adopted from Adelong Station, which stretched from Tumblong on the Hume Highway, to Batlow.
The nearby heritage listed industrial site of Adelong Falls Gold Mill Ruins boasts a remarkable collection of stone ruins, the remains of the Reefer quartz crushing mill, and an impressive lookout and picnic area. The Adelong Falls Walk links the town to the falls, and provides an easy walk, alongside Adelong Creek, for locals and visitors alike.
With origins steeped in pioneer history and gold, and the preserved ruins of the gold mill open to exploration, the town makes for a wonderful base to explore the region’s nearby wineries, lakes, rivers, mountains, caves, forests and snowfields.
Things to do in Adelong
Explore the past at Adelong Falls Gold Mill Ruins, Adelong Cemetery, or a stroll down the NSW Heritage Listed main street. Visit Rustic Creations to browse handmade gifts or grab a gold pan to try your luck at fossicking. (Check out NSW fossicking regulations here.)
Enjoy the Adelong Heritage Walk, or the Adelong Falls Walk. As you stroll alongside the creek, see if you can spot an elusive platypus. Relax in the parks, or burn off some energy in the playgrounds. Grab a meal at the pub, club or cafe. In summer, take a dip at Adelong Pool – entry is free – check the website for opening times.
Places to stay in Adelong
A CMCA RV Friendly town, Adelong’s range of accommodation options includes B&Bs, pub-style rooms at Royal Hotel Adelong, the Adelong Golden Gully Caravan Park (powered and unpowered sites, and self-contained cabins), pet-friendly farmstay accommodation, and free RV parking at Adelong Showgrounds. Highfield Farm and Woodland offer the wonderful new Kestrel Nest Eco Hut on farmland at Yaven Creek, between Adelong and the Hume Highway. Here you’ll also find peaceful bush campsites.
Please note, the RV Friendly site at Adelong Showgrounds is currently hosting BlazeAid, who are assisting with the bushfire recovery in the region. Free overnight RV parking is available at Batlow Showgrounds, Mannus Lake, Henry Angel Trackhead or in Gundagai.
Adelong’s Services
Services in Adelong include a service station, supermarket, doctors, chemist, takeaway, cafés, mechanic, library, pub and club. Adelong pool is open in the warmer months, and free WiFi is available in the main street. Playgrounds, basketball courts, a skate park, and accessible public toilets are available in Adelong’s parks.
Events in Adelong
On 17th July 2021, Adelong Showgrounds will host Winter Bites Festival Adelong, a celebration of the food, produce, and beverages of the Snowy Valleys. Coinciding with this delicious new event is Adelong Meat Up. Adelong Meat Up is the inaugural Smoking BBQ competition celebrating all things meat and BBQ. Using locally sourced beef and lamb, four national teams will compete for the first ever Adelong Meat Up trophy and prize pool. With your Winter Bites ticket, you get access to view the competition, watch the judging and partake in demonstrations by leading butchers from across the state.
Adelong Markets are held at the Adelonia Theatre, in the main street, on the first Saturday of each month. Visitors can enjoy local produce, food, craft, coffee and more, from 9am.
Each March, Adelong hosts the Snowy Valleys Cycle Challenge that sees cyclists ride a 144km route from Adelong to Tumbarumba and back. Organised by the local Rotary Clubs, it features spectacular views, challenging climbs and long sweeping descents.