THE SNOWY MOUNTAINS GOLD
Mt Kosciusko is the highest Mountains in Australia. It is 2228m high. There is a place called Kiandra near
Cooma.
The first attempt in 1834 to run stock was when James and Joseph Pollock grazed sheep.
In June 1854 Gold was found in Kiandra and this is why the town grew. In 1859 there were an estimated 15,000
prospectors in the town. The town yielded 67,000oz of gold in 1860 but the alluvial gold was gone by about 1861.
These days only a few old buildings remain in the area. The historic Kiandra mining area has been listed on
registor of the national estate.
In 1861, skiing began in Kiandra - the first place in Australia to have skiing. The Kiandra Ski Club is the oldest
ski club in the world.
THINGS TO SEE AND DO
The Kiandra bush walk is at the best in the summer, when the wild flower and lupins are out and the town's
remains are a mass of colour. There are a few gravestones, a dam and some ruins but that is all that remains of
the Goldfield.
Selwyn Snowfields offers something for everyone including alpine and cross-country skiing, snowboarding,
tobogganing, snowplay or relaxing your day away in the beautiful mountain environment.
Selwyn Snowfields is “drive-in” snow sport at its best, with abundant car parking right at the slopes. The easy,
pretty drive meanders through the historic gold mining region of Kiandra where skiing began in Australia in 1861.
SKIING AND SNOWBOARDING
Covering more than 45 hectares of ski trails, with runs to suit first-timers, intermediates and the more advanced
skier. The perfect “learn to ski” resort with its wide, open, perfectly groomed terrain.
The New Chum Beginners Bowl is regarded as the premier learn-to-ski area in Australia. Selwyn Snowfields' lift
ticket prices are less than half those of most other snow destinations.
CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING
45km marked trails ranging from 2.5km to 15km in length. All trails are colour coded, intermittently groomed and
track set. Shelter, toilets and car park available at start of trails.
Research by Lee and Robert F. 5/6M
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Elanora Heights Primary School Computer Co-ordinator : 
Judith Bennett
This page was last modified on 1st July, 1998
