Jindabyne sits on the shore of Lake Jindabyne, where the road from Canberra starts to feel properly alpine. It is not a grand mountain town, but it is the practical, lively base for the New South Wales Snowy Mountains: skis and boards in winter, bikes, fishing rods, hiking boots, and kayaks the rest of the year.
The lake gives the town its setting. Mornings can be very still, with the Snowies reflected across the water, and summer days are good for paddling, swimming, and slow walks along the foreshore. In winter the town changes gear and becomes the cheaper, busier launchpad for Thredbo and Perisher.
Jindabyne works best if you use it actively. Stop at the Snowy Region Visitor Centre, check weather and park conditions, then head out to the lake, the Thredbo Valley Track, or Kosciuszko National Park. Stay in town all day and it can feel like a service base; use it as a springboard and it earns its place.