The Western Plains Zoo is Australia’s first open range zoo and one of the countries best zoos. The zoo was established to provide open spaces for – mostly African – animals that need more extensive grounds than could be provided in city zoos. It is home to 82 different species. Although the zoo has a focus on African wildlife, there are animals from around the world including many native Australian animals. There are extensive cycling and walking paths around the zoo. The zoo covers around 300 hectares so renting a bike is probably the best way to see it.
Taronga Western Plains Zoo
Cooma Visitors Centre
Snowy Hydro Discovery Centre
One of Australia’s biggest engineering feats involves 16 large dams on the Snowy River that produce huge amounts of electricity and irrigate large areas of farmland. The scheme’s headquarters is located about 3km from the centre of Cooma and includes a visitor centre with information on touring the facilities.
Snowy Region Visitor Information Centre
Cobb & Co Museum
This museum is home to Australia’s largest collection of horse-drawn vehicles and it includes three stagecoaches from the Cobb & Co company that thrived during the 19th century.
Wollongong Bus Stop
Buses go to destinations south of Nowra as well as to Canberra and Melbourne. Buses terminate at the bus station on the corner of Campbell and Keira Streets.
Ulladulla bus and coach stop
Premier Motor Services stop at Ulladulla on their Sydney–Melbourne run. Coaches stop outside the Marlin Hotel (southbound) and outside the Traveland travel agency (northbound).
Bega bus and coach stop
NSW TrainLink coaches go to Canberra and Premier Motor Services stop in Bega en route between Melbourne and Sydney. Coaches stop at the bus shelter on Gipps Street.
Merimbula Airport
Rex has daily flights from Merimbula Airport to Melbourne and Sydney. The airport is close enough that you can walk the 25 minutes to the YHA hostel (a little longer to get to the town centre).
Cooma bus and coach stop
NSW TrainLink coaches go to Bombala, Canberra, Jindabyne, Merimbula and Eden. NSW TrainLink coaches stop at the Snowstop Village on Sharp Street (Monaro Highway).