Discover Cooma

Cooma brings together a range of interests: motoring and railway history, art, historic trails, and opportunities to explore the surrounding area on foot. These interests can help guide your choice of accommodation. Those interested in technology and transport history will find dedicated attractions; those who prefer the outdoors can choose between a trail through town and the paths in Cooma North Ridge Reserve. Markets and cultural offerings can also be taken into account when planning.

Museums with different focuses

The Cooma Car Club Motor Museum displays historic cars and motorcycles from the Cooma Monaro region. The collection also includes motoring memorabilia. A distinctive feature of the museum is its fully operational American-style 1950s diner. The venue combines regional motoring history with a striking design theme; the diner is part of the museum.

Railway history is the focus at the Cooma Monaro Railway Museum. It is housed in Cooma’s restored railway station building. Groups are welcomed, and tours can be booked by appointment in advance. If you are planning a group visit or a tour, arrange an appointment beforehand and check the practical details before you travel. This means a visit needs to be planned differently from a self-guided walk through town.

Art and history in town

The Cooma Heritage Trail is a self-guided walk through Cooma. The Cooma Creek Reserve Walking & Bicycle Path also has a connection to the town’s history: part of the path forms part of the Lambie Town Historic Walk. The connection applies to one section, not the entire path.

Centrally located Centennial Park is home to the historic Avenue of Flags and the Cooma Mosaic Time Walk. Its murals explore the region’s history. Those interested in the area’s development will find a different perspective here than in the museums’ specialised collections.

The Raglan Gallery & Cultural Centre holds several exhibitions featuring regional artists throughout the year. It also regularly offers art classes and workshops for adults and children. The Charles Davis Gallery displays photographs by Charles Davis; subjects in his work include alpine dawn scenes, snow-covered mountains and the Australian wilderness. The gallery is open daily from 10 am to 4 pm. Opening hours can change, so check them before your visit.

Trails for different interests

The Cooma Creek Reserve Walking & Bicycle Path runs from Church Road at one end of Cooma to Lambie Street at the other end of town. Cooma North Ridge Reserve has a different focus: it covers about 80 hectares and has numerous tracks and trails, including walking trails for exploring the bushland. The reserve is accessible on foot from central Cooma via Crisp Street.

For planning purposes, these are two clearly distinct options: the path crosses Cooma between its stated endpoints and partly forms part of the historic walk; the reserve offers trails through a bushland setting. The figure of about 80 hectares describes the size of the area, not the length of any individual trail. The trail information also does not specify walking times. Choose according to whether you prefer a route through town or trails in the reserve.

Planning a market visit

Fresh Produce Markets are held at Cooma railway station on the second Sunday of each month, from 9 am to 1 pm. This regular event gives you a specific point of reference if you would like to include markets in your travel plans. Market hours can change, so check the date before your visit. This allows you to plan for the market separately from a possible visit to the railway museum, where groups and tours require an appointment in advance.

Discover more destinations: Gundagai, Gundaroo, Sandy Hollow, Sydney, Lithgow, Croydon, Caves Beach, Eccleston.

For the broader travel overview: New South Wales.