The Man from Snowy River Hotel, which opened on 25 January 1960 with 39 rooms and 39 bathrooms, is a self-catering alpine property in Perisher Valley that serves both skiers accessing Village 8 lift and travellers curious about the Banjo Paterson poem connection. This article traces the hotel’s development from its £150,000 construction budget through seven decades of ownership changes, then examines current pricing, guest review patterns, and practical logistics for booking. The information below draws on the hotel’s official listing pages, historical coverage in regional media, and traveller review platforms.

Last checked: 2026-07-22

Location: Perisher Valley, New South Wales, Australia · Year Opened: 1960 · Distance to Village 8 ski lift: A few hundred metres · On-site Dining & Bars: 1 restaurant, 2 bars, casual & fine dining

Snapshot: The Man from Snowy River Hotel

1 Historical Opening

• Opened 25 June 1960 with 39 rooms, 39 bathrooms, a swimming pool, and a tennis court (Snowy Magazine, tier-2).

2 Location & Ski Access

• Located on Kosciuszko Road, Perisher Valley, within Kosciuszko National Park (Booking.com, tier-2).

3 Management History

• First manager Fritz Feiersinger; later Ann and Brian Smith managed for 26 of its first 60 years (Snowy Magazine, tier-2).

4 Dining & Bars

• On-site restaurant plus two bars offering casual and fine dining (Booking.com, tier-2).

Key Facts: The Man from Snowy River Hotel

Attribute	Detail
Location	Perisher Valley, New South Wales, Australia
Year Opened	1960
Distance to Village 8 ski lift	A few hundred metres
On-site Dining & Bars	1 restaurant, 2 bars, casual & fine dining
Check-in / Check-out	3:00 PM / 10:00 AM
Address	Kosciuszko Road, Perisher Valley NSW 2624
Contact Phone	+61 2 6457 5234
Parking	On-site private parking available
Fitness & Spa	Fitness centre, steam room, beauty salon

Where is The Man from Snowy River Hotel?

Location in Perisher Valley

The Man from Snowy River Hotel sits on Kosciuszko Road inside Perisher Resort, the largest ski resort in New South Wales. The property lies at an elevation of 1,720 metres within Kosciuszko National Park. Because the hotel is inside the resort boundary, guests can walk directly to the snow — no shuttle or car required after arrival. Booking.com lists the address as Kosciuszko Road, 2624 Perisher Valley, Australia. The nearest town is Jindabyne, roughly 30 kilometres south-east, where most off-mountain accommodation and services are concentrated. The nearest commercial airport is Cooma-Snowy Mountains Airport, about 60 kilometres from the hotel.

Distance to Village 8 ski lift

The hotel lies within a few hundred metres of the Village 8 ski lift, a primary access point for Perisher’s four interconnected resort areas. Multiple booking platforms and traveller reviews characterise the location as ski-in/ski-out or close enough that carrying equipment is minimal. One TripAdvisor reviewer noted: “You can step out of the hotel and clip into your skis — that convenience is the main reason we stayed here.”

Nearest town and airport

Jindabyne, the main service town for the Snowy Mountains ski fields, is a 30-minute drive south. Visitors flying in typically fly to Cooma (60 km) or Canberra (about 2.5 hours by road). The resort entry for vehicles requires a Kosciuszko National Park pass, which is usually included in the hotel’s parking arrangements according to the property’s Booking.com page.

What are the prices and reviews for The Man from Snowy River Hotel?

Typical price range per night

Aggregated data from HotelsCombined shows a typical recent average price near US$286 per night, with deals starting from approximately that figure. Prices vary significantly by season: peak snow months (July–August) command higher rates, while shoulder weeks in June and September may be lower. Because the hotel sits on-mountain rather than in Jindabyne, its rate tends to be mid- to upper-range compared to off-mountain accommodation.

Guest review summary

TripAdvisor ranks The Man from Snowy River Hotel among 13 Perisher Valley hotels, with a typical mid-field position around 6th. Reviews consistently highlight two strengths: location proximity to the slopes, and the quality of the evening meals served in the on-site restaurant. One reviewer said: “The dinner was exceptional — genuinely restaurant quality, not just hotel buffet standard.” Another guest mentioned the heated floors in the rooms as a welcome detail after a day on the mountain. Negatives in reviews centre on room size—some guests find the rooms compact by modern standards—and the occasional inconsistency in service during peak periods.

The hotel’s two bars, including a pub-style bar with live music on some nights, earn positive mentions from travellers looking for après-ski options without leaving the property. Two reviewers independently noted that the bar can get crowded on Saturday nights during the main snow season.

What is the connection between The Man from Snowy River Hotel and the film?

Where was the film The Man from Snowy River shot?

Snowy Magazine reports that the hotel’s name references Banjo Paterson’s 1890 poem “The Man from Snowy River”, rather than the 1982 film directly. The film was shot in the Snowy Mountains region, including Perisher Valley and the surrounding high country, but the hotel was built in 1960 — more than two decades before the film’s release. The hotel’s branding leans on the poem association: the Alpine and Snowy Mountains heritage themes are central to its identity, not a film-specific marketing tie.

Was Hugh Jackman in the film?

Hugh Jackman did not appear in the 1982 film. Jackman later portrayed the lead role in the 1980s television series adaptation, not the original movie. The film’s lead actor was Tom Burlinson, who is still alive and active in the entertainment industry.

Where is Harrison’s house in the film?

Despite searcher interest in the exact filming location of Harrison’s house (the property owned by the wealthy pastoralist in the film), no widely publicised public source pinpoints the precise site. The homestead scenes were filmed in the Snowy Mountains area, but the exact location is not formally marked or promoted as a tourist attraction.

What is the history of The Man from Snowy River Hotel and Jack Riley?

When did the hotel open?

Construction began on 6 January 1960 with a budget of £150,000, as documented in Snowy Magazine’s detailed 60-year retrospective. The hotel opened on 25 June 1960, managed by Austrian-born Fritz Feiersinger. The developer, Ken Murray, had also built the Sundeck Hotel in 1959. A fire destroyed the Sundeck roughly four weeks after construction started on The Man from Snowy River Hotel, creating pressure to complete both properties before winter.

In 1972, Murray Publishers Pty Limited was taken over by Australian Consolidated Press, leading to the formation of Kosciusko Alpine Resorts. In 1978, four families — Bart, Breuer, Burger, and Lendvay — purchased the hotel. Ann and Brian Smith took over management in 1987 and ran the property for 26 of its first 60 years. As of 2020, Mark and Jen Mooney had been managing the hotel for the preceding seven years.

Who was Jack Riley?

Jack Riley (1841–1914) was a real stockman who worked in the Snowy Mountains region. Banjo Paterson met Riley and based his famous poem on the stockman’s horsemanship and rugged mountain life. Riley is buried at Corryong, in north-eastern Victoria. The Man from Snowy River Museum in Corryong is dedicated to Riley’s story and the poem’s legacy — it is not connected to the hotel, but the museum helps satisfy traveller curiosity about the historical figure.

“The glow of The Man from Snowy River Hotel’s high glass façade has become a symbol of its warmth and hospitality for guests over six decades.”

— Snowy Magazine, 2020

Timeline of The Man from Snowy River Hotel

• 6 January 1960: Construction begins with a budget of £150,000.
• Early 1960: Sundeck Hotel destroyed by fire; Murray pushes to complete both hotels before winter.
• 25 June 1960: Hotel opens with 39 rooms, 39 bathrooms, swimming pool, and tennis court. First manager: Fritz Feiersinger.
• 1972: Australian Consolidated Press takes over Murray Publishers; Kosciusko Alpine Resorts formed.
• 1978: Hotel purchased by the Bart, Breuer, Burger, and Lendvay families.
• 1987: Ann and Brian Smith become managers; they run the hotel for 26 of its first 60 years.
• ~2013: Mark and Jen Mooney assume management, as reported in the 2020 anniversary feature.
• 2020: Hotel celebrates 60 years of continuous operation.

Hotel Specifications

Category	Detail
Property Name	The Man from Snowy River Hotel
Address	Kosciuszko Road, Perisher Valley NSW 2624
Year Opened	1960
Original Room Count	39 rooms, 39 bathrooms
Check-in / Check-out	3:00 PM / 10:00 AM
On-site Dining	1 restaurant + 2 bars
Additional Amenities	Fitness centre, steam room, beauty salon, private parking
Ski Access	Few hundred metres to Village 8 lift
Contact	+61 2 6457 5234

Pricing Band: Mid-Range to Upscale for On-Mountain Accommodation

Based on aggregator data from HotelsCombined, which shows a typical average near US$286 per night, the hotel sits in the mid-to-upper price tier for Perisher Valley accommodation. Off-mountain hotels in Jindabyne are often cheaper, but they require a 30-minute morning drive plus a resort entry pass. The Man from Snowy River Hotel’s price reflects its on-mountain convenience and the bundled amenities (dining, bars, parking). It is not a budget option, nor is it the most expensive property in the valley.

Location & Getting There

The hotel is located on Kosciuszko Road, Perisher Valley, at an elevation of 1,720 metres inside Kosciuszko National Park. By car from Sydney, the drive is roughly 5.5 hours via the Hume Highway and the Snowy Mountains Highway. From Canberra, the trip is about 2.5 hours. The nearest airport is Cooma-Snowy Mountains Airport (60 km); Canberra Airport is the major alternative (2.5 hours by road). All vehicles entering the park require a Kosciuszko National Park pass, which the hotel typically includes with its parking — confirm when booking.

During the snow season, tyre chains are mandatory for all vehicles entering the park, and the Alpine Way can close temporarily during blizzards. Booking.com confirms on-site private parking is available.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does The Man from Snowy River Hotel have a restaurant?

Yes, it features a restaurant serving casual and fine dining. Multiple TripAdvisor reviewers describe the evening meals as restaurant-quality rather than typical hotel buffet fare.

How many bars are in the hotel?

There are two bars: a pub-style bar that sometimes hosts live music, and a second bar offering a more relaxed setting. Booking.com confirms both as part of the hotel’s on-site facilities.

Is parking available at the hotel?

Yes, private parking is available on-site. The hotel typically includes a Kosciuszko National Park entry pass with the parking, but confirm with the property directly at the time of booking.

Does the hotel have a fitness center or spa?

Yes, a fitness centre, steam room, and in-house beauty salon are offered. These are confirmed in the hotel’s Booking.com listing.

Is The Man from Snowy River Hotel open year-round?

The hotel operates during the ski season (typically June to October) and may have limited off-season hours. Check directly with the property for current availability if travelling outside the standard winter months.

What are the check-in and check-out times?

Check-in is from 3:00 PM; check-out is until 10:00 AM. Both Booking.com and HotelsCombined list the same times.

What is the cancellation policy?

Cancellation policy is not specified in the sources reviewed. The hotel’s terms are shown at the time of booking on each platform.

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