The Scheme took 25 years to build and was completed in 1974. More than 100,000 people from over 30 countries came to work in the mountains to make true a vision of diverting water to farms to feed a growing nation and to build power stations to generate electricity for homes and industries.

Sixteen major dams, seven power stations
(two underground), a pumping station, 145kms of interconnected trans-mountain tunnels and 80kms of aqueducts were constructed. Even before the Scheme was completed, it was named as one of the civil engineering wonders of the modern world.

The Scheme is operated and maintained by Snowy Hydro Limited. Today, Snowy Hydro continues to play a vital role in the growth and the development of Australia’s national economy, by diverting water that underwrites over $3 billion in agricultural produce and by generating clean, renewable energy.

Snowy Hydro currently provides over 70%
of all renewable energy that is available to the eastern mainland grid of Australia, as well as providing fast response power to light up the morning and evening rush hours of Sydney, Brisbane, Canberra, Melbourne and Adelaide.

Visitor centres, power station tours & viewing areas
are available to the visiting public at designated locations around the Snowy Mountains Scheme. Come, see and experience first hand an essential part of Australia’s water and power industry, engineering wonder of the world and true icon of Australia.

Touring the Snowy Mountains Scheem

Information & Education Centre - Cooma
This state-of-the-art visitor facility showcases the amazing story of the Snowy Mountains Scheme from the early construction days, to the role the Scheme plays today in the continuing development and growth of Australia.

The Snowy Mountains Scheme Information and Education Centre houses a comprehensive exhibition hall that includes an extensive photographic collection, models, hands-on exhibits and interactive displays, which focus on aspects such as engineering, environment, the National Electricity Market, history, water management and power generation.

Have a go on the “power bikes” and see how much energy you can generate. Is it enough to power a TV or even boil the kettle?

See what the Scheme is doing today, where the water is flowing and where our electricity is being sent, all in real time.