1960s Thredbo Village | Australia’s Ultimate Winter Playground

Before luxury ski resorts and crowded winter slopes, Australia’s alpine country was a rugged wilderness known mainly to adventurous skiers and mountain locals. This spectacular 1960s Australian Diary film captures the rise of Thredbo Village and the transformation of the Snowy Mountains into Australia’s ultimate winter playground. Set beneath Mount Kosciuszko, the rapidly growing alpine resort offered modern lodges, scenic chairlifts and some of the most exciting ski runs in the Southern Alps. With new all-weather roads connecting Sydney and Melbourne to the high country, Australians were discovering skiing and snow holidays on an unprecedented scale. From beginner lessons on gentle slopes to high-speed chairlifts climbing the mountain, this rare colour footage showcases the energy and optimism of Australia’s post-war ski boom. The film also captures the extraordinary beauty of Kosciuszko State Park, where snow-covered peaks, snow gums and alpine landscapes combined with the enormous Snowy Mountains Hydro-electric Scheme to reshape the region forever. Featuring vintage skiing, alpine tourism and breathtaking mountain scenery, this is a remarkable time capsule from the golden age of Australian winter holidays. The Australian Diary Series (1947–1970) records aspects of everyday life, industry and production in mid 20th century Australia. To watch more Australian Diary films visit: 👉 https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLCED13FCE809FD297 👉 Subscribe for more restored Australian documentaries, rare archive films and untold screen history: https://www.youtube.com/@NFSAFilmAustralia?sub_confirmation=1 From the Film Australia Collection, National Film and Sound Archive of Australia Title: Australian Diary No. 129 NFSA ID: TVN7KES8 Catalogue ID: 1624 Year: 1966 Credits: Production Company: Australian Commonwealth Film Unit Produced by: The Department of the Interior Director: John Martin-Jones #Thredbo #SnowyMountains #MountKosciuszko #AustralianHistory #FilmAustraliaCollection #AustralianDiary #nfsa