This NSW sculpture trail is at its most magical in the snow

Elizabeth Whitehead Elizabeth Whitehead
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You’re probably familiar with Sculpture by the Sea, but this snow-dusted sculpture trail by the same team is well worth a look.

Sculpture by the Sea is an annual art installation that pulls visitors to both coasts of Australia like a magnet. The most famous, Sculpture by the Sea Bondi, transforms the renowned coastal walk between Bondi and Coogee into an outdoor sculpture park come October. But it’s a little-known fact that the same arts organisation actually runs multiple events. The sister event, Sculpture by the Sea Cottesloe, also bedazzles a pocket of Perth’s coastline with sculptures from artists across Australia and the world.

However, most aren’t familiar with Sculpture by the Sea’s third venture, which isn’t by the sea at all, but in a mountainous inland region about 400 kilometres from Sydney. Meet the Snowy Valleys Sculpture Trail from the very same team behind Sculpture by the Sea, a permanent sculpture exhibition in NSW’s Snowy Valleys. Although you can visit this one year-round, we reckon the best time to see it is in the winter when the sculptures are dusted in snow. Here’s everything you need to know about the Snowy Valleys Sculpture Trail.

Václav Fiala, 'Universum', Sculpture Forest Snowy Valleys
Universum by Václav Fiala looks extra special dusted in snow. (Image: Angela Lyons)

 

What is the Snowy Valleys Sculpture Trail?

The Snowy Valleys Sculpture Trail, in the region abutting Canberra and Kosciusko National Park in southern NSW, is a little bit more spread out than its coastal counterparts. It spans roughly 150 kilometres between Tumut and Tumbarumba, comprising 60 sculptures by artists from Australia and around the world. Completing the sculpture trail is like a treasure hunt, as it leads visitors through historic towns, a ‘sculpture forest’ and even local wineries, so you can enjoy a tipple as you cross sculpture sightings off your list. The Snowy Valleys is known for its natural beauty and outdoor activities, and the sculpture trail combines art with the outdoors for a fun and interactive way to explore the region.

Unlike Sculpture by the Sea, this trail is a permanent exhibition that can be accessed year-round, but it’s especially striking in the winter months when the region receives snowfall. Photos that emerged via an ongoing photo competition spotlight the snow-dusted sculptures, the cool change bringing an otherworldly mood-shift to works such as Seated Man by Sean Henry, who sits stoically on a bench, draped with ice.

Sean Henry, ‘Seated Man’, Snowy Valleys Sculpture Trail, Sculpture Forest
Sean Henry’s Seated Man takes on a somber mood in the snow. (Image: Angela Lyons)

Budding photographers, take note: a competition is on for the best snap of the Snowy Valleys Sculpture Trail. The winner will be flown up to Sydney to be an official photographer for day one of Sculpture by the Sea in Bondi, with the award-winning photo published in About Regional and Region Riverina. Find more information on how to enter here.

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Elizabeth Whitehead
Elizabeth Whitehead is a writer obsessed with all things culture; doesn't matter if it's pop culture or cultures of the world. She graduated with a degree in History from the University of Sydney (after dropping out from Maths). Her bylines span AFAR, Lonely Planet, ELLE, Harper's BAZAAR and Refinery 29. Her work for Australian Traveller was shortlisted for single article of the year at the Mumbrella Publishing Awards 2024. She is very lucky in thrifting, very unlucky in UNO.
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(Credit: Nikki To)

    Lucy Cousins Lucy Cousins
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    A great night out doesn’t need a road trip, just the right bar. Swap the long drive for an evening at these standout Sydney venues.

    If you’re thinking of a staycation or a long weekend (with foodie benefits), you can’t get much better than the bright lights and beautiful vistas of Sydney. From tucked-away bars to late-night hidden hangs, Australia’s (unofficial) favourite city is packed full of venues that make staying local feel like an adventure.

    And with Vivid lighting up the sky this winter, there’s no better time to find the perfect cosy spot to enjoy the views or escape the crowds.

    1. El Vista, Circular Quay

    bar tender at El Vista, Circular Quay sydney hotel bars
    Enjoy tasty cocktails and gorgeous Sydney views. (Credit: Mario Francisco)

    This welcoming bar by the Maybe Sammy team offers a fun buzz and jaw-dropping harbour views. Part of the Pullman Quay Grand Sydney Harbour, this lounge bar sits above Circular Quay with the harbour on one side and the Botanical Gardens on the other. You may start here for pre-dinner drinks, but you won’t want to leave before the early hours. If the 1960s Acapulco vibe isn’t enough, the views will be – the Sydney Harbour Bridge is so close it hardly fits in the window, while ferries glide by all night.

    2. Bar Allora, CBD

    Bar Allora, CBD Sydney hotel bars
    Settle in for a taste of Italy.

    Inspired by Milan in the 1980s, Bar Allora brings Italian style and culture to the CBD. Although it’s officially part of the Mantra 2 Bond Street hotel, it’s designed to look and feel like you’ve travelled to Italy for all-day dining. Think espresso in the morning, aperitivo in the afternoon and Negronis late into the night. Accompany your liquid diet with Italian-style small plates and pastas with a modern twist.

    3. Percy, Pyrmont

    Percy Sydney hotel bars
    Spanish-style tapas and wine is the name of the game. (Credit: Steven Woodburn)

    Taking centre stage in the luxe foyer of the Woolstore 1888 Hotel in Pyrmont, Percy is a popular Spanish-style tapas and wine bar serving food that makes you want to linger. The restored 138-year-old wool store creates an atmospheric backdrop to your glass of merlot with exposed timber beams, brick and the echoes of Sydney’s past. With an air of Barcelona, expect low conversations, creative dining and the city moments away.

    4. The Crudo Bar at Flaminia, CBD

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    Grab a seat at the beautifully designed crudo bar, taking centre stage of Giovanni Pilu’s latest CBD restaurant, Flaminia. Enjoy a glass of chilled Vermentino from Sardinia or prosecco from the hills of Treviso, matched with freshly shucked oysters. Complement your seafood with a range of special dressings, influenced by iconic Italian port cities. It’s the perfect spot for a pre- or post- glass of wine before visiting the Sydney Opera House.

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    Enjoy Japanese-influenced food and drinks.

    For something a little different, Mee So is a modern, neon-lit Japanese-influenced bar in the Ibis Sydney Central. Serving bold flavours and umami-heavy dishes alongside sake and yuzu-infused cocktails, this Tokyo-esque venue offers an escape from the busy streets outside. Order steaming ramen, a Japanese whisky and make a corner of Mee So yours for the night.

    6. Bar Morris, Haymarket

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    Housed in a 1929 heritage-listed building, Bar Morris brings old-world European glamour to the Hotel Morris Sydney, part of Accor’s Handwritten Collection. More of a destination than a pitstop, this bar leans into its Art Deco past with velvet features, intimate lighting and bold brass finishes. Here you can order smaller plates like burrata, cured meats, and seasonal seafood to match your martini.

    7. Pumphouse, Darling Harbour

    Pumphouse sydney
    Enjoy a tipple inside a building from the 1880s.

    When you first walk into Pumphouse, you’ll quickly notice the high ceilings, exposed brick and industrial style decor. Officially part of the busy Novotel Darling Square, this busy local hang doesn’t feel like it; it’s housed inside a former hydraulic pumping station from the 1880s – hence the name – and a local institution. Grab a seat if you can and order off the classic modern Australian menu, before trying one of the many craft beers on tap to wash it down.

    8. Wentworth Bar, CBD

    Wentworth Bar sydney hotel bars
    Drink where the celebrities once did.

    Designed for big groups and late-night cocktails, this open-air terrace bar is part of the Sydney Sofitel Wentworth – one of Sydney’s most iconic hotels. Once the watering hole of royals and celebrities, this mid-century building has recently been refurbished to be sleek, modern and inviting. The stunning rooftop bar attracts Sydneysiders who love to watch the sunset with a table full of Vietnamese and French-inspired dishes.

    9. Monica Rooftop Bar, Paddington

    Monica Rooftop Bar, Paddington sydney
    See the city skyline, drink in hand.

    Sitting pretty on top of a restored 110-year-old theatre, Monica is a Hollywood-style rooftop bar with views across Paddington and the city skyline. Part of the 25hrs The Olympia hotel, this isn’t a quick drink kind of place, it’s a ‘let’s stay all night’ kind of venue. Weekend DJs will take you from sunset to late-night conversations, while you graze on ceviche, grilled meats or sharing plates.

    For more information on how to enjoy Sydney for a long weekend, visit ALL.com.