From Cooma
37 km
about 30 minutes
Head south on the Monaro Highway — it becomes Bombala Street as you arrive.
Plan your visit
Getting There & Stay
Nimmitabel sits on the Monaro Highway between Cooma and Bombala — an easy, scenic drive from Canberra and the coast.
By road
Finding Nimmitabel
The festival takes over Bombala Street — the village's main street, which is also the Monaro Highway (B23) and the Snowy Mountains Highway (B72).
From Canberra
about 160 km
just under 2 hours
Take the Monaro Highway south to Cooma, then continue south to Nimmitabel.
From Sydney
about 435 km
around 5–6 hours
Travel via Canberra (or the Hume and Federal highways), then the Monaro Highway through Cooma.
From Bega & the coast
about 75 km
allow extra time
A winding road with big elevation changes climbs up from the Sapphire Coast — take it gently.
From Bombala
51 km
head north
Follow the Monaro Highway north into the village.
From Public transport
Coach
NSW TrainLink
NSW TrainLink coaches stop at Nimmitabel (including services from Canberra). Check transportnsw.info for current timetables.
🚗 Parking
The event listing notes car parking, coach parking and an EV charging point in the village. [Festival parking arrangements to be confirmed]
⚠️ Take care
Bombala Street is a working highway. Please watch for traffic, follow marshals and use crossings, especially around the promenade and penny-farthing racing.
🧣 Weather
At around 1,100 m, Nimmitabel can be frosty in May and snow is possible from May to October. Pack warm layers.
♿ Facilities
The event welcomes people with access needs. Public toilets, cafés and family-friendly spaces are available. Pets: please enquire.
Where to stay
Rest your weary cogs
Accommodation books out quickly for festival weekend — reserve early. These options are recommended by the festival.
The Federal Hotel
On the main street in the heart of the action — the festival's birthplace.
Visit website →The Royal Arms B&B
A historic B&B in Nimmitabel, home to the Sundowners Café.
Visit website →Nimmitabel Motel
Comfortable motel rooms in the village.
Visit website →Kallarroo Farmstay
Farm-stay accommodation recommended by the festival — see their website for details.
Visit website →Old Minton Farmstay
Farm-stay accommodation recommended by the festival — see their website for details.
Visit website →Nebula Motel Cooma
More options 30 minutes north in Cooma.
Visit website →Food & refreshments
Fuel for the boilers
Opening hours from the 2026 festival programme — check closer to the date.
- Café Molecular — DomainSat 8am–6pm · Sun 8am–5pm
- Sundowners Café — Royal Arms8am–3pm both days
- Nimmitabel Bakery7am–5pm both days
- Berties Café7am–4pm both days
- Federal HotelEvening meals
- BP Roadhouse7am–8pm
