4 /5 Tim Spokes: A reasonable place to stop while crossing the high country. In good weather it is a unique photographic location. It is also the place of Aus first down hill ski slope. Once a thriving gold town in the Alpine way, now decimated by the 2000 bush fires. The roads there are sealed although the passing traffic is now well populated by Heavy vehicles for snowy Hydro 2 construction: caution is advised. There are turnout lanes for the slower drivers. Kiandra itself is all but a one house/ 200 horse town. The house destroyed in the fires. The Eucumbene River quite close by offers great fly fishing with quite a difficult access. Possibly best to be in a 4by4. Over the holiday season expect multiple grey nomads and young families. The road from Tumit to Kiandra is Alpine and the expected 30kl per hour hair pin bends will challenge the experienced towing a van. Particularly if you come face-to-face with a heavy vehicle.
Expect to spot plenty of brumbies along your drive along with lyrebirds fossicking on the road side. On poor visibility days it is probably best to keep heading to Adaminaby if that is your direction. While the maps may suggest a lesser drive, the hair pin bends will add an extra hour to your crossing.
The climbing mountains along the road side are worth the view although it is quite unsafe to pull up and take a photo. Chains are a must in snow time and you will be travelling very slowly with those on. Car sick prone people are well advised a snails pace or stop at each opportunity if you have to cross.
Travelling up the Hume to Yass may prove to be a lot faster, economical and reduce your fatigue. Yass to Canberra on to Coma and Jindabyne may prove a lot faster and even reduce your fuel consumprion in comparison to the Tumit-Kiandra-Adaminiby route. Choice is yours. At Kiandra you will see the meandering Eucumbene River across the planes and the keen eyed will achieve that photo moment. The road stop has toilets although quite close to the road if with the little ones. Those heavy vehicles cannot stop as fast as a car so be cautious and drive to the conditions.
If on a motorbike you will probably love this trip in summer. Take lunch from Tumit, stop safely and enjoy the view and location. May be visit the old cemetery subject to weather that may bring out the snakes in the warmer times. There is a presence in this space location that attracts me to it, enjoy your travels
