This weekend, a group of HerCanberrans are heading for Cooma, bound for Birdsnest as part of our first Spring fashion roadtrip.

If you missed out on a place for the September and October trips, keep a close eye on the site, as we’re hatching plans for a third before the all important Christmas Party season!

Many people are surprised that Cooma is home to such a thriving fashion business – Birdsnest employs over 90 staff, has recently introduced its own inhouse fashion label, and took out the Best Customer Experience category of the prestigious Online Retail Industry Awards last month. But that’s not the only great thing about this country town, just an hour or so from Canberra. It’s an ideal day trip for the girls, with some great ways to fill in the time when you’re not shopping!

Here are the Birdsnest Girls’ insider tips for people visiting their Cooma ‘nest’. Why not hit the road one weekend and discover the region (be sure to stop at Bredbo’s Christmas Barn on the way!)

Things to do in Cooma

Your first stop in town should be the Cooma Visitors Centre (1800 636 525). The lovely staff have all the goss on the things to do and places to see! But here are some highlights….

BIRDSNEST

Well, no surprise that retail therapy should be first on your agenda, and where better to start than Birdsnest! The Cooma store boasts over 250 suppliers, including Esprit, Seafolly, JAG, Ladakh, Wish, Charlie Brown and Metalicus, and shopping in the boutique is an experience in itself, as you can read all about in Fiona Keary’s retail review.

The boutique stocks one of every item – you can spend your time looking at and touching the beautiful pieces then when you find what you want you can hop over to the nearest laptop or iPad, scan the item (which brings up the details just like on the web page) and you can choose your size and preferred colour. Fill in your name and wait in the arrivals lounge (i.e. dressing room) for your order to arrive. If you find when trying the item on that it is not quite the right size or style – no fear – just use the iPad in the dressing room to order another one. Oodles of fun!

the essentials
Where: 232 Sharp Street Cooma
When: Open Monday to Friday 10am-5pm, Saturday 10am-2pm
Phone: 6455 7575

RAGLAN GALLERY AND CULTURAL CENTRE

If you like beautiful things, head to Raglan Gallery and Cultural Centre – it features the work of Snowy Mountains and Monaro artists – their paintings, prints, photographs, ceramics, sculptures, jewellery, craft, poetry and books.

the essentials
Where: 9/11 Lambie St, Cooma
When: Open Wednesday to Sunday 9.30am – 4.30pm
Phone: 6452 3377

SNOWY HYDRO DISCOVERY CENTRE AND COFFEE SHOP

If you’re interested in Cooma’s role as headquarters of the Snowy Snowy Mountains Hydro-electric Scheme, you shouldn’t miss a visit to the Snowy Hydro Discovery Centre and Coffee Shop. This state-of-the-art visitor facility 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. The centre also has two theatres, which show a variety of short films about the Scheme throughout the day.

the essentials
Where: Lot 1 Monaro Hwy, Cooma
When: Discovery Centre open 7 days: Monday to Friday 8am – 5pm, Saturday, Sunday and Public Holidays 9am – 2pm. Coffee Shop open 7 days: Monday to Friday 9am – 4pm, Saturday and Sunday and Public Holidays 9am – 1pm
Phone: 6453 2004

COOMA MONARO RAILWAY

If you’ve got a little more time on your hands, or want to spend a day with the family, the Cooma Monaro Railway (CMR) is a lovely way to spend time. The CMR is an established Australian heritage railway and uses CPH Railmotors, locally restored to (almost) ‘good as new’ condition.

The full Heritage Train run is to Chakola, 19 km from Cooma on the banks of the Numeralla River. Some services run to the intermediate stations at Snowy Junction and Bunyan (details of run times and costs here). 

the essentials
Where: Cooma Railway Station, Bradley Street, Cooma.
When: Open weekends (check times and availability with Cooma Visitors Centre). Trains depart Cooma Railway Station at 11am, 1pm and 2pm. During the winter months (until end September), trains depart only on Sundays at 1pm and 2pm.
Phone: 6452 7791 or 0417 061 699

Places to eat and spots for a great coffee

FEED CAFE AND CATERING

On our first roadtrip to Birdsnest back in April, we were treated to beautiful little individual lunchpacks, made by Feed’s Annabelle Rivers. Soooo good.

After cooking and travelling all over the world for her first 10 years after school, and running a very successful catering company in Mosman Sydney for the next 10 years, Anabelle decided to settle in Cooma and open Feed Café and Catering. Sydney’s loss is Cooma’s gain, as they benefit from Annabelle’s passion for seasonal, locally sourced produce and fresh healthy food.

the essentials
Where: Hain Centre, Sharp Street, Cooma
When: Open Monday to Friday 7.30am – 4pm
Phone: 6452 7569

THE LOTT FOODSTORE

The Lott is a regular in the Good Food Guide, and open for breakfast and lunch, morning and afternoon tea seven days a week.  has been listed regularly in the Good Food Guide. Located within a 100-year-old wool store, The Lott focuses on regional and seasonal produce, the coffee is The Lott’s own blend of Snowy Mountains Coffee, and there’s a great range of ‘foodie’ wares to buy!

the essentials
Where: 178-180 Sharp St, Cooma
When: Open Monday to Wednesday 7:30am to 4pm, Thursday 6pm to 9pm (Pasta at The Lott), and Friday until 5pm. Saturday and Sunday 8am to 4pm
Phone: 6452 1414 

KETTLE & SEED

A touch of Sydney in the country. A minimalist, edgy fitout, La Marzocco espresso machine, Has Garanti roaster, and award-winning Snowy Mountains Coffee beans roasted on site make Kettle & Seed a must for caffiends.

the essentials
Where: 47 Vale Street, Cooma
When: Monday to Friday 7am to 4pm, Saturday 8am to 2pm
Phone: 6452 5882

And then there’s

But wait, there’s more! These places are also great for a bite to eat or cuppa, and there’s something for every taste…

Kuma Pies

180 Sharp St, Cooma
P: 6452 6337
Open Monday to Friday 8am to 5pm, Saturday 8am to 2pm
Gourmet Pies, Pastries, Cakes Bread & Quiche

Alpine Hotel Bistro

170 Sharp St, Cooma
P: 6452 1466
Open 7 days 12pm to 2pm and 6pm to 9pm
À la carte dining

Pha’s Thai Kitchen

Sharp St, Cooma
P: 6452 5489
Open Tuesday to Saturday 11am to 2:30pm and 5pm to 9:30pm
Eat in or take away

Roses Lebanese Restaurant

1/69 Massie St, Cooma
P: 6452 4512
Open Monday to Saturday 11:30 to 2:30pm and 6pm until late
Traditional Lebanese & Australian Cuisine. Halal food served.

Cooma Cafe, Turkish Kebab & Pizza

84 Sharp St, Cooma
P: 6452 6537
Open 7 Days 7.30am to 8pm
Kebabs and pizza!

Places to Stay

Keen to make a weekend of it? Here are some great places to stay, whether you prefer boutique motel style accommodation, B&B or self-contained cottage.

Cromwell House (seen above)
1 Cromwell St, Cooma NSW 2630
M:0418 223 000

Kinross Inn
15 Sharp St, Cooma
P : 02 6452 3577

Cooma Cottage
31 Baron Street, Cooma
e: coomacottage@yahoo.com.au
P: 02 6452 2583
M: 0412 077 647

Woodvale
28 Church Road, Cooma
M: 0457 234 099
E: bookings@woodvalecooma.com.au

Bunyanvale Cottage
198 Bunyanvale Road, Bunyan
E: nataliejohnson5@bigpond.com
P: 02 6452 5543

Ellstanmor Country Guesthouse
Massie Street, Cooma
P :  02 6452 2402
M:   0418 434 189
Email: ellstanmor@gmail.com