All that remains of a Kiandra house. Photo: Adrian Tritschler.

Kosciuszko NP, 85km north-west of Cooma

Legend has it that a thirsty shepherd when trying to drink from a local creek almost choked on a nugget of gold. By 1860 the quiet town of Kiandra became a bustling goldmining centre with 15,000 residents, 25 stores, 13 bakers, 16 butchers and 14 hotels.

Kiandra was Australia's only snowbound gold mining village and, when in the winter of 1861 Scandinavian miners introduced snow shoeing - skiing - to Australia, it became the birthplace of skiing in Australia.

Today, only remnants remain of the old Kiandra. Foundation funds helped in the overall redevelopment of historic Kiandra.