Man from Snowy River Country, NSW, Australia   

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Local History

• The history of the Snowy Mountains
• The history of Reynella Horse Riding Safaris
• Links to Snowy Mountains history

The history of the Snowy Mountains

Before human occupation the Snowy Mountains were covered in native pine forests.	Around 20,000 years ago the aborigines moved in and followed a hunter-gatherer lifestyle.
In 1824 the first white explorers arrived.	The first white settlers.
In 1869 10,000 men joined the Kiandra goldrush.	The skiing postman. Kiandra is the birthplace of Australian skiing.
In the late 1860s, timber cutters started felling the giant Alpine Ash forests.	In the 1940s, Snowy Mountains Hydro Electricity Commission arrived to dam the rivers.
In the 1940s, Kosciuszko National Park was formed to protect the animals and plants.	Today most people come to the Snowy Mountains for recreation.

(NOTE: These illustrations can be found in a mural on the wall of the small cement block building across the road from 'The Big Trout' in Adaminaby, Snowy Mountains, NSW. All illustrations above are photos taken from that mural.)

The history of Reynella Horse Riding Safaris

Commercial Horse Treks through Australia's Snowy Mountains date back to the 1940s. At this time two enterprising young mountain men, Vincent Russell and Harold Mansfield, guided adventures through undoubtedly Australia's most picturesque, inspiring and challenging country.

Among these pioneering adventurers was John Rudd, first introduced to the mountains by his uncle Vincent Russell on a guided trek from Kiandra to Mt. Kosciuszko.

For John, this led to a lifetime affiliation with the high country and he has continued the tradition with his wife Roslyn, guiding adventurers through the Kosciuszko National Park on horseback.

In 2004 John received an OAM ( Order of Australia Medal ) in the Australia Day Awards for Eco-Tourism.

Links to Snowy Mountains history

• Kiandra Historical Society
  Information on aboriginal history, Kiandra Goldrush , plus much more
• The Snowy Mountains Scheme - Cultural Portal

REYNELLA RIDES, Roslyn and John Rudd, Adaminaby, NSW 2629, Australia