Roof of Australia

The snowfields of the Australian Alps are larger than those in Switzerland according to this documentary made by the Commonwealth Film Unit 1957. They are also the workplace of migrants from 30 different nations constructing the Snowy Mountains Hydroelectric Scheme.

The largest engineering project ever undertaken in Australia, the scheme consists of 225 km of tunnels, pipelines and aqueducts which were constructed between 1949 and 1974.

The township of Cabramurra in New South Wales was established in 1954 specifically for the workers and their families. In winter, the town can be covered by snow for 3–4 months.

At its peak the population was over 2000 residents but by 2016 the national census recorded the town having a population of just 37. The last residents are scheduled to leave in 2018.