Kiandra lies approximately 90 kilometres (56 mi) north-west of Cooma on the Snowy Mountains Highway between Adaminaby and Talbingo.

It lies in the Australian Alps montane grasslands bioregion according to Interim Biogeographic Regionalisation for Australia.

In November 1859, gold was discovered by mountain cattlemen, the Pollock brothers, and by March 1860, some 10,000 miners and storekeepers had raced to the scene.

Kiandra post office opened on 1 June 1860[3] and it is estimated that the area at its peak accommodated around 15,000 people, served by 25 stores, 13 bakers, 16 butchers, 14 pubs, several banks and four blacksmiths.

Chinese miners built Three Mile Dam in 1882 to assist with sluicing operations at "New Chum Hill".

[4] A 'battery stamper' and other mining relics recovered locally are situated on the road to Cabramurra below New Chums Hill, close to the NPWS entry booth (which is only attended during the snow season).

The Wig and Pen Brewery in Canberra commemorates this chapter in Australia's High Country history with a pale golden pilsner beer in the Czech style, named "Kiandra Gold".

This decision by the NPWS not to preserve much of the human heritage of the township remains a source of resentment in some quarters in the district to this day.

The area retains various other relics of Australian pioneer history, including mining equipment, old gravesites and abandoned diggings.

The remaining buildings at Kiandra are of high heritage value and historical walking trails provided information on the former layout and points of interests of the old town.

The most substantial remaining building is the former courthouse, which was originally constructed in 1890, and which was partially restored by National Parks in 2010, Stokes Rousseau and carpenters Sean Walker and Barry Ellwood from Furnbiz for use as an interpretive centre.

The later additions to the original courthouse at the rear of the building remain in a state of outward disrepair, although National Parks intended to continue the restoration in stages, aiming to preserve the cultural history of the site across its many previous uses.

A number of interesting photographic studies were taken of life at Kiandra, including a series by Charles Kerry, and a scene of Chinese miners near the Township.

[35] If using the 0 °C (32.0 °F) isotherm, Kiandra qualifies for the continental (Dfb) climate type which is extremely rare in the Southern Hemisphere and arguably nonexistent in Australia.

Climate statistics were compiled at the Kiandra Chalet site, elevation 1,395 metres (4,577 ft), from the year 1866 until 1974.