Tumut sits on the north-west foothills of the Snowy Mountains and is located on the traditional lands of the Wiradjuri, Wolgalu and Ngunnawal Aboriginal peoples.

During summertime, the high country was a meeting place for tribes, with Bogong moths being an abundant food source in the warmer months.

Other locations that were short-listed include Albury, Armidale, Bombala, Dalgety, Lake George, Lyndhurst, Orange, Tooma and Yass-Canberra.

Tumut is considerably wetter than other low-lying towns on the South West Slopes, owing to its location at the immediate foot of the Brindabella Range.

Warm to hot, dry summers (though with chilly nights) and cool, wet winters characterise its climate.

CarterHoltHarvey Woodproducts (Central and Northern Regions) Pty Ltd operate a major sawmill on Adelong Road (the Snowy Mountains Highway) and a chipboard panel factory next door.

8 km further west on the Snowy Mountains Highway at Gilmore the company also operates a sawlog processing plant.

The Visy pulp and paper mill is located north of the Snowy Mountains Highway at Gadara (between Tumut and Adelong).

This has led to calls by the council and local businesses for funding to upgrade the Brindabella Road, as the increased traffic would provide the town greater economic opportunities.

Although the line is not formally closed, it is unlikely to see service again with sections of track lifted during upgrades to the Hume Highway near Gundagai.