Best towns to visit on a road trip From Sydney to Melbourne

Here’s how to make the most of an inland road trip between Sydney and Melbourne.

Driving the route from Sydney to Melbourne is a rite of passage for most Australians. Since I moved from Victoria to NSW, it is also a trip I have had the pleasure of undergoing several times over the years.

At around nine-and-a-half hours one way, driving the Hume highway in one go is ill-advised – especially when you can take a detour and get to know some of Australia’s greatest regional towns along the way. So next time you find yourself plugging the route into your GPS, consider a stop at one (or more) of these eight places – starting chronologically from Sydney.

Goulburn

The grand inland city of Goulburn (it was in fact Australia’s first inland city) is an end-point in itself, layering contemporary food and wine experiences upon a rich and colourful rural heritage.

It has historic waterworks and a rail centre, a self-guided heritage tour. It’s also surrounded by bushland, farms and wetlands. To explore it all in detail, find the perfect two-day itinerary here.

On your way out, head to the tiny hamlet of Collector just off the Federal Highway towards Canberra. The Bushranger Hotel, best known for the infamous shooting of Constable Nelson by outlaw Ben Hall and his gang in 1865, is in the centre of town.

Goulburn main street — The famed streets of Goulburn.

Eat: Goulburn’s gastronomic heart culminates at Bryant’s Pies. This may look like your typical regional bakery, however once in the door (queues are common), you’ll find a famous selection of pies, sandwiches, freshly baked bread, sky-high muffins and excellent coffee.

Stay: Step back in time at the charming Railway Barracks , built in 1935 for the town’s first train drivers.

Yass

Three hours south-west of Sydney, through the stunning scenery of the Southern Tablelands, is the picturesque town of Yass. You may recognise this place from its starring role in a wholesome episode of Netflix’s Queer Eye , but there is more to Yass than just its fabulous name.

Grand Victorian and Federation buildings flank its wide main street, complete with quaint boutiques, former bank buildings, an elegant courthouse, quality cafes and restaurants that serve local produce in droves.

The famous Banjo Patterson Park commemorates the bush poet. He famously spent some of his early years in the Yass Valley and later bought a property here so his children could experience a similar country childhood to his. Take a walk around and you’ll soon see why.

Yass valley from above — Meander through the magical Yass valley.

Eat: Finish a busy day at Clementine , the iconic small-batch bakery owned by Brooke Sainsbery and Adam Bantock.

Stay: Choose from one of 50 design-driven rooms at the Abobe Murrumbateman.

Abode Murrumbateman. — An accommodation gem in the heart of Murrumbateman.

Jugiong

You’ll encounter many roadside signs on a drive down the Hume Highway. Follow the one directing you to Jugiong, home of the swanky Sir George Pub .

After two years’ worth of renovations, the pub (which was built in 1852) has recently reopened, and the reimagined venue now houses a restaurant, heritage-listed accommodation, sourdough bakery and beer garden. It’s a worthy pit-stop all on its own.

While you’re in town, sample some local drops at the Jugiong Wine Cellar. It initially began as a way to showcase the 190 hectares of nearby vines, but quickly evolved into a cellar door and store that offers travellers a taste of the best wines produced throughout southern New South Wales.

Wagga Wagga

A few years ago, Wagga Wagga was little more than just another weird and wonderfully named Aussie town. But these days, the land of many crows has transformed into a cosmopolitan regional jaunt offering boutique stays, quality coffee, gourmet restaurants, fine wines and rich cultural experiences.

For a fully-fledged travel guide to Wagga Wagga, head here.

Eat: For a quick fix, the Trail Street Coffee Shop is a bit of a local institution. Alternatively, 25 minutes north-west of Wagga, the tiny village of Coolamon is drawing droves of dairy-loving day-trippers thanks to the café at Coolamon Cheese . Go for the excellent cheese, stay for the excellent lunch fare and well-chosen local Riverina wines.

Stay: The architecturally-designed eco huts on Kimo Estate are a destination in their own right.

Kimo Estate among the landscape — The architecturally-designed eco huts on Kimo Estate.

Holbrook

A detour off the Hume in south central NSW rewards with the naval heritage town of Holbrook. The main drawcard here is the HMAS Otway: a 90-metre submarine dominates the townscape. Learn all about it (and more) at the Submarine Museum and the adjacent commemorative park.

Down the road, the heritage-listed National Museum of Australian Pottery houses over 2,000 treasures to peruse. The collection includes rare antiques made by the convict potter Jonathan Leak, whose few surviving pieces are the earliest marked pottery produced in Australia.

Houlbrook submarine statue — The star of the Houlbrook show.

Eat: Baking since 1899, the Holbrook Bakery is a popular hub and a quintessential frozen-in-time type food establishment.

Stay: I have spent many a night chatting to friendly blow-ins at the Holbrook Skye Motel . It’s cheap, cheerful and everything you’d expect from a regional accommodation offering.

Albury

As far as border towns go, Albury is a heavy-hitter. It’s one of the country’s most productive agricultural areas, offering up the perfect bite-sized town filled with scenery, food and passionate locals.

While there are plenty of appeasing ways to fill your itinerary, an afternoon at the Murray Art Museum (one of Australia’s best regional galleries) is the perfect starting point for gaining an understanding of the region. The vibrant space features a permanent collection and a regular rotating catalogue of exhibitions by local and international artists.

Albury's Murray Art Museum. — Albury’s Murray Art Museum.

Eat: The uber-stylish Blacksmith Provedore has opened a second iteration of its Mulwala restaurant in Albury. This pizza restaurant and bar serves delicious, digestible and honest seasonal fare in a relaxed atmosphere.

Blacksmith Provedore Albury — The uber-stylish Blacksmith Provedore.

Stay: Head to Circa 1928 for the night. This boutique spa hotel is housed in a former Art Deco bank building close to the town’s botanic gardens.

Beechworth

Often described as Victoria’s most beautiful town, there’s a lot to wax lyrical about in beguiling Beechworth. This non-negotiable detour will reward with historic honey granite buildings built on gold rush wealth and steeped in Ned Kelly legend, alongside a booming food and wine scene.

Wander its two main streets, Ford Street and Camp Street, and while away an afternoon bundled into its cosy cafés and restaurants or sipping and swirling at one of its cellar doors . For all the specifics, head to our Beechworth travel guide here.

Beechworth VIC — Stroll the historic streets of Beechworth.

Eat: Provenance proudly sits in an old bank built in 1856, and consistently receives Good Food Guide acclaim. Head chef Michael Ryan combines his Japanese-inspired style with local produce to deliver a degustation that people travel here just to experience.

Stay: Fancy something a bit different? At Beechworth Wildlife Stays you can glamp on 2.5 acres of bushland and, in the day, help feed the farm animals and ogle at Billy the crocodile and the resident python.

Nagambie

Wine, waterways, wetlands and wildlife await only 90 minutes from Melbourne in Nagambie. The charming bush town, with a population of just 1200, sits at the southern end of the Goulburn Valley. While there is plenty to do on land (the Nagambie Farmers Market, the Doll Museum, Black Caviar statue), the townscape is dominated by the impossibly picturesque Lake Nagambie, which lies adjacent to the main street.

Take to the water and be surrounded by abundant birdlife, native plants and local wildlife. Water skiing, speed boating, rowing and yachting are all leisurely ways to pass the time here.

boats on Lake Nagambie., — Life on Lake Nagambie.,

Eat: Tahbilk Wines is a must-do in Nagambie. This fifth-generation estate has roots dating back to 1860. Visit this destination winery to sample some rare Rhone valley varietals, such as Marsanne and Mourvedre, and to dine at the cafe that champions local produce and gazes over serene wetlands.

Stay: Mitchelton Winery offers its own onsite accommodation with the same impeccable attention to detail as its bottles. Architecturally designed, this visually spectacular hotel retains a contemporary flair without damaging the gentle green landscape that surrounds it.

Winding down in the Yarra Valley, where ‘work from home’ becomes ‘work from wine country’.

Steam from my morning coffee curls gently into the cool valley air, mist-veiled vineyards stretch out in neat rows below me. Magpies warble from trees, and the morning’s quiet carries the soft bleating of lambs from a nearby paddock. Midweek in the Yarra Valley has its own rhythm. It’s slower, quieter, with more empty tables at cafes and cellar doors, and walking trails I can claim all to myself. It’s as if the entire region takes a deep breath once the weekend crowd leaves.

walking trails in the Yarra Valley — You’ll find walking trails are less crowded during the week. (Image: Visit Victoria)

I haven’t come here for a holiday, but to do a little work somewhere other than my home office, where I spend too much time hunched over my desk. Deadlines still loom, meetings still happen, but with flexible work evolving from ‘work from home’ to ‘work from anywhere’, I’m swapping the view of my front yard to the vineyards.

A quiet afternoon at Yarra Valley Dairy

holding a glass of wine at Yarra Valley Dairy — Wine time at Yarra Valley Dairy, where you can enjoy a toastie or bagel in the cafe. (Image: Visit Victoria)

With the Yarra Valley just over an hour from the CBD, many Melburnians could drive here in their lunch break. I arrive late in the afternoon and am delighted to discover the Yarra Valley Dairy still open. On weekends, I’ve seen queues spilling out the door, but today there’s only one other couple inside. There’s no need to rush to secure a table; instead I browse the little store, shelves stacked with chutneys, spices, artisan biscuits and gorgeous crockery that would look right at home in my kitchen. It’s hard not to buy the lot.

a cheese tasting plate atYarra Valley Dairy — A cheese tasting plate at Yarra Valley Dairy.

I order a coffee and a small cheese platter, though the dairy has a full menu, and choose a wooden table with bentwood chairs by a wide window. The space feels part farm shed, part cosy café: corrugated iron ceiling, walls painted in muted tones and rustic furniture.

Outside, cows meander toward milking sheds. If pressed for time, there’s the option of quick cheese tastings – four samples for five dollars in five minutes – but today, I’m in no rush. I sip slowly, watching a grey sky settle over the paddock. Less than an hour ago I was hunched over my home-office desk, and now my racing mind has slowed to match the valley’s pace.

Checking in for vineyard views at Balgownie Estate

Restaurant 1309 at Balgownie Estate has views across the vines.

As my car rolls to a stop at Balgownie Estate , I’m quietly excited, and curious to see if my plan to work and play comes off. I’ve chosen a suite with a spacious living area and a separate bedroom so I can keep work away from a good night’s sleep. I could have booked a cosy cottage, complete with open fireplace, a comfy couch and a kettle for endless cups of tea, but as I am still here to get some work done, I opt for a place that takes care of everything. Dinner is served in Restaurant 1309, as is breakfast.

oysters at Restaurant 1309, Balgownie Estate — Oysters pair perfectly with a crisp white at Restaurant 1309.

On my first evening, instead of the usual walk about my neighbourhood, I stroll through the estate at an unhurried pace. There’s no need to rush – someone else is preparing my dinner after all. The walking trails offer beautiful sunsets, and it seems mobs of kangaroos enjoy the view, too. Many appear, grazing lazily on the hillside.

I wake to the call of birds and, after breakfast, with the mist still lingering over the vineyards, I watch two hot-air balloons silently drift above clouds. Perched on a hill, Balgownie Estate sits above the mist, leaving the valley below veiled white.

kangaroos in Yarra Valley — Spotting the locals on an evening walk. (Image: Visit Victoria)

Exploring the Yarra Valley on two wheels

the Yarra Valley vineyards — Swap your home office for a view of the vineyards. (Image: Visit Victoria/Cormac Hanrahan)

Perhaps because the Yarra Valley is relatively close to where I live, I’ve never considered exploring the area any way other than by car or on foot. And with a fear of heights, a hot-air balloon is firmly off the table. But when I discover I can hop on two wheels from the estate and cycle into Yarra Glen, I quickly realise it’s the perfect way to step away from my laptop and experience a different side of the region.

COG Bike offers pedal-assist e-bikes, and while the bike trail and paths into town aren’t particularly hilly, having an extra bit of ‘oomph’ means I can soak up the surroundings. Those lambs I heard calling early in the morning? I now find them at the paddock fence, sniffing my hands, perhaps hoping for food. Cows idle nearby, and at a fork in the bike path I turn left toward town.

It’s still morning, and the perfect time for a coffee break at The Vallie Store. If it were the afternoon, I’d likely turn right, in the direction of four wineries with cellar doors. The ride is about 15 kilometres return, but don’t let that put you off. Staying off the highway, the route takes you along quiet backroads where you catch glimpses of local life – farmers on tractors, weathered sheds, rows of vines and the kind of peaceful countryside you don’t see from the main road.

A detour to the Dandenong Ranges

legs hanging over the sides of the train, Puffing Billy Railway — The iconic Puffing Billy runs every day except Christmas Day.

The beauty of basing myself in the Yarra Valley is how close everything feels. In barely half an hour I’m in the Dandenong Ranges, swapping vineyards for towering mountain ash and fern-filled gullies. The small villages of Olinda and Sassafras burst with cosy teahouses, antique stores and boutiques selling clothing and handmade body care items.

I’m drawn to RJ Hamer Arboretum – Latin for ‘a place for trees’. Having grown up among tall trees, I’ve always taken comfort in their presence, so this visit feels like a return of sorts. A stroll along the trails offers a choice: wide open views across patchwork paddocks below, or shaded paths that lead you deeper into the quiet hush of the peaceful forest.

The following day, I settle into a quiet corner on the balcony of Paradise Valley Hotel in Clematis and soon hear Puffing Billy’s whistle and steady chuff as the steam train climbs towards town. Puffing Billy is one of Australia’s most beloved steam trains, running through the Dandenong Ranges on a narrow-gauge track. It’s famous for its open carriages where passengers can sit with their legs hanging over the sides as the train chugs through the forest. This is the perfect spot to wave to those on the train.

After my midweek break, I find my inbox still full and my to-do list not in the least shrunken, just shifted from one task to another. But I return to my home office feeling lighter, clearer and with a smug satisfaction I’d stolen back a little time for myself. A midweek wind-down made all the difference.

A traveller’s checklist

Staying there

Balgownie Estate offers everything from cellar door tastings to spa treatments and fine dining – all without leaving the property.

Playing there

the TarraWarra Museum of Art, Yarra Valley — Visit the TarraWarra Museum of Art. (Image: Visit Victoria)

Wander through Alowyn Gardens, including a stunning wisteria tunnel, then explore the collection of contemporary artworks at TarraWarra Museum of Art . Cycle the Yarra Valley with COG Bike to visit local wineries and cellar doors.

Eating and drinking there

Olinda Tea House offers an Asian-inspired high tea. Paradise Valley Hotel, Clematis has classic pub fare, while the iconic Yering Station offers wine tastings and a restaurant with seasonal dishes.

seasonal dishes at the restaurant inside Yering Station — The restaurant at Yering Station showcases the best produce of the Yarra Valley. (Image: Visit Victoria)

The best towns to visit on a road trip from Sydney to Melbourne