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.

Video credit: Tourism Australia

From coast to mountains, hiking in Gippsland offers a stunning array of landscapes, with trails that take you deep into the region’s heritage.

I step out onto the sand and it cries out underfoot. Kweek! I take another step and there’s another little yelp. Screet! Picking up the pace, the sounds follow me like my shadow, all the way down to the water. It’s obvious how this spot got its name – Squeaky Beach – from the rounded grains of quartz that make the distinctive sounds under pressure.

For many, Wilsons Promontory National Park is the gateway to Gippsland , and the best way to explore it is by walking its network of hiking trails, from coastal gems such as Squeaky Beach through to the bushland, among the wildlife. But it’s still just a taste of what you’ll find on foot in the region.

Venture a bit further into Gippsland and you’ll discover the lakes, the rainforest, and the alpine peaks, each changing with the season and offering summer strolls or winter walks. Just like that squeaky sand, each step along these trails has something to tell you: perhaps a story about an ancient spirit or a pioneering search for fortune.

The best coastal hikes in Gippsland

sunset at Wilsons Promontory National Park — Wilsons Promontory National Park is a sprawling wilderness with many coastal bushland trails. (Image: Mark Watson)

Wilsons Promontory National Park (or ‘The Prom’, as you’ll end up calling it) is an easy three-hour drive from Melbourne, but you might ditch the car when you arrive, with much of the park’s 50,000 hectares accessible only by foot. From the inky water of Tidal River (dyed dark purple by abundant tea trees), I like the easy walks along the coast, among lichen-laden granite boulders, to golden beaches and bays.

a couple on Mount Oberon — Panoramic views from the summit of Mount Oberon. (Image: Everyday Nicky)

The trail to the panoramic views at the summit of Mount Oberon is a bit harder, up steep timber and granite steps, but it’s a popular 6.8-kilometre return. The more remote hikes are found through the open banksia and stringybark woodland of the park’s north, or along the multi-day Southern Circuit , which ranges from about 35 to 52 kilometres, with sunrises and sunsets, kangaroos and cockatoos, and maybe even whales.

a golden sand beach at Wilsons Promontory National Park — Walk ‘The Prom’s’ golden sand beaches. (Image: Tourism Australia/Time Out Australia)

You might also see whales on the George Bass Coastal Walk , even closer to Melbourne on the western edge of Gippsland. This dramatic seven-kilometre trail along the clifftops takes in sweeping views of the wild ocean, occasionally dipping down from grassy green hills to coastal gullies and a secluded beach. It also now links into the Bass Coast Rail Trail for an extra 14 kilometres.

Over at the eastern edge of Gippsland, in Croajingolong National Park, you can wander along the lakeshores beneath koalas and around goannas (I keep my distance since one chased me here!). For those who are even more adventurous, the park is also the starting point for the 100-kilometre Wilderness Coast Walk , usually done over seven days.

the Croajingolong National Park, Gippsland — Wander along the lakeshores in Croajingolong National Park. (Image: Tourism Australia)

The best bush hikes in Gippsland

the Baw Baw National Park — The alpine heath of Baw Baw National Park. (Image: Everyday Nicky)

Deep in the Long Tunnel Extended Gold Mine at Walhalla, mining guide Richard tells me how this small town in the mountains east of Melbourne boomed when prospectors found gold here in 1862. These days, you’ll find most of the town’s treasure – its heritage – above ground, with the Walhalla Tramline Walk a wonderful way to explore it.

Just seven kilometres long, the walk takes you through decades of Gold Rush history, following the original rail trail from lush bushland to the mining sites, and through the charming village of just 20 residents with its wooden cottages and old shopfronts adorned with turn-of-the-century advertising posters. Blazing a trail where trailblazers once opened up the region, this is also the starting point for the 650-kilometre Australian Alps Walking Track.

Nearby, Baw Baw National Park has walks through gnarled snow gums and alpine heaths that show off the colourful wildflowers in summer and the pristine carpet of white in winter. Several trails are perfect for snowshoes, including a 45-minute route from St Gwinear up to vast views across the Latrobe Valley.

Further up into the mountains, the Toorongo and Amphitheatre Falls Loop Walk is an easy 2.2-kilometre path that serenades you with the sound of flowing water as you pass mossy rocks and tree ferns en route to two sets of waterfalls cascading over boulders in the remote wilderness.

The best cultural hikes in Gippsland

the Mitchell River National Park, Gippsland — Hike the Mitchell River National Park. (Image: Parks Victoria/Grace Lewis)

Across a pool in a natural sandstone amphitheatre, deep within a cave behind a waterfall, it’s said the Nargun has its lair. A fierce creature, half human and half stone, that abducts children and can’t be harmed by boomerangs or spears, the story of the Nargun has been told around the campfires of the local Gunaikurnai people for generations.

As a culturally significant place for women, hikers are asked not to go into the Den of Nargun, but a 3.4-kilometre loop walk leads you through a rainforest gully to the entrance where you can feel the powerful atmosphere here in Mitchell River National Park , along Victoria’s largest remaining wild and free-flowing waterway.

the bee-eaters at Mitchell River National Park — Bee-eaters at Mitchell River National Park. (Image: Parks Victoria/Grace Lewis)

The Den of Nargun is part of the Bataluk Cultural Trail , a series of important traditional Gunaikurnai sites through central Gippsland. Another location is Victoria’s largest cave system, Buchan Caves Reserve, with trails to important archaeological sites of human artefacts up to 18,000 years old. The FJ Wilson Interpreted Walk includes the naturally sculpted white limestone steps of the 400-metre-long Federal Cave, while the Granite Pools Walk goes among tall timber and moss-covered gullies.

the ancient rainforest of Tarra-Bulga National Park — The ancient rainforest of Tarra-Bulga National Park. (Image: Josie Withers)

Also important to the Gunaikurnai people is Tarra-Bulga National Park , known for its ancient myrtle beeches and enormous mountain ash trees. Just 40 minutes return, the Tarra Valley Rainforest Walk offers a taste of this verdant landscape, while the Grand Strzelecki Track takes you deep into the lost world of forest giants on an epic 100-kilometre trail rich with tradition.

A traveller’s checklist

Staying there

the WildernessRetreats in The Prom — Wilderness Retreats in The Prom. (Image: Christian Pearson)

Wilderness Retreats in Wilsons Promontory offers glamping-style tents with luxurious queen beds. Star Hotel is a reconstruction of a Gold Rush-era hotel from 1863 in the heart of heritage Walhalla. Caves House is a historic three-bedroom house with views over the Buchan River.

Eating there

the Carrajung Estate, Gippsland — Enjoy a post-hike lunch at Carrajung Estate. (Image: Everyday Nicky)

Kilcunda General Store serves great coffee and meals of local produce at the George Bass Coastal Walk. Alpine Trout Farm is located near Toorongo Falls in Noojee. Fish for your own lunch and barbecue it with the provided cookware.

Carrajung Estate is a short drive from Tarra-Bulga National Park. The winery’s restaurant offers a seasonal menu of regional ingredients and you can stay at The Lodge.

a seafood feast at Carrajung Estate, Gippsland — The table is set for a seafood feast at the estate.