Adelaide to Newcastle road trip: Best stops, distance & drive time
Adelaide to Newcastle drive: Darlington Point to Wagga Wagga
There are several more Murrumbidgee River beaches near the Sturt Highway on the Darlington Point to Narrandera section of the journey. Coly Ski Beach, Middle Beach and Horn Beach point west towards Gogeldrie Weir.
Bikini Beach, Lamonts Beach and Broad Beach lead towards McCaugheys Lagoon.
Things to do in Narrandera include kayaking on the Rocky Waterholes, admiring the giant mural on the Narrandera Water Tower and taking a self-guided walking tour of the town’s heritage buildings.
The Koala Reserve just outside Narrandera is also one of the best places in Australia for spotting koalas.
The top accommodation in Narrandera, NSW
The best places to stay in Narrandera are:
- For overall quality: Narrandera Club Motor Inn.
- For an outdoor pool and BBQs: Bishops Lodge.
- For a solid motel with low prices: Camellia Motel.
From Narrarandera to Wagga Wagga, you can stop at Kolhagens Beach on the Murrumbidgee. Otherwise, continue into Wagga Wagga, where highlights include Wagga Beach, the Wagga Wagga Art Gallery and the Botanic Gardens.
Wagga Wagga accommodation recommendations
- For business: International Hotel Wagga Wagga.
- For a pool and city centre location: Townhouse Hotel.
- For character: Charles Boutique Hotel.
- For riverside location: Prince of Wales Motor Inn.
- For family cabins: Ingenia Holidays Wagga Wagga.
Adelaide to Newcastle road trip stops: Gundagai to Yass.
Just beyond Wagga Wagga, the quickest route joins the Hume Highway at Tarcutta.
Next up, Gundagai offers the Australian Road Transport Heritage Centre and high quality, distinctive accommodation nearby at the Nimbo Fork Lodge or Kimo Estate.
Where to stay in Gundagai
The best Gundagai accommodation options are:
- For a decent, cheap motel: Poets Recall Motel.
- For family cabins and a playground: Gundagai Cabins and Tourist Park.
- For central location: Garden Motor Inn.
Jugiong on the Murrumbidgee River is the perfect lunch stop, with several good places to eat – most notably the Long Track Pantry.
Yass, however, is arguably the better overnight stop as it is near several Canberra region wineries. Canberra Winery Tours offers pick-ups in Yass.
For Yass accommodation, try the handily downtown Yass Central Bed and Breakfast and the well-reviewed Colonial Lodge Motor Inn.
Yass to Sutton Forest
It’s another 86km to Goulburn. The Pye Cottage Museum in Gunning on the way takes you back in time to the 1860s.
Goulburn doesn’t have any truly gripping attractions, but the Goulburn Rail Heritage Centre and Goulburn Historic Waterworks are moderately interesting.
Best places to stay in Goulburn
The top Goulburn accommodation choices are:
- For good quality, business traveller-friendly apartments: Quest Goulburn.
- For a cheap, decent motel for a no-fuss one night stay: Black Sheep Motel.
- For road-tripper convenience next to the Hume Highway: Mercure Goulburn.
- For free parking in the city centre: Heritage Motor Inn.
The best place to stop on the Adelaide to Sydney leg of the road trip, however, is the Southern Highlands. Almost everyone stops at the Sutton Forest East Service Centre on the way, although Sutton Forest Estate Wines is a more amiable spot for a journey break.
Click through to the next section: Sutton Forest to Sydney.