Benalla to Canberra road trip: Best stops, distance and drive time
The best stops on a Benalla to Canberra road trip are Glenrowan, Albury and Yass. By car, the distance from Benalla to Canberra is 451km, with a driving time of 4h48m.
The Benalla to Canberra drive connects a surprisingly arty town in Victoria to Australia’s capital.
Benalla is on the Hume Highway. To find the best Benalla accommodation, look over here.
Canberra offers wine and distillery tours, plus guided visits to the National Museum of Australia. To investigate Canberra tour and experience options, head here. To find the best Canberra hotel deals, book here.
This guide should help you plan the perfect Benalla to Canberra road trip itinerary. For more information on individual towns and activities, click on the links for further detail.
Benalla to Canberra distance and driving time
By car, the distance from Benalla to Canberra is 451km. That makes for a driving time of around four hours and 48 minutes.
The best stops to add to a Benalla to Canberra road trip itinerary are Glenrowan, Albury and Yass.
Benalla to Canberra road trip: Benalla to Glenrowan
Things to do in Benalla include taking a walk around the town’s many murals. The Benalla Art Gallery is one of the best regional art galleries in Australia, while the Benalla Aviation Museum gives unexpectedly interesting insights into World War II pilot training.
Pick the best Benalla accommodation options
The best places to stay in Benalla are…
- For a solid, affordable motel with a pool: Glider City Motel.
- For family-friendly cabins: Benalla Tourist Park.
- For central location: Top of the Town Motel.
The next worthwhile stop is Glenrowan, where Ned Kelly’s last stand took place. Interpretive displays on Siege Street tell the story of the Kelly Gang’s shoot-out with the police.
Benalla to Canberra drive: Glenrowan to Albury
There’s also a strong argument for making a short detour to Milawa, where the King Valley wineries have a distinct Italian flavour.
Regional hub Wangaratta is the next town along. Things to do in Wangaratta include going for a swim in the Ovens River from the Northern Beaches and enjoying Aboriginal sculptures on the Bullawah Cultural Trail.
For Wangaratta accommodation, try the waterside Big4 Wangaratta North Cedars Holiday Park and the well-equipped Quest apartments.
Before arriving in Albury, you can do the petrolhead thing at the Chiltern Motor Museum in Chiltern and stretch your legs at the Barnawartha Scenic Reserve.
Split across the Murray River, Albury-Wodonga is the biggest city on the Melbourne to Canberra drive.
Things to do in Albury include seeing Aboriginal art of the Yindyamarra Sculpture Walk, kayaking along the Murray, and getting a remarkable insight into Australian immigration history at the Bonegilla Migrant Experience.
Best Albury accommodation picks
The best places to stay in Albury are:
- For a heated pool and spa in a gorgeous location next to a riverside park: Best Western Plus Hovell Tree Inn.
- For apartments with kitchenettes in a central location: Mantra Albury.
- For a good quality motel next to the train station: Winsor Park Motor Inn.
- For a holiday park with lots of facilities for the kids: Big4 Albury Tourist Park.
- For a motel with cheap rates and fairly central location: Allawa Motor Inn.
Click through to the next section: Albury to Canberra.