Brisbane to Melbourne drive via Newell Highway: Best road trip stops
Via Shepparton or Wagga Wagga?
From Dubbo to Parkes, it’s another 120km. Parkes is a good bet for space geeks – the giant radio telescope at the Parkes Observatory is a big part of Australia’s space communication program.
Parkes accommodation options include the wonderfully central Coachman Hotel Motel and the Bushman’s Motor Inn, which has an outdoor saltwater pool.
After Parkes comes Forbes. From Forbes you can continue along the Newell Highway via West Wyalong, Ardlethan and Narrandera towards Tocumwal on the Victorian border.
The best accommodation in Tocumwal, NSW
The best places to stay in Tocumwal are:
- For a no-frills (but decent) motel with bargain rates: Tocumwal Hotel Motel.
- For a pool, gardens and golf: Tocumwal Golf Resort.
- For a family-friendly holiday park: Boomerang Way Tourist Park.
- For good value, free parking and a pool: Kingswood Motel.
From here, you’ll pass Cactus Country in Strathmerton, the wineries around Shepparton and the lakes at Nagambie before joining the Hume Highway just north of Seymour.
Top Nagambie accommodation options
The best places to stay in Nagambie are:
- For a luxurious winery hotel: Mitchelton Hotel Nagambie.
- For a good quality lakeside motel: Nagambie Waterfront Motel.
- For a budget stay: Nagambie Caravan Park and Motel.
It’s slightly quicker to branch off the Newell Highway at Forbes, however, and cut down to the Hume Highway just north of Albury. We’re only talking a matter of about five minutes, here, so it’s very much a case of personal preference.
This eastern route passes through Temora, Sebastopol and – more importantly – Wagga Wagga. In this sizable country city, you’ve got a decent range of bars and restaurants to choose from, plus Wagga Beach on the Murrumbidgee River.
Top Wagga Wagga accommodation includes the Quest apartments and the high quality Charles Boutique Hotel.
It’s 268km from Parkes to Wagga Wagga and 128km from Wagga Wagga to Albury.
Next section: Albury to Melbourne.