Goulburn to Orange road trip: Distance, drive time & best stops

The best stops on a Goulburn to Orange road trip include Crookwell, the Abercrombie Caves and Blayney. By car, the distance from Goulburn to Orange is 204km, with an approximate driving time of 2h38m.

Planning a Goulburn to Orange road trip itinerary

A Goulburn to Orange road trip takes you from one of the most historic cities in New South Wales to one of the state’s top wine regions.

To check out the best Goulburn accommodation deals, look here.

Orange activities include gourmet picnic lunches in the vineyards and wine-tasting by trike. For the top Orange accommodation options, book here.

This guide is aimed at helping travellers plan their perfect Goulburn to Orange road trip itinerary.

Click through on the individual places and attractions for more detailed, specific information.

If you need to hire a car, find the best rental deals. And don’t forget to do all your pre-road trip shopping.

Goulburn to Orange distance and driving time

By car, the distance from Goulburn to Orange is 204km. That makes for a driving time of around two hours and 38 minutes.

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.

Goulburn to Orange road trip: Pejar Dam and Crookwell

The quickest route from Goulburn to Orange leaves to the north along Crookwell Road, and quickly gets very rural.

The first feasible stop is the Pejar Dam on the Wollondilly River. This a popular fishing spot, well stocked with rainbow trout, Australian bass and brown trout.

As you approach Crookwell on what is now called Goulburn Road, you can pull over at the viewing area for the sizable Crookwell Wind Farm.

Crookwell, meanwhile is a surprisingly pleasant place to hang out in, with lots of cafés and a handful of historic pubs. You can pick up a gold rush heritage walking trail brochure from the visitor information centre and say hi to the Alpacas at the Alpaca Farm Experience.

Goulburn to Orange drive: Abercrombie Caves

You’ll leave Crookwell along Binda Road, which becomes Jct Point Road. This passes between the Nuggetty State Conservation Area and Keverstone State Conservation Area just south of Tuena.

The major road trip attraction on the Goulburn to Orange drive comes just before Trunkey Creek. The Abercrombie Caves are arguably just as impressive as the much better-known Jenolan Caves near Oberon.

If you fancy some waterfall action, Grove Creek Falls is just before you get to the caves.

Beyond Trunkey Creek, take Hobbys Yards Road towards Blayney.

Blayney is a handsome former gold rush town, and many of the heritage buildings in the centre come with National Trust classification.

You can take in the views of the town from the Blayney Rotary Lookout.

For Blayney accommodation options, the Blayney Central Motel is convenient, affordable and solid quality. The Drayshed Cottage, however, has more of a romance factor.

Goulburn to Orange drive: Millthorpe and Orange

From Blayney, head along Millthorpe Road to Millthorpe, a national trust village that is gaining a reputation for its food and drink scene.

You can explore the past at the Golden Memories Millthorpe Museum, but the real star is the Angullong Wines cellar door in the village centre.

Leaving to the north along Millthorpe Road, you’ll join the Mitchell Highway near Shadforth. This will shortly bring you into Orange.

Five memorable experiences to book in Orange

Private wine-tasting tour – on board a rather cool-looking trike.
Sparkling wine masterclass – with vineyard tour and three course lunch.
Helicopter tour to a top winery – with wine-tasting.
Private picnic in the vineyard – with wine included.
Half day foodie tours – taste the best the region has to offer.

Things to do in Orange include walking on Mount Canobolas, ambling along the Orange Heritage Trail and visiting the Botanic Gardens. You can also book on a half day foodie tour.