Goulburn to Wagga Wagga road trip: Distance, drive time & stops
The Goulburn to Wagga Wagga drive covers a 266km distance in a driving time of around 2h43m. The best road trip stops along the way are the Yass wineries and Oura Beach.
The Goulburn to Wagga Wagga drive connects two of New South Wales’ bigger inland cities. They’re not exactly prominent on the tourist map, but you might pass through on the way from Sydney to Adelaide or Newcastle to Perth.
To check out the best Goulburn accommodation deals, look here.
Goulburn to Wagga Wagga distance and driving time
The distance from Goulburn to Wagga Wagga by car is 266km. That makes for a driving time of around two hours and 43 minutes.
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 drive starts off out of Goulburn along the Hume Highway, with the first section being from Goulburn to Yass.
There are several delightful heritage buildings here, but the best thing to do in Yass is taking a tour around the nearby wineries. Canberra Winery Tours offers pick-ups in Yass.
Goulburn to Wagga Wagga road trip: Jugiong and Gundagai
The next potential stop is Jugiong on the Murrumbidgee River, which has some good places to eat. The Long Track Pantry, in particular, has developed a wider reputation.
After Jugiong comes Gundagai. The Australian Road Transport Heritage Centre is the main attraction here, and there’s some quality, quirky 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.
Goulburn to Wagga Wagga drive: Nangus, Wantabadgery and Oura
Shortly after Gundagai, you need to turn off down the Nangus Road. This becomes the Oura Road, which skirts close to the river at the brilliantly-named Wantabadgery.
Wantabadgery is home to one of the best beaches on the Murrumbidgee River – the less brilliantly-named Sandy Beach.
There’s another beach to enjoy at Oura, a small riverside village just east of Wagga Wagga. Once you’ve had a dip at Oura Beach, you can visit the Wild Vine Vineyard. This Wagga Wagga winery is a popular wedding venue, but you can still do tastings at the cellar door.
Into Wagga Wagga
The Gundagai to Wagga Wagga drive also goes past Eunonyhareenyha Wines before crossing the Murrumbidgee River and entering Wagga.
Just after the river crossing, you can make the short detour to Wagga Beach, the most famous inland beach in Australia.
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.
More New South Wales travel
How long is the Goondiwindi to Coonabarabran drive?
Driving distances and times from Tamworth.
See the anchor of the Sirius in Macquarie Place Park, Sydney.
Swim at the Bronte Baths in Sydney.
What to see on the Byron Bay to Lennox Head drive.