Melbourne to Bathurst road trip: Best stops, distance & drive time
Melbourne to Bathurst drive: Wangaratta to Gundagai
On the way from Wangaratta to Albury, the Chiltern Motor Museum in Chiltern should quench the thirsts of ardent petrolheads. You can also stretch your legs at the Barnawartha Scenic Reserve next to the highway.
Albury-Wodonga is the biggest city before reaching Sydney, even though it’s really two towns on either side of the Murray River.
Things to do in Albury include kayaking along the Murray, seeing Aboriginal art of the Yindyamarra Sculpture Walk and getting a fascinating 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.
Near Albury on the New South Wales side of the border, Woomargama National Park provides a pleasant diversion if you’re in search of wildlife and walking trails.
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.
Melbourne to Bathurst road trip: Gundagai to Young
The turning off the Hume Highway comes at Coolac. From there, head north along Muttama Road, past Cootamundra.
Cricket fans might want to make the short detour into Cootamundra to visit the birthplace of Australia’s greatest batsman, Sir Donald Bradman. Otherwise, join the Olympic Highway just to the north-east of Cootamundra.
Where to stay in Cootamundra
The top Cootamundra accommodation options are:
- For the highest guest ratings: Cootamundra Heritage Motel and Apartments.
- For cheap cabins: Cootamundra Caravan Park.
- For an outdoor pool: Bradman Motor Inn.
Further along the Olympic Highway come Wallendbeen and Wombat. The latter is surrounded by fruit farms. You can pick your own cherries and peaches at the Wombat Heights Orchard.
From Wombat, it’s a short drive to Young.
Here, the star attractions are the Lambing Flat Chinese Tribute Garden and the Young Historical Museum. Both tell the story of the strong Chinese influence on the town, in their own ways. You can also pick cherries – something Young is famous for – at the Ballinaclash Orchard.
For overnight accommodation in Young, NSW, try the reasonably central Colonial Motel and Apartments, the budget-friendly Young Caravan Park and the four star Young Federation Motor Inn.
Click through to the next section: Young to Cowra.