Sydney to Goulburn road trip: Distance, driving time and attractions
The Sydney to Goulburn drive is 197km in distance, with a driving time of around 2h8m. Top road trip attractions to add to an itinerary include the Bradman Museum in Bowral and Sutton Forest Estate Wines.
The Sydney to Goulburn drive is the first leg on the longer road trip from Sydney to Canberra or Sydney to Melbourne.
Sydney’s enormous collection of experiences includes all-inclusive sunset dinner cruises, behind-the-scenes tours of the Opera House, jet boat thrill rides and historic walking tours. To get the best deals on Sydney accommodation, book here. To find Sydney tours and experiences that suit your tastes, step this way.
To check out the best Goulburn accommodation deals, look here.
Once you’re out of central Sydney, the drive is almost entirely along the Hume Highway. It is not the most exciting route in the world, but there are a few places worth stopping at along the way.
Sydney to Goulburn distance and driving time
The distance from Sydney to Goulburn by car is 197km. The driving time depends extensively on traffic conditions in Sydney, but expect something in the vicinity of two hours and eight minutes.
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The drive out of Sydney is along the M5, which becomes the Hume Motorway around Casula. It passes Campbelltown before you feel you’re genuinely out of the city.
The Sydney to Goulburn drive then passes Douglas Park, Wilton, Pheasants Nest, Yanderra and Yerrinbool before reaching the Southern Highlands.
Sydney to Goulburn road trip via the Southern Highlands
If taking a slow road trip, the Southern Highlands is a highly enticing region to explore. The highway skims Mittagong and Berrima, but the best base is Bowral. Here, there’s great accommodation such as the Berida Hotel and Milton Park, plus innovative wineries such as Centennial Vineyards. Cricket fans will adore the Bradman Museum, while Fitzroy Falls or Belmore Falls in the Morton National Park are also nearby.
5 great Southern Highlands experiences to boost your visit
- Personalised private Southern Highlands wine and attractions tours – tailored to your tastes.
- Tutored wine-tasting and canapes experience.
- Beekeeping experience – learn how honey is made.
- Guided wine-tasting at the Mill – with tasting notes procided.
- Behind the scenes tour of a sustainable winery in Berrima.
Services on Sydney to Goulburn drive
After the Sydney to Bowral leg of the drive, the main stop is the Sutton Forest East Service Centre. This motorway services pulls in a startling number of people – timing-wise, it’s pretty much bang on where a driver’s rest break should kick in.
You can, however, pay a visit to the neighbouring Sutton Forest Estate Wines.
There’s another services at Marulan before you peel off the Hume onto Sydney Road and into Goulburn.
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.
13 brilliant experiences in Sydney you should book
- (💲Great value 💲) Tick off several bucket list items on a highlights-packed Blue Mountains day tour.
- Get perfect views of the world’s most beautiful city on a Sydney Harbour helicopter tour.
- Save money with a multi-attraction pass.
- ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Enjoy the romance of a tall ship cruise on Sydney Harbour.
- Eat all you can at the Skyfeast at the top of Sydney Tower.
- See migrating humpbacks – on a whale-watching cruise.
- (Highly recommended ✅) Go behind the scenes of Australia’s most famous building on an Opera House tour.
- Dine as the city lights up on sunset dinner cruise around the harbour.
- Combine beers and stories on a historic pubs tour through the convict-era Rocks district.
- Stand on your board and catch waves during Bondi Beach surfing lessons.
- Go to wombat and kangaroo-spotting hotspots on a Southern Highlands tour.
- Enjoy Sydney’s wild side on a Manly snorkelling & nature walk.
- (🥇Top choice in Sydney) And, best of all, paddle to hidden beaches on a harbour kayaking adventure.
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