Wagga Wagga to Dubbo road trip: Distance, time & best stops
The best stops to add to a Wagga Wagga to Dubbo road trip itinerary include West Wyalong, Forbes and Parkes. By car, the distance from Wagga Wagga to Dubbo is 402km. That makes for a driving time of four hours and 32 minutes.
A road trip from Wagga Wagga to Dubbo connects two of the largest inland cities in New South Wales.
Wagga Wagga is home to Wagga Beach, one of Australia’s top inland beaches. To pick out the best Wagga Wagga accommodation deals, head here.
Dubbo offers ghost tours, an observatory and a safari-style zoo. To search for the best Dubbo accommodation deals, head here.
Wagga Wagga to Dubbo distance and driving time
By car, the distance from Wagga Wagga to Dubbo is 402km. This makes for a driving time of around four hours and 32 minutes.
The best stops to add to a Wagga Wagga to Dubbo road trip itinerary are West Wyalong, Forbes and Parkes.
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.
Wagga Wagga to Dubbo road trip: Wagga Wagga to West Wyalong
The quickest Wagga Wagga to Dubbo driving route leaves Wagga Wagga along the Olympic Highway and skirts west of Junee. You can nip off the highway here to see the Monte Cristo Homestead, Junee Roundhouse Railway Museum and the Junee chocolate factory.
Junee accommodation options include the fairly central Junee Motor Inn and budget-friendly Junee Tourist Park.
Otherwise, continue north along the B85 (aka the Goldfields Way) towards Temora. The Bundawarrah Centre is the focal point here, and is home to the Ambulance Museum and the Temora Rural Museum. Both fall into the mildly diverting category. You can also visit the Temora Aviation Museum by Temora Airport or go for a swim in Lake Centenary.
A better swimming spot, however, is the underground stream-fed Barmedman Mineral Pool, which locals believe has healing properties thanks to the high mineral content.
Barmedman is the last realistic stop between Temora and West Wyalong.
Wagga Wagga to Dubbo drive: West Wyalong to Forbes
West Wyalong is best known for its statue of painter Russell Drysdale. The West Wyalong Wetlands Boardwalk makes for a decent amble, and the colonial-era Royal Hotel is the best accommodation option.
Where to stay in West Wyalong
The best West Wyalong accommodation picks are
- For a good quality motel at relatively cheap rates: Cameo Inn Motel.
- For a four star in a historic building: Royal Hotel.
- For central location: Mentor Chambers Apartment Bed & Breakfast.
After leaving West Wyalong along the Newell Highway. the good stop is Forbes, and the route passes Lake Cowal – the largest inland lake in New South Wales. It is, however, ephemeral, so don’t expect it brimming with water and birdlife.
Things to do in Forbes include learning about bushranger Ben Hall at the Forbes Historical Museum and strolling the Sculptures Down The Lachlan art trail. You can stay the night at the centrally-located Ben Hall Motor Inn or the well-reviewed Town and Country Motor Inn.
Click through for the next section: Forbes to Parkes.