Wollongong to Wagga Wagga road trip: Distance, time & stops
The best stops on a Wollongong to Wagga Wagga road trip include Bowral, Goulburn and Yass. The distance from Wollongong to Goulburn is 411km, with a driving time of around 4h21m.
A Wollongong to Wagga Wagga road trip connects two of the biggest cities in New South Wales.
Wollongong offers several amazing beaches, tandem hang-gliding flights and skydives with a beach landing. To find the best Wollongong accommodation, look here.
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.
This guide should help you plan a great Wollongong to Goulburn road trip itinerary. Click on the links to the town and city names for more detailed information on potential stops.
If you need a hire car, search for the best car rental deals here – and remember to stock up on your road trip essentials before setting off.
Wollongong to Wagga Wagga distance and driving time
By car, the distance from Wollongong to Wagga Wagga is 411km. That makes for a driving time of around one hour and 42 minutes.
6 fantastic Wollongong experiences to book before you arrive
- Tandem hang-gliding flight from Bald Hill – float down towards the beach.
- One hour private surf lesson in Woonona – learn the basics, and get standing on your board.
- Illawarra Fly ziplining course and treetop walk – test your nerves high up in the canopy.
- Tandem skydive with beach landing – feel the rush of freefall.
- Explore the city on a scavenger hunt – a fun way to get to know Wollongong better.
- Half day deep sea fishing adventure – haul in some big boys.
The first task is to get from Wollongong to the Hume Motorway. The route goes past the Wollongong Botanic Garden and Mount Keira Lookout along the Princes Highway, then joins Picton Road. A short diversion off the road will take you to the Cordeaux Dam and Lake Cordeaux.
You’ll meet the Hume in Wilton, home of Sydney Skydivers.
Wollongong to Wagga Wagga drive: Wilton to Mittagong
From there, you’ll go past the Australian Wildlife Sanctuary at Bargo and the Nepean Dam before arriving in Mittagong.
Things to do in Mittagong include spotting birds at the Lake Alexandra Reserve and tasting wines at Tertini Wines.
Top Mittagong accommodation
The best places to stay in Mittagong are:
- For heritage in an 1836 sandstone building: Fitzroy Inn Historic Retreat.
- For kid-friendly facilities: Mittagong Caravan Park.
- For a relatively cheap, decent motel: Mittagong Motel.
Wollongong to Wagga Wagga road trip: Bowral to Goulburn
Nearby Bowral is a better base, though. It has stunning accommodation at the Berida Hotel and Milton Park, plus innovative wineries such as Centennial Vineyards. Cricket fans will lap up the Bradman Museum, while Fitzroy Falls or Belmore Falls in the nearby Morton National Park show off the region’s natural beauty.
The Forest East Service Centre is the most common stop on the way to Goulburn, although nearby Sutton Forest Estate Wines can provide wines rather than fuel.
The Hume Motorway skirts the edge of Goulburn, but you can go into town to see the Big Merino, the Goulburn Rail Heritage Centre and the Goulburn Historic Waterworks.
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.
Click through to the next section: Goulburn to Gundagai.