From Wikitravel

Goulburn [1] is a small city in the Southern Highlands of New South Wales, Australia approximately 190 km (118 miles) south-west of Sydney. With a population of approximately 24,000, Goulburn is one of the largest cities in the region and a rural hub for surrounding agriculture. Goulburn was Australia's first inland city to be settled and is now the location of New South Wales' largest maximum security prison.

[edit] Understand

The Visitor Information Centre [2] is at 201 Sloane St, opposite Belmore Park in the centre of town. Sculptures in honour of leading Australian blues musicians are located outside the information centre. The city is close to the Hume Highway connecting Sydney with Canberra and Melbourne. It is popular stopping off point.

[edit] History

The railway line between Sydney and Goulburn (still in operation) was opened in 1869 and for 6 years Goulburn was the southern most point on the line.

[edit] Climate

Goulburn has a climate unlike most of its neighbouring towns due to its location at the bottom of a valley: summers tend to be relatively hot and dry and winters cold. The summer temperature range is 10-40 degrees Celsius (50-104 degrees Fahrenheit) and winter's is -5-18 degrees Celsius (23-64 degrees Fahrenheit). Be sure to bring layers in winter as it can get quite windy and very cold.

[edit] Get in

[edit] By car

Goulburn is approximately two and a half hours drive south-west of Sydney on the which runs to Melbourne. It is one hour from Canberra.

[edit] By train

Countrylink runs daily train services from Sydney to Goulburn on the way to Melbourne and Canberra. A train from Sydney will take approximately two and a half (2.5) hours to reach Goulburn.

A slower alternative is to take a Cityrail train from Sydney. These trains have a lot more intermediate stops and will take at the very least an extra hour and a half (and won't be as comfortable). Cityrail fare structure is different, and kids will be cheaper on the Cityrail train. Cityrail also convey bikes at no extra charge, while space on the Countrylink service is limited, and there is a charge.

[edit] Get around

The main street of Goulburn is short enough to be easily walkable, however if you are are staying out of the centre of town or wish to get to some of the other sights around town essentially your only method of transport available is via taxi (cab).

[edit][add listing] See

• The Big Merino is possibly Goulburn's most well-known tourist attraction. Being a rural hub, the 15 m (49 ft) tall concrete Merino sheep symbolises the town's importance to the local farming industry. Stairs ascend inside the structure past somewhat tatty, but mildly interesting, displays on wool and merinos (Australia's most common sheep breed) to lookout points in the sheep's eyes. The right eye gives a grand view mostly of the residences across the road while the left eye looks directly out to the big gas station sign (about as high as the Merino). The base of the concrete ovine houses a tourist gift shop. Located at the Freeway Services, near the second Goulburn exit heading from Sydney. Phone: +61 (02) 4822 8011. Fax: +61 (02) 4822 8017.
• Goulburn War Memorial built on Rocky Hill in 1924 in memory of the people who died during World War 1. Has good view of the town so worth visiting even when the museum is closed. Museum open 11am - 3pm weekends and holidays all year round. Gates to Rocky Hill lookout open 9am – 5pm daily.
• Belmore Park, in the centre of town on the north side of the main street (Auburn Street) is the scene of many community events, including a monthly fair.
• Victoria Park has a beautiful rose garden in the center of it with childrens recreational play sets.
• Goulburn still has many historic buildings. Goulburn Court House is located across from Belmore Park.
• Wombeyan Caves [3] can be accessed through the nearby town of Taralga. It is possible to drive in a 2 wheel drive from the Caves to Mittagong, however the road is of poor quality. The scenery is however quite pleasing.
• Historic Waterworks Museum [4], Marsden Weir. Phone: +61 (2) 4823 4462 (Email: museums@goulburn.nsw.gov.au, Fax: +61 (2) 4822 0977), The Waterworks which became functional in 1886 was the first reticulated water supply for the booming city of Goulburn.
• Goulburn Brewery - it has been suggested that the buildings were designed by the famous colonial architect francis Greenaway as there are some stylistic similarities with his other work. There is an exhibition to support the assertion. You can also buy locally made beer there.
• Australian Domestic Architecture is evident throughout the streets. Being the oldest inland city in NSW, the variety of housing styles is great. There are both good and bad examples of every era from the late 1880s onwards.
• Morton National Park starts at Bungonia about 20km from the town. In its upper reaches the Park is dry, and carries the Shoalhaven river over the escarpment on its way to Nowra. Walking trails are available from Bungonia.

[edit][add listing] Do

• Australian Blues Music Festival, 2nd weekend of Feb.
• The Public Swimming Pool is located on the top side of Victoria Park
• Wakefield Park Motor Racing Track, 4770 Braidwood Rd (in Tirrannaville -10km south of Goulburn), Phone: +61 (02) 4822 2811 (Email: wakefieldpark@bigpond.com, Fax: +61 (2) 4822 2812), Open 7 days a week (8am - 5pm), Wakefield Park runs public No Speed Limit days (check the website for details) in which the public is allowed to drive to their hearts content. Rides in V8 supercars are also available for race fans wanting a thrill ride. http://www.wakefieldpark.com/

[edit][add listing] Buy

[edit][add listing] Eat

[edit] Cheap

Goulburn plenty of cheap and quick food open all hours. The services at the second exit have a bakery, and choices of fast food chains.

[edit] Mid-Range

• Kinaree Thai restaurant is located directly above the Goulburn Central Motor Lodge on the main road directly in the cente of town. Cnr Auburn And Verner Streets. A great selection of thai food with friendly staff.
• The Rimbolin [5] is a trendy cafe / restaurant located at the northern end of the main road. 380 Auburn Street, Goulburn, NSW. Telephone: +61 (02) 4821 7633. Fax: +61 (02) 4821 7710. Email: mailto:info@therimbolin.com.au
• Our Place Bistro @ Tully Park Tavern 33 Taralgo Road, Goulburn... Offering American Style Barbecued Ribs/ Steaks/Seafood/ Pizza .. Family owned and operated Ph o2 48221258

[edit][add listing] Drink

Essentially all the clubs and pubs in Goulburn are located around the central part of town up and down the main street and along perpendicular streets. All are within easy walking distance of each other.

• Goulburn Club, Market St (located opposite Belmore Park on the top floor of the Goulburn Club building), Phone: +61 (2) 4821 2043. Open Thur-Sat from 5pm onwards. Relaxed old English gentlemens club feel with sofas and chairs. Constantly changing art exhibits line the walls and live bands (generally jazz or blues) can be found irregularly.
• Flamingos
• Worker's Club, McKell Place, Phone: +61 (2) 4821 3355.
• Soldier's Club 15 Market Street, Phone: +61 (2) 4821 3300.

[edit][add listing] Sleep

Coming off the highway from the north, the road into Goulburn is lined with a range of convenient motels.

• Goulburn Gateway Backpackers, Old Hume Highway & Common Street, Phone: +61 (2) 4821 9811 (Fax: +61 (2) 4821-2055)

• Tattersalls Hotel 76 Auburn Street, Phone: +61 (2) 4821 3088. This hotel is right in the middle of town on the main street, and if you are unlucky enough to be in town at the end of the week or a public holiday expect lots of noise all night long.

• Alpine Heritage Motel 248 Sloane Street, Phone: +61 (2) 4821 2930 (Email: alpine@goulburn.net.au, Fax: +61 (2) 4822 5455). AUD$40-100. Budget Rooms: single $39, double $49, family $59. Deluxe Rooms: Small (queen bed) $79, Large (king bed plus single) $99. www.argylecounty.com.au/alpine

• Mandelsons Guest House, 160 Sloane Street (Cnr Sloane St & Clinton St), Phone: +61 (2) 4821 0707 (Email: reception@mandelsons.com.au, Fax: +61 (2) 4821 0225), AUD$140-$205 (Packages available). http://www.mandelsons.com.au

[edit] Stay safe

Being the largest town around in the region, Goulburn has inherited a confused personality that is friendly, but also questioning of outsiders. As such, if you don't fit in, you can really stand out in town. Most of the people in town are fine, but if you do look or dress a bit differently stay alert if you go out drinking at nights. The end of the week can get quite rowdy with people out drinking very late on Fridays and Saturdays.

[edit] Get out

Goulburn is only 30 minutes from Bowral, Mittagong many other towns in the Southern Highlands.

Sydneysiders tend to think of Goulburn as being half way to Canberra from Sydney, but it less than an hour to drive to Canberra from Goulburn, on fast, good quality roads.

Sydney and Wollongong are both around 2 hours drive away.