Getting to The Murray

It’s time to plan your trip to The Murray. From a quick flight to an epic road trip (with plenty of fantastic pit stops along the way to stretch your legs and fuel up), this spectacular region is within easy reach of Sydney and Canberra – even if you have kids in tow. 

Getting to The Murray from Sydney 

Fast facts: 

  • Airports – Albury, Mildura (VIC) 
  • Fastest route – Sydney to Holbrook, 491km/5hrs 
  • Scenic route – Sydney to Albury via Tumut, 688km/7hrs 30mins
We want to explore the Murray – what’s the best time of the year to go there?

We want to explore the Murray – what’s the best time of the year to go there?

Each season offers something different for families in the Murray region. Summer is perfect for swimming, winter is an ideal time to gather around a fireplace, while spring and autumn offer clear skies and pleasant temperatures.

What’s the best way to get there from Sydney?

What’s the best way to get there from Sydney?

There are two ways to get from Sydney to Albury, the gateway to the Murray region. The first is to fly: both Qantas and Rex offer flights between the two cities and they take around 90min. Qantas also flies to Mildura, on the Victorian side of the border, which is best for accessing the western side of The Murray including Mungo National Park. The other option is to drive: the most direct route from Sydney – down the Hume Highway – will take you around five hours, passing through Bowral, Goulburn and Gundagai before arriving in Holbrook, the start of the Murray region in NSW. 

What is the best route to follow for a scenic drive to the Murray from Sydney?

What is the best route to follow for a scenic drive to the Murray from Sydney?

Though the Hume provides plenty of beautiful vistas, there is another way you can get to Albury. For spectacular scenery, take the Hume from Sydney then divert via Collector and Lake George, and carry on west from Canberra through Brindabella National Park. Head through charming Tumut in the foothills of the Snowy Mountains, across to Wagga Wagga, and then south via Henty to Albury. With kids in tow, this will be a two-day journey. 

Is it worth breaking the journey up and staying somewhere overnight?

Is it worth breaking the journey up and staying somewhere overnight?

Though this trip can be done in one hit, it’s more enjoyable to split it into two days. Stop off at Jugiong, where the Sir George has character-filled rooms and a high-quality restaurant serving sensational modern Australian pub food. Alternatively, near Gundagai, stay at the luxe eco-hut at Kimo Estate or at one of the five cottages at Hillview Farmstay

What are some great places to stop for coffee and/or food?

What are some great places to stop for coffee and/or food?

Drive 90min out of Sydney to Bowral to sample the sausage rolls or delicious sweet treats from Gumnuts Patisserie. Five minutes away in Mittagong, visit Paste, one of Australia’s best Thai restaurants. Keep going further down the road and you’ll find classic Aussie bakery fare at Trappers just off the highway in Goulburn. If you decide to go via Canberra, don’t miss Some Cafe in Collector, and stop in for a cool brew at Tumut River Brewing Co in Tumut.

Any unmissable sights on the journey we might not know about?

Any unmissable sights on the journey we might not know about?

If you’re a wine fan, there are several regions you’ll want to visit, including the Southern Highlands area around Bowral, and, in the vicinity of Canberra, the rolling countryside of Collector and Murrumbateman. For scenery, don’t miss the rugged beauty of the Upper Nepean near Mittagong, the historic Prince Alfred Bridge in Gundagai, and the birders’ paradise at Tarcutta Hills. 

Getting to the Murray from Sydney with a family

If we break up the journey by staying somewhere overnight, where can we find family-friendly accommodation?

If we break up the journey by staying somewhere overnight, where can we find family-friendly accommodation?

Most definitely – this is not a drive to attempt in one hit with kids in the car. Try Gundagai, about four hours out of Sydney, where there is plenty of family-friendly accommodation, plus some excellent places to eat. 

What are some great places to stop for coffee and/or food with kids?

What are some great places to stop for coffee and/or food with kids?

At the Big Merino in Goulburn, Trappers Bakery is perfect for a cheap and easy lunch. In Gundagai, try the Historic Gundagai Bakery, believed to be the oldest working bakery in Australia. If the kids are a little older, call past the Sir George in Jugiong for an excellent meal, or the nearby Long Track Pantry, which offers delicious fare to eat in or take with you. 

Where could we stop along the way to entertain the kids?

Where could we stop along the way to entertain the kids?

You’ll want to take at least two breaks to allow everyone time to stretch their legs. Make your first stop in Goulburn at the Big Merino, where there are places to grab food and, of course, pose for photos. Next, call in at the Dog on the Tucker Box just outside Gundagai, where you can have lunch with plenty of green space around. 

Any good driving tips for families?

Any good driving tips for families?

Give the kids plenty of opportunities to burn off energy by stopping every couple of hours. On this drive there are plenty of local towns to visit and service stations where you can stock up on supplies. Many also have parks and playgrounds, perfect for burning off some energy. 

Getting to the Murray from Canberra

Fast facts:

  • Fastest route – Canberra to Albury, 347km/3hrs 30mins 
  • Scenic route – Canberra to Albury via Tumut, 440km/5hrs 
What’s the best way to get there from Canberra?

What’s the best way to get there from Canberra?

Driving is the easiest way. Though it’s possible to fly with Qantas from Canberra to Albury, via Sydney, that trip will take you three hours at best. The drive to Albury is only three-and-a-half hours.  

What is the best route to follow for a scenic drive to The Murray from Canberra?

What is the best route to follow for a scenic drive to The Murray from Canberra?

The Hume Highway provides plenty of beautiful vistas, but there is another, slightly longer route that is even more visually spectacular. Instead, head west from Canberra through Brindabella National Park, on through Tumut in the foothills of the Snowy Mountains, across to Wagga Wagga, and then south via Henty to Albury. 

Is it worth breaking the journey up and staying somewhere overnight?

Is it worth breaking the journey up and staying somewhere overnight?

If you decide to take the scenic route, it’s worth taking an extra day to enjoy the sights along the way. Get back to nature at Yarrangobilly Caves House or enjoy a luxe stay at Nimbo Fork Lodge.

What are some great places to stop for coffee and/or food?

What are some great places to stop for coffee and/or food?

Just 90min out of Canberra is the Sir George in Jugiong which serves high-quality pub food, or try the nearby Long Track Pantry, which offers delicious food to eat in or take with you. A little further down the road, there’s great cafe fare at the Coffee Pedaler in Gundagai. If you’re taking the scenic route, Tumut has an excellent micro-brewery, the Tumut River Brewing Co, and there are wineries and distilleries a short drive further south in gorgeous Tumbarumba, such as Courabyra Wines and Ladbroken Distilling Co. In Wagga Wagga, grab lunch at the Thirsty Crow Brewery

Any unmissable sights on the journey we might not know about?

Any unmissable sights on the journey we might not know about?

On the Hume Highway, check out the historic Prince Alfred Bridge in Gundagai. On the scenic route, Kosciuszko National Park is a must. If you choose to drive this direction, stretch your legs on the Tumut River Walk, and explore the otherworldly Yarrangobilly Caves and take a swim in the nearby thermal pools

Getting to The Murray from Canberra with a family

Where could we stop along the way to entertain the kids?

Where could we stop along the way to entertain the kids?

On the Hume, make your first stop at the Dog on the Tucker Box just outside Gundagai, where there’s plenty of space for the kids to run around and places to buy food. If you’re taking the scenic route, there are easy stops at Tumut (try Fitzroy Street Park) and Wagga Wagga. 

If we break up the journey by staying somewhere overnight, where can we find family-friendly accommodation?

If we break up the journey by staying somewhere overnight, where can we find family-friendly accommodation?

Though it’s only a three-hour trip, if you have time it’s worth spending the night in Tumut. Here, the kids will have access to Kosciuszko National Park, where there are ample opportunities for biking and water sports. 

What are some great places to stop for coffee and/or food with kids?

What are some great places to stop for coffee and/or food with kids?

An hour and a half out of Canberra is Jugiong, where you’ll high-quality cafe fare at Long Track Pantry. A little further down the road, there’s excellent food at the Coffee Pedaler in Gundagai. If you’re going via Tumut, the Riverside Cafe does homecooked meals with pretty river views. 

Any unmissable sights on the journey the kids will enjoy?
Any good driving tips for families?

Any good driving tips for families?

Give the kids plenty of opportunities to stretch their legs by stopping every couple of hours. On this drive there are local towns to visit just a small detour off the highway and service stations where you can stock up on supplies. Many also have parks and playgrounds, perfect for burning off some energy.