Road Trip from Sydney to Adelaide
Road trips are some of the most exciting things to do with family and friends and Australia is the perfect country for driving, with endless possibilities along every twist and turn. One trip we definitely recommend to have on your list is the road trip from Sydney to Adelaide.
This trip is rewarding and you will love the route via Albury and Bendigo, to reach Adelaide. These towns are quiet and charming, while still offering some unforgettable sites.
Choosing to hire a campervan from Sydney, is great way to save money and cut down unwanted holiday stress, like hotel bookings and check-in times. If you find a better campervan hire deal from Adelaide, you can easily reverse the following road trip from Sydney to Adelaide, and commence the journey in South Australia instead.
Mittagong
As you commence your trip, you will discover expansive views, blue skies, rolling hills, and bridges crossing deep gorges and farmland.
Our first pit stop, is in Mittagong. A great meal spot, and besides its historic importance, the town is also very popular because of its wineries. The location offers beautiful views and is nestled between ancient volcanic peaks, mountain reserves, and rolling vineyards.
Discover colonial sandstone cottages, buildings, and historical ironworks, so taking the time to attend some of the wineries is a great way to take in the lush countryside.
Gunning
Just two hours and 35 minutes out of Sydney, Gunning is a small country village on the Old Hume Highway between Goulburn and Yass and possesses an old rural and historic charm known for its story in the colonial exploration which began in 1824. Here you can enjoy the authentic countryside at the Gunning county markets held in the historic courthouse, perfect for stocking up and preparing for any future picnics; these specialties include homemade jams, honey, and even arts and crafts. You can even take the time to stop at the Picture House Gallery and buy a treasure trove of second-hand books and movie memorabilia. There are also great cafes around the small historical town with delicious local food or have a hearty meal at the classic country pub.
Gundagai
Another great stop on your journey, is the town of Gundagai, where you can’t miss the Marble Masterpiece; an impressive and exquisite cathedral in miniature. The town is known for its charming and historic size, set at the foot of mount Parnassus. If you wanted murrto take the time, there is a walking tour to explore Gundagai at a leisurely pace, and you will see sites such as the art Deco theatre, the Family hotel, and the National Bank dating back to 1877. If you are hungry, then the Niagara cafe located on Sheridan street is perfect for takeaway or a homemade meal.
Albury
Albury is a magnificent halfway point on your travels and we recommend taking a day or two to enjoy the many rich activities it has to offer before you continue on to Bendigo for the next leg of your journey.
The Botanical Gardens are the city’s most delightful location since 1877 when the mayor of Albury planted an English Elm. In this splendid garden, there are over 1000 plants from 450 genera and 95 plant families. The rainforest species is the highlight of the park and a walk that can you lead you through ferns, beautiful trees, Australian heart species, the Firewheel tree, Water Gum, and the Illawarra flame tree on a relaxed 40-minute stroll.
Another great place to visit is the Murray Art museum filled with magnificent works from local artists to famous Australian artists and is a stunning building, which was renovated and redone and is a piece of art within itself; definitely worth the visit.
If sightseeing is your thing with a little history in between then Monument Hill is a good option. Located at the west end of Albury’s main thoroughfare, there is a hill that in 1924 was crowned with a memorial to mark the first world war. Created by architect Louis Harrison it can be seen across Albury. You can easily hike to the wooded hillside in front of the city centre to its location and be met with impressive views of Albury.
Beechworth
Just 39 minutes outside the country town central of Albury there sits the town of Beechworth which is a perfect first stop, as you begin your road trip to Bendigo. Arguably the best preserved appealing and photogenic gold rush town in all of Australia and has many things to offer. If you are first looking for a meal, then the Ox and Hound Bistro is a great lunch spot along Beechworth’s main drag, set up in a beautiful heritage-style shop front, with a menu mix of French and Italian-style dishes. A terrific place to taste the splendours of the town and look out onto the hustling streets the town has to offer.
If you are feeling like a side trip is in order, then the Woolshed falls is a great [place to visit. The banks of the river were where the heyday people of the gold rush era worked the banks on the river, which is home to the falls. You can view the falls from an observation deck on the top left side of the cascading waters, including witnessing its lush valley below.
If you’re in town around autumn in May, then you can make the most of the High country harvest, with several of the events including a honey-themed bicycle ride and ice cream; a time of fun for friends and family.
Benalla
On to Benalla, a 52-minute drive from the last destination where you can spike that historical curiosity at the Benalla Aviation museum, which offers a fascinating look at Australian military air training and its history from the historic home of World War II RAAF pilot training school. Or to continue on this path of historical interest, why not check out the Benalla migrant camp located near the Benalla airport? This is where 60,000 migrants have passed through the gates over 18 years. There are over 200 photos on show displaying the life of the campers; a must-see exhibition in the town.
Namgambie
After you have explored a little history of Benalla then get ready to travel on for another hour to the humble town of Namgambie. Situated in the stunning high country of Victoria, there is so much you can experience in this picturesque town. Try your hand at fishing in the infamous Nagambie lake, a man-made reservoir that attracts locals and visitors for a dip in summer or partaking in water sports such as sailing rowing, and water skiing. You may be lucky and catch a brown and rainbow trout, Murray cord, golden perch, or redfin.
If you get a little hungry then try the brewery and distillery that offer terrific pizzas, pub classics, and modern share plates; you can grab a seat overlooking the lake or relax in the airy dining room.
Bendigo
Bendigo is now just a one-hour drive from your latest stop in Namgambie and is one of Victoria’s best-kept secrets. Be prepared for a day or two filled with rich and diverse activities, featuring history and culture.
The first visit we recommend would be the Central Deborah gold mine. The mine, which is located near Bendigo’s city centre. Since 1986 the site has been a central tourist attraction and the right shaft has been widened to make things more comfortable for visitors where people can be taken to a depth of 861 metres and this tour takes an hour or you can try the underground adventure at 85 metres. The nine levels of darkness tour descends in the original miner’s cage to 22 meters for a real mining experience. This subterranean journey will take more than three hours and will be followed by a miner’s lunch.
Another splendid place to visit is the Bendigo Chinese Gardens reserve and the Golden Dragon museum. Bendigo has had a Chinese community since the gold rush and the museum chronicles this Chinese heritage on-site environment and one of Bendigo’s early China towns. The attraction opened in 1991 and captures the lives of the citizens and how Chinese culture has influenced the city from the 1850s to the present.
Another way to explore the history of the city is the Bendigo tramway which has been running since 1890 and is open to visitors as a tourist attraction. In their time they were powered by battery then steam and then electricity in 1903. It eventually became too expensive and it closed in 1972, You can now catch the trains through the city centre, between north Bendigo and the central Deborah gold mine. Riding a heritage tram you can take as a hop-on hop-off option is another of Bendigo’s many highlights and attractions.
Nhill
As you get back on the road, just 261.6kms away, 2 hour and 58 minutes in distance away the town of Nhill will come into your sites and is worth the stop on the first leg of your journey. Nhill is an aviation heritage centre, paying homage to the town’s rich history in association with the former world war II rival.The Australian air force base and now stands with a museum with an interesting exhibit where you will learn about aviation such as the remarkably restored aircraft on display.
You can also go and check out the Australian pinball museum which is one of the top attractions of the town, and home to an assortment of pinball machines from different eras. You will also find memorabilia here, such as promotional products, flyers and posters.
Bordertown
55 minutes from the incredible town of Nhill, is the town called Bordertown. Already situated in South Australia it has many popular attractions including l the Bordertown wildlife park, Clayton farm, and a heritage museum making it worth the trip and visit on your way to Adelaide. If you love animals, Bordertown wildlife park allows visitors to view the animals from outside the fences. They house a range of native birds and Australian wildlife, a fun visit for everyone.
Another famous and historical location is Bob Hawke’s family home and memorabilia. The pleasant sandstone building was once the home of the longest-serving Labor prime minister of Australia. While it is being used as the Tatiara Employment Support service, it does contain a number of photographs of the town’s most famous residents, and is open Monday to Friday.
Murray Bridge
The Monarto safari park is one of the world’s largest open-range zoos in the bush and no more than 10 minutes west of the Murray bridge. It spans 1500 hectares with conservation at its heart. It began in the 1980s as a breeding facility and sanctuary for endangered species and wasn’t actually opened until 1993 to the public. They have a Varley of programs one being a giraffe breeding program as well as a 360 walk-in lion enclosure, a white rhino habitat, and a drive-through cheetah enclosure. They have more than 500 animals from 50 species and native animals too.
The Captains Cottage museum is another wonderful historical site to visit; it holds the history of the Murray bridge and its surroundings captured in the museum in a 19th-century style cottage. The enchanting sandstone building was built in 1890 by captain Adam Johnstone for himself, his wife, and nine children. He arrived from Scotland in 1856 and came with the first two paddle steamers for the River Murray. And this became the signature model of transport along the Murray for local industries, such as animal farming, dairy, and river trade. You can see antique toys, artifacts from paddle steamers, farm machinery engines, and black-and-white photos with a wealth of model boats and trains.
Adelaide
You are now just an hour from Adelaide, the boutique capital city of South Australia.
The lively city if bursting with cultural flavours, events, and entertainment. You can soak up the sun at one of the many metropolitan beaches, visit the chic inner city boutiques, dine at the world-famous restaurants, sip your way through thriving small bars, or taste your way through the best wine regions.
Why not begin with the central markets, which is a booming hub of food and culture a favourite spot for locals with countless authentic eateries. Produce is sourced from all over South Australia, ranging from vegetables, cheeses, small goods, chocolate, honey and bread.
The beaches in South Australia are also exquisite, the sand and surf are inescapable. In summer, go for a swim on one of the many beaches such as the Glenelg, or simply walk along the foreshore. Jetty road is the perfect place for such a stroll.
