Getting to The Murray

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.

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. 

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. 

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. 

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.

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. 

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.  

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. 

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.

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. 

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.