Goulburn
From World travel guide
Goulburn is a town 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.
Contents |
Understand
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.
Climate
Goulburn has a climate unlike most of its neighbouring towns due to its placement at the bottom of a valley. Summers tend to be extremely hot and dry, while winters can be bitterly cold (relatively speaking for the surrounding area). Summer temperatures range from 10-40 degrees Celsius (50-104 degrees Fahrenheit) and in winter from -5-18 degrees Celsius (23-64 degrees Fahrenheit). Be sure to bring layers in winter as it can get quite windy and very cold.
Get in
By car
Goulburn is approximately two and a half hours drive south-west of Sydney on the Hume Highway which runs to Melbourne. It is one hour from Canberra.
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 anywhere in Sydney, however 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).
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).
See
- The Big Merino is possibly Goulburn's most well known tourist attraction. Being a rural hub, the Big Merino (a type of sheep) symbolises the town's importance to the local farming industry. The 15 m (49 ft) tall concrete sheep contains displays on wool production as well as the usual variety of tourist knick-knacks. Located on Hume Street, Corner Landsdowne Street, Goulburn, NSW, 2580. Phone: +61 (02) 4822 8011. Fax: +61 (02) 4822 8017.
- Gouburn War Memorial built in 1924 in memory of the people who died during World War 1. Open 11am - 3pm weekends all year round, Gates to Rocky Hill lookout open 9am – 5pm daily.
- Belmore Park.
- Victoria Park has a beautiful rose garden in the center of it with childrens recreational play sets.
- Goulburn has many historic buildings still Goulburn Court House is located across from Belmore Park.
- Wombeyan Caves [1]
- Historic Waterworks Museum [2], 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
Do
- Australian Blues Festival
- 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/
Buy
Eat
- 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 [3] 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
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
- Workers Club, McKell Place, Phone: +61 (2) 4821 3355.
- Soldiers Club 15 Market Street, Phone: +61 (2) 4821 3300.
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
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 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.
Stay healthy
Due to the ongoing drought water levels in the dam that supplies Goulburn with its water are extremely low and the quality of the drinking water is questionable. It is recommended not to drink straight tap water, but boiling the water for 1-2 minutes should be enough to make it drinkable.
Get out
External links
- Goulburn Mulwaree Council - Official council webpage.
- Goulburn (Visit NSW) - Official NSW tourism webpage.
