Goulburn
Population 21,300
Goulburn, 638m (2093 ft) above sea level, is 197km (122 miles) south-west
of Sydney and 94km (58 miles) north-east of Canberra.
Climate
Average temperatures: January max 26C (79F) - min 12C (54F); June max 12C
(54F) - min 0.5C (32.5F). Average annual rainfall: 671mm (26 ins).
Characteristics
Goulburn is Australia's oldest inland city dating back to the earliest
days of the colony. Many of the buildings in the town have beautiful
cast iron lace work. Wheat was grown in the locality as early as the
1820s, and today primary industry is still important. Goulburn is also
an administrative centre for several State Government Departments. It
was the last town of the British Empire to become a city by virtue of
the Royal Letters Patent in 1863. Goulburn is home to 'Rambo' the 14m
(46 ft) high ram at the Big Merino complex.
How to Get There By Bus
Most of the major coaches stop at Goulburn on the Sydney/Melbourne and
Sydney/Canberra/Melbourne routes.
By Car
Travel via the Hume Highway from Sydney or Melbourne, or the Federal Highway
from Canberra.
Tourist Information
The Goulburn Visitor Information Centre, 201 Sloane Street, (02) 48 23
4492, is open 9am-5pm every day except Christmas Day. The website is www.igoulburn.com and
you can email visitor@goulburn. nsw.gov.au
Accommodation
Places to stay in Goulburn are excellent and varied. Here is a selection,
with prices for a double room per night, which should be used as a guide
only. The telephone area code is 02.
Caravan Parks
Governors Hill Carapark, 77 Sydney Road, 1800 227 373. (No dogs) 60 sites,
good facilties, barbecue - powered sites $19-21 for two, on-site vans
$35 for two.
Goulburn South Caravan Park, Hume Street, 4821 3233. (Pets allowed under
supervision) 112 sites, basic facilties - powered sites $17 for two, on-site
vans $40-60 for two.
Eating Out
Goulburn has restaurants, coffee bars, family style cafes and licensed
clubs, so whatever your budget you will find something to suit. Here
are a few you might like to try:
Goulburn Italian Pizza Restaurant, 147 Auburn Street, 4821 5998.
Billabong Station Restaurant, cnr Hume Hwy & Lansdowne Street, 4822
8014.
Khun Lek Thai Restaurant, 150 Auburn Street, 4821 2025.
Riley's Restaurant, 148 Sloane Street, 4822 747.
Blue Plate Restaurant, Lagoon St, 4821 5666.
Hung Win Chinese Restaurant, 277 Auburn Street, 4821 8933.
McDonalds has two locations, one in North Goulburn on the corner of the
Hume Highway and Common Street, the other in South Goulburn on the Old
Hume Highway.
Points of Interest
A walking tour of Historic Goulburn and a walking tour of the Wollondilly
Riverare available to the traveller - brochures may be obtained
from the Goulburn Visitors Centre. Some of the historic buildings are
open to the public, including the Court House, St Clair, St Saviours
Cathedral and Riversdale.
Other attractions include the Big Merino Complex, on the corner of the
Hume Highway and Lans-downe Street, 4822 8013, which has a craft centre,
educational area, lookout and restaurant.
The Goulburn Yurtworks, 4821 5931, is the only producer of Yurts in Australia
(yurts are roundhouses based on Mongolian tents).
The Rocky Hill War Memorial dominates the town and is Goulburn's landmark.
The Black Stag Deer Park, Gorman Road, 4821 4386, has fallow red deer as
well as Australian wildlife.
The Goulburn Rail Heritage Centre, in Braidwood Road, features many pieces
of industrial steam machinery, and is open the first weekend of every month.
The Goulburn Regional Art Gallery is in the Civic Centre, on the corner
of Bourke and Church Streets, 4823 4443.
Gulsons Craft Village, located at the historic Gulsons brickworks, Common
Street, features many quality craft shops.
More information on these and other attractions may be obtained from the
Goulburn and District Visitors Guide - available from the Goulburn Visitors
Centre.
Festivals
The Lilac City Festival is held during the October long weekend.
The Argyle County Fair is held in November each year.
Carnivale, which is part of the NSW Government sponsored festival, is held
in September each year.
Goulburn also stages an annual show and rodeo.
Facilities
There are many sporting facilities available in Goulburn, including squash
courts, tennis courts, indoor cricket and sports centre, ten pin bowling
centre, swimming pool and water slide. Lawn bowls, golf, darts, and fishing
are also catered for. Contact the Visitor Information Centre for all
the details.
Outlying Attractions The Bungonia State Recreation Area
Situated approximately 35km (22 miles) south-east of Goulburn, the Bungonia
is the largest State Recreation Area in New South Wales. Bushwalking, caving,
climbing, canoeing, and spectacular lookouts are all available there.
Pejar Dam Aquatic Recreation Reserve
25km (15 miles) north-west on the Crookwell Road, the reserve is one of
the best trout fishing areas in the south-east region. Only non-powered
boats are permitted, and there is sailing, windsurfing and canoeing.
Wombeyan Caves
The caves are 77km (48 miles) north-east of Goulburn, and there are five
cave tours. Many pleasant hours may also be spent strolling through the
beautiful bushland reserve surrounding the caves. The road to the caves
is very winding, so it is best to have the attitude that this excursion
is a full day, and take your time. The Wombeyan Caves Visitors Centre
and Caravan Park can be contacted on 4843 5976.
