This historic Australian city, founded in 1833, is home to Australia's largest merino sheep statue and was the nation's first inland settlement to gain city status.
Goulburn, Australia’s first inland city, lies on the Southern Tablelands of New South Wales, two hours from Sydney and an hour from Canberra. See the 15-meter concrete Big Merino sheep statue or walk through St Saviour’s Cathedral with its pointed arches and colorful glass windows. Follow the Wollondilly River Walkway beneath river red gum trees or watch a play at the Lieder Theatre, established in 1891. The city’s center includes sandstone buildings from the 1800s, modern murals on brick walls, and vineyards growing cool-climate grapes. Its position along the Hume Highway makes it an easy break for road trips, with opportunities to explore old buildings, try locally made food, and walk along the river.
Exploring 19th-Century Architecture on Foot
Goulburn’s streets reveal well-preserved buildings from the 1800s. St Saviour’s Cathedral, finished in 1884, rises above the city with its stone spires and detailed carvings. Nearby, the Goulburn Post Office from 1881 displays arched windows and a clock tower with ironwork details. Use the free Self-Guided Heritage Tour map to find the Railway Barracks, built with pale limestone blocks, and the Old Brewery’s thick stone walls. As you walk, look for public art like the mural of a 19th-century horseman near Clinton Street and metal sculptures shaped like river currents. These sites show how the city grew from a small convict camp to a center for farming and trade.
Walking and Cycling Along the Wollondilly River
A four-kilometer path follows the Wollondilly River through grassy areas and patches of shade. Rent a canoe near Marsden Weir to paddle past smooth rocks and spot cormorants perched on dead branches. Anglers often cast lines for freshwater fish like golden perch in the deeper sections. At Rocky Hill War Memorial Park, climb the stone tower from 1898 to see rooftops stretching toward the horizon. In April, poplar trees along the water turn bright yellow, and from September, white daisies bloom near Mulwaree Flats. For a half-day adventure, take the Mulwaree Chain of Ponds trail through gum trees and dry creek beds that fill after rain.
Live Performances and Seasonal Festivals
Watch a comedy or drama at the Lieder Theatre, which has operated in the same brick building since the late 1800s. Check the gallery at Goulburn Regional Art Gallery for rotating displays of pottery, paintings, and photography by artists from the region. Every October, the Steampunk Victoriana Fair fills the Goulburn Historic Waterworks with people wearing brass goggles, vendors selling handmade clocks, and smoke-belching model trains. The Waterworks museum preserves original steam-powered pumps used to supply the city until 1979. On weekends, Belmore Park hosts live music ranging from school brass bands to acoustic guitar sessions under the rotunda.
Restaurants and Vineyards Near the City
Order a breakfast bowl with mushrooms from Tarago at The Greengrocer on Clifford Street, or try their sourdough pizza with pumpkin and goat cheese at dinner. The Corner Café at The Tatts Hotel prepares slow-cooked meats in a courtyard shaded by maple trees. Drive 30 minutes to Yarralaw Springs winery to taste Cabernet Sauvignon made from grapes grown on rocky slopes, then buy a jar of their garlic-stuffed olives. Back in town, Noi Goulburn serves rice noodle soups with beef brisket and iced coffee with condensed milk. Visit the Goulburn Farmers’ Market on the third Saturday of each month to sample aged cheddar from nearby dairy farms or pick up a jar of leatherwood honey.
Getting Around and Weather Tips
NSW TrainLink runs hourly trains from Sydney to Goulburn Railway Station on weekdays, with a trip time just under three hours. Most hotels, cafes, and museums cluster within a 15-minute walk of the station. Grab a free paper map at the Visitor Information Centre on Bourke Street to locate public toilets, parking areas, and EV charging stations. January temperatures often reach 30°C, perfect for swimming in the weir’s designated area. In July, morning frosts give way to sunny afternoons around 12°C—bring layers for exploring museums like the Waterworks. Tap water comes from Wingecarribee Reservoir via a modern pipeline, so you can drink freely from public fountains.
