Goulburn

Understand

thumb|right|350px|The Big Merino, one of Australia's [[Big things in Australia|Big Things and a reminder of Goulburn's agricultural history]] Situated at the confluence of the Wollondilly and Mulwaree Rivers, the fertile lands which surround the area of Goulburn were for centuries the home a number of the local Aboriginal populations. White settlers discovered the area in the late 1700s, and the first land grant was made in 1825. The city grew as a result of its location, being located on the road south from Sydney (now the Hume Highway) and in the 19th century it became the administrative centre for the "Argyle County" district. Goulburn gained a great deal of its prosperity during the Gold Rush (when many of its main buildings were constructed) and the coming of the Main South Railway Line between Sydney and Melbourne in 1869 (which is still in operation). In particular, the area became known for its merino wool which was sent from Goulburn around Australia and overseas. The city had the unique distinction of being granted city status twice - once in 1853 by Queen Victoria (which established the city as a "cathedral city" and allowed its cathedral, St Saviour's, to be constructed), then officially again in 1885.

In the twentieth century, the city's importance declined as a result of the growth of coastal cities in Australia, as well as Goulburn's proximity to the new national capital Canberra. These factors led to many government bodies and institutions that had establishe…

Get in

Goulburn's position as a service centre between two major cities gives a visitor plenty of options to choose from when visiting.

See

thumb|right|300px|St Saviour's Cathedral dominates Goulburn's skyline

Do

The Public Swimming Pool is on the top side of Victoria Park

Buy

Goulburn has a wide main street, and there are still speciality shops and cafes along the street that you can walk and browse through. It hasn't yet been completely overrun by the large shopping malls yet.

Eat

Goulburn has plenty of cheap and quick food open all hours in town and at the highway services. There are two exits from the freeway from at Goulburn, and the southernmost exit (the furthest from Sydney, and closed to Canberra) has highway service area by the Big Merino, with a bakery and choice of fast food chains. If you take a small diversion through Goulburn there are other fast food options, including another McDonalds.

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.

Flamingos

Sleep

Coming off the freeway from Sydney, the road into Goulburn is lined with a range of convenient motels.

Connect

All mobile networks have good coverage in Goulburn. The visitors centre offers free Internet.

Go next

Goulburn is approximately 50 minutes from Bowral, Mittagong, and the Southern Highlands.

Sydneysiders tend to think of Goulburn as being half way to Canberra from Sydney, but it is less than an hour to drive to Canberra from Goulburn, on fast, good quality roads.

Sydney and Wollongong are both around 2 hours drive away; and day trips to Sydney are available by train from Goulburn as well.