Explore Australia

The Big Merino Even though it was only built in 1985, the Big Merino is an instantly recognisable landmark associated with Goulburn and its thriving merino wool industry. The 15 m high and 18 m long sculptured sheep has 3 floors, with a souvenir shop, an educational display on the history of wool in the area and a lookout. Cnr Hume and Sowerby sts; (02) 4882 8013.

Old Goulburn Brewery: tours of Australia's oldest brewery designed by colonial architect Francis Greenway. Brewing to original recipe; Bungonia Rd; (02) 4821 6071. Goulburn and District Arts and Crafts Centre: gallery and giftshop showcasing arts and crafts including jewellery, pottery and textiles; Blackshaw Rd; (02) 4822 7889. Goulburn Historic Waterworks: displays antique waterworks engines, beside attractive parkland with picnic and barbecue facilities on Marsden Weir; off Fitzroy St. Rocky Hill War Memorial and Museum: erected in 1925 as a tribute to the Goulburn men and women who served during WW I, it offers outstanding views across the city. Museum open weekends and holidays; Memorial Dr. Self-guide tour: historic buildings include Goulburn Courthouse and St Saviour's Cathedral; brochure from visitor centre.

Bungonia State Conservation Area Popular for adventurers with perfect terrain for canyoning, caving and canoeing. Walking trails offer fantastic river and canyon views. One walk passes through the spectacular Bungonia Gorge. 35 km E.

Pelican Sheep Station: farm tours, shearing and sheepdog demonstrations by appt; bookings (02) 4821 4668. Accommodation is available; 10 km S. Lake George: 25 km long lake that regularly fills and empties. It has excellent picnic sites; 40 km SW. Wombeyan Caves: Daily guided and self-guide cave tours through ancient and spectacular limestone cave system; inquiries (02) 4843 5976; 70 km N.

Yaouk Valley 145 km

It was late autumn 1997 when I  arrived in Canberra to fish with  the late Chris Hole, fly-fisherman,  author and painter. Chris offered  to take me to some of his favourite trout streams that snake... Find out more

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Port Hacking 148 km

In my youth, bream was a species anglers sought to put food on the table. It was a ‘kill it and fillet’ favourite. Both yellowfin and black bream fought well, but the sedentary nature of bait fishing –... Find out more

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Lithgow to Mudgee 151 km

Early settlers following in the footsteps of Blaxland, Wentworth and Lawson took three weeks of hard trudging to cross the majestic Blue Mountains. These days the drive from the Penrith plains in western Sydney takes... Find out more

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Botany Bay 159 km

Recently I fished a hot-water outlet alongside the Kurnell refinery pier in Botany Bay, a few hundred metres from a monument dedicated to Captain James Cook’s landing in Australia in April 1770. A year before,... Find out more

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Narooma Offshore 165 km

Narooma is one of those pleasant destinations that offers piscatorial delights most of the year, ranging from gamefishing offshore to rock, beach and estuary. Situated on Wagonga Inlet, the port is best known for its... Find out more

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Hawkesbury-Nepean River 192 km

The Hawkesbury River is regarded as one of the most consistent waters for big mulloway, or jewfish as they are called. It was with mulloway in mind that I went to the river to fish with Colin Tannahill. The river flows... Find out more

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Bermagui 200 km

Bermagui is small fishing port but a world-famous gamefishing destination. It owes its fame to an American western writer, Zane Grey, who went there in 1936. Little has changed since then. ‘Bermi’, as most... Find out more

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Lake Jindabyne 205 km

Lake Jindabyne sits on the eastern edge of Kosciuszko National Park and rates as one of southern Australia’s best trout waters. The lake is stocked with rainbow and brown trout, and Atlantic salmon. Some of the... Find out more

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Wagga Wagga 218 km

In my early teens I lived in Wagga Wagga for about three years and spent many hours fishing from a kayak on the Murrumbidgee and at Lake Albert. The river held excellent numbers of redfin, and they were of good size, so... Find out more

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Khancoban 220 km

Many trout fishers, particularly those adept with the fly, regard Khancoban as home base for trout fishing. The biggest water in the area is Khancoban Pondage, fed by the Swampy Plain River and Khancoban Creek. The... Find out more

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Picnicking around Canberra 81 km

There are many great places to unpack a picnic in the Australian Capital Territory, from the copious native areas in the Australian National Botanic Gardens, to the bird mecca of Jerrabomberra Wetlands on the Molonglo... Find out more

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Bushwalking on the South Coast, NSW 84 km

From meanders along isolated beaches and around heath-covered headlands, to long hikes up rugged mountains in Budawang, Morton or Deua national parks, the South Coast provides limitless possibilities for great... Find out more

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Cycling in Jervis Bay 93 km

For a pleasant family cycle with young children, hop on the safe and gentle cycling path that winds around Jervis Bay at Huskisson and Vincentia, beside beautiful coastline and some fun playgrounds. A longer bike path... Find out more

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Sailing around Jervis Bay 99 km

Imagine. No engines. Just the flapping of a sail and the splash of the waves. The South Coast’s tranquil lakes and inlets are ideal for sailing. Jervis Bay Sailing Charters is one of several operators who will take... Find out more

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Birdwatching trip by boat 114 km

Being out on a heaving sea all day with a flock of keen birdwatchers could be some people’s worst nightmare, but any nature lover should enjoy the experience – at least once anyway. There is the chance to... Find out more

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Sailing - Batemans Bay 114 km

Batemans Bay Sailing Charters is eco-certified and offers sailing trips out of Batemans Bay on a 12.5-metre catamaran, from a three-hour cruise around the bay to overnight excursions.... Find out more

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Ice-climbing 127 km

In winter, the frozen cliffs around Blue Lake provide one of the only places in Australia to learn and perfect the art of ice-climbing. Multi-day courses involve a hike in with heavy packs, and camping out in the... Find out more

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Picnicking in the Blue Mountains 149 km

Take a picnic up to the Blue Mountains Botanic Garden in Mount Tomah at any time of year and you will not be disappointed. At 1000 metres above sea level, it is usually cool in summer, brimming with flowers in spring,... Find out more

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Taronga Zoo 172 km

One of the world’s best zoos, Taronga is involved in a wide variety of threatened species recovery operations, wildlife rehabilitation and animal research work. As well as having a great day by Sydney Harbour,... Find out more

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Kayaking in Sydney 174 km

Surprisingly, this activity has only taken off in Sydney in the past few years. With a city centred on such great waterways, there is plenty to explore, whether just for an hour or two, or a whole week. Sydney Harbour... Find out more

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Royal Canberra Golf Club (Westbourne course) 84 km

When the site for the nation’s capital was selected in 1909, it was mainly rolling grassy plains with few trees. Little was known about what species might flourish in Canberra’s environment. The federal... Find out more

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Macquarie Links International Golf Club 136 km

Shanghai, Guam, Bali, Sabah, Bangkok, Singapore, Alaska, Hawaii; American course designer Robin Nelson has spent much of the past 30 years travelling from one exotic destination to another, putting his next project in... Find out more

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Twin Creeks Golf & Country Club 140 km

As a globetrotting professional golfer of the 1970s and ’80s, Graham Marsh won more than 60 titles across five continents. The key to his success was his approach to the game. Every shot was thoughtfully... Find out more

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Castle Hill Country Club 161 km

Back in 1821, Irishman George Acres received a land grant and is understood to have planted Australia’s first citrus trees. He planted them on the land where the fairways of Castle Hill Country Club now weave... Find out more

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Concord Golf Club 161 km

From the very first days that golf was played in New South Wales, the name Concord has been part of the landscape. Established in 1899, golf began on the current site – on a layout designed by Dan Soutar, who... Find out more

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New South Wales Golf Club 163 km

Few courses anywhere can rival New South Wales for its array of fascinating and spectacularly natural seaside holes. Laid out across sometimes dramatic, undulating topography on the La Perouse peninsula – with... Find out more

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St Michael’s Golf Club 164 km

St Michael’s has for a long time been one of Sydney’s most underrated courses. Perhaps sharing a boundary with the world-famous New South Wales Golf Club hasn’t helped. Yet St Michael’s covers... Find out more

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The Lakes Golf Club 165 km

The Lakes is one of Sydney’s iconic golf courses, a regular venue for big championships – including the Australian Open – during its 82-year history. Yet since the late 1960s, when the course was... Find out more

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The Coast Golf Club 165 km

The Coast certainly has the right address to be considered a golfing gem. Its closest neighbours on this stunning stretch of Sydney coastline are St Michael’s Golf Club to the south and, beyond that, the... Find out more

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The Australian Golf Club 165 km

With a rich history dating back to the first days of organised golf in Australia, The Australian is the country’s oldest formal golf club. It was established in 1882 but didn’t find a permanent home at... Find out more

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Green Gourmet 165 km

These totally vegan restaurants have fascinating dishes including mock fish, made from taro, mushroom steaks and desserts such as green tea moon cake.... Find out more

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Billy Kwong 168 km

This up-market restaurant in Surry Hills claims to have been the first restaurant in New South Wales that chose to become carbon neutral. Owned and run by passionate advocate of sustainability and ethical eating Kylie... Find out more

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Wig & Pen Brewery/Tavern 80 km

Canberra may well claim to be the real ale capital of Australia on the strength of this single brew-pub, which sees more pints of hand-pumped ale pulled than any other joint in the land. From the well-balanced and... Find out more

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Five Islands Brewing Company 114 km

Started by local Illawarra rugby league legend Michael Bolt in 2001, the Five Islands Brewing Company has travelled a markedly different course to most other craft-beer enterprises. FIBC began life as a beachside bar and... Find out more

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Tooheys Brewery 158 km

Tooheys remains the last of Sydney’s long-running mainstream breweries still currently operating. Founders James and John Toohey were cattle farmers before they entered the beer game, buying the Darling Brewery (it... Find out more

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Paddy's Brewery 159 km

There may be more unlikely venues for a craft brewery but, offhand, I can’t think of one. The Markets Hotel is a 24-hour pub opposite Sydney’s Flemington fresh produce market, where you’re more likely... Find out more

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St Peters Brewery 164 km

Matt Donelan is someone who marches to a different drum from most other craftbrewers. He doesn’t have a website or own a mobile phone and doesn’t believe in cardboard packaging. He matches his keg prices... Find out more

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Malt Shovel Brewery 165 km

US-born Dr Charles ‘Chuck’ Hahn has enjoyed two separate craft-beer careers over two decades, operating out of the same Camperdown brewery. In the late ’80s he opened it as the independent Hahn Brewery,... Find out more

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Schwartz Brewery 168 km

Tucked away in the basement of the heritage-listed Macquarie Hotel in Surry Hills, this 8-hectolitre microbrewery is the hub of a burgeoning craft-beer empire run by owner Dr Jerry Schwartz. Apart from supplying the pub,... Find out more

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Redoak Brewery 168 km

Redoak burst onto the craft-beer scene by winning a swag of medals at the 2004 Australian International Beer Awards before they had sold even a single drop. And they have continued to collect an impressive array of... Find out more

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Lord Nelson Brewery Hotel 169 km

Sydney’s longest-running brew-pub is many things rolled into one fine watering hole – an institution for ale lovers, a tourist magnet and a haven for homesick Poms. The historic sandstone pub is as comfy as a... Find out more

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Bungonia camping ground 27 km

This is a spacious, well-equipped camping ground in a stunning bushland setting. There’s a camp kitchen, conference room for hire, plenty of space for tents, caravans and camper trailers, and all the outdoor... Find out more

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Forest Headquarters camping area 44 km

The forest’s HQ camp is 4 km east of Wingello via Forest Rd. Camping is only allowed between Easter and the Oct long weekend. There’s a map here displaying mountain-biking trails; bring your own drinking... Find out more

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Stuart Crossing camping area (bush camping) 49 km

This bush-camping site also goes by the name of Charleyong Crossing. It’s on the Mayfield Rd, 35 km north of Braidwood. There are no facilities but the fishing’s good. Note there’s usually a total fire... Find out more

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Oallen Ford camping area 49 km

This is a simple set-up at the Shoalhaven River crossing, 18 km west of Nerriga on the Nerriga–Tarago Rd. There are no facilities here, so bring your gas/fuel stove and drinking water. There’s usually a total... Find out more

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Endrick River camping area 52 km

Five kilometers to the north of Nerriga brings you Endrick River; the camping area is at Endrick River crossing on Turpentine Rd. It’s a pretty spot and a welcome rest stop, where you can swim or fish. There are no... Find out more

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Corang River camping area 53 km

There’s beautiful forest in the Nerriga area, 50 km north-east of Braidwood and 55 km south-west of Nowra. Corang River camping area is 8 km south-west of Nerriga on the Turpentine Rd at Corang River crossing.... Find out more

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Dalys Clearing camping area 53 km

Follow the signs along Bunnygalore Rd to this flat, grassy clearing surrounded by pine trees. Bring your own drinking water. If you’re an adventurous type, you can strike out and camp in the bush, as long as you... Find out more

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Gambells Rest camping area 54 km

This is the only designated camping ground in the north of the park, and it’s a good springboard for half a dozen walking tracks. It’s less than 2 km south of Bundanoon via Gullies Rd. No fires are allowed,... Find out more

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Wombeyan Caves Campground 54 km

While the caves are certainly the main drawcard, other activities in the reserve include swimming in the Wombeyan Gorge, hiking, canyoning and birdwatching. The extensive and well-equipped campground is along Wombeyan... Find out more

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Tallowa Dam camping area 55 km

You’re surrounded by beauty in this camping ground, which is swaddled by Morton National Park and tucked into Kangaroo Valley. The camping ground itself is a broad, spacious grassed area. To get here, take Tallowa... Find out more

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Governor’s Hill Carapark 3 km

Easily accessible from the Hume Freeway, the park is 4 km north of Goulburn and offers good facilities. An added attraction is a highly detailed model train set-up to amuse young and old.... Find out more

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Moss Vale Village Caravan Park 63 km

The park, 2 km south of Moss Vale, is one of two in this part of the central highlands. It is ideal for a night or two if you are planning to explore the area. Bookings are recommended all year round, and there is a... Find out more

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Capital Country Holiday Village 67 km

Take the time to sit by the lake, relax and feed the ducks. Formerly White Ibis Caravan Park, this is a spacious park in a rural setting about 14 km north of Canberra and easily accessible from the Federal Highway. This... Find out more

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Exhibition Park in Canberra (EPIC) 74 km

This camping area is part of the Canberra Showground and may suit those with big rigs or those travelling with dogs. The park is not available during the Canberra Show or the Folk Festival; the maximum stay is 28 days.... Find out more

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Yass Caravan Park 75 km

The park is just 1 km from the town centre and is a popular overnight stop for those travelling the Hume Highway. There are convenient drive-thru sites, grassy areas and clean amenities. Bookings may be required during... Find out more

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Mittagong Caravan Park 76 km

The caravan park is 1 km north of the town centre. There is a well-stocked shop and easy access to the Hume Freeway. This is one of only two parks in this area of the central highlands. The park can get very busy, so... Find out more

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Canberra Motor Village 79 km

Located in a quiet bushland setting 3 km from the centre of Canberra, this park makes a good base for exploring the national capital, with just a short drive to the city and most of the attractions. The park has... Find out more

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Queanbeyan Riverside Tourist Park 80 km

This park is set in a lovely location on the banks of the Queanbeyan River, just a short stroll from the heart of town. It is easily accessible from the highway and is often very busy.... Find out more

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Canberra South Motor Park 82 km

This large, older-style park is on the south side just a few kilometres from Canberra. For those navigating with a GPS, the park has no street number but is opposite number 250. A minimum-length stay applies at Easter... Find out more

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Shoalhaven Caravan Village 83 km

This is a large, owner-operated riverfront park just 1 km east of Nowra and easily reached from the Princes Highway. Bookings are required in peak periods.... Find out more

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Jenolan Cabins 105 km

These basic but cosy self-contained cabins, 6 kilometres up the steep hill past Jenolan Caves, are earth-sheltered for climate control and have composting toilets and rainwater. There are great views over the mountains,... Find out more

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Old Leura Dairy 129 km

This creative collection of six buildings, which can sleep up to 30 people in various combinations, has been renovated and fitted out with all manner of recycled bits and bobs. There are old oven doors, rusted corrugated... Find out more

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Bunjaree Cottages, Wentworth Falls 130 km

Great for families, Bunjaree Cottages have been designed to make a small environmental footprint, with full solar power and earth-brick insulation. One is built with recycled car tyres and mud, providing even better... Find out more

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Kanimbla View, Blackheath 132 km

Solar-powered, the two- and three-bedroom cottages here are surprisingly large inside. They are partially constructed from recycled and salvaged timbers, have composting toilets and a great view of the Kanimbla Valley... Find out more

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Woolshed Cabins, near Blackheath 133 km

Eleven kilometres from Blackheath and surrounded by a glorious natural amphitheatre of towering sandstone walls, the Woolshed Cabins sit on 100 hectares of cleared farmland (a working cattle farm) in the Kanimbla Valley,... Find out more

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Jemby-Rinjah Eco Lodge, Blackheath 134 km

One of the first working examples of large-scale sustainable tourism to exist in Australia, Jemby-Rinjah has advanced eco-accreditation, and one of the most extensive systems of composting toilets in the country. Ten... Find out more

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Clonturkle Sanctuary 144 km

Join the experiment in sustainable living and tourism at Clonturkle Earth Hamlet and Forest Sanctuary. Located at Yetholme, there are four cabins set on 240 hectares of mostly eucalypt forest, with 15 kilometres of... Find out more

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Dargan Springs Mountain Lodge, Clarence 148 km

At the soft end of ecotourism, this pleasant lodge and wellness retreat has advanced eco-certification. It is surrounded by a mountain ash forest dotted with waratahs, the habitat of wombats and wallabies. With a maximum... Find out more

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Wollemi Wilderness Retreat, Bilpin 153 km

These unusual self-contained cabins of various sizes feature passive solar design and are mainly constructed from recycled and salvaged materials. Although not high-class, they all have a spa and are in isolated bush... Find out more

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Australia Walkabout Park, Calga 202 km

You can camp out with the 180 species of wild animal in this 32-hectare feral-proofed wildlife park that has a solid history of conservation and caring for injured and orphaned wildlife. The overnight camping experience... Find out more

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French VC Rest Area 8 km

9 km W of Goulburn (R) or 78 km E of Yass (L) Large area just off the highway. Good facilities. Limited shade. GPS: S34 47.207 E149 38.416... Find out more

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Derrick VC Rest Area 10 km

73 km SW of Mittagong (L) westbound only Large area just off the highway. Good facilities and shade. GPS: S34 44.149 E149 49.805 ... Find out more

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Chowne VC Rest Area 15 km

17 km NE of Goulburn (L) eastbound only Large area adjacent to the highway. Good facilities. Limited shade. GPS: S34 44.621 E149 53.244  ... Find out more

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Kingsbury VC Rest Area 47 km

27 km SW of Mittagong (L) or 58 km NE of Goulburn (R) Large area just off the highway among some large pine trees. Good shade. GPS: S34 37.166 E150 12.832 ... Find out more

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Mackey VC Rest Area 52 km

28 km SW of Mittagong (L) or 57 km NE of Goulburn (R) Small area just off the highway. Good facilities and shade. GPS: S34 34.763 E150 15.192  ... Find out more

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Gordon VC Rest Area 57 km

21 km SW of Mittagong (R) or 64 km NE of Goulburn (L) Small area just off the highway. Good facilities. GPS: S34 32.086 E150 16.885  ... Find out more

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Mundoonan Rest Area 60 km

64 km W of Goulburn (L) or 23 km E of Yass (L) Large areas well off the highway (both sides). Good facilities. Limited shade. GPS: S34 49.462 E149 04.468 ... Find out more

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Bewang Park Area 83 km

38 km N of Ulladulla (L) or 30 km S of Nowra (R) Small area adjacent to the highway, opposite the roadhouse. GPS: S35 05.123 E150 31.993 ... Find out more

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Burrill Lake Park Area 97 km

South side of town Large town park in a pleasant lakeside setting just off the highway. Good facilities. GPS: S35 23.391 E150 26.652    ... Find out more

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Bookham Rest Area 99 km

32 km W of Yass (L) or 113 km NE of Tarcutta (R) Small area just off the highway. Good facilities. GPS: S34 48.849 E148 38.503 ... Find out more

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Waldrons Swamp Rest Area 129 km

8 km N of Moruya (R) or 20 km S of Batemans Bay (L) Large area just off the highway. Good facilities and shade. GPS: S35 51.906 E150 07.158  ... Find out more

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Carcoar Dam Camp Area 136 km

T/O 62 km NE of Cowra (R) or 47 km SW of Bathurst (L) Large camp area located 2 kilometres south of the highway on the shores of the dam. Good facilities and shade. GPS: S33 36.717 E149 10.864 ... Find out more

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Fullers Lane Rest Area 138 km

60 km NE of Cowra (R) or 49 km SW of Bathurst (L) Small area just off the highway. Good shade. GPS: S33 35.890 E149 09.927 ... Find out more

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Ramage Park Rest Area 138 km

5 km NE of Cowra (R) or 104 km SW of Bathurst (L) Small area just off the highway. GPS: S33 49.787 E148 42.614   ... Find out more

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Cowra Park Area 139 km

Middle of town Large parking area opposite the information centre. GPS: S33 50.200 E148 40.919 ... Find out more

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Blayney Park Area 141 km

West side of town Small parking area adjacent to the highway. Good facilities. Limited shade. GPS: S33 32.263 E149 15.254... Find out more

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Coolac Rest Area 143 km

87 km SW of Yass (L) southbound only Large area adjacent to the highway. GPS: S34 56.514 E148 10.511  ... Find out more

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Mingay Rest Area 147 km

56 km NE of Tarcutta (L) northbound only Large area adjacent to the highway. GPS: S34 58.741 E148 08.281 ... Find out more

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Tyagong Creek Rest Area 149 km

31 km E of Grenfell (R) or 24 km W of Cowra (L) Small area adjacent to the highway. Limited shade. GPS: S33 54.096 E148 27.977 ... Find out more

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Tumut Park Area 149 km

Middle of town Small town park adjacent to the highway. Good facilities. Limited shade. GPS: S35 18.308 E148 13.667 ... Find out more

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The Rocks Rest Area 150 km

20 km W of Bathurst (R) or 36 km E of Orange (L) Small area adjacent to the highway. Good shade and facilities. GPS: S33 25.56 E149 22.48  ... Find out more

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