This section is dedicated to take away all your "I wish someone had told me that before I went!" experiences. This way, you can spend less time settling in, and more time making new friends in your chosen hostel. We share our insider knowledge of tips, tricks and important things to look out for in Goulburn.
As Australia’s first inland city, Goulburn, New South Wales, Australia, is rich in historical significance. Although Goulburn or "Burbong" (the Aboriginal name for the area) was first home to the Aboriginal Gandangara tribe, the town’s first white settler reportedly inhabited the area in the early nineteenth century, and the present-site town was officially surveyed a few years later. Thirty years later, Queen Victoria proclaimed Goulburn to be Australia’s first inland city.
This small country town (with a population a little over twenty thousand) exudes a laid-back country vibe where you will experience an authentic regional Australian town. Though the town is not typically known for its array of Goulburn, New South Wales, Australia hostels (the selection of hostels in Goulburn, New South Wales, Australia is quite limited), there is plenty of budget accommodation for the discerning backpacker. Motels, hotels, and lodges can make a refreshing break from hostels while on the road. As Goulburn is located ninety minutes northeast of Canberra and about two hundred kilometres southeast of Sydney, the town is an ideal stopover point during a road trip on the east side of Australia.
These days, Goulburn’s most iconic feature is the Big Merino. This is a giant concrete sheep -- the largest such structure in the world. Be sure to take a look inside and climb the steps to look out its eyes at the top. Other points of interest include the war memorial which is situated on Rocky Hill. It was constructed to pay tribute to soldiers who fought in World War I. The memorial officially opened a few years after the war, in the early twentieth century. Lovers of architecture can check out beautifully constructed historical buildings such as the Courthouse, St. Saviour's Cathedral, or St. Clair Villa Museum and Archive. If you’re more of a beer-lover, Australia’s oldest brewery -- aptly named the Goulburn Brewery -- caters to your needs. The beautiful Belmore Park is also worth a visit.
On a more notorious note, Goulburn is also home to Australia’s high-security prison, which holds the country’s most infamous murderers, rapists, and dangerous criminals.
Written by local enthusiast for Goulburn hostels
Erin