Top 15 Attractions and Activities in Goulburn, Australia

Some of the world’s finest wool originates from this small city situated in the Southern Tablelands of New South Wales.

To commemorate this fact, a colossal merino ram welcomes visitors from the side of the Hume Highway.

Goulburn was declared Australia’s inaugural inland city by Queen Victoria in 1863, subsequently connecting to the railway system with great enthusiasm.

What is particularly unique about Goulburn is how well-preserved its Victorian heritage remains, as evidenced by a Gothic Revival cathedral, an impressive courthouse, an operational pump station, a railway roundhouse, and the exquisite older estates located on the outskirts of the town.

1. Belmore Park

Goulburn’s elegant central park is characterized by mature trees, manicured lawns, floral displays, and various monuments.

This area once served as the city’s marketplace and was named in honor of NSW Governor Lord Belmore upon the arrival of the railway in Goulburn in 1869. By the close of the 19th century, the plaza had transitioned into a park, with the charming band rotunda dating back to that transformation in 1899. As you stroll around Belmore Park, you’ll encounter a mosaic of gardens, war memorials, a fountain, and a glasshouse conservatory.

A guide on this heritage can be downloaded or you may collect a brochure at the Goulburn Visitor Centre, conveniently located a short distance away at the bottom of Montague Street.

For a picnic in a refined setting, you may obtain takeaway meals from the numerous eateries along Auburn Street and Market Street, located on the park’s northern side.

2. St Saviour’s Cathedral

At the head of Montague Street lies what is regarded as one of Australia’s most distinguished provincial cathedrals.

St Saviour’s Cathedral features a Gothic Revival design and was completed in 1884 following a decade of construction.

This monument is constructed from Bundanoon sandstone and is especially noted for its intricate tracery, particularly evident in the stunning east window.

Additionally, a clerestory extends over the nave, while the buttressed tower represents a recent addition, erected according to the original blueprints as a Bicentennial project in 1988. Inside, you will find the hammerbeam roof, Early English-style clustered columns with foliate capitals, the organ by Foster & Andrews of Hull (1884), the ornate chancel arch, and the meticulous carvings on the cathedra (bishop’s throne).

3. Goulburn Rail Heritage Centre

With the arrival of the railway in Goulburn in 1869, a depot was established on the southern outskirts of the town.

A 42-road roundhouse commenced operations here in 1918, and this exceptional piece of heritage continues to function, providing a remarkable insight into the transition between the steam and diesel eras.

Lined up around the turntable is an intriguing assemblage of goods and passenger locomotives, encompassing a Vulcan Foundry tank engine from 1884. The collection includes steam engines from the Everleigh Railway Workshops and Baldwin Locomotive Works, as well as a variety of additional rolling stock available for exploration from top to bottom.

For an insider perspective on the collection, avail yourself of a complimentary guided tour conducted by one of the knowledgeable volunteer guides.

4. Goulburn Historic Waterworks

In 1885, Goulburn’s first reticulated water supply was established from a pumping station adjacent to the Wollondilly River at Marsden Weir.

Now registered on both the National Trust and State Heritage registers, this facility remains intact both internally and externally, making it the sole establishment of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere.

Inside, the Appleby Bros. beam engine pump and its W&J Galloway & Sons Boilers are all operational.

The waterworks are open for visitation from Saturday to Tuesday, allowing visitors to witness the beam engine in operation on select Sundays throughout the year.

Also relocated to the waterworks is a stationary steam engine constructed by Bolton-based Hick, Hargreaves & Co in 1866. Every October, the station hosts the Steampunk Victoriana Fair, featuring live music, dance performances, and a plethora of activities and games, including tea service, carriage rides, and penny-farthing experiences.

5. Rocky Hill War Memorial and Museum

A prominent Goulburn landmark visible from considerable distances is the hilltop war memorial, finished in 1925 to honor those who served in the First World War.

This tower, standing at 20 meters tall, features an observation point at the top, offering breathtaking views of Goulburn and the mountains on the eastern horizon.

It goes without saying that the sunsets witnessed here are particularly stunning.

Goulburn received a substantial collection of German war trophies in the 1920s, which were exhibited initially in the basement of the tower and later in the caretaker’s cottage located alongside it.

In 2020, a state-of-the-art museum building was inaugurated, significantly doubling the exhibition space.

The display includes numerous captivating items such as a WWI German telephone switchboard, anti-tank rifles, a grenade thrower, medical pouches, a field telephone, and various other specialized equipment.

6. The Big Merino

Australia features numerous oversized structures known as “Big Things,” the first of which emerged in the 1960s.

These attractions typically celebrate local industries or pieces of heritage.

Therefore, it is fitting that in a historically pastoral locale like Goulburn, the iconic “Big Thing” is a massive merino ram.

Situated by a service station at a roundabout just off the Hume Highway, the Big Merino was completed in 1985 and stands at a height of 15.2 meters.

A gift shop filled with local fine merino knitwear is located on the ground floor of this concrete structure, while a display dedicated to the local wool industry is featured above.

Moreover, visitors can gaze over Goulburn through the ram’s illuminated eyes at night.

The Big Merino was relocated to its current position in 2007 after Goulburn was bypassed by the Hume Highway in the 1990s, resulting in a decline in tourist traffic.

7. Riversdale

The first of several charming historical properties to visit in Goulburn is this Georgian homestead, which began its existence in the 1830s as an inn.

The property later transitioned into a school and then a residence, ultimately being purchased in 1875 by the Twynam family, who resided there until the National Trust acquired Riversdale in 1967. Emily Twynam (1845-1910), who lived here with her spouse Edward, was a skilled artist and woodcarver, and Riversdale still showcases her picture frames, embroidery, furniture, and a collection of her wildlife sketches.

Visitors can explore the main house, outbuildings, and gardens, and can indulge in a special Devonshire tea on the third Sunday of each month.

8. Goulburn Court House

Along the stately Montague Street, opposite Belmore Park, you will encounter one of the finest court buildings in the state.

Designed by government architect James Barnet (1827-1904), the Goulburn Court House was constructed from 1885 to 1887 in a Victorian Free Classical style.

Comprising a blend of brick and sandstone, the building’s most striking features are its copper dome and the elegant arched porch at the main entrance, which is flanked by loggias.

This continues to be an operational court, thus entrance is restricted; however, you may pass through the gates to wander the grounds.

9. Wollondilly River Walkway

The Goulburn Mulwaree Council has made significant efforts to open the picturesque green banks of the Wollondilly River to the public.

A bike-friendly paved pathway extends along four kilometers of the riverbank in Goulburn, stretching from Marsden Weir in the west to the Tarlo Street Bridge in the east.

There are numerous locations to pause and enjoy the tranquility, providing an escape from the nearby city center.

The vegetation has been cleared to create picnic areas, while native plants have been reintroduced, and exercise stations have been established, allowing access to the walkway as part of your daily fitness routine.

10. Lansdowne Park

The oldest European property in Goulburn is the heritage-listed Lansdowne Park, a homestead constructed between 1822 and 1825. The estate features a single-storey Colonial house, a ballroom, coach house, stables, convict-built servants’ quarters, a synagogue, a convict prison, and three small cottages.

Although the estate is smaller than it was two centuries ago, it still functions for agricultural purposes, with the synagogue positioned amidst a vineyard.

Lansdowne Park has undergone faithful restoration, remaining open for farm stays and tours as of 2020, when it went on the market.

11. Garroorigang Historic Home

More than 160 years of history is preserved at this homestead situated a short distance beyond the Rail Heritage Centre.

Garroorigang Historic Home operates not as a museum but rather as a private residence, graciously opened to the public by the Hume family, which traces its heritage back to the 19th-century explorer Hamilton Hume.

Initially functioning as an inn along the route to the goldfields, the property later served as an upscale boarding school until 1883. Garroorigang has maintained its exquisite Colonial furnishings, housing a wealth of intriguing historical artifacts, including old student textbooks, 19th-century cooking equipment, and antique sports paraphernalia.

The grounds are stunning, particularly the charming rose garden complete with a gazebo.

12. Goulburn Regional Art Gallery

As a regional city, Goulburn is home to a prominent institution dedicated to the advancement of contemporary art in this area of New South Wales.

This gallery is the most significant within a 100-kilometer radius, relocating to its custom-built facility at the Civic Centre in 1990. Visitors can immerse themselves in the regional art scene through a diverse array of exhibitions held annually, with several having an environmental theme resonating with local audiences.

Since the 2000s, numerous exhibitions have gained wider recognition through national tours, while locally, the gallery engages in workshops and programs for schools and adults with disabilities.

13. Bungonia National Park

For a convenient day excursion, a national park featuring a landscape of limestone gorges, caves, sinkholes, and peaks, is located just half an hour east of Goulburn.

For tens of thousands of years, these ridges served as travel routes for the Ngunnawal indigenous people.

Evidence of Aboriginal campsites can be found throughout the park, while the limestone sinkholes house edible plants that the Ngunnawal have utilized for millennia.

The park contains around 200 caves, many of which are accessible to experienced cavers.

Certain caves are open only seasonally as they are inhabited by the large bent-wing bat, a vulnerable species.

Embark on an unforgettable canyoning adventure along Jerrara and Bungonia Creek, where the magnificent Lookdown Lookout overlooks the latter.

The stunning Bungonia Slot Canyon can be admired from Adams Lookout, while for a gentle introductory hike through the park’s rainforest and gorge environment, take the Green Track.

14. Goulburn Wetlands

Adjacent to the war memorial, on the Mulwaree River, lies a wetland area that has undergone restoration over recent years.

You can navigate this 13.5-hectare site through two walking paths, both equipped with interpretive signs detailing the ecological diversity within this area.

The wetlands provide habitat for a vast array of water birds, from ducks to herons and spoonbills, as well as passerines and non-passerines such as goshawks, falcons, kites, and parrots.

Bringing binoculars or a camera with a zoom lens will allow you to capture images of this vibrant birdlife from one of the observation hides.

Additionally, a troop of eastern grey kangaroos can often be seen moving through the area.

15. Goulburn Visitor Information Centre

The building equipped with photovoltaic cells at the base of Montague Street serves multiple purposes.

If you require a souvenir, the visitor information center is a perfect option, featuring a shop abundant with wool and sheep-themed keepsakes, as well as high-quality regional treats and wines.

Free Wi-Fi is accessible, providing a space to relax and enjoy a cool beverage. Furthermore, there is a garden area in the back where you can camp (notably, the railway runs adjacent to the center!). In addition to this, you can benefit from a wealth of printed information and firsthand insights from the staff, who are capable of arranging accommodations and tour options for you.