MELBOURNE TO SYDNEY HERITAGE DRIVE
Recommended Duration: 4 Days
Route: Melbourne- Bendigo- Echuca- Albury- Canberra- Sydney
Highlights: Bendigo Goldfields, Chinese Gardens, Port of Echuca, Rutherglen Wineries, Parliment House Canberra, Sydney Opera House, Sydney Harbour Bridge
The Melbourne- Sydney Heritage drive charts a course from Melbourne to Sydney via the nation’s capital, Canberra. On the way you will pass through some of most attractive towns in Victoria, abundant with golf course (so pack the clubs) and award-winning wineries. Discover the Goldfields region and continue to the Murray River, home to the world’s largest paddle steamer fleet. On to Canberra, the nation’s capital. From there heading onto Sydney, famous for icons such as the Sydney Harbour Bridge, Sydney Opera House and Bondi Beach.
Day 1- Melbourne- Bendigo- Echuca
Approximately: 260km (3 hours, 40 mins)
The first leg of the Sydney-Melbourne Heritage Drive heads out of Melbourne north-east to the regional city of Bendigo. The towns and villages between Melbourne and Bendigo are renowned for their antique and bric-a-brac shops.
Wind your way through the tree-lined streets and magnificent gardens of Mount Macedon. At the summit of the mountain, take the short walk from the car park to the Memorial Cross and several lookouts, from which you can see as far as Melbourne on a clear day.
Nearby Hanging Rock was the haunting backdrop to the Picnic at Hanging Rock book and film. In Kyneton see the mineral springs and 19th-century botanic gardens, plus the Kyneton Provender bookshop-cafe. Call in at Malmsbury for sweet treats at the bakery.
Visit the historic home Buda in Castlemaine to discover 19-century antiques, furnishings and artwoks. The legacy of the gold rush is present in the historic buildings throughout Castlemaine, and the National Trust-listed streetscape in the tiny town of Maldon. Find out about life on the world’s richest alluvial goldfields at the historic Market Building and view major Australian artworks of the late 19th and early 20th centuries at the Castlemaine Art Gallery and Museum. Pick your own fresh apples in Harcourt.
Arriving in Bendigo experience all that Bendigo has to offer. Our major attractions are diverse and exciting. There’s the authentic deep-shaft mine experience at Central Deborah, where you travel underground in a miners’ cage. The famous Vintage Talking Tram Tour that weaves through the streets of Bendigo, telling wonderful stories of days gone by.
The original 1860’s Chinese Joss House and the Golden Dragon Museum display the Chinese heritage of the area and house the world’s oldest Imperial Dragon, Loong. Bendigo Art Gallery has a strong reputation with a significant collection. An award-winning architecturally designed café was added to the building in recent times.
For the active there is Australia’s highest Vertical Slide at Discovery Science & Technology Centre and a host of physical challenges at Life Adventure Park. For an even more active visit try a walking trail or cycling trail through Bendigo’s fabulous city centre or beyond. A bush-walk through the tranquil Whipstick Forest, fossicking for gold near historic Maldon or cycling around beautiful wineries on route to Castlemaine could be for you.
Leave Bendigo and continue on to explore the country town of Elmore and call in at Campaspe Run on your journey to Echuca-Moama, home of Port Echuca – an historic and operational inland port. The Murray River and nearby Barmah Lakes attract people to the area for aquatic activities such as canoeing, fishing, swimming or waterskiing. If you prefer dry land, play a round of golf on one of the many 18-hole championship courses in the area, and see the largest area of ancient river red gums at Barmah-Millewa Forest.
After a busy day exploring – it is time for a dinner. Question is Laid Back and semi casual, or La Carte. The choice is yours. Oscar W’s Wharfside (La Carte dining) is an award winning restaurant that was established in 1997, with the intention of providing a unique dining experience, focusing on regional, seasonal and contemporary cuisine.
For a casual dining approach visit Echuca-Moama’s favourite spot for lunch and dinner, Moama Bowling Club, where everyone feels at home and relaxed at the prospect of great food at great prices and prompt service. The Bistro has recently been refurbished and is a fabulous place for dining, featuring wide variety of traditional favourites through to stir-frys, seafood, pasta and risotto.
Accommodation Recommendation: Madison Spa Resort , a tranquil retreat to rest the body, mind and soul sits peacefully among the majestic trees, combining with nature. An invigorating mineral spa pool, a tranquil relaxation pool and a steam room offer a truly unique experience for that weekend away or long overdue holiday.
The resort is surrounded by 50 acres of red gum forest that leads to the Murray River, perfect for a leisurely afternoon stroll or nature walk. Bikes are available for hire. On warm days, cool down in the landscaped lap pool, unwind in the indoor spa or relax by the cascading waterfall.
Day 2- Echuca- Albury
Approximately: 240km (3 hours, 20 mins)
Echuca is home to the world’s largest fleet of operating paddle steamers, that steam along the Murray River and berth at the Historical Port of Echuca.
Enjoy a one hour cruise on the PS Pevensey, star of the Australian mini series All the Rivers Run filmed at the Port of Echuca, or the PS Alexander Arbuthnot built in 1923. Follow the Wharf Walk or join the guided tour and discover how the Port of Echuca became Australia’s largest inland port in the late 1800’s with up to 240 paddlesteamers being cleared from the wharf on an annual basis.
PS Pevensey (built 1911) or PS Alexander Arbuthnot (built 1923) depart Echuca Wharf daily at 10.15am, 11.30am, 1.15pm & 2.30pm.
For those excited by cars or even if you are a TRUE BLUE AUSSIE visiting Echuca you shouldn’t go past visiting the 
NATIONAL HOLDEN MOTOR MUSEUM. The Holden Museum in Echuca is dedicated to preserving the models and their memories. Take a walk down memory lane and through the history of a company that put our nation on wheels. Echuca if fortunate to have the Nation’s largest collections of Holden’s, making this private Museum the largest one brand car Museum in Australia. See over 40 vehicles, including rare prototypes, historic film footage, and photographic exhibition.
After taking in the sites and surrounds of Echuca, we head off West to Yarrawonga/Lake Mulwala. Yarrawonga-Mulwala is also good for fishing for Murray Cod, playing a round of golf at the largest public access golf course in Australia, water skiing on the lake. Lake Mulawa is renowned for its wonderful climate, this picturesque piece of regional Victoria and New South Wales is an “Inland Aquatic Paradise” for visitors to take some time to enjoy some stunning scenery, lose yourself in the serene surrounds of the forest, Lake Mulwala and of course the mighty Murray River. It’s an ideal location to site by the Lake, take in the scenery and enjoy a picnic lunch before heading off again.
Approximately 45km from Yarrawonga/Lake Mulwala, is Winery country – the town of Rutherglen. The region is not just about food and wine. It is steeped in history, its fabric shaped by gold miners, boom, bust, generations of farmers, shopkeepers, sportsmen, churchmen and the mighty Murray. There are old mine sites, grand old homesteads, idyllic farmscapes, classic shopfronts, footy grounds, some of Australia’s best golf courses and lawn tennis courts, grand old churches and convents, sandy beaches and shady billabongs
The best place to start is at The Rutherglen Wine Experience Visitor Information Centre 
which has been established by the winemakers and businesses of Rutherglen and the Indigo Shire, to enable you to get the most from your visit. Rutherglen makes crisp, modern style whites, robust red wines and is most famous for its muscats and tokays. The Wine Experience Centre allows you to sample wines produced by some of the leading wineries, including All Saints Estate, Brown Brothers and Gehrig Estate.
Accommodation Recommendations: Quality Resort Siesta located in Albury, is a charming family-owned hideaway that combines quality service and superior facilities with country hospitality – and more than just a little touch of colourful Mexico. With a deluxe lagoon pool, spa, sauna, tennis, and mini-golf, and wining and dining at the Cactus Cantina Bistro or the celebrated Bullring Bar and Restaurant, there’s something for everyone
Day 3- Albury- Canberra
Approximately: 345 km (4 hours, 30 mins)
Australia’s busiest national transport corridor, Albury/Wodonga which is also usually used as a stopover for a drive between Melbourne and Sydney.
With Australia’s longest river running through the heart of Albury/Wodonga, you’d expect to find idyllic river walks and parks. What you might not expect is a pub inspired by a cartoonist, an army museum with a huge collection of military memorabilia and a former migrant reception centre which helped change the face of Australia.
The twin cities sit on the banks of the Murray River, its blends city style with country pace, history with contemporary attractions, arts with adventure and much more. Wodonga is popular with tourist for water sport activities such as water skiing.
Whilst in Albury/Wodonga make sure you check out a couple of sites around town. The Albury Botanical gardens impressive co
llection of both native and exotic plant collection, the Regional Art Gallery which houses the Russell Drysdale collection, par take in the historical heritage walk around town. Finally you cannot go to Albury/Wodonga without visiting to the Ettamogah Pub, located 10km north of Albury it is a must see- unusual pub is an adaptation of one created in a cartoon series by the late Ken Maynard which appeared weekly in the (also late) Australian Post magazine.
Leave the Murray River and head to the historic town of Yass. At the halfway mark, take a break at Gundagai to see the Dog on the Tuckerbox statue, an historic monument and a tribute to pioneers.
Canberra, the Australian capital, is home to national institutions and attractions, most of which are located near or around Lake Burley Griffin. Parliament House’s 81-metre flagpole on top of Capital Hill is visible as you approach the city from all directions. Visit the Australian War Memorial, regarded as one of the most impressive war museums in the world, and see exhibitions and the collection of more than 100,000 artworks at the National Gallery of Australia.
Explore nearby Namadgi National Park and see Indigenous rock art and Aboriginal shelters. At Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve follow a walking trail, join a ranger-guided activity, or see Australian animals in their natural habitat.
There is plenty of accommodation available in Canberra, including 5-star hotels, serviced apartments, luxurious resorts, B&Bs, caravan parks and motels.
Accommodation Recommendation: **WINNER of the 2009 Canberra Tourism Awards for Deluxe accommodation** Novotel Canberra enjoys one of the city’s best locations, perfectly placed for those travelling on business to Australia’s Capital. Situated on Northbourne Avenue, the gateway to Canberra’s CBD, retail and entertainment centre, the hotel is only 8km from Canberra’s Airport and within walking distance from the city’s major commercial and government offices.
Approximately: 290km (3 hours, 40 mins)
Before departing Canberra, be sure to indulge and take off at dawn in a hot air
balloon. Hire a paddleboat, surf ski, canoe or windsurfer on Lake Burley Griffin, or go up the Black Mountain Tower for 360-degree views of Canberra and the region.
From Australia’s capital city, the route to Sydney takes you to historic Goulburn. As Australia’s first inland city, Goulburn has a rich pioneer history, much of which can be seen on the self-guided heritage walking and cycling tours of the City. Visit a nearby farm to experience the farming way of life, or explore the surrounding country and drive into the mountains to explore the beauty of Wombeyan Caves, via Taralga.
Just off the Hume are the towns and villages of the Southern Highlands, well known for its colourful gardens, country golf courses, and scenic landscapes. From Moss Vale continue your drive to the villages of Bowral and Berrima to explore historic buildings, antique and craft shops, and relax in friendly cafes. Find out everything there is to know about cricketer Sir Donald Bradman at Bowral’s Bradman Museum.
Stop at Mittagong to wander through local art galleries or follow walking trails to lookouts on Mt. Gibraltar and Mt. Alexandra. Mittagong is a lively centre with cafes, good restaurants, and plenty of accommodation options.
Finally, you have made it, Sydney! The fact that such internationally recognized icons such as the Sydney Opera House, Sydney Harbour Bridge, and the Royal Botanical Gardens are all within walking distance from the CBD, makes this city so special.
Whether you’re looking for outdoor adventure or cosmopolitan culture, 
Sydney’s got it all. Climb to the top of the Harbour Bridge or take a skywalk on Sydney Tower for a 360-degree view of the city. Stroll through the Botanical Gardens or take a tour of the Opera House. Cuddle koalas in the Taronga Park Zoo or learn to surf at Bondi Beach. For quaint cafés and shopping, visit The Rocks, Sydney’s historic district. For everything from beaches to ballet, you’re bound to enjoy your Harbour City stay.
Accommodation Recommendation: Grand Mercure Apartments One Darling Harbour is a modern, stylish hotel and an ideal choice for corporate travellers, vacationing couples and families. Our one, two and three bedroom apartments all have fully equipped kitchens, dining/ lounge area and balconies with city or harbour views. With 24 hour concierge and reception, Grand Mercure Apartments also has a 25 metre lap pool, Gymnasium, spa, sauna and outdoor terrace with stunning views over Darling Harbour.