Goulburn & the Southern Tablelands
About Goulburn
Goulburn, situated in the NSW Southern Tablelands, is a city of rich heritage and country charm. Home to Indigenous peoples for tens of thousands of years, it was first settled by Europeans in the 1820s. In 1863 Goulburn was declared Australia’s first inland city by royal letters patent.
Until the mid-twentieth century, Goulburn was the dominant government and commercial centre in the Southern Tablelands and indeed southern NSW. The city is home to an extraordinary range of colonial and federation buildings which recall its past glory.
These include the monumental courthouse, adjacent to Belmore Park in the centre of the city, and two beautiful large 19 th century cathedral buildings.
The heritage character of the city is complemented by beautiful historic streetscapes in the surrounding residential areas. The fine grazing land of the Southern Tablelands supported many prosperous families, and Goulburn is surrounded by historic homesteads, large and small, with traditional country gardens.
Gardening Notes
Gardening in Goulburn and the surrounding areas of the Southern Tablelands can be challenging, as the area is characterised by hot, dry summers and very cold, frosty winters.
Goulburn’s Attractions
Take a stroll around Goulburn’s city centre and admire the many beautiful old buildings including the grand old Courthouse, the Goulburn Club, the old Fire Station and the notable art deco buildings in Goulburn’s Montague Street legal precinct and see the two nineteenth century cathedral buildings.
Take Goulburn’s Self-Guided Heritage Tour around its City Centre
Take the Miles Franklin Self-Guided Walking Tour
Did you know that Miles Franklin lived in Goulburn from the age of 9 for some 13 years? It is believed that it was her experience of the Federation Drought (1895-1903) in Goulburn that prompted her to write ‘My Brilliant Career’ when she was just 18.
If you have an interest in Railway History, visit the Goulburn Rail Heritage Centre and see the Goulburn Roundhouse, completed in 1918, with the largest turntable still operating in New South Wales (Open 10am to 3pm Thursday to Saturday).
Explore the riverside pathway and admire Goulburn’s railway viaduct built in 1915
Visit Goulburn’ oldest cemetery to see the grave of the famous explorer, Captain William Hovell, who with Hamilton Hume passed though Goulburn in 1824 to discover new territory in Southern NSW and Victoria.
Visit the Goulburn Wetlands to see a regeneration of Goulburn’s original native riverside vegetation and beautiful visiting birds (and kangaroos of course)
Visit the Goulburn Regional Art Gallery and Gallery on Track to see local arts and crafts.
Wander through Victoria Park and see the Japanese Garden.