Most people who drive between Melbourne and Sydney take the coastal route — and yes, it's beautiful. But in this episode, Paula reveals the road trip that most Australians have never done: the inland heritage route, through tiny historic towns that most tourists completely overlook. If you want to hear more about what to do in Sydney - listen to Season 2, Episode 14 - Is Sydney Harbour really the most beautiful harbour in the world?
Paula did this solo over seven days, and she'll tell you straight up — seven days wasn't enough.
In This Episode
Paula takes you through her 7-day solo drive from Melbourne to Sydney via the inland route, covering Bendigo, Glenrowan, Albury-Wodonga, Corowa, and Rutherglen. She talks through what she did, what she missed, what surprised her, and why she thinks every Australian should do this trip at least once.
Stops on the Route
🗺️ The Full Itinerary
Get the complete 8-day heritage road trip itinerary with all the details: 8-Day Heritage Road Trip from Melbourne to Sydney (Inland Route)
Stop 1: Bendigo, VIC
Did you know Bendigo is one of only around 50 UNESCO Cities of Gastronomy in the world — and one of just two in Australia (the other being Launceston)? Paula spent the night glamping at a winery, woke up to kangaroos in the mist, visited a converted church restaurant (that's basically a speakeasy), rode the famous Talking Tram, toured the Central Deborah Gold Mine underground, and visited the very first Myer store ever opened in Australia.
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Stop 2: Glenrowan, VIC
A quick but fascinating lunch stop at the town forever linked to Ned Kelly — Australia's most infamous bushranger, captured right here. The whole town tells his story.
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Stop 3: Albury, NSW
Paula stayed at a stunning converted bank hotel (Circle Hotels) and found far more to do than she expected. She walked along the Murray River, explored the Indijmarr Sculpture Walk, visited the Botanical Gardens, paid her respects at Monument Hill, and ducked into the library museum full of Australian history and sports heritage. She was gutted to miss two things she's going back for: the Bonegilla Migrant Experience and the art gallery.
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Stop 4: Rutherglen, VIC
A short detour into one of Victoria's great wine regions, with a morning visit to All Saints Estate — a beautiful historic winery where Paula met the staff and one of the owners. She recommends staying for lunch if you can (she couldn't — and she's still thinking about it).
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Stop 5: Corowa, NSW
Corowa is known as the Birthplace of Federation — this is where Australia's states and territories were decided. Paula stayed at another Circle Hotels property (also a former bank, also gorgeous), did the Shearers Trail across five stops, and explored the Corowa Federation Museum, the Tom Roberts connection to "Shearing the Rams," the historic saleyards, and Gallery 294.
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Coming Up: Gundagai, NSW
Paula's next stop after Corowa — watch for the full episode and article covering this classic Australian country town.
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