Goulburn is a major regional administrative centre for the NSW Southern Tablelands, which is a major wool growing area.

Where is it?: Southern Agricultural. Goulburn is 209 km south west of Sydney off the Hume Highway.

Goulburn was one of the nation's earliest inland settlements. It is a railhead on the Main Southern line and service centre for the surrounding pastoral industry and a stopover for those travelling on the Hume Highway.

The NSW Police Academy relocated to Goulburn from Sydney in 1984. At this time it was known as the New South Wales Police Academy however the name has subsequently changed. Goulburn is home to Goulburn Correctional Centre, more generically known as Goulburn Gaol. It is a maximum-security male prison, the highest security prison in Australia and is home to some of the most dangerous, and infamous, prisoners.

Lookouts: Rocky Hill

Events: Goulburn hosts the Lilac City Festival is held annually on the October long weekend. It includes the Lilac City Country Music Jamboree. The Australian Blues Music Festival is held in February, as is the Goulburn Rodeo. March witnesses the Goulburn Show and the Goulburn City Rose Festival.

Things To See and Do

St Saviour's Anglican Cathedral

As a major settlement of southern New South Wales, Goulburn was the administrative centre for the region and was the location for important buildings of the district. Goulburn has many intact 19th century buildings, and is one of the best towns in which to view colonial buildings of that era.

These include: The Visitors' Centre, in the old technical school building (1886-87); former mechanics' institute (1881); Post Office (1880-81); Town Hall (1887-88); St Peter and St Paul's Roman Catholic Cathedral (1871-89); former Technical College (1901); Baptist Church (1887); St Saviour's Anglican Cathedral (1874-84); St Andrew's Presbyterian Church (1924-25); Uniting Church (1870-71); St Joseph Convent (1883); Southern Star Inn (1860); St Clair townhouse (1845); Railway station (1869); Stationmaster's residence (1869); Coolavin Hotel (1850s); Mulwaree Hotel (1845); Alpine Motor Lodge (1880); second Courthouse (1849); Police station (1888); third courthouse (1887); old morgue (1880); Riversdale (1840); Old Goulburn Brewery (the oldest working industrial complex in the country, 1836); Garroorigang (1857); Goulburn Rail Heritage Centre (roundhouse opened 1918); South Hill Homestead; Marsden Steam Museum (1883); 'Inverary Park', Bungonia (1831-40); 'Lockyersleigh', Carrick (1860); 'Burrungorroolong' (1882); 'Lansdowne' outbuildings and Jewish Temple (c.1830); 'Kippilaw' and outbuildings (1836); St James Chapel on 'Kippilaw' (1860); 'Norwood' (c.1838); Lake Bathurst Public School (1881)

Goulburn is home to The Big Merino, the world's largest concrete sheep. It stands 15 metres high and 21 metres long beside Hume Street on the Canberra side of town.


Goulburn Rail Heritage Centre: the roundhouse at Goulburn was a significant locomotive depot both in the steam and early diesel eras. After closure it became a railway museum with preserved steam and diesel locomotives as well as many interesting examples of rolling stock. Some minor rail operators such as RailPower have used the site to restore diesel locomotives to working order for main line use.