Canberra Travel Forum

Note: I've posted this in the Melbourne forum as well. I will be driving from Canberra to Melbourne in July after having visited Sydney first. I was hoping to drive via Cooma on the Monaro Highway and then onto the Princes Highway. It seems as though it would be preferrable to the Hume Highway as I'd rather see more of the area instead of speeding through on a motorway. Any advice on this? I was planning on taking two days from Canberra to Melbourne. If I do take this route, any suggestions for where to spend the night midway? Where to stop enroute?, etc.?
Thanks!

You have chosen wisely. In coming the opposite way we overnighted at Cann River. It does depend on where you pause for sightseeing along the way. There are many pleasant places all along your whole trip between Canberra and Melbourne the way you are going. You would be well guided to call at official tourist offices in any of the towns and browse their literature. It is usually quite reliable and comprehensive.
You could easily turn it into a three day trip there are so many attractive places on the way. e.g. Bairnsdale , Lakes Entrance,Buchan Caves etc. Depending, perhaps, on the weather you strike.
Re your Melbourne activities go to < www.visitmelbourne.com.au > or others you will find through Google on entering - "Melbourne Australia ".
Youll enjoy a lot.....L.

canberra to lakes entrance will take you about 4 1/2 hours via cooma. be careful coming into the last 20 km before cann river. the posted speed limit is 100 km, but the roads are narrow and windy, you might want to slow down a bit for this part of the trip. lakes entrance is nice, go for a walk to the beach, across the big long foot bridge, you'll find it. have fun.

Personally, I would head via Cooma, Thredbo, Khancoban and then head to Bendigo and spend the night. That will leave you the next day to poke around the goldfields, especially Bendigo and Ballarat. Another place worthy of some time is Echuca. I realise it's a bit roundabout but you'll see some great country.
Cheers, Ian

Decisions, decisions !!! Sometimes too much choice can be unhelpful. Bendigo in July could be rather coldish. Toss a coin ??....L.