Heading to the snow this winter? Nestled just outside Canberra and conveniently positioned on routes to the snowfields, Queanbeyan offers a mix of accommodation, dining and activities to enhance your trip with a restful yet exciting stopover.
Accommodation
At Hamilton’s, the motel experience has been upgraded, with wonderful hospitality and elevated interiors. They have a variety of accommodation options, including a 3-bedroom house that has a king, queen and two king-single beds, all with electric blankets. If you’re travelling as a couple and going home via Queanbeyan, the Deluxe Spa room is perfect for some après-ski relaxation.
A short walk from Riverside Plaza is this motor inn that offers down-to-earth rooms with free parking and complimentary tea, coffee and muffins at reception in the morning. At Golden Age, their deluxe rooms are modern, spacious and can be configured for families, making for a seamless stopover to and from the snowfields.
Dining
Before you get back on the road, fuel up with a delicious breakfast at The Mill Café. This charming eatery is in a heritage-listed former flour mill—which is the only surviving mill building in the entire region as well as the Canberra district! The building also used to be a residence and so there are many quirky rooms that you can eat in too. On a sunny morning however, the incredibly verdant garden courtyard is hard to pass up. The Mill Café is pet-friendly, kid-friendly and serves plenty of vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options.
For a satisfying lunch or dinner, this historic pub offers a relaxed atmosphere with an outdoor courtyard and bar—and a diverse menu featuring classic pub fare and modern Australian cuisine. Settle into holiday mode with an extensive range of beers and ciders on tap as well as a cocktail list, reserve wine list and French Champagne. If you’re there on a Friday, Saturday or Sunday afternoon, there’ll be live music too.
What’s more comforting and suited to a weekend at the snow than Italian food? PRONTO, housed in a 1930s building, serves up classic Italian dishes (like gnocchi and ragu) in a warm, cosy atmosphere. They also boast a 300-year-old Neapolitan wood-fired pizza recipe that was actually learned in Naples as well as imported wines. The courtyard is gorgeous, with lights and colourful murals, so be sure to rug up to enjoy it. Whether you are travelling in a small or large group, as a family or as a couple, PRONTO’s the perfect spot for you.
Activities
Take some time to explore the history surrounding Queanbeyan by taking to the trail at Glenburn Heritage Precinct, located on the Kings Highway between Queanbeyan and Bungendore.
There are 3 trails (to walk or ride) that link 16 heritage sites, including an old homestead, shearing shed, school and even some of the oldest graves around, dating back to 1837. There is the 10km Glenburn Heritage Trail, the 10km Burbong Heritage Trail and the 12km Precinct Loop Trail, which combines the two separate trails into one big loop. Pets are welcome, so long as they are on leads.
The Q – Queanbeyan Performing Arts Centre
Plan your weekend around a live performance at Queanbeyan’s premier performing arts venue. From theatre productions to music concerts, including some tailored for kids, there’s always something entertaining happening.
For example, before Thredbo’s opening weekend, there will be the theatrical production, Highway of Lost Hearts over 6-7 June and after; the award-winning solo show, The Will To Be. Over 20-29 June, groups will love rocking out to American Idiot, a rock opera featuring songs from Green Day’s groundbreaking album.
Routes from Sydney
The town’s amenities and proximity to both Sydney and the snowfields makes it a convenient stop for your winter adventures. Whether you take the Hume Highway or the slower scenic coastal drive along the Princes Highway, break up the drive with a stopover in Queanbeyan.
There are 2 primary routes from Sydney you can take:
Via Hume Highway
The Hume Highway will take you south from Sydney to Goulburn where you can check out the Big Merino and grab a pie at Trapper’s Bakery. You’ll then take the Federal Highway towards Canberra—but exit onto Sutton Road to continue to Queanbeyan.
Via Princes Highway
The Princes Highway will take you from Sydney to Batemans Bay at which point you will head inland towards Queanbeyan via the Kings Highway. This route combines ocean views with rural landscapes for the best of both worlds!
From Queanbeyan, hop straight onto the Monaro Highway for a smooth 2.5 hour drive that passes through Cooma and Jindabyne to Thredbo and Perisher.
Written by Thuc Do, Fiction Agency, for Visit Queanbeyan-Palerang.