Albury’s best known natural attraction is the mighty Murray, the longest river in Australia. It travels for 2,500 kilometres from the Snowy Mountains of NSW to the South Australian coast.
But the Murray is just the beginning of Albury’s great outdoors. There’s so much more to explore in and around town – from magical gardens and beautiful parklands to spectacular lookouts and a magnificent, 78-kilometre-long rail trail.
Here’s your guide to exploring Albury’s outdoors like a local.
MAGICAL GARDENS AND BEAUTIFUL PARKLANDS
Get started at Albury Botanic Gardens, established way back in 1877. These days, more than 1,000 plant species grow there – from towering native teak trees to lush bleeding heart trees to shady native quince trees.
Highlights include the Children’s Garden where kids can meet a life-sized dinosaur and visit a fairy temple, the ClimateWatch trail where you can help contribute to Australian research into climate change, and a self-guided heritage walk that dives into 140 years of history.
For a wilder experience, jump in the car and head 20 minutes south into Victoria to visit the Baranduda Parklands. You’ll find more than 400 hectares to explore, filled with wildlife, lovely views and interesting walking trails. On the way back, stop in South Albury to visit the Gateway Island Parklands, which give you ten kilometres of absolute waterfront on the Murray River.
SPECTACULAR LOOKOUTS
To get some perspective on Albury and its stunning surroundings, pack a picnic and head to a local lookout.
A good place to start is Eastern Hill Rotary Lookout, just a couple of minutes’ drive from downtown Albury. From this relaxing spot, you can spend hours gazing over the Murray River, Lake Hume and the Table Top Range.
Another pretty lookout is Kurrajong Gap, which is a 25-minute drive east of Albury, on the other side of Lake Hume. The views over the sparkling lake are breathtaking, plus you can count on a bird’s eye view of Albury and its sister city Wodonga.
For a more rugged adventure, make tracks to McFarlanes Hill. It’s 20 minutes southwest of town, just outside Wodonga. The best view is at the end of the Ridge Walking Track, a four-kilometre stroll among wildflowers, rock formations and bubbling streams.
FASCINATING RAIL TRAILS
Albury is just a stone’s throw from one of Australia’s most magnificent rail trails: the High Country Rail Trail. It runs for 78 kilometres from Wodonga to Shelley, hugging Lake Hume’s foreshore for 30 kilometres along the way. You can walk, cycle or horse ride your way around – and however you travel, you’ll be treated to panoramic views, welcoming country towns and plenty of history.
Highlights include the Boggy Creek Trestle Bridge, built in 1915; Sandy Creek Bridge, which spans Lake Hume for 600 metres; and Old Tallangatta Village, which, in the 1950s, was flooded and relocated so the lake could be built.
For an even longer adventure, follow the trail beyond Shelley all the way to Corryong, home to the Man from Snowy River Museum.
GETTING TO ALBURY
Albury is five-and-a-half hours’ drive southeast of Sydney, three-and-a-half hours’ drive southeast of Canberra, and three-and-a-half hours’ drive northwest of Melbourne.
You could make it one stop on an epic road trip, or head straight there for a quick getaway.
Don’t have time to drive? Fly to Albury Airport, where you can jump into a SIXT car rental and be on the road in no time. While you’re in town, check out these three fascinating day trips and find even more reasons to spend time in Albury (including its incredible art gallery).
