48 hours in Albury Wodonga

48 hours in Albury Wodonga

You’ve got 48 hours in Albury Wodonga – two cities, two states, one destination - where on earth do you start?

From art galleries to historical stays, whiskey bars merged with barbershops, and a plethora of outdoor activities, fitting everything into just one weekend is a tight, but entertaining squeeze.

Get set with this jam-packed guide, covering you from the moment you arrive to the memories you’ll take when you leave Albury Wodonga.

How to get there

Buckle up because Albury Wodonga is an easy drive along the M31 Hume Highway from Sydney, Melbourne, and Canberra.

Once you hit the Highway it’ll take you around a three and a half-hour drive from Melbourne and Canberra and five and a half hours if you’re coming from Sydney.

For those who prefer to minimise their time on the road, Albury’s modern regional airport has direct flights from Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, and the Sunshine Coast.

For those outside of the capital cities, (almost) all roads lead to Albury Wodonga, jump on the Hume, Riverina, Olympic, and Murray Valley Highways and you’ll be there in no time.

Where to stay

Accommodation comes in all shapes and sizes in Albury Wodonga, with over 200 accommodation properties to choose from.

You’ll find Quest Wodonga in the heart of Wodonga's CBD, just a short walk from the food, shopping, and entertainment district. Their spacious apartments are complemented by the on-site gymnasium, outdoor swimming pool, barbecue area, and nearby restaurant, Huon Hill.

Pair your stay with a side of luxury at Circa 1928 Hotel and Spa where you can step through the pillar columns into the art-deco inspired hotel, housed in the 92 year old former Commonwealth Bank building in Albury’s CBD. Make the most of your stay and book into one of the spa treatment rooms for facials, massages, and bath treatments.

If a historical stay is more your style, then Albury’s oldest house - The Stone Cottage (est 1857) has your name all over its hand-stacked stone façade. Stay in the two-bedroom self-contained house or Stone Cottage’s Kitchen Cottage, a one-bedroom self-contained cottage private from the main residence and wake up to a selection of breakfast goodies to cook up and eat as you please. Did we mention that both cottages are pet friendly?

Where to eat

When it comes to dining out, Albury Wodonga has you spoilt for choice from chef-hatted restaurants to riverfront dining, seasonal menus filled with local produce, and an abundance of coffee shops set to keep a pep in your step.

For your morning brew, Bean Station Café will have you fuelled up for the day with a tasty coffee alongside a modern Australian all-day breakfast menu. After some alfresco dining? Head over to Albury’s award-winning River Deck café and soak in Murray River views from the deck while feasting on the breakfast and lunch menu featuring local ingredients sourced from farmers across the region.

For top notch restaurant experiences, Bistro Selle and Yardbird offer tasty fine-dining menus. With a focus on regional, seasonal produce Bistro Selle shares a modern European bistro-style menu, paired with an extensive wine list. Over the Murray River, La Maison is housed in Wodonga’s former historic customs building, and serves up signature Asian fusion and Middle Eastern styles perfectly paired with outstanding customer service and attention to detail.

Beer lovers, best hops to it and secure themselves a table at The Goods Shed Craft Beer Cafe and settle in for an afternoon of sipping with 16 craft beer taps, an extensive bottle range, and a locally-focused wine list. For a fancier kind of soiree, make your way to Two Fingers Bar for a tipple in an authentic speak-easy style saloon bar.

If a more mellow start to the weekend is on the agenda, head to the Albury Wodonga Farmers Market and pick up some local produce and seasonal fruit and veggies for a relaxed picnic in the park.

What to do

Whether you prefer the great outdoors or find the indoors more enticing, Albury Wodonga delivers in spades.

Immerse yourself in the city's rich migrant history at the Bonegilla Migrant Experience bringing to life the stories and experiences of those who once lived in the migrant reception and training centre while they were processed and allocated jobs, following World War II.

Make your way to the Gateway Village and plunge into the culture of the region, visit an artist-in-residence, or stroll through the village enjoying the public art, art galleries, and handcrafted woodwork. Stick around into the evening and catch a live show at the HotHouse Theatre.

For a more modern art experience make your way to Murray Art Museum Albury showcasing some of the best contemporary artists in Australia, and from around the world. You’ll also want to add Hyphen - Wodonga Library Gallery to your itinerary-canvas, home to several vibrant galleries - Artspace Gallery, Playspace Gallery, Community Gallery, and a library.

Keen to head further outdoors? Grab an e-bike or lace up your hiking boots and explore the Murray River and Lake Hume’s famous waterways. Take to one of the many walking tracks surrounding them such as Huon Hill Parklands which is ideal for bushwalking and sightseeing gifting prime views overlooking Lake Hume (which for those who like trivia, is six times the size of Sydney Harbour), or grab a kayak and hit the water for a paddle. For nature and bird-watching enthusiasts, Albury’s Wonga Wetlands provides a serene backdrop frequented by over 350 varieties of birds as well as many species of mammals, reptiles and fish.

Stretch your legs and enjoy a stroll or bike ride along the 15 kilometre (return) Wagirra Trail and Yindyamarra Sculpture Walk, hugging the Murray River to Wonga Wetlands. Along the way, you’ll find the trail lined with sculptures telling the story of Aboriginal history and the cultural significance of the Murray River.