Goulburn

Lifestyle

Wondering if there’s more to life than mortgage stress, long commute times, and a hectic, frantic and expensive lifestyle?

Time to get off that not-so-merry-go-round. And when it comes to a change of pace and place without sacrificing much, Goulburn is a standout offering that unique blend of a country lifestyle with city benefits.

Goulburn has been around since the 1820s with strong links to agriculture and a rich history as Australia’s first inland city. Today it’s one of the most talked about places in regional NSW – a thriving district centrally located between Sydney and Canberra attracting a lot of business in-vestment, with a community infrastructure second to none.

A leisurely lifestyle awaits you amidst postcard-pretty landscapes, great heritage architecture and a very friendly, welcoming community. There’s more time for family, friends and recreation – more time to live.

If you live in town you'll be minutes away from work, perhaps even close enough to walk or cycle. And even if you live on a property outside the city or in one of the neighbouring villages, you’re really just a short drive away from all of Goulburn’s metro services. No traffic and parking is free.

Like many communities bordering the ACT, an increasing number of residents commute to Canberra to take advantage of well-paid and varied work opportunities.

People

The current population is approximately 29,230 – city 22,796 and rural area 6,434 comprised of established families, older couples and many younger families and professionals.

Goulburn’s strong community spirit will give you a warm sense of belonging – it’s easy to make friends here. Whether you're a senior or a junior or somewhere in between, you’ll find it easy to connect with the community with sporting groups, service clubs, business organisations, and special interest groups across a wide range of hobbies and interests to join in.

Homes

There is a range of options to suit different lifestyles – from heritage homes, inner city apartments to acreage on the city’s outskirts. As in other regional hubs, you can purchase or rent a better and larger home for far less than it would cost in a metropolitan location.

Transport

+ Goulburn has great proximity and the most sophisticated transport infrastructure, including the Hume Highway, to Sydney and Canberra.
+ It’s only two hours from Sydney, one hour from Canberra, just over an hour to the coast and three hours from the Snowy Mountains. Goulburn Regional Airport is 8km away, Canberra Airport 90km. It’s on the main Southern Railway line of regular Sydney/Canberra, Sydney/Melbourne services.

Schools

+ There’s a full range of educational facilities, from pre-school through to Tertiary. There are both private and public primary (15) and secondary (3) schools.
+ Options for adult education include TAFE NSW/Goulburn Campus, the NSW Police Academy and five universities within one hour’s drive.
+ Family support services are great and affordable with 13 long day and 5 after-school hours care centres.

Shopping/Restaurants

+ There are two modern shopping centres and the traditional tree-lined country main street of fashion boutiques, gift and specialty stores.
+ Beyond the city centre, there are antique stores to trawl through for hidden treasures and vintage finds.
+ Head out to one of nine (!) weekend country and village markets in Goulburn and surrounds for fresh produce or local arts and crafts.
+ There’s an amazing variety and great standard of restaurants and cafes. Popular restaurants include Paragon Café which dates back to the 1940s, and modern favourites like Blue Plate, 98 Chairs, Cascades and Fireside Inn. For great Thai there are Goulburn Thai and Thai Bank, and when craving Italian there’s La Casa.
+ The café scene is thriving and you’ll be spoilt for choices for catch-ups with friends, with Bryant's Bakery Café, Coffee Bean, Grit Café, Coffee Guru, Roses, Tattersalls Corner Café, The Park, and Trappers Bakery beckoning.

Recreational Facilities

+ Sports-loving Goulburn has more than 130 sporting clubs, 30 sports grounds, a large aquatic centre, and a skate park.
+ For motor enthusiasts, Wakefield Park Raceway and the Goulburn Recreation Area holds regular events for high velocity motor racing, vintage sports cars and bikes, club and national rallies.
+ Trek through unspoilt bushland and spot wildlife along the network of bushwalks through Bungonia National Park.
+ Spend a relaxing Sunday at the Goulburn Golf Club. Go for a drive along country roads to historic villages, wineries or to simply take in the spectacular scenery of sweeping plains, rolling pastures and rugged gorges.
> Admire the talents of regional artists and crafts people exhibited in ever-changing exhibitions at the Goulburn Regional Art Gallery, Gallery on Track and South Hill Gallery. Goulburn’s vibrant theatrical community stages regular plays, musicals and pantomimes throughout the year. The Goulburn Regional Conservatorium performs and hosts regular concerts, and local pubs and clubs provide a variety of live entertainment.
> Goulburn has a year-round calendar of events including the Blues Music Festival, Vibes Fest, Rose Festival, Marulan Kite Festival, Windellama Garden Club Fair, and Tarago Show.