Braidwood

Braidwood is a perfectly preserved 19th-century gold-rush town in the Southern Tablelands of New South Wales, about an hour’s drive east of Canberra. Its main street is a heritage-listed time capsule of verandahed shopfronts, stone churches and old pubs, yet the town buzzes with a creative, contemporary energy. Antique shops, galleries and excellent cafes sit alongside working blacksmiths and saddleries, making Braidwood a favourite stop for travellers driving the scenic route between Canberra and the coast.

Highlights & What to See

• Heritage Main Street (Wallace Street) – one of Australia’s finest intact 19th-century streetscapes, lined with historic buildings housing antique stores, bookshops and art galleries.
• Braidwood Museum – housed in the old Telegraph Office, it tells the story of the town’s gold-mining, bushranging and pioneering past.
• Rivulet Farm Gallery – a short drive out of town, this working farm and gallery showcases contemporary Australian art in a stunning rural setting.
• Monga National Park – just 15 minutes south, with ancient rainforest walks, waterfalls and picnic spots; the 4.5 km Dasyurus Walk is a highlight.
• Bushranger Hotel – a historic pub serving hearty meals and local wines, with a beer garden perfect for soaking up the country atmosphere.

Suggested Time to Spend

Braidwood can be explored in a few hours, but it’s best enjoyed as an overnight stop. Arrive by mid-afternoon, wander the main street, visit a gallery or two, then have dinner at one of the pubs. The next morning, explore the surrounding national parks or continue your drive to the coast. A full day allows time for both the town and a walk in Monga National Park.

Nearby Areas Worth Combining

• Canberra – 90 minutes west, the national capital’s museums, galleries and food scene make an easy pairing.
• Batemans Bay – an hour east, with beautiful beaches, oyster farms and the Clyde River estuary.
• Deua National Park – south of Braidwood, offering rugged wilderness, limestone caves and the Big Hole lookout.
• Bungonia National Park – north-west, famous for its dramatic gorge, limestone cliffs and excellent bushwalking.
• Goulburn – north-west, with its historic buildings, the Big Merino and the impressive Goulburn Historic Waterworks.

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