Route map
Stops shown in driving order with a straight line between them, for planning only — this is not a turn-by-turn route. Always check current road conditions before you travel.
Route stops in order: 1. Canberra, 2. Bungendore, 3. Braidwood, 4. Murrumbateman, 5. Yass.
Seasonal gate & outback safety
Check before you commit to dates- JJanuary — Open — go
- FFebruary — Open — go
- MMarch — Open — go
- AApril — Open — go
- MMay — Open — go
- JJune — Caution
- JJuly — Caution
- AAugust — Caution
- SSeptember — Open — go
- OOctober — Open — go
- NNovember — Open — go
- DDecember — Open — go
- Open — go
- Caution
- High risk / cut
Open year-round — this is a fully sealed route with no seasonal closure. June to August bring genuine tableland frost and occasional morning fog, particularly around Braidwood, which can affect visibility on early starts.
Wildlife warning: do not drive at night
Wildlife is active at dawn and dusk on the rural roads throughout both spokes.
Live road conditions
This deliberately doesn't retrace our Snowy Mountains & Monaro or Alpine Way road trips — both of those head south from Canberra to Cooma, Jindabyne and the mountains. This route heads east and north instead, to the Southern Tablelands' heritage towns rather than alpine country.
Braidwood is a whole-town heritage listing, one of the best-preserved 19th-century townscapes in NSW, and this region was affected by the 2019–20 Currowan bushfire — largely recovered, but check current NSW Rural Fire Service information if travelling in a high fire-danger period.
The stops, in driving order
- 01
Canberra
0 km in · StartThe start, with full capital services before heading out to either spoke.
Tip: Fill up here — fuel choice thins out through the smaller towns on both spokes.
- 02
Bungendore
35 km in · 30mCritical supply point — Fuel and provisions before continuing to Braidwood.
A heritage-listed main street known for its woodworks gallery and craft studios, a popular weekend day trip from Canberra in its own right.
Tip: Park on the main street and walk it — the town is small and best seen on foot.
- 03
Braidwood
90 km in · 45mOne of the best-preserved 19th-century townscapes in NSW, entirely heritage-listed, with the Kings Highway continuing on to Batemans Bay and the coast from here.
Tip: Onward from here, our Sapphire Coast road trip picks up further south if you're continuing to the coast rather than looping back.
- 04
Murrumbateman
180 km in · 1h 15m, back via Canberra and the Barton HighwayA cool-climate wine district close enough to Canberra for a half-day of cellar doors without an overnight stay.
Tip: Nominate a driver if cellar doors are the plan — the same drink-driving logic applies here as any wine region.
- 05
Yass
205 km in · 20mCritical supply point — Full services before the return to Canberra.
A historic Hume Highway town with a well-preserved main street and Cooma Cottage, once home to explorer Hamilton Hume.
Tip: Full services here — a sensible stop before the return to Canberra.
- 06
Canberra
260 km in · 45mThe end of the route.
Tip: This return leg is straightforward highway driving after the more winding Kings Highway spoke.
Drive planning: legs, fuel and conditions
Three paces, same road: highway pace, a towing or 4WD rig, and what the day actually takes once fatigue and photo stops are in it.
| Leg | Distance | Standard vehicleHighway pace, no stops | Towing / 4WD rig90–100 km/h cruise | Realistic paceFatigue + photo stops | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Canberra → Bungendore | ~35 km | 30m | 35m | 35m | Bungendore |
| Bungendore → Braidwood | ~55 km | 45m | 55m | 55m | Braidwood |
| Braidwood → Murrumbateman | ~90 km | 1h 15m | 1h 30m | 1h 30m | Canberra (en route) |
| Murrumbateman → Yass | ~25 km | 20m | 25m | 25m | Yass |
| Yass → Canberra | ~55 km | 45m | 55m | 55m | Canberra |
| Whole route | 3h 35m | 4h 20m | 4h 10m | ||
How we get these: standard is moving time at signposted highway pace. Rig time assumes a 90–100 km/h cruise and slower acceleration — roughly 20% longer. Realistic pace adds a 15-minute fatigue stop every two hours (the national driver-fatigue guidance) plus about ten minutes an hour for photos, fuel and legs. Plan daylight around the realistic column, not the standard one.
| Leg | Distance | Fuel | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canberra → Bungendore | ~35 km | Bungendore | Sealed, Kings Highway |
| Bungendore → Braidwood | ~55 km | Braidwood | Sealed, Kings Highway |
| Braidwood → Murrumbateman | ~90 km | Canberra (en route) | Sealed, back via Canberra and the Barton Highway |
| Murrumbateman → Yass | ~25 km | Yass | Sealed, Barton Highway |
| Yass → Canberra | ~55 km | Canberra | Sealed, Barton Highway/Hume Highway corridor |
What can go wrong
- Winter mornings bring genuine tableland frost and occasional fog, particularly around Braidwood — drive to conditions, especially before 9am in June to August.
- This region was affected by the 2019–20 Currowan bushfire — largely recovered, but check current NSW Rural Fire Service alerts before a high fire-danger summer visit.
- Wildlife is active at dawn and dusk on the rural roads throughout both spokes.
- Cellar-door tastings and driving don't mix — nominate a driver if the Murrumbateman wine district is part of the plan.
Conditions change seasonally and after storms. Check current conditions with the road authority before relying on any of this.
Common questions
Where this is researched from
- Transport for NSW / Live Traffic NSW — Live road conditions
- NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service — Regional park and bushfire recovery information
- Destination NSW — Regional visitor information for the Southern Tablelands
- Bureau of Meteorology — Seasonal frost and fog forecasts for the Southern Tablelands
This is a researched guide, not a firsthand trip report. How we research.
Spotted something we should update? Let us know.