Albury and Wodonga are twin cities divided by the mighty Murray River, the longest river in Australia. Albury may not be the busy trade route it once was, but it’s a safe bet that visitors will find plenty to do inlcuding swimming, fishing, paddling or just taking in the timeless views.
Albury is situated at the foothills of the Great Dividing Range at the center of the Melbourne–Sydney–Canberra triangle. It’s a bustling, modern city, with stunning heritage buildings (the Albury Railway Station is a standout, dating from 1882), green parks, lush botanic gardens and a cosmopolitan, country-town atmosphere.
The food and drink of the region has been influenced by many of the migrants who passed through the Bonegilla Center, and who established cafes and restaurants, smoke houses and wineries in the area. Rutherglen is one of the oldest wine-producing regions in the country, creating great chardonnays, pinot noirs, cabernet sauvignons, muscats and shiraz.
Albury’s climate is warm year-round. Summers (December to February) are very warm to hot with average temperatures of about 86 F. Winters (June to August) are mild to cool, with frost being a regular occurrence, and about 20 days per year when temperatures are below freezing. Albury gets more rain than Melbourne, but less than Sydney. The winter months are the rainiest time of year.
Peak Season:
Albury’s peak season is consistent throughout the year, with a slight peak around Christmas, New Year and the school vacations. There are more than 200 conferences and events during the year and the Albury Gold Cup takes place in March, which is the highlight of the social calendar. Other events that draw crowds are the Easter Hockey Carnival is held in April, and the Applause Festival in October. Henty Field Days, a three-day exhibition of agricultural machinery, also takes place in September.
Off Season:
Due to the universities and large industry, Albury does not have an off season
Taxis are available at Albury Airport. It’s a ten-minute drive into town. There are several rental car companies at the airport, but shuttles are also available for pre-booking.
For touring the region, driving is the best option. Around Albury, public transport is provided by Martins Bus Company. Many visitors – and locals – will bike around Albury. The bicycle path network is extensive.