Situated on the beautiful Murray River, Albury provides a spectacular environment in which to get away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life for a bit. With plenty of fun for travellers of all ages and an optimal location for those looking to hit the road, Albury gives you a chance to relax with your feet up or plan a trip to explore Victoria, New South Wales, and the ACT.
Located near the intersection of all three of these great Australian states, you can easily make your way to Canberra and navigate its many roundabouts as you learn about the country’s history; cruise about three hours to Melbourne for a taste of hip Aussie culture; or road trip to Sydney and visit the Big Smoke.
With the Hume Highway at your fingertips, car rental in Albury can be your ticket to adventure in any direction. While it’s up to you to set the coordinates, DriveNow can help you with your Albury car hire so you can spend more time focused on the more exciting aspects of your trip.
Read on to learn a bit more about the region, what it has to offer, and how you can use it as a springboard for an awesome holiday.
Whether you’re an out-of-towner looking to get the keys to rental car in Albury or a local who wants a set of wheels to get out of town for a bit, DriveNow can help you find the right vehicle at the best price. Seeing your options is a breeze with our incredibly convenient car comparison system. All you have to do is punch in which features are the most important to you, whether it be size, price, make, model, or something else. Then you’ll get a clear view of which Albury car rental options are available. Simply compare and then click or tap to make your reservation. There’s no complicated sign-up process and no overbearing commitments. You don’t even have to provide credit card information until you check out when you pick up the car. And the price you see is the price you get; no sneaky extra charges here.
These vehicles aren’t just any old random cars, either. We’ve spent more than a decade helping Australians get the keys to high-quality rental cars, and in that time we’ve developed strong relationships with some of the biggest and best suppliers in the world, including but not limited to, Avis, Budget, Hertz, and Thrifty. You can hire a car in Albury with confidence knowing you have such strong backing behind you.
If you’re going to stay in Albury for a few days before hitting the road (or if the city on the Murray is your only destination this time), there’s plenty of quality accommodation options for you and the rest of your travelling party. Here are just a few of the highlights.
Albury Manor House features a charming old-time feel without being short on comfort
Source: alburymanor.com.au
With a throwback charm and elegance all its own, the Albury Manor House provides a sophisticated, yet approachable, accommodation option in Albury. This boutique establishment is located in the heart of the city, just minutes from most attractions in your Albury car rental. Speaking of your Albury hire car, you can rest easy knowing that it’s locked up safely in the secure undercover car park.
Once a Rydges hotel, the Atura Albury injects its own bit of life into the Albury accommodation scene. Atura’s contemporary, industrial style is a bit different to some of the more standard hotel fare in the city, and its vibes provide a nice contrast to the more historical lean of town. Located on Dean Street in the CBD, you’ll never be too far away from activity.
If you want to get a bit rustic with your trip, there are plenty of accommodation choices available that will take you outside the CBD without putting you too far afield. The Baranduda Homestead has B&B Cottages that put you in touch with nature but keep you less than 20 minutes’ drive in your Albury hire car from the CBD. And Gaddleen Grove Cottages are about the same distance southwest of Albury.
While many people might simply think of Albury as a stop-off on the way to other major cities that hog the spotlight, you’ll be happy to know that that doesn’t have to be the case. With car rental in Albury you can have quite the time, whether you’re staying for a night, a few days, or longer.
Here are some of the highlights when it comes to hanging out in Albury.
The Marvellous Murray River can be the focal point of your outdoor activities in Albury
Source: murrayriverguide.com.au
Situated on the banks of the Murray River, it’s no surprise that there’s plenty of fun to be had out and about around Albury.
The Noreuil Park Foreshore is a spectacular area next to the river that can be the place to go for swimming, water sports, picnics, and a quiet coffee by the water. At less than a kilometre from the CBD, you might not even need the keys to your Albury rental car to get there.
If you feel like casting a line, join other anglers at Heywards Bridge and try to nab yourself some Murray Cod, Yellowbelly, or cray.
Pop into the Murray Art Museum Albury (MAMA) for a dose of culture
Source: alburycity.nsw.gov.au
For a relatively smaller space, the Albury-Wodonga region sure has a strong collection of solid galleries that are worth a visit if you don’t mind browsing.
Arts Space Wodonga hosts a rotating list of more contemporary exhibitions that could interest even those who don’t often find themselves enjoying museums.
We know that some of you try to get away from your parents while on holidays, but MAMA (the Murray Art Museum Albury) is another contemporary art space to see if you feel so inclined.
For something a bit different that isn’t housed in museum walls, take a stroll on the Yindyamarra Sculpture Walk for a view or some fantastic Aboriginal sculptures. The trail lasts about 5km (3 miles) and features 11 pieces by local Aboriginal artists.
You’re certainly not going to go hungry in Albury! Full of places to sit down for a nice cup of coffee as well as a more substantial meal, there’s no shortage of options when it’s time to have a bite or sip a drink. Here are some of the best places to check out during your Albury adventure.
Add some scenery to your morning coffee at the River Deck Café on the banks of the Murray
Source: riverdeckcafe.com.au
The River Deck Café has a lot going for it. Perhaps its most prominent feature is its amazing location, right on the water at the aforementioned Noreuil Park, which makes it worth checking out on its own. You’d be hard pressed to find real estate more prime than that! But the good news is that your delicious views of the Murray River and its vibrant environment are served with an array of breakfast/brunch, lunch, and dinner fare that features locally sourced ingredients.
The relatively modest size of the Beechworth Bakery doesn’t get in the way of the amazing goods produced every day at this Albury staple. Part of a small chain and located in the Myer Centrepoint complex, this might not strike you as the place to turn for a treat during your stay. But don’t be fooled; this is your answer for a coffee and a lovingly crafted cake or pastry.
The Border Wine Room gives you high-level dining right in the heart of the Albury CBD
Source: borderwineroom.com.au
For something on the classier side of the spectrum, a trip to Border Wine Room should be on your menu. With an array of wonderful wines and quality food, this is a great place for a romantic dinner or special celebration. The dishes, which feature Japanese and French influences, include ingredients grown out in the back garden and sourced from local producers.
The Hume Highway can help you live your road trip dreams to and from Albury
Source: traveller.com.au
Albury’s central location makes it an optimal place from which to head further afield to other ports of call. Whether this city on the Murray is a stop during a larger Australian journey or you’re a local in the region looking to rent a car in Albury and get a move on, here are some road trips you can take once you get behind the wheel.
This journey takes you from the idyllic countryside of the Albury-Wodonga region and brings you to the Melbourne, one of the cultural capitals of the entire country of Australia. The sojourn southwest takes anywhere from 3.5-4 hours and covers about 330kms, making it more than manageable when you pick up a hire car in Albury. Get on the road early and you can find yourself in the Victorian capital by lunchtime. Grab a bite and find a place to park the rental car as you amble through the laneways and catch a gig after the sun goes down.
Austraila’s most populous city is well within reach for you and your crew. As Albury is sometimes used as a stopping-off point for those travelling by road from Sydney to Melbourne or vice versa, you can imagine that the route is pretty well defined. While this route will take you a bit longer than the voyage to Melbourne, you can still cover the 553km journey in less than 6 hours if traffic breaks right for you. That leaves you plenty of time to make it to the Opera House for a stunning sunset.
Swing off into Kosciuszko National Park on your way to Canberra
Source: nationalparks.gov.au
Another major Australian locale that’s more than doable in your Albury car rental is the trip to Canberra. The nation’s capital lies about 330km away, roughly the same as the drive to Melbourne. This trip will take you up and around Kosciuszko National Park, looping you back down to Canberra before all is said and done. Then it’s up to you to decide which roundabouts to take as you tour the city and its incredible collection of memorials and present-day political infrastructure.
The sections of the glorious Murray River you’ll see and experience in Albury and its immediate surrounding regions are just the tip of the iceberg. To get a full taste of what this magical waterway has to offer, consider road tripping in your Albury car hire along its banks. Starting in Albury, you can head west, following the river that makes up the border of New South Wales and Victoria, thorough quaint country towns, national parks, and wineries.
