Commuting from Goulburn to Canberra? Living in Goulburn?

Most Canberrans don’t know what it’s like to have a real journey to work. In any major city if you can get from home to work within an hour you’re doing well.

Those in charge in Goulburn should be advertising for people to move there, extolling the affordability of housing, etc.

“Personally speaking, I prefer my 5 bedroom brick house on 15 acres for $250 a week over $500 for 3 bedrooms in the inner north on a shitty block next to ice freaks. I might spend a litte more on fuel, but the massive savings on rent make up for it.”

No ice freaks near me, and you live in a shit-hole. I’ll take inner north thanks

At present there aren’t any buses. Bowmans/PBL’s service got axed. Most of the express coaches bypass Goulburn and those that don’t cost about $27 (one way).

Countrylink has a service out of Canberra around 5pm on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays (also Sundays) for about $10, but that means getting to Kingston first.

The hassle involved in using either option seems greater than the hassle of driving a mere 55 minutes up the road.

I’m thinking of moving there next year, once I have a deposit saved up. I like listening to 666 AM, and commuting from Queanbeyan means I only ever hear at most one full interview while in the car. An hour or so commuting means a lot more opportunity to listen to engaging radio dialogue.

I live in Goulburn – moved here from Sydney 2 years ago to escape the high prices and traffic. Great place to live. Lots of people commute to Canberra – AFP across the road, Centrelink three doors down – leave around 7.30, takes an hour. Both live in nice federation houses that cost less than $300K. Plenty of houses under $250K, rents less than $200 pw. Two minute’s drive to the country. Less than 2 hours to Sydney.

Growling Ferret said :

30 minutes to get from Watson to Civic?! Are you walking? If you’re not then take a different route, haha. That’s madness.

From the Federal Highway servo (Watson), to getting into Civic down Northbourne, getting a carpark, then walking into the office, allow half an hour.

Unless you have underbuilding parking or you get there at 7am.

When the GDE bridge collapsed it was taking an hour from Gungahlin, dropping kids off at daycare, the wife in the city, then into the office in Barton.

Took me 8 minutes to get from Officeworks in Braddon to Northbourne one evening… I took a photo of the banked up cars, from my car in which I had turned off the engine after idling for 4 minutes quite stationary.

See: http://onfourwheels.blogspot.com/2010/09/road-congestion-in-canberra-33-minutes.html

The commute from Goulburn to Canberra seems a lot to Canberra resident, but for someone from Melbourne or Canberra, it would seem quite reasonable. Id still recommend trying to find a person to share the driving or using a bus, or even better, living in Canberra.

deye said :

Personally I would rather live within the inner north with a 15 minute walk than have to commute from Goulburn. By the time you add up parking, petrol, wear and tear and the length of time it takes to travel the difference in cost is not all that much.

Good point, especially when you start considering the value of your time.

Personally I would rather live within the inner north with a 15 minute walk than have to commute from Goulburn. By the time you add up parking, petrol, wear and tear and the length of time it takes to travel the difference in cost is not all that much.

As for living next door to ice freaks, I’ve been here nearly 6 years and haven’t seen one – unless you count those of us who are addicted to skiing 🙂

That said, some of the construction around the place does suck, the block I am in isn’t too bad, although they really need soundproofing on the wall next to the entrance stairwell. That is the only location that sound normally comes through, and you hear anything that happens within that stairwell.

sepi said :

HC – inner north traffic is a joke these days. It was fine 7 years ago.

I’ve been living in the inner north for a bit over 6 years now and can’t say I’ve noticed much difference (it so happens we bought a place on my old route from Nicholls).

Perhaps (more likely) the effect of increased traffic hasn’t changed much for the pre 8am commute. My daily drive starts about 3km from the city (west of Northbourne) and goes over Comm Ave Bridge before ending up in Fyshwick.

I generally leave home between 7:50-8:00am and if I’m not on the other side of Civic within 5 minutes then I’ll be cranky, haha.

That said, on occasions when I have left for work later than usual, even just 10 minutes or so, it’s pretty clear that the traffic does get a bit back up. Especially along McCaughey Street.

If was working in Civic again, I think I’d walk.

Why is it that people say that Canberrans have a “distorted” view of traffic or that we are “spoiled”? Has it occurred to you that we are not stating that traffic here is worse than cities like Sydney or that it takes longer to get around, just that comparatively travelling to Tuggeranong can be a long drive or that traffic here is worse than it used to be in Canberra, not that it is bad on worldwide scale.

It is well known that driving around Canberra takes less time than other cities but a lot of people who live here would balk, as would I, at adding an extra hour to their commute, merely because we have become accustomed to our trip to/from work taking a particular amount of time. Comparing it to other cities is irrelevant.

colourful sydney racing identity said :

Whatever you are doing, you are doing it wrong.

http://www.action.act.gov.au/Routes_25_May/Route_729.html

That route only leaves at 7:09am or 7:39am. Additionally, it’s still an hour (just shy) from Coolemon Court to Civic because it does the “Tour de Creek” to get into town.

And if you have kids at school or childcare that need before & after school care it is not an option.

KB1971 said :

??, it takes me less than that to get in from Lanyon???

Generally 3 buses & yes it takes that long… Almost quickier to walk.

HC – inner north traffic is a joke these days. It was fine 7 years ago. it has got worse every year since. The ‘rat runs’ are slower now than northbourne was 7 years ago. Travel time is about the same whichever way you go, it is just in the rat runs you can drive steadily, but at about 20k an hour, on northbourne you stop and start all the way there. Dickson is practically gridlocked between 8.15 and 9.00.

my hubby works with a bloke who commutes from marulan everyday. that would be annoying.

I enjoy my 5 minute commute to work. the joys of working in the ‘burbs.

bring on the very fast train, then the goulburn/canberra commute would be a breeze. not holding my breath though, they’ve been talking about that since I was a kid. I took the train to sydney the other weekend, that was great… it would be even better if it was only a couple of hours instead of 4.

House prices are just way too expensive and are not going down.
I guess you need to add time, fuel costs and running expenses on your car Vs added interest on a home loan.

Then there’s also the convienience of living in Canberra should you want a night out, ACT schools, hospitals, better roads, bike paths and festivals such as floriade.

Goulburn and Cooma atleast you would get a backyard compared with the new blocks in Canberra.
I really feel Gungahlin will be the new Thuggies of 2020.

Smudge said :

We’re considering the same thing at the moment, for one simple reason. We can afford to buy a house in Goulburn, not so in Canberra. Our only hesitation is the commute, the town itself seems nice. Plenty of history, buildings with character, adequate ameneties. Seems like there’s a bit of a mini-boom in Gouburn at the moment, mostly driven by unaffordable housing in Canberra.

What about Gundaroo or a small acreage that is a bit closer to town?

I must admit Mrs C and I have been thinking of doing likewise, we’ve found a very promising parcel of land too, but the seller is pricing it enough over our budget that we have to let it go, which sucks a bit, haha.

On a good day the drive is about 35 minutes from Civic, mostly down the Federal Hwy.

Life’s too short to waste 8 hours a week it commuting.

Growling Ferret said :

HC – I’ve used both the Ainslie and O’Connor Rat runs. Both can suck as much as Northborne on a bad day…

Fair enough.

When I lived in Nicholls (or Harcourt Hill if want to be a try hard) and worked in Civic I used to go through Lyneham/O’Connor. It was infinitely more satisfactory than going anywhere near Northbourne. This was about 7 years ago, mind, and I would usually arrive at work some time around 8am.

When I started working in Fyshwick I only went on Northbourne from the Barton Hwy to Antill Street, even that was too much for me, haha. I’d rather take a longer amount of time to get to work and avoid getting fenced in a field of stationary metal – I can’t stand traffic (I have lived in Melbourne too) – a bit weird I guess, but that’s me.

Thankfully I’m now in the inner North so the work commute is generally not too bad. A bit of unncessary stopping for tourists on Commomwealth Ave during Floriade is about as bad as it gets.

We’re considering the same thing at the moment, for one simple reason. We can afford to buy a house in Goulburn, not so in Canberra. Our only hesitation is the commute, the town itself seems nice. Plenty of history, buildings with character, adequate ameneties. Seems like there’s a bit of a mini-boom in Gouburn at the moment, mostly driven by unaffordable housing in Canberra.

HC – I’ve used both the Ainslie and O’Connor Rat runs. Both can suck as much as Northborne on a bad day…

Many here in Canberra are spoilt, I used to live in NSW and had to travel all around Sydney, Fridays were worse, I suggest that if you are planning on commuting from Goulburn advertise by putting a notice up at the local supermarket or wherever to share driving, I’m sure there would be others in the same situation living in Goulburn.

Growling Ferret said :

30 minutes to get from Watson to Civic?! Are you walking? If you’re not then take a different route, haha. That’s madness.

From the Federal Highway servo (Watson), to getting into Civic down Northbourne, getting a carpark, then walking into the office, allow half an hour…

Well, anyone that drives down Northbourne Ave by choice during peak times deserves to sit in traffic, I guess.

The commute might sound easy at first but after a while you’ll probably begrudge it and the stress might begin to take its toll.

Not so much an issue if you’re on your own or with just your partner but with kids you’ll begin to wonder if its worth it… in the young years you’ll miss out on hanging out with them before they go to bed… as they get older they will probably start ignoring you because you’re never really there (esp. as teenagers)

I’ve known a few people with kids that did massive commutes and after a while it really became apparent that it was getting to them.

Life is short man, if you’ve got the choice why would you waste your precious free time stuck in a car driving?

ConanOfCooma said :

the drug problem is through the roof… inner north on a shitty block next to ice freaks.

Gold!!!

Dude, I think you’re getting the inner north confused with Charnwood?

Most Sydneysiders would see it as a nice commute. Flowing traffic and not that big a chunk from the day. Its why I live here and walking to walk is fantastic. In a few years (think 10) I think that wont be too uncommon. In the meantime though people will think you are a tad bizarre. No one will visit you on the weekend so may harm your social life. You’re friends will be in Goulburn and your colleagues in Canberra. If that works for you then cool

sepi said :

I will vouch for the 30 minutes from Watson to Civic. Most of it at about 20k per hour.
It is funny to turn into a side street with a school zone and speed up to 40k.

Do the drive once or twice at peak hour before you decide.

Yup. I can actually do it in 25 on my bicycle – faster than by car. When I drive I turn the car off at lights (pretending it is a Prius) and it saves a truck load of fuel.

On Goulburn – hate the town. Hated the drive. Three months was the limit. If you have kids in care or afters, you have to be back by 6pm not matter what. Or if you have them somewhere in Canberra, then you have them in the car the whole way there and back – even worse. Sheer hell actually. 90 minutes in the morning, 75 in the arvo? Too much. And the property prices there are too bloody high to claim savings at that end too.

I did the Canberra – Goulburn commute for three years. By the end I was totally fed up with it. Petrol costs went through the roof, not to mention the kms on my vehicle. It would have been different if I could have caught a bus or train.

On the plus side I did get to listen to lots and lots….and lots of talking books….

I will vouch for the 30 minutes from Watson to Civic. Most of it at about 20k per hour.
It is funny to turn into a side street with a school zone and speed up to 40k.

Do the drive once or twice at peak hour before you decide.

stay in the blue mts!

Twenty five posts and not one mention of light rail…

bitzermaloney said :

Still quicker that the 1.5 hrs each way to takes for in-Action to get from Rivett, Chapman, Duffy to Civic.

Whatever you are doing, you are doing it wrong.

http://www.action.act.gov.au/Routes_25_May/Route_729.html

I might add, both on the bus & on the pushy.

bitzermaloney said :

Still quicker that the 1.5 hrs each way to takes for in-Action to get from Rivett, Chapman, Duffy to Civic.

??, it takes me less than that to get in from Lanyon???

Depends what you intend doing with the kids, if they will go to school in Goulburn it could be okay. However if they go to school in Canberra you will need to take into account all their activities will be here too. You will need to add in all the additional trips for sport and other activities such as friends birthdays and the like. The more trips the less worth it will be. Don’t forget the trips for your social activities too..

Still quicker that the 1.5 hrs each way to takes for in-Action to get from Rivett, Chapman, Duffy to Civic.

30 minutes to get from Watson to Civic?! Are you walking? If you’re not then take a different route, haha. That’s madness.

From the Federal Highway servo (Watson), to getting into Civic down Northbourne, getting a carpark, then walking into the office, allow half an hour.

Unless you have underbuilding parking or you get there at 7am.

When the GDE bridge collapsed it was taking an hour from Gungahlin, dropping kids off at daycare, the wife in the city, then into the office in Barton.

I “commute” from from Belco to Woden, and frankly, that is too far.

A former colleague of mine has a young family and used to do the commute from Goulburn to Queanbeyan and he seemed to manage alright. He owns a house in Goulburn though, and I think were this not the case he would have rented closer to work. It’s not something I’d ever consider.

A group of researchers at the University of Zurich published an interesting paper called “Stress that doesn’t pay: The Commuting Paradox” in 2004, basically they found that people with long commutes consistently reported lower subjective wellbeing and that people have a tendency to overestimate the benefits of a bigger house/lower rent and underestimate the costs of a much longer commute.

You need to make sure the benefits really do outweigh the extra stress, lost time and increased car costs.

Thanks everyone for your comments and thoughts. Braidwood has been an option as well but i think a bit too small for my liking even though its a pretty place. We used to live in the Blue Mountains and then commuted to Sydney which was much more of a mission but we like to live in place with character. Have to agree with you ConanOfCooma rent here is a joke.

Growling Ferret said :

Depends where you work. Allow half an hour from Watson to your office in Civic, or 40 minutes to your office in Parkes/Barton.

30 minutes to get from Watson to Civic?! Are you walking? If you’re not then take a different route, haha. That’s madness.

I used to live on the other side of Yass and commute into Canberra for work. I worked part time to begin with (three days a week) and it was quite manageable … nice drive, time to relax before getting home each night etc.

Once I started working full time though, it was a different story, especially in winter. I started to hate the fact that I was leaving home in the dark each morning & leaving work in the dark each night. I really started questioning the logic of “enjoying” the rural lifestyle when it became all about commuting.

As others have mentioned, you also clock up the miles pretty quickly … you need to add in the cost of petrol/wear & tear on your vehicle. Finally, what is your time worth? You need to evaluate whether sitting in a car for three hours a day is worth more than spending time at home.

Hi, for about 3 months both my partner and I were communting from canberra. The rent is cheaper but once u factor petol in, we are saving a bit more living up here. Also the time factor really takes a toll. extra time in the morning is great and the time with the family is good too. And goulburn isnt too bad for facilites but not too much to do of a weekend. guess thats ok if you just like to relax.

So yeah I personally wouldnt do it again and am glad once we moved

I used to commute from Yass back in the day (30-40 mins). I reckon that’d be my limit.

On the plus side the commute to Goulburn should be an easy run the majority of the time which might allow you to unwind from the working day, in preparation for 4 screaming kiddies. On the negative side if you’re approaching Lake George and suddenly realise you’ve left something behind, well, that would suck! Also, if you have kids back at school in Goulburn and something happens you’re not a 20 minute drive away, etc, etc.

Yes, housing will be cheaper and, if buying an older property, quite a different aesthetic to what Canberra usually offers. But your fuel bill and car servicing costs will increase, obviously.

I also agree with neanderthalsis, a modern efficient diesel car is a very good idea – Golf, Mondeo, whatever, there’s heaps of options these days.

I know it isnt Goulburn, but a guy I work with does the Cooma to Canberra trip everyday. He doesnt mind it and has been doing it for 10+ years now. It takes a little over an hour and only has to go to the airport and comes through queanbeyan so misses most of the traffic. He used to live in Sydney prior to moving to Cooma and it would take twice as long to travel half as far..

I personally think it is doable provided you dont have to fight the Canberra traffic once you get here.

Depends where you work. Allow half an hour from Watson to your office in Civic, or 40 minutes to your office in Parkes/Barton.

If you leave at 6am, no worries. If you leave at 7, you hit traffic at its busiest.

A guy here is moving to Yass to commute. I value the extra 2 hours a day in non-commuting time to spend with the family as a greater priority.

It’s worth it if you work on the northside. It’s not worth it if you work south of the lake because you will get stuck in traffic.

Other than that, it’s really good to live out of Canberra. Those country towns have more character architecturally (yay for older houses that weren’t regulation painted mission brown). It can take a while to get in with the locals, but it’s worth it once you do.

Fuel costs will add up, though. Consider buying the most fuel efficient vehicle that can do 110 km/hour easily.

I do ten hours a week driving from Cooma everyday, and the only bad thing about it is the snow and coast traffic.

As mentioned above, if you are a soft capital resident, there’s a good chance you find a ten minute drive to work incredibly intolerable. I work in Tuggers, and I know people who travel from North side who do that trip in an hour and ten. I may not be closer, but I get there quicker.

What most people in the ACT fail to realise is that it costs a bullshit amount to live in the capital. Rent is ridiculous for broken Lego houses, the drug problem is through the roof, and you are so close to your neighbours you know what they had for dinner last night.

Personally speaking, I prefer my 5 bedroom brick house on 15 acres for $250 a week over $500 for 3 bedrooms in the inner north on a shitty block next to ice freaks. I might spend a litte more on fuel, but the massive savings on rent make up for it.

neanderthalsis said :

but most Canberrans have a distorted sense of distance/reality and think the drive from Tuggeranong to Civic is an arduous journey.

I agree about the distorted sense of distance but I dont agree with the Tuggers example, every time I have sold something of late someone from the north side always rings up & then winges about how far it is to Tuggers.

DIDINT YOU READ THE AD???? It had the suburb written on it 😉

Is there a regular bus? Could be a good time to catch up on reading, or do some work on the laptop.

i have friends who do it but god knows i wouldn’t. work out what you would spend in petrol plus add a bit more for the value you place on your own time that you will instead spend in commuting – and bump up your mortgage/rent allowance/budget accordingly to see whether living in canberra works still.

No way

neanderthalsis said :

most Canberrans have a distorted sense of distance/reality and think the drive from Tuggeranong to Civic is an arduous journey.

…except that, living in Canberra, that IS an arduous journey (and one of the reasons people live here, over Sydney or Melbourne).

There was a woman at my old work who used to do it.
She ended up call ing in sick or “working from home” or arriving late most days after the first month.

Can’t say I blame her though.
Hour drive from Goulburn then another half hour or more through the morning traffic to get to work. Then the same back home afterwards.

So around 3 hours each day of your life travelling.

Or 15 hours a week. (or 12 in your case)

Might be ok if you have the option of crashing at a friends house one of the nights or something.

I wouldn’t see commuting as a viable long-term solution. You’ll be paying a lot in petrol + wear ‘n’ tear on the car. And if your car breaks down, you’re up for a motel stay and/or big taxi fair.

We have a chap here that does the run from Goulburn into Canberra daily. The drive is a little over an hour and a clear run along the hwy most days.

A one hour commute (at the least) is the reality in most big capitals for those in the outer burbs, but most Canberrans have a distorted sense of distance/reality and think the drive from Tuggeranong to Civic is an arduous journey.

From what I have seen, house prices are cheaper there than here in the ACT, it has all the needed amenities for a young family and it is not too far from Sydney too.

You might consider buying a diesel engine car too to save on fuel costs.

8+ hours of commuting a week is a hell of a lot of time that you could otherwise be spending with your young family. Not to mention a hell of a lot of petrol. It’s “manageable”, obviously – people do it in other places – but sure as hell isn’t something I’d do by choice.