Tarcutta

Tarcutta is the half-way point on the Hume Highway between Sydney and Melbourne. One of the last towns to be bypassed on this busy dual-carriageway route, its main street long had a constant stream of cars and rumble of trucks, but is now wide and quiet. It is unclear how or if Tarcutta will adapt to its new role of quiet country town. The immediate effect has been prounced, with the service station and several take-away places now boarded up, and town's pub for sale.

The neighbouring town of Holbrook is the competition as a stopping point. Also bypassed, Holbrook has the submarine, the park, and a few nice cafes to make the stop a little more worthwhile.

The Hume Highway between Sydney and Melbourne passes near Tarcutta at the half-way point. The freeway diverts around 1 km (0.62 mi) around the town, and the diversion into the town will cost you less than a minute on your journey.

• 🌍 Australian Truck Drivers Memorial, 55 Sydney St. It's probably the main attraction to passers-by, memorialising all the truckers who have lost their lives on Australian roads. Holds an annual memorial. Gardens where you can eat lunch (and a truck parking area, if you happen to be arriving by truck!). 

• Refuel at the large Caltex service station

• 🌍 Tarcutta Horse & Jockey Hotel (Tarcutta Pub), Sydney St, ☏ +61 2 69287203, suecollier5@hotmail.com. Horse & Jockey Hotel is an old pub that was built in 1942. It still has the old fridge drawers that are still in good working order. A place to meet locals and travellers, the food is well priced and delicious. A cold beer or a hot coffee are also available. Rooms are clean and well worth the price. (updated Sep 2017)
• Tarcutta Hotel also has a restaurant onsite.

There are no only pubs in Tarcutta, but a beer can be fetched at a hotel.

• 🌍 Tarcutta Half Way Motor Inn, Sydney St, ☏ +61 2 6928 7294. (updated Jun 2021)
• 🌍 Tarcutta Hotel, 4504 Hume Highway, ☏ +61 487 049 834, tarcuttahotel@hotmail.com. Check-in: 2PM, check-out: 10AM. A 1940's building with 7 rooms located upstairs above the hotel. Includes clean pub rooms with separate shared bathrooms and a common lounge room with a relaxed atmosphere. If you're just passing by Tarcutta, the onsite restaurant has some classic Modern-Australian cuisine. There's also a bottleshop available, but remember – don't drink and drive. From $100. (updated Jul 2022)