 The 285 @-@ kilometre @-@ long ( 177 mi ) roadway links Cann River in Victoria to Canberra in the Australian Capital Territory ( ACT ) via the Monaro region . From its southern terminus , it follows the nearby Cann River upstream towards the New South Wales border through heavily forested terrain . Within New South Wales ( NSW ) , it makes its way through further forest before reaching the pastures typical of the Monaro . There are multiple towns and villages along the highway , including Bombala , Nimmitabel , and Cooma . The terrain within the Monaro is largely hilly , and there are numerous crossings . The road also parallels the former Bombala railway line in several locations . Within the ACT , the road becomes a high volume roadway and serves the southern suburbs of Canberra . 
