Wayne (NSW) replied:

Pedro,

When I need to get somewhere with the least amount of kilometres I get a map and ruler. One end of the ruler at the start and the other at the destination and draw a straight line.

Wayne

Member - Doug T (QLD) replied:

Pacific,Logan Mtway,Warego,Newell,Mid Western,Sturt

Fusion replied:

G'day Pedro,

According to Travelmate the fastest way is: 1692km & 21hrs. I've found their times to be pretty conservative.

Here's the map: Oxenford (Gold Coast) to Mildura

Thanks,

Aaron.

Member - Andrew W (SA) replied:

If you want something interesting to do on the way, I suggest going via Broken Hill and stopping off at Mungo National Park on the way down to Mildura.

Ciao for now
Andrew.

Member - Duncs replied:

Peter,

It is hard to argue with Travelmate. They are usually spot on with distance but the times are very conservative.

In Jan we went from Broken Hill to Ballina in 16hrs 10min. That includes stops. Mildura is 3 hours at the speed limit (easy to achieve) from the Hill.

We are a family of 5, Mum, Dad 3 kids 17, 13, & 12. Since moving to the Hill our kids have become very used to spending lots of time in the car so we don't stop much and we don't stop for long. On that trip we were towing a Trak Shak C/T behind a GU 4.2 TD.

Our route was B.H, Cobar, Nevertire, Gilgandra, Coonabarrabran, Nyngan, Bingara, Delungra, Glenn Innes, Tenterfield, Casino and Ballina.

We left early and I did travel a little quickly between Willcannia and Cobar but not excessive. The majority of the trip was pretty close to posted limits. At 10.30am in Coonabarrabran it was 41 C. Our lunch stop at Bingara was very hot.

Friend from work regularly travels to Tweed Heads in about 16 hours in a 3.0l Patrol, he does it over 2 days with a 3 year old son.

He pretty much follows the same route as me but stays inland longer going via Moree and north into Queensland along the Newell then east towards the coast.

Hope this helps
Duncs

GEG replied:

I go to Melbourne from Brisbane often and always try to avoid the Newell. Its just a big accident waiting to happen...we enjoyed going via hay once...It was a great road and no traffic...