which is the easiest & best way across the ranges from Bulahdelah
Submitted: Thursday, May 09, 2013 at 08:10
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cruiser 3
I'm going from
Bulahdelah to
Darwin towing a caravan and want to know the best route over the mountains.
There seems to be pleny of options when looking at the map but the map doesnt show how steep or long the hills are which is why I look to someone with experience with this area.
Thank you
Reply By: graham B9 - Thursday, May 09, 2013 at 09:11
Thursday, May 09, 2013 at 09:11
Stick in another post with what you are towing with and what you are towing. ie the size of the van.
Generally I prefer Port Macquarie and then left over the mountains. It is the most gradual slope.
AnswerID:
510625
Follow Up By: cruiser 3 - Thursday, May 09, 2013 at 16:17
Thursday, May 09, 2013 at 16:17
Thanks Graham B9.
I'm towing a 17 year old van with an equally old Criuser but worst of all I'm a really, really old driver.
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Follow Up By: graham B9 - Thursday, May 09, 2013 at 19:02
Thursday, May 09, 2013 at 19:02
After this news I would be going with Scott. Up the
New England and maybe heading west again around
Tamworth so you do not have the climb up the
hill after
Tamworth.
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Reply By: Member-Heather MG NSW - Thursday, May 09, 2013 at 09:21
Thursday, May 09, 2013 at 09:21
Hi Cruiser 3.
Definitely NOT Thunderbolts Way as there is a very steep pull up about 5 kms not too far from
Gloucester. We came down that way last year with our van in tow and had forgotten just how steep it is!
Could you not go south on the Pacific Highway to join the
New England. I don't recall any really steep hills on it.
It depends on which route you are taking to get to
Darwin, and I guess what you are towing and driving. We have towed a van up the Oxley and it was OK, although of course there are some steep sections.
regards,
Heather
AnswerID:
510627
Follow Up By: cruiser 3 - Thursday, May 09, 2013 at 16:14
Thursday, May 09, 2013 at 16:14
Thanks Heather G
Thats good advice, I remember another road that was pretty bad for vans, I think it was Waterfall Way.
FollowupID:
788767
Reply By: Member - Scott M (NSW) - Thursday, May 09, 2013 at 12:11
Thursday, May 09, 2013 at 12:11
To be honest, probably the easiest way is south to Raymond Terrace, take the right turn over the RT
bridge onto the Raymond Terrace Road and thru to East Maitland - then up the
New England Hwy though Branxton until the Golden Highway - take the Golden Hwy thru Jerry's Plains, Denman and thru Merriwa,
Dunedoo and out form there to Dubbo & beyond - quickest way - trust me.
AnswerID:
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Follow Up By: Sawtybt - Thursday, May 09, 2013 at 15:23
Thursday, May 09, 2013 at 15:23
Totally agree with Scott. This is the easiest way to go.
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Follow Up By: cruiser 3 - Thursday, May 09, 2013 at 16:22
Thursday, May 09, 2013 at 16:22
Good on you Scott and Sawtybt.
The Golden Highway it is.
I looked at that route on the map but having never been that way I was unsure of how it would be for a Caravan, might as
well take the easiest way.
Thanks again.
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Follow Up By: Member - Boo Boo (NSW) - Thursday, May 09, 2013 at 18:20
Thursday, May 09, 2013 at 18:20
A slightly different way would be to continue up the
New England Hwy and turn left to
Quirindi and then Mungindi,
St George,
Mitchell,
Morven,
Augathella,
Blackall,
barcaldine,
winton,Mt Isa, etc.
I went that way from
Scone a few years ago and it was a good trip but a hell of a long way. I did about 11k in 2 weeks.
From memory it was about 3600 km each way
Stop at
Ilfracombe just this side of
Longreach if you can. It's a great little c/pk with a pub next to it.
Some of the pks a long the way are basic but ok.
There are a few hils between
Scone and
Quirindi but nothing to worry about. Once past
Quirindi the road is fairly flat.
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Follow Up By: cruiser 3 - Thursday, May 09, 2013 at 19:07
Thursday, May 09, 2013 at 19:07
Thanks for the reply Boo Boo
My aim is to get across the mountains as quick as possible because my experiences tell me it can get quite cold there.
Once inland I am familiar with the track.
Neverthe less a good suggestion of yours
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Follow Up By: Member - Scott M (NSW) - Thursday, May 09, 2013 at 19:48
Thursday, May 09, 2013 at 19:48
We've gone that way a number of times from Nabiac, and can make
Nyngan that night in a slow old 40 series.
If you want to go thru western QLD, you can head north form
Dunedoo or Dubbo thru Gilgandra and up that way....
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Follow Up By: Steve M1 (NSW) - Thursday, May 09, 2013 at 20:34
Thursday, May 09, 2013 at 20:34
spot on Scotty - definito the easiest, least hilly. Pleasant enough drive too.
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Follow Up By: Member - eighty matey - Friday, May 10, 2013 at 21:33
Friday, May 10, 2013 at 21:33
If you're not keen on hills I wouldn't go through
Scone to
Quirindi. That way you have to climb the Liverpool Range out of Murrurundi.
I'd head up through Denman,
Dunedoo and on to Gilgandra then
Nyngan and north.
It will still get cold in the west until you get
well up into Qld. Take you chainsaw and a box of matched to be sure.
Have a good trip.
Steve
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Follow Up By: cruiser 3 - Friday, May 10, 2013 at 22:51
Friday, May 10, 2013 at 22:51
Thanks Eighty Matey. Yes that's the way Scott suggested and the way that I will go
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