Travelling from Brissie to Newcastle

I would go Pacific Highway. Lots of improvements these days. Tugun bypass ,Kempsey bypass and Ballina bypass are now open. Some road works Grafton - Coffs and around Bangalow

Alan

6 of 1, 1/2 doz of the other now days. the pacific is much improved, the New England can be a bit frustrating with the hills and not as many places to overtake. the last bit of the New England from Muswellbrook to Newcaste is a pain with a the 60-80-100-50-60-80 speed zones every few hundred meters (well, it seems that way)

As for the run south, I like to go via Beaudesert, Kyogle, Casino, Grafton and then South. It's not quicker, well, it can be during Christmas holidays, but there is more to see and the road is good.

hang on...the bloke hasn't been down there since 2007..he is driving a MOTORHOME.......and you are advoctaing the QUICKEST route/way there and back...?

Why is everyone is such a hurry to get home and sit on their butt..

Mate, take you time, enjoy the country, and take both ways, the Pacific and the New England to experience and go pick up your new purchase.

I'm a bit south of Brissy and hubby drives to Newcastle a few times a year. He loves all the bypasses these days but absolutely hates the roadworks on the Pacific Highway. Drives him crazy. He leaves late afternoon so he doesn't catch the peak hour nonsense around Coffs. Likes to drive the last bit at night (mostly on dual carriageways by that stage) rather than do all the roadworks.
IMHO, do both ways. South on the New England, then the "leisurely" run up the Pacific Highway. Then you'll see for yourself if you hate the Pacific Highway or if it's tolerable!
I understand why sometimes trips have to be "quickies". If you work, a trip to Newcastle and a "leisurely" run home could perhaps mean 1 day down and 3 back...that's almost a full working week.
Hubby and I do up to 5000km in 2 weeks sometimes because that's all the time we have. Sometimes it's because we've been to so many of the nearer places and skim through the first part quickly on our way to do the farther places at a more leisurely pace...
Please, don't get me wrong. I wish absolutely no disrespect to those who roll their eyes at we who sometimes have to do "fast trips" but there are lots of reasons why. We're not all retirees or blessed with the luxury of 12 weeks leave.
Regards and respect to all who have the luxury of slow trips!
Lucky you!
:)