Bypassing Bendigo

Hi Siringo, Via Bendigo would be the most direct and quickest route. If you must avoid Bendigo, you could go Castlemaine to Harcourt then cut across country to Heathcote. Head up the Northern Hwy and turn off about 12klm which will take you to Shep. Would not be my first choice.

Cheers

G`day Mate,
Got a Map ?
Maryboruogh > Newbridge > Marong > Myers Flat > Eaglehawk North > Epsom > Huntly > Elmore > Stanhope> Shepparton.

Scrubby.

You could also go Maryborough > Castlemaine > Kyneton > Carlsruhe > Lancefield > Kilmore > Broadford > Nagambie > Shepparton.

My old stomping ground , the roads are good and no large towns to go through until Shepp. and you can use the bypass there.

So many direction recommendations are to actually follow the highway from SW Victoria, and the Melbourne Ring Road, then Nagambie. Far fewer stops, difficult hills and traffic lights. Up the Newell.

The main issue is the Princes Highway duplication work between Winchelsea and Geelong, but that is easier than all the stop start for the corners if you look at the time and motion side of things.

If you are really far SW Victoria, you could head through Swan Hill, but my preference is the one above

You could try Maryborough (Vic) to Maldon or Castlemaine then head towards Axedale via the Axe Creek Rd. From Axedale take the Toolleen-Axedale Rd (Road of dubious quality in places), or head straight down the McIvor Hwy to Heathcote then head north along the Northern Hwy to the Midland Hwy turn off before heading for Shepparton.

Google Maps could be your friend.

Or you could just bight your tongue and go through charming Bendigo.
WBS

Thanks everyone, I'll get the map and look up the suggestions. I hadn't been to Bendigo for 30 years up until about 2 years back. It's soooo bloody big now.

Thanks again.

Siringo,

You haven't mentioned if you're towing. If you are, I'd stay clear of one of the previously the suggested routes from "Castlemaine to Heathcote". There's some serious hills in crossing the Campaspe River @ Redesdale, not to mention a one lane bridge with height restrictions.

Drive carefully whichever way you choose & enjoy your trip.

Siringo,

Maryborough Dunolly Bridgewater Serpentine Echuca Deniliquin Hay West Wyalong.

Only way to go.

Bob

Dont ask questions like that !!!

"I hadn't been to Bendigo for 30 years up until about 2 years back. It's soooo bloody big now"

Populations:
Bendigo - 103,722
Lyon - 720,890
Turin - 908,551
Southend-on-Sea - 174,838
Perpignan - 116,676
Dusseldorf - 592,393
Birmingham - 1.074m
Gothenburg - 491,630
London - 8.174m
Rome - 2.778m
Paris - 2.234m

No, Bendigo isn't big.

Thanks for all the help folks.

The other thing I need to find out is, where are some 'safe' camp spots around the Jerliderie - Narrandera - West Wyalong area??

By safe I mean spots where the locals won't pop in and start having a go at us because we're white and from 'not around here'.