oxley highway advice

Most roads in that area to get from the coast to inland are what you mentioned, but this road may be the pick . I came from Lismore via Casino to Glenn Innes with a 30ft van and it was very very windy and slow.
Richard

Hi Laser 1,
The road is very windy with some sharp corners for 35km all going up hill steep in places. I would be blowing the horn on the blind corners as bike riders use this road and you might have to be over the line to get around some. Once at the top it's all flat to Walcha. You will be going down the Moonbi range which is a steep descent.
It can be done but log trucks still use this road so just watch the tight turns.
Cheers Andy

There is about 40km of winding climbing road, the grades are no where near as steep as going up the Dorrigo where you climb to almost the same altitude in just 8km. Unlike the Dorrigo road, the Oxley climb is also full width, but yes quite a few 35-45km/hr posted corners. There are few up and down, just a long slow pull.
I have no experience with vehicles that size other than to say semi trailers do it regularly, but I don't think it is a B double route. The approx 10km Moonbi descent before Tamworth is not be a problem, B doubles do it all the time but in low gear.
If you want a flatter route then it's down to Newcastle, up the New England to the Golden Highway turnoff between Branxton & Singleton and out to Dubbo.
IF you do come via The Oxley Highway, ditch the Oxley at Tamworth and head to Dubbo via Werris Ck and Coolah, not on the Oxley Highway. It's about 30km shorter and much importantly for you much flatter. Then proceed on the Newell

Did this a few years ago only in the reverse of what you are doing[from tamworth to port ] with a 23ft van and had no troubles. A very nice secenic drive, enjoy. Bob

Hi Laser,
I often do it towing my 24 footer.

It is a good run with not a lot of traffic on it. Yes it is a good climb but with a 7.3 Ltr. diesel you should have no problems. There are bigger semi trailers using that road and they have no problems with the bends.

On the way up I always stop at Stockyard Creek for a break and a cuppa as this gives the outfit time to cool and is such a nice spot for a break anyway. This gives any traffic behind time to clear as well.

Stockyard Creek is 82 K west of Wauchope and is the midway point between Wauchope and Walcha.
GPS coordinates for Stockyard Creek 31 24 10S 152 07 26E (Camps Aus Wide5 #319)

I always select 3rd gear in my 5 speed auto Landcruiser at the beginning of the climb and pull it back to 2nd sometimes if the need arises. This keeps the engine in the right rev range and conserves fuel believe it or not.

Once at the top of the climb it is a very good road from there on.

Once out on the New England Highway, just south of Bendemeer, you are going down the Moonbie Range now that is a doozy but I am often up and down it in the van so just take it very easy going down especially and very easy if going up and all will be well.

Actually I do not mind the Oxley and it is my preferred route when heading west.
Mind you I live near Port Macquarie so it is my obvious choice.

Cheers, Bruce.

thankyou everyone for your advice, now to sort out where the weigh bridges are along the route from tamworth to mildura