Smoothest road surface Melb to Port Augusta

Submitted: Tuesday, Aug 12, 2014 at 17:01
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We have a large motorhome and tow a Nissan patrol behind it. We are 'over' the Western Hwy and it's terrible lumps and bumps. We are not looking for the shortest route, just the most comfortable for that first section of the trip toward Darwin. Any ideas please?????
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Reply By: Robin Miller - Tuesday, Aug 12, 2014 at 17:32

Tuesday, Aug 12, 2014 at 17:32
There been a couple of posts about various options for that route Gini.

We always go straight thru to Adelaide, turn right at bottom of Adelaide hills up port rush road then over to Port Wakefield road (where it intersects with Main North rd)
and on the Port Augusta.

This has its slow part thru Adelaide but in nett has less hills and holdups and is quickest and almost but not quite the shortest.

90 % of this way is flat multi lane hwy.

Usually leave 4am melbourne and arrive Port Augusta around 4pm in time to fill up with supplies and fruit vegs which should take into S.A.

This path also gives best and most options for fuel and coffee stops , and is approx 1050km.

Its just a commuter section for us , and holiday doesn't being till you get to PT Aug.

On way back though we usually take different path Via Morgan to Ouyen just for interest.
This path has lots of smaller hills but not concentrated as per Adelaide hills.

Robin Miller

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Reply By: Member - Gini- Tuesday, Aug 12, 2014 at 17:53

Tuesday, Aug 12, 2014 at 17:53
Hi thanks for that. Last time, and the time before that, we used the Western Highway and nearly bounced through the roof of the truck!!! I think maybe going up to Ouyen and across may be a better road? Hills don't worry us (used to going slow) but the uneven road surface is a killer.
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Reply By: aussiebottlo - Tuesday, Aug 12, 2014 at 19:04

Tuesday, Aug 12, 2014 at 19:04
Maybe go through to Mildura then onto the Sturt highway and then through the Riverland is SA, this takes you onto the northern expressway, then turn right onto Port Wakefield Road, this would pretty much cut off Adelaide and have minimal hills.

Cheers John
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Follow Up By: Member - Gini- Tuesday, Aug 12, 2014 at 21:00

Tuesday, Aug 12, 2014 at 21:00
Hi John,
I think we will take that option. Time is not a factor when it comes to ease and comfort of the drive. It's a long way to Dundee Beach, N.T.
Thanks for ur help.
Cheers
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Follow Up By: Member - nrb1748 (VIC) - Tuesday, Aug 12, 2014 at 22:59

Tuesday, Aug 12, 2014 at 22:59
The Sunraysia Highway south of Ouyen is worse than the Western Highway. I bounced along that section yesterday. It's really bad. The Calder Highway may be a better choice. The Sturt Highway is OK.
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Reply By: Eric Experience - Tuesday, Aug 12, 2014 at 22:52

Tuesday, Aug 12, 2014 at 22:52
Gini.
I know its not the answer to your question but can you tell us what tyre pressure you are running on the front of your truck? And what weight do you have on the front axle? Eric.
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Reply By: Member - Gini- Wednesday, Aug 13, 2014 at 08:56

Wednesday, Aug 13, 2014 at 08:56
Thanks for the heads up on the road to Ouyen!!!! Eric, your question actually makes a whole of sense. I will give an Graeme from Isuzu Ballarat a call as he is a motorhome specialist as well. The air in the tyres is definitely a factor when you consider how much weight is where! I'll let you know on that one. We would be running the tyres just as they came with the unit.
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Reply By: Grinner - Wednesday, Aug 13, 2014 at 10:08

Wednesday, Aug 13, 2014 at 10:08
I came back that way in early July, My route was basically Port Augusta, Crystal Brook, Burra, Morgan, Renmark, Mildura then Calder Hwy to Melbourne.

The only stretch I remember being bumpy was between Morgan and Renmark.

Jason
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Follow Up By: Colcam42 - Thursday, Aug 14, 2014 at 19:30

Thursday, Aug 14, 2014 at 19:30
Endorsing Jason's route, we always go that way from near Port Pirie, use either the Sunraysia or Calder but we prefer the former. Can't see that going down to Adelaide is a good option if you are heading Nth via Port Augusta. Busy between Mildura and Remark but rest of the way not too bad, not as bad as the Western Hwy. Plenty to see and do around the Riverland. Watch out for the quarantine check point at Yamba, no fruit or veg into SA.
The country across from Burra to Chrystal Brook is nice, as is the caravan park at the 'brook.
Enjoy the ride,
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Reply By: Member - Gini- Wednesday, Aug 13, 2014 at 20:34

Wednesday, Aug 13, 2014 at 20:34
After watching the today tonight show in Adelaide last night, we will need to find out if the suspension is OK, or maybe a couple of pounds too much in the tyres. We are catching up with the Isuzu service manager from Ballarat Isuzu on Friday so will discover if it's actually the road being so bad or something else!! I'll let you all know.
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