Tuesday, Mar 29, 2016 at 12:41
As Allan2L said, the Alpine Way is designated 'Unsuitable for Caravans'. Going from
Khancoban towards Thredbo, it has some steep sections but is quite do-able with your rig as far as
Tom Groggin. Then it gets steep. There are switchbacks, but they are not too bad. If you take this rounte, make sure that your cooling system is in good condition because it is about 20 km of solid uphill going. An excellent spot to
camp en route is the
Geehi Aristrip. Superb setting, beautiful river.
Another thing to consider is weather. From now on, snow can come at any time, and the idea of towing a largish van in snow scares me somewhat and I live in the area.
There is an alternative to the Alpine Way. This is to go via Corryong and then up to
Cabramurra. Again, this road has a steep climb. and it is narrow and winding, but I recently took my van over it with no worries. Just ensure that you keep to your side of the road and hope that the on-coming traffic does the same. If you take this road, once you pass
Round Mountain and the Happy Jacks turnoff, you will have a long, steep downhill drop into
Tumut Pond Dam. Make sure that you engage low gear and don't ride the brakes down here and you will be fine. There is a restaurant at
Cabramurra (Actually it is the old Snowy Mess) which serves good reasonably priced food at meal times and is worth a stop there.
Yet another alternative is to go via Tooma. This is called the Elliot Way. I think it is easier than the
Cabramurra road. It is scenic. Again, you have a long hard climb up past
Tumut 2 Power Station, but this should not be a problem to your rig. Just stay on your own side of the road. If it has been icy, you may have fun getting up Powerline
Hill, near
Three Mile Dam. Whichever way you come (Cabra or Elliot Way), you face this
hill any way. It can be icy and the alignment is such that you have no hope of getting a good run at it. If you go up late in the afternoon, hopefully the ice will be melted by then and you will have no troubles.
Another way (again!) is to go via Tumut and up the
Snowy Mountains Highway. This is pretty around Blowering and then you climb Talbingo Mountain. Steep and winding, but relatively short. As a guide, my Pajero pulled my 16.5 ft Jayco van up there is 2nd and 3rd gears - I only used 2nd to ease up on the inlet air temperatures to the turbo. Once up there, it is a continual gentle climb until you get near
Kiandra and from then on it is fairly easy.
Sorry for the long winded reply, but there are the options. In winter, if it is icy, sadly I don't even try to cross the mountains with my caravan - I go around via
Canberra and the Hume Hwy. Normally I am not in a hurry so the extra 100 km or so doesn't really matter to me.
AnswerID:
597903
Follow Up By: Been-Everywhereman - Tuesday, Mar 29, 2016 at 13:20
Tuesday, Mar 29, 2016 at 13:20
It is the exact type of response I wanted. Lengthy, detailed and exact. Thank you thank you.
FollowupID:
866958
Follow Up By: Member - Rod N (QLD) - Tuesday, Mar 29, 2016 at 13:43
Tuesday, Mar 29, 2016 at 13:43
If you are going from
Khancoban to
Cabramurra check if roadworks are still underway. They were cutting dangerous trees from the road edges last week and the road was totally closed for up to 2 hours. We were lucky it was only 45 minutes for us
FollowupID:
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Follow Up By: Member - Allan L2 - Tuesday, Mar 29, 2016 at 14:28
Tuesday, Mar 29, 2016 at 14:28
Yes snow & ice can occur at any time in that area but as a regular traveller of these roads I wouldn't expect it to be a problem in early May.
Check the recent weather pattern & forecast. If in doubt give Nat Parks at
Khancoban or Tumut a call.
Cheers,
FollowupID:
866962