Trek via the backroads Scone NSW to Tamworth.

Afternoon Jack

I think the trek you are looking for is almost certainly Scone to Tamworth via Hunter Road and Barry Road. Used to do it fairly often when I was working but not for a couple of years now. Very scenic with about 20 crossings - not deep. Easiest way to find the "road" is to google Barry Road Nundle and have a scroll through to see the way. Couple of gates and Glenrock Station has changed hands recently but the way should still be open.

Enjoy the drive.

Cheers

G'day Jack,

I travel that way regularly for work and there are 2 very scenic options.

1. Via Crawney Pass:
Scone - Gundy - Timor - Nundle.
Usually a good drive, fine for 2wd if it's not wet, but there are a few tight bends and narrow sections up Crawney Pass so there are signs saying unsuitable for caravans.

2. Via Barry - this is probably the one you are thinking of.
Scone - Gundy - Moonan Flat - Ellerston - Barry - Hanging Rock - Nundle.
Beautiful drive through Ellerston Station, Glenrock Station and Barry Station. 4wd through Glenrock and Ellerston, but fine for a Forrester or Rav4 type car if dry. All public roads although there are 2-3 gates to go through. Usually in pretty good condition unless lots of recent rain - the track criss-crosses Schofields Creek 20 times on Glenrock Station. This can rise quickly but goes down pretty quick. Crossings are typically only about a foot deep at most. I've happily towed an off-road camper trailer through there but be prepared to reverse if you meet someone in a few tight spots and I wouldn't recommend a caravan. Through the stations there are a few side tracks, but it's usually pretty obvious which is the main road. Coming from Ellerston toward Glenrock you will cross a grid that has a "Road Closed" sign hanging on the gate beside it. Don't be put off by that - it has been there for years, left over from when a steep section got washed out a bit further on.

I have to stop several times along the route so can't recall specific travel times from one end to the other, but we spent a weekend out at Moonan Flat a while ago and it was an easy and pleasant day trip to go to Nundle for lunch (via Barry) and come home in the arvo (Via Crawney).

Richard.

Barrington Tops then up Thunderbolts Way, is an interesting drive. I would not suggest towing anything up to the Tops from Scone.

Iza

I have done the Barry Road trip about a year ago.

There are quite a few drainage humps going up the pass so you would have to have a van with good departure angle.

I went over Barrington tops via Gloucester to Moonan Flat to show a relative a source of the Hunter at Polblue Swamp.

There is a vermin gate at the top of the pass with a no entry sign but I had contacted Tamworth council and was advised that all were public roads with no locked gates.

FYI I have never seen so many dead wombats as I saw approaching Hanging Rock. I think there about 10 in that many Ks.

Regards Philip A

If towing, I'd give the Barry Station or Barrington Tops Road a miss.

Barry is very steep and a bit of a crap road to tow along, good fun on an adventure bike though.

Barrington Tops goes through some really nice country, but it is quite steep at both ends and a long way out of your way if going to Tamworth.
Heading through Moonan Flat and taking Tomalla Rd will bring you out on Thunderbolts Rd, then you have the long climb to the top of the range, just so you can drop down the other side to Tamworth. Tomalla is a reasonable road and apart from the first few km its not too steep and with nice sweeping corners (and good fun on a bike). You can stop at the Niangala Berry Farm though, which does some nice liquors.

I'd probably go this way though, it parallels the highway and is gravel all the way from a few km up Waverley Rd to Nundle. https://goo.gl/maps/BdDD2ibRm4v