best route to new england highway over range

Submitted: Thursday, May 12, 2005 at 09:36

ThreadID: 22922 Views:2260 Replies:8 FollowUps:2

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lenni

Hi ,
I have been searching though maps and apart from similar ks, I was wondering which is the best route from Coffs Harbour heading towards Towoomba. If we go up the Gibralter range it looks very steep and we are towing a heany camper. Not a big deal however is a better route via Grafton and Casino then turning left to Tenterfield?
Which road is less windy/steep/safe/wider etc. Does anyone have any experience with this. Once we are over the range it is not a problem and we will come back done the range on our way home via Cairns.
We have not travelled via the gibralter range or tenterfield only the dorrigo road and that is heading south.
Thanks for your help I have found this forum very interesting and people are so knowlegeable and respectful. It is a pleasure to read.
Kind regards Lenni

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Reply By: Member - Craig M (NSW) - Thursday, May 12, 2005 at 09:47

Thursday, May 12, 2005 at 09:47

Hi Lennie,
Its a bit of a problem getting to the New England from the North Coast. We are up at Murwillumbah, and we have tried all routes and each one is as bad as the other.
The road from Grafton is extremely steep, going from Grafton Way, Not quite as bad comming back, also very windy, not to narrow though.
We came home through Tenterfield not long ago and it isnt as steep but still windy and narrow in places.
I remember one year due to local floods we ended up going up the coast and then cut across to Wawrick onto the New England.
I think if you really wanted to miss out on the Mts you would probably have to go up the Pacific Hwy.
Hope you have a good trip.

Cheers

AnswerID: 110959

Reply By: Nick R - Thursday, May 12, 2005 at 09:54

Thursday, May 12, 2005 at 09:54

2 ways I can think of, up the hill to Dorrigo is steep, then on a little windy but the road is pretty good then on to the NE Hwy at armidale. My preferred way though would be up the Pacific then out the back of the Gold Coast at Nerang through Boonah and follow the signs over the range, last time I drove it that way had better roads.
NickR

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AnswerID: 110962

Reply By: lenni - Thursday, May 12, 2005 at 10:00

Thursday, May 12, 2005 at 10:00

Thanks guys for your responses. I will have another look at the map perhaps the way I choose was not the best way after all. Will check out the highway option to Nerang .
Regards Lenni

AnswerID: 110964

Reply By: cruiser - Thursday, May 12, 2005 at 16:30

Thursday, May 12, 2005 at 16:30

I would go from Coffs to Bellingen, Dorrigo, Ebor and across to Guyra. See link.
linktext

Once you are on the New England, it is plain sailing to Towoomba.

AnswerID: 111022

Follow Up By: cruiser - Thursday, May 12, 2005 at 16:31

Thursday, May 12, 2005 at 16:31

Well that disnt work. This is the link

http://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/PDFs/New_England_Tableland_maps_location.pdf

Try cutting and pasting it

FollowupID: 367432

Reply By: cruiser - Thursday, May 12, 2005 at 16:33

Thursday, May 12, 2005 at 16:33

AnswerID: 111023

Reply By: flappa - Thursday, May 12, 2005 at 17:10

Thursday, May 12, 2005 at 17:10

Problem with just about all those routes is , you go backwards to go forwards.

Another alternative , might be to go , Grafton , Casino , Kyogle, Rathdownie , Beaudesert.

AFAIK , or at least , can remember , the only steep bit , is just past Kyogle , as you go across the NSW/QLD border.

AnswerID: 111026

Follow Up By: flappa - Thursday, May 12, 2005 at 17:12

Thursday, May 12, 2005 at 17:12

Oh yeah , PS , forgot to mention.

My parents live at Casino and always take the inland route to come to Canberra , and always go up from Casino to Tenterfield. (TD Mav towing 2500kg Off road van)

FollowupID: 367436