Directions
Submitted: Friday, Aug 07, 2009 at 19:51
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Native
I have an old camper van that i wish to drive from
Brisbane to
Canberra. As the camper van is slow I thought I would take the
New England Highway rather than the the Pacific Highway. I am concerned about travelling over the
Toowoomba range. Does anybody know the road outside Gatton via Ma Ma
creek? Is this an easier option then the
Toowoomba range?Thanks.
Reply By: Member - Shane D (QLD) - Friday, Aug 07, 2009 at 20:12
Friday, Aug 07, 2009 at 20:12
Cunningham highway thru to
Warwick isn't as steep as the
Toowoomba range.
I think you will be better off going down the pacific, ( Mark G will kill me for this!!)
No steep inclines (if thats your worry) lots more overtaking
places and around 800 Klms of freeway between
Brisbane and
Canberra for others not to get "trapped" behind you.
Shane
AnswerID:
378059
Reply By: Native - Friday, Aug 07, 2009 at 20:16
Friday, Aug 07, 2009 at 20:16
Thanks Shane but I am wondering if the Pacific Highway will be too fast. On the flat the van will sit on about 100kms but is slow taking off. Also where would I cut across to go to
Canberra?
Annette
AnswerID:
378061
Follow Up By: Member - Shane D (QLD) - Saturday, Aug 08, 2009 at 21:05
Saturday, Aug 08, 2009 at 21:05
Freeway runs from
Sydney towards
Melbourne, 10K's south of
Goulburn vere Left, preatty much all freeway.
Shane
FollowupID:
645548
Reply By: Madfisher - Friday, Aug 07, 2009 at 20:31
Friday, Aug 07, 2009 at 20:31
Native the flatest route is down the Newell to Dubbo, from their head towards Cowra, Boorawa, yass. The
New england is scenic but hilly with not a lot of overtaking lanes. The best option by far would be the Newell then you bypass
Sydney altogether.
Cheers Pete
AnswerID:
378067
Follow Up By: Native - Friday, Aug 07, 2009 at 20:49
Friday, Aug 07, 2009 at 20:49
Thanks Pete I might take the Newell. Is it very busy?
Annette
FollowupID:
645406
Follow Up By: OzTroopy - Friday, Aug 07, 2009 at 22:32
Friday, Aug 07, 2009 at 22:32
Newell Highway is overcrowded with B-Doubles and inconsiderate
grey nomads hauling great motel suites behind new 4wds ......
settle folks .... LOLOL
Personally I would take the coast run ... Plenty of dual lane sections and support if the old bus has a problem.
Sydney is easy especially if you make the effort to go through at night ... its as quite as, then ... Get a motorway pass in advance and use the M7 also - busiest bit of road to deal with then is a short stretch between the freeways on the "Cumberland Hwy / Pennant Hills Rd".
Newell Highway is pretty good but traffic levels are building up ... NSW Govt & RTA hasnt met the challenge of "making it" the great inland corridor its touted to be. Passing lanes are provided in the worst sections but there are plenty of areas to pull off the road. I use it regularly and roos and emus are actually the biggest concerns.
FollowupID:
645429
Follow Up By: Madfisher - Saturday, Aug 08, 2009 at 22:01
Saturday, Aug 08, 2009 at 22:01
Hi Annette,
Yes it does have a lot of trucks on it. If you can maintain 100 it will be ok, otherwise use one of the other roads. But very few trucks after you turn off the Newell at Dubbo. Remember if you break down its usually a truckie who will stop to help.
Cheers Pete
FollowupID:
645554
Reply By: Member - ken b (QLD) - Friday, Aug 07, 2009 at 21:22
Friday, Aug 07, 2009 at 21:22
no?no? just put it on a car transporter
AnswerID:
378083
Reply By: Member - Alan H (QLD) - Saturday, Aug 08, 2009 at 07:59
Saturday, Aug 08, 2009 at 07:59
Native
If it were me I would go
Heifer Creek road (Ma Ma) out from Gatton. I tow my van up there. It is windy but the gradient is a lot easier.
Once over the range I would go to Clifton, Leyburn,
Goondiwindi and then down the Newell. It has lots of trucks but the road is a lot straighter and easier for anyone to pass you.
An alternative is to go down through Warialda,
Bingara etc and come out at Gunundah. To do this hook a left at Inglewood, and go through Texas and then to
Yetman before turning south. Nice scenic route without too many trucks and good road.
I recently came up the coast road and while the last section Byron to
Brisbane is great the rest was very average with lots of traffic and hard to pass. Lots of road works happening down there as
well and you will still have to cross the range somewhere. I would not recommend the coast run.
Alan
AnswerID:
378111