NSW South Coast Road Test

Coming from Wagga Wagga I have found The Clyde to be better than the Brown. If travelling by the Brown from here you are also going over Kosiosko.

Both mountains are fairly similar. I do miss the last steep bit that use to be the Clyde as your coming into Batemans Bay.

Clyde is also the better choice for coming back, but again, fairly similar.

Clyde is longer to travel either way than the Brown. (The steep bit themselves)


My opinion only

The Clyde and Brown are about the same gradients, both have 1 in 8 sections. The Monaro is more gentle. However you should have no problems on any of those. I have a couple of friends in Canberra who both use those roads regularly. They tow 23' Future Systems vans weighing 26 - 2700 kg (loaded) with their Pathfinders (which you know have the same motor and mechanicals.)

Just remember to use as low a gear as possible to descend any of those hills and your trip will be a breeze.

How far are you going down into Gippsland? If you are going past Orbost you may consider returning via the Great Alpine Road. The gradients are similar. You may hear people say that road is not suitable for trailers. However that only applied before they widened and sealed the road.

My van weighs in at 2,000 kg, I have towed it over all those roads with either my D40 or Disco TD5 (similar performance) with absolutely no problems. Granted you will be very slow on some of the gradients but it will be the bends rather than the gradients slowing you down.

Take things easy and you will enjoy your trip. When you have driven those roads you will be fully qualified for every sealed highway in Oz.

Hi Ian,

By far the easiest grades would be on the Imlay Road which links Bombala to the coast. It turns east from the Cann River road about 25-30km south of Bombala and joins the Princes Highway near the turnoff to Wonboyn Lake. Its a sealed road that was built for logging trucks and is an easy run.

Cheers,

Val.

You have 2 very easy road option down to the coast from Bombala that will give you no grief towing. Take the Imlay Rd just south of Bombala towards Eden or the highway down to Cann River. Clyde and Brown can be a bit steep with hair pins and few overtaking or pullover opportunities.

I wouldn't suggest trying the Mt Darragh Rd, it is potholed and landslides, fallen trees are common if there has been bad weather.

Just be aware mate that there are a couple of sections of roadworks on the Clyde. I can't comment re the other routes as i haven't be there those routes for some time but I travel the Clyde weekly and it can be a bit of a PITA at times.