Suggan Buggan to Omeo Enquiry
Submitted: Monday, Dec 17, 2012 at 17:16
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Will 76 Series
Hello All,
Just wondering if anybody would know if Barry Hwy from
Jindabyne to Suggan Buggan and then west on
Limestone Road to
Omeo would be OK to tow a camper trailer and camper van?
Vans would be a Quantum, Jayco Outback and
Kimberley Kamper.
I have been this way a few years ago but with swags. I remember it being a good road as long as it is dry, but also very windy and steep in
places.
Apprecieate any feedback on the road conditions if anyone has been down this way recently?
Regards Will
Reply By: Andrew & Jen - Monday, Dec 17, 2012 at 18:30
Monday, Dec 17, 2012 at 18:30
Hullo Will
Have a gander at ThreadID: 91289
There are a few others around that time as
well - Google the topic (Barry Way/Suggan Buggan) with ExplorOz in the enquiry line.
Cheers
Andrew
AnswerID:
500553
Reply By: Member - Oldbaz. NSW. - Monday, Dec 17, 2012 at 18:31
Monday, Dec 17, 2012 at 18:31
G'day Will, we towed a C/t from
Jindabyne several years back with no issues, but we
tracked over McKillops Bridge & round to
Bombala, so dont know about
limestone Rd
part of it. Yes, it is windy narrow & steep in parts, but with due consideration for the
possibility of oncoming traffic, you will be fine. Surface was good then, someone will
no doubt have more current info. Be aware that you will be on the outside of most
of the steep stuff....no safety fences...:)))). cheers....oldbaz.
AnswerID:
500554
Reply By: Member - Frank P (NSW) - Tuesday, Dec 18, 2012 at 10:48
Tuesday, Dec 18, 2012 at 10:48
G'day Will,
We were recently on the
Limestone Road with a Prado and
Kimberley Karavan. You don't say what you're towing with, but based on ouor experience I would think you'd have no problems at all with a 2WD in the dry. There are some steep sections so you might need an AWD in the wet, depending on the weight you're towing and the tug. I don't think you'd ever need a 4WD. The road is not particularly narrow (nor wide), so passing on-coming traffic with the Jayco will only need a bit of care and common sense. The campers will have no problem.
As you say the Barry Way/
Snowy River Rd around Suggan Buggan is narrow, windy and in
places steep. Again, I reckon ok for 2WD when dry, but you may need something more in
places when it's wet (I've never travelled that road when wet, so can't give specific comment). In a couple of
places passing oncoming traffic with the Jayco might be a bit tricky due to the narrow road and the drop on one side,
embankment on the other. Again, the campers won't have a problem provided common sense and caution are applied.
On the windy downhill bits, make sure you have your speed
well under control BEFORE you enter a corner. Some of the surface is almost ball-bearing gravel and if you brake to trim your speed going into the corner when it's dry you will understeer toward the
embankment or the drop. Basic, I know, but it's easy on that road to get caught out.
Cheers
AnswerID:
500608
Reply By: Will 76 Series - Tuesday, Dec 18, 2012 at 18:44
Tuesday, Dec 18, 2012 at 18:44
Andrew, Oldbaz and Frank.
Thanks for the reply's I really appreciate it. All I have received is mainly comments, that you cannot do this track with a camper or a van.
Tow vehicles are a Jayco offroader (widest),
Kimberley Kamper (no problems) and AOR Quantum (length width a concern but doable).
We all have 4x4 capable vehicles.
The thread 91289 was very informative, but the majority of comments was in the negative and emplying not to tow anything along this route.
I have sent the thread to the Jacyo and KK couples and it has scared the be-jesus out of them!!!
I have actually driven these roads- Barry Way and
Limestone track- and as you have suggested with care, common sense and driver experience it should be fine.
In the wet it sounds like a no go, so I will definitely keep that in mind.
Again appreciate the comments as it is such a spectacler piece of road and scenery.
All the best for Christmas and the New Year.
Regards Will
AnswerID:
500634
Follow Up By: Andrew & Jen - Tuesday, Dec 18, 2012 at 20:56
Tuesday, Dec 18, 2012 at 20:56
Hullo Will
Of itself, the route does not present too many issues if you could be sure that you would not meet a large vehicle coming the other way.
Now while it is not used as a regular through route for commercial vehicles, you certainly can be unlucky enought to meet, say, a local truck with a stock crate, or one carting feed.
The question is, who does the backing to the last (infrequent) passing point? I can pass on to you that, based on my conversations with them, the locals are not keen to oblige. While they try to avoid using the road as much as possible during peak holiday times, there are times when this is not practicable.
I have travelled this route quite a few times with a C/T. I would not, however contemplate taking the caravan there for the simple reason that the thought of reversing a caravan up to a km or more along the worst of the winding Suggan Buggan to Black Mountain section with no guard rail and a drop of several hundred metres on the blind side is something I would definitely try to avoid!
Cheers
Andrew
FollowupID:
776668