Road Trip Advice/Suggestions/Thoughts

[FoxtrotGolfXray 5.0]

I'm likely to be heading up to Newcastle in November to visit a mate and go to the Supercars.

I was going to fly up, but after a little inspiration from cheap's trip from Sydney to Brisbane not using highways, and a mate who suggested I make a road trip of it, I'm seriously considering jumping in the XR8 and taking a couple of days getting there.

So, here's my criteria (in order of priority):

• From Sale to Gosford
• Must be bitumen roads
• Good enough condition roads for the XR8 to not get a damaged rim, etc on
• Roads I have not traveled on previously
• No highway or freeway (old highways excepted)

After a few hours of research on google maps, this is what I have come up with.

A couple of concerns that I wouldn't mind getting some advice on:

• Burra Road heading north out of Gundagai does not have any street view, but from the close in zoom it appears as though the road is bitumen, and the streetview shows that it is bitumen at the Reno Rd and Muttama Road junctions. Is this road all bitumen and is the condition of this road ok for the XR8?
• Small sections of Rugby Road/Narrawa Road/Boorawa Road around the Lachlan river area appear as dirt roads on streetview, but look like bitumen on the satellite view. I note the streetview is form 2008 and the satellite view is 2019. Anyone able to confirm this road is actually sealed now from Rugby to Crookwell?

I'd appreciate any advice/thoughts/input anyone has on my planned route and how suitable/unsuitable it will be.

Also, I thought others may want to use this thread to seek advice from others on any road trips they had planned or wanted to undertake. Sharing of what we found good or otherwise might just encourage others to get out and about to different locations too.

[roKWiz]

Don't know how direct you want it but maybe Great Alpine Rd over the mountains to Myrtleford from Sale area, to Albury via Beechworth then follow what I suggested to Cheap in reverse missing the dirt sections but old Hume and Olympic. There's still a lot of dirt out the back of Gunning. Crookwell Borowa. I've been caught out too.

[FoxtrotGolfXray 5.0]

Originally Posted by roKWiz

Don't know how direct you want it but maybe Great Alpine Rd over the mountains to Myrtleford from Sale area, to Albury via Beechworth then follow what I suggested to Cheap in reverse missing the dirt sections but old Hume and Olympic. There's still a lot of dirt out the back of Gunning. Crookwell Borowa. I've been caught out too.

Thanks RW. Had thought of your suggestion but as I've traveled the Great Alpine Road before, I thought I'd see if I could come up with a different path. Will keep that in mind though if I can't come up with other suitable alternatives.

[roKWiz]

There's a lot of dirt to the East of it otherwise, maybe via Batemans bay over Clyde Mtn through Braidwood, Canberra. There was a newly hot mixed road running down from Bungonia down to the South coast somewhere.

[snap0964]

You might be referring to Main Rd 92 ?
https://www.shoalhaven.com/blog/road...ing-main-rd-92
AFAIK it is sealed all the way through now - I went through there in 2010 and there was a few km of dirt.
There are two entries, through Tarago, and a turn off on the Kings Hwy via Braidwood.
It brings you out near HMAS Albatross, and you can either get on the Princes Hwy over Nowra Hill, or go into Nowra itself.

[roKWiz]

Originally Posted by snap0964

You might be referring to Main Rd 92 ?
https://www.shoalhaven.com/blog/road...ing-main-rd-92
AFAIK it is sealed all the way through now - I went through there in 2010 and there was a few km of dirt.
There are two entries, through Tarago, and a turn off on the Kings Hwy via Braidwood.
It brings you out near HMAS Albatross, and you can either get on the Princes Hwy over Nowra Hill, or go into Nowra itself.

Yeah, that's its but might be backtracking from Nowra, maybe the Tarago one from Braidwood (Warri locality) pick up Lake Bathurst road to Goulburn.

[hayseed]

Originally Posted by psychobimbo

Anyone able to confirm this road is actually sealed now from Rugby to Crookwell?[/LIST]

Yep It's all sealed from Boorowa to Crookwell..

[Citroënbender]

From memory the back way through Rye Park, wasn't some years ago.

All this meandering adds heaps of time to the trip, is that adequately provisioned for?

[Craig@AUDI]

Originally Posted by psychobimbo

I'm likely to be heading up to Newcastle in November to visit a mate and go to the Supercars.

Suggestions eh?

Newcastle eh?

Flanno, uggies and blue singlet top!

[Citroënbender]

Trousers too.

[Craig@AUDI]

Originally Posted by Citroënbender

Trousers too.

Purely optional at Necknock and Nurri Nurri RSL

(*OP will fit right in!*)

:lo

[FoxtrotGolfXray 5.0]

Ok, another update. I'm heading up to Bathurst on Thursday. Threw it into google maps to see which was the best way to go. In 2015 it was through Cann River, Cooma, Canberra, Yass, Boorawra, Cowra, Bathurst.

This time round it's the same to Canberra, but then Sutton, Gunning, Gurrundah, Crookwell, Tuena, Caloola, Bathurst.

Ironically, this intersects the path that I posted at the start of this thread when going to Newcastle.

Anyone travelled the stretch from Canberra to Bathurst, as per above, recently? Will it be ok for the XR8?

[GasoLane]

Originally Posted by psychobimbo

Ok, another update. I'm heading up to Bathurst on Thursday. Threw it into google maps to see which was the best way to go. In 2015 it was through Cann River, Cooma, Canberra, Yass, Boorawra, Cowra, Bathurst.

This time round it's the same to Canberra, but then Sutton, Gunning, Gurrundah, Crookwell, Tuena, Caloola, Bathurst.

Ironically, this intersects the path that I posted at the start of this thread when going to Newcastle.

Anyone travelled the stretch from Canberra to Bathurst, as per above, recently? Will it be ok for the XR8?

If it was me I'd be sticking to the 2015 route.............but I'm a sook and hitting a roo out in the back blocks between Crookwell and Caloola with possibly no phone service would scare me.

Not to mention random banjo players

[Ben73]

Originally Posted by Craig@AUDI

Suggestions eh?

Newcastle eh?

Flanno, uggies and blue singlet top!

Sorry it ain’t 1987 anymore.

[roKWiz]

Originally Posted by Ben73

Sorry it ain’t 1987 anymore.

Not far off from what I saw.

[XR Martin]

Take the Taralga rd at Taralga and then get on the Abercrombie rd to go through Oberon. It's a good route.

Last time I went through Tuena to Bathurst there was 2 or 3 sections of dirt.
That was 5 or 6 years ago though.

[hayseed]

Originally Posted by XR Martin

Take the Taralga rd at Taralga and then get on the Abercrombie rd to go through Oberon. It's a good route.

Last time I went through Tuena to Bathurst there was 2 or 3 sections of dirt.
That was 5 or 6 years ago though.

^^^^ I'd second this ^^^^

[FoxtrotGolfXray 5.0]

Originally Posted by XR Martin

Take the Taralga rd at Taralga and then get on the Abercrombie rd to go through Oberon. It's a good route.

The Crookwell to Taralga road is what I'm planning to take on my trip to Newcastle in November, so am pretty keen to take a different path this time.

Originally Posted by XR Martin

Last time I went through Tuena to Bathurst there was 2 or 3 sections of dirt.
That was 5 or 6 years ago though

Google maps is showing that the road is now all sealed. Interestingly, if you use streetview on that road, there's sections of dirt, including at the entrance to the Abercrombie caves. However, if you streetview on the entrance road, it shows both roads as being sealed.

Originally Posted by GasoLane

If it was me I'd be sticking to the 2015 route.............but I'm a sook and hitting a roo out in the back blocks between Crookwell and Caloola with possibly no phone service would scare me.

Not to mention random banjo players

I'm heading through in daylight (aiming to get into Bathurst around 6pm), so figured the risk of hitting something would be pretty small? I'm certainly not going to be blasting through these areas on roads that may not be smooth as a billiard table.

Banjo players? Now that's something I hadn't catered for. Living in these parts, I think I should be pretty accustomed to getting my way out of a pickle

[FoxtrotGolfXray 5.0]

In nimmatabel for lunch. Great trip so far. Really enjoyed the 'spirited' driving I was afforded without the family, heading north along the cann valley out of cann River. And I had the road to myself which made it much better.

Next stop, Canberra for fuel.

[GasoLane]

Originally Posted by psychobimbo

In nimmatabel for lunch. Great trip so far. Really enjoyed the 'spirited' driving I was afforded without the family, heading north along the cann valley out of cann River. And I had the road to myself which made it much better.

Next stop, Canberra for fuel.

If your'e buying fuel in the ACT be prepared to use all your credit cards

[roKWiz]

Originally Posted by GasoLane

If your'e buying fuel in the ACT be prepared to use all your credit cards

Thursday afternoon, by the time he gets there, everyone will have left for their long weekends and everything will be closed.

[hayseed]

Originally Posted by psychobimbo

In nimmatabel for lunch. Great trip so far. Really enjoyed the 'spirited' driving I was afforded without the family, heading north along the cann valley out of cann River. And I had the road to myself which made it much better.

Next stop, Canberra for fuel.

The Bakery at Nimmatebel has a Great reputation... (The Pub's not bad either)
Cheapest place to Buy Fuel in Canberra is At the Costco at the Airport (provided you're Member that is)

[FoxtrotGolfXray 5.0]

Checked on the woollies fuel app and 95 at Canberra Airport servo was cheaper than either home or coona. Bathurst is a little cheaper tho.

[roKWiz]

Originally Posted by psychobimbo

Checked on the woollies fuel app and 95 at Canberra Airport servo was cheaper than either home or coona. Bathurst is a little cheaper tho.

Your taking the Sutton, Gundaroo, (to Gunning) exit right ?

[XR Martin]

The other week same day.
Canberra 1.50
Albury 1.35
Melbourne 1.65

[FoxtrotGolfXray 5.0]

Decided to resurrect an old thread instead of creating a new one.

So, a quick background update:

• I never ended up going to Newcastle. Original plan to go for Supercars got thwarted by waking up one day with no hearing in my right ear. As a result of the sudden loss of hearing, I ended up being rather dizzy and not in a position to drive anywhere. After a prolonged period of getting this looked into, I have lost all hearing in my right ear, most likely permanently.
• Was planning to head up to visit my mate in Newcastle in March. Of course, covid got in the way, and that never eventuated either.
• Next plan was to head up there in July. Again thwarted by covid.
• Caught up with another mate/work colleague a couple of weeks back to find him taking a week off with some mates and going on a holiday through country Vic
• Got me thinking that I need a break, too. Country Vic holiday seemed like a good idea, especially as I haven't really explored western Vic much. Ran the idea past the daughter that on the week I have her over the upcoming school holidays, we'll throw the bikes and a bag of clothes each into the back of the ute and head off for the week.No real plan, just see where we end up.
• That plan is most likely going to be thwarted by covid again

However, once the restrictions are lifted, I think I'll head off, even if it is just by myself. So, I'm after some ideas of good drives and/or places to visit in western Vic.

Accommodation is flexible, but no camping. Hotel/motel/cabin/b&b all good. Just want some nice places to visit.

Grampians would be good as I've never been there before. I've heard the Little Desert is worth a visit, too?

Happy for any suggestions.

[FoxtrotGolfXray 5.0]

Reviving an old thread here as I'm about to attempt to make the trip that I posted in the OP, altho I have altered it slightly to head to the west of Lake Hume rather than to the east. I think I'll also stop overnight in Harden rather than Gundagai, as it is probs a bit more convenient for me.

Last October I headed back home from Bathurst along the Abercombe Rd / Taralga Road and the road was in shocking condition, especially south of the Abercombe River. It was bad enough in the ute; there's no way I'd consider taking the XR8 along that road in that condition.

Anyone travelled along any of the roads on this route recently and able to provide some feedback on road conditions? Has there been substantial work on the roads network in NSW snice the floods last year?

[GasoLane]

Originally Posted by FoxtrotGolfXray 5.0

Reviving an old thread here as I'm about to attempt to make the trip that I posted in the OP, altho I have altered it slightly to head to the west of Lake Hume rather than to the east. I think I'll also stop overnight in Harden rather than Gundagai, as it is probs a bit more convenient for me.

Last October I headed back home from Bathurst along the Abercombe Rd / Taralga Road and the road was in shocking condition, especially south of the Abercombe River. It was bad enough in the ute; there's no way I'd consider taking the XR8 along that road in that condition.

Anyone travelled along any of the roads on this route recently and able to provide some feedback on road conditions? Has there been substantial work on the roads network in NSW snice the floods last year?

Seeing as you're taking mostly back roads I'd say that they wouldn't be any better (they're not around here anyway)

Most councils will be spending their money on main roads, little used ones are at the bottom of the repair list to get money spent on.

[stock1991]

Take the main highways, you can cruise comfortably at top speed, and if you want to detour for a scenic route you can always rejoin the highway after. Seeing as you are concerned about damage to your car. I took a trip adelaide to alice couple of years ago. It was brutal hitting cattle grids at 110km, in a 30-year-old car. Fortunately, no harm done but I wouldn't have taken the route if I had known the beating it would take.

[FoxtrotGolfXray 5.0]

Originally Posted by GasoLane

Seeing as you're taking mostly back roads I'd say that they wouldn't be any better (they're not around here anyway)

Most councils will be spending their money on main roads, little used ones are at the bottom of the repair list to get money spent on.

Thanks Gaso. I wasn't sure if it might be the other way around, ie because those roads have less traffic, there'd be less potholes (which are primarily caused by the amount of traffic). As you say tho, once formed, the chances of repair on a back road would be less.

As an example, I travelled along the Snowy River Way (not even categorised) from just north of Bombala through to Dalgety, then the Dalgety Road through to Berridale and then on the Kosciuszko Road through to Jindabyne on our trip last weekend. Whilst there were numerous potholes along the Snowy River Way, I'd happily traverse that in the XR8 with the current conditions as the holes weren't that aplenty and those that were there were easily avoidable.

Conversely, the Monaro Highway (a B designated road) was appalling, especially on the Vicco side. I'd be concerned about driving the XR8 along there in the current state.

And, on my trip to Bathurst last year, I went up via Canberra, Gundaroo, Gunning, Turena, etc. The WORST part of that trip, road condition wise, was the section from Sutton to Gundaroo. There was literally more potholes than bitumen on that stretch. When I got to Gundaroo, it was obvious why; all of the Canberra-ites were heading up there for day trips. The place was packed! Traffic volume clearly played a part in the road conditions there!

I was hoping that someone on here may have travelled the roads recently and would be able to give me an actual condition report.

I'm pretty comfortable that the drive through to the Vic/NSW border should be ok as well as from Oberon through to Gosford, but am most concerned about the trip Jingellic/Tumbarumba/Tumut/Gundagai/Harden/Boorowa/Taralga/Oberon. If anyone has any recent condition reports, that would be greatly appreciated.

Looking at the map, I have numerous exit strategies available to me. For the lower section of road in NSW, I can bail out and head north to the Hume. For the area around Crookwell, I can either head south and join the Hume, or traverse across to the road heading north through Tuena (which was fine to drive last October) and head on into Bathurst and then east towards Sydney from there.

Originally Posted by stock1991

Take the main highways, you can cruise comfortably at top speed, and if you want to detour for a scenic route you can always rejoin the highway after. Seeing as you are concerned about damage to your car. I took a trip adelaide to alice couple of years ago. It was brutal hitting cattle grids at 110km, in a 30-year-old car. Fortunately, no harm done but I wouldn't have taken the route if I had known the beating it would take.

Yeah, but there's no fun in that. I've been planning this trip for about four years now, so am pretty keen to get onto some roads, and into areas, I've never been before. I have no real time pressures, so am happy to meander a bit rather than go straight-line with side trips.