Route Advice: Syd - QLD

[DBourne]

Hey all,

Quick question, in June I am planning to go from Sydney to Mooloolaba.

I have had a quick look @ the route options and there are two main ones to choose from.

Either the Pacific Highway, or the New England Highway

Now, I've done sydney to melbourne many times and don't find it a hassle at all, but I realise how much difference a few hours can make, plus I highly doubt either road is as good as the Hume, so am looking for some advice as to which one to go for.

Thanks in advance for your responses.

[JC]

Either is good, but I find the Pacific Hwy crap at "popular" times of the year. No doubt there are roadworks on either route - last time I went to Brisbane, I went up the inland route, and back via the Pacific. Time difference was 30 mins, but that may have been due on the way home we had to go "through" Sydney, and it takes extra time to avoid all the pot holes. Total time was something like 14hrs 15 one way and 14 hrs 45 the other. From Sydney, you should be able to do it in 10.5 (to Brisbane) either way.

[mrfordfairmont]

well it 1,080 km – about 14 hours 22 mins via the new England hwy or 1,028 km – about 13 hours 28 mins but it depends exactly where you are starting from but i went from brisbane to canberra via sydney and we went the pacific hwy and it is good road since the did the upgrade at tugan (they were doing the upgrade when we went down)

times and kms from google maps and it was from sydney cbd to Mooloolaba.

[cjf]

The Pacific Hwy is the best IMO.
I drove down the New England way to Penrith two months ago, and came home up the Pacific Hwy, and the trip home was a far better drive and road was in better condition.

[Airmon]

I went up and down both. If I did it again I'd go the New England, even though it takes longer.
I just thought it was a better drive. My mates thought the same.
The pacific just seemed to tire us out more, bit more traffic, more roadworks.

Go up one and down the other, then next time you'll know which you prefer!

[Busted]

very heavy with H/way patrol up the New England. Very Very heavy.

[DBourne]

Awesome replies so far guys, thank you heaps!!!

I will admit my main reason for thinking new england is that when I last did pacific highway, it was pretty ordinary, so if its been fixed quite well then that might be my choice

And on another note, any QLD folk wanna catch up?

[mrfordfairmont]

that would be a great idea

[Fairlane]

Pacific is the easiest but during the Summer periods or if you are in a fun driving mood, I suggest the F3 to Raymond Terrace, then Bucketts/Thunderbolts Way to Uralla and then then the New England. Good quality roadd plenty of twisty bits and bugger all traffic, passed 5 cars in an hour around Walcha.

I did the trip from Wyong to Maroochydore in 10 hours flat on that route 2 weeks ago.

[cjf]

Originally Posted by Fairlane

Pacific is the easiest but during the Summer periods or if you are in a fun driving mood, I suggest the F3 to Raymond Terrace, then Bucketts/Thunderbolts Way to Uralla and then then the New England. Good quality roadd plenty of twisty bits and bugger all traffic, passed 5 cars in an hour around Walcha.

I did the trip from Wyong to Maroochydore in 10 hours flat on that route 2 weeks ago.

What were you doing 130k ,LOL

[Smoke Pursuit]

Did bris to melbourne a few weeks ago.. 18 hours.. the back way.. I prefer the back way as i know the roads and its really quiet, for the first 500 kms of my trip i passed about 10 cars!! not so good for roos tho when your travelling in an F6 ute with no bullbar :(

[XRFutura]

Originally Posted by Fairlane

Pacific is the easiest but during the Summer periods or if you are in a fun driving mood, I suggest the F3 to Raymond Terrace, then Bucketts/Thunderbolts Way to Uralla and then then the New England. Good quality roadd plenty of twisty bits and bugger all traffic, passed 5 cars in an hour around Walcha.

I did the trip from Wyong to Maroochydore in 10 hours flat on that route 2 weeks ago.

I went that way a few weeks ago, went to stay at warrick, thunderbolt way is nice bit of road. Did the drive from winmalee to warrick in about 10 hours, about 850kms. The great think was the road was totally empty.

[Sam_Boss260]

We did Bris to Syd at Christmas. Going down there from Indooroopillt (West side of Brissy) to Narraweena (Northern beaches) we did 11 and quartre hours door to door. That was a great run, with little traffic or road work disruption.

Coming back he had terrential rain, and got caught in roadworks at Ballina big time. Trip was around 15 hours !!!

Never done the New England, but I liked the Pacific Hwy and would do it again. Once hey finish the Ballina bypass it will be even better. The Tugun bypass up here is awesome !

[Lightning Strike XR6]

I'm off on sat gold coast to melb. Going along the newell.

[Smoke Pursuit]

Originally Posted by Lightning Strike XR6

I'm off on sat gold coast to melb. Going along the newell.

Which way are you going to go?? Back via warwick or are you going to cut thru somehow?

My only advice is if your going to do it in the day leave at 2 am .. ive done the trip a couple of times in the last year, first time i left at 4:30 and got there at 11:30 (stuffed), the last time just last week i left at 3 am and got there at 9 pm, next time ill try and leave betwen 1:30 and 2 am that way you get to the Hume Highway when its still light...

We went down via Wangaratta this time which was quicker then going thru shepparton due to the roads...

Im off again next month to drive back from there to here, I think ill be over it.

[GasoLane]

Originally Posted by bfiipursuit

We went down via Wangaratta this time which was quicker then going thru shepparton due to the roads...

We prefer to say 'Via Wagga'... and yes it is a touch quicker than going via Shep, as Albury to Melb is a 110kmh freeway.

[Linz]

When I go to Tamworth and beyond, I always go New England...maybe not as good a surface as Pacific, but it's not a tiring drive either.
Lots of interesting scenery and historic towns to see along the way too.
You DO need to watch your speed though as there's no shortage of colourful cars on the road

[Mechan1k]

I need to do a trip up there soon ... just no time to do it.
Need to pick up stuff and meet a few forum members as well.

[Linz]

Originally Posted by Mechan1k

I need to do a trip up there soon ... just no time to do it.
Need to pick up stuff and meet a few forum members as well.

Make sure you PM all the "usual suspects" and let us know when you'll be up Simon.
Might have to do a "Harry's Diner" meet.

[Mechan1k]

Don't worry ... I'll let you know prior.

[Full Noise]

Originally Posted by SgtBourne

I have had a quick look @ the route options and there are two main ones to choose from.

So you’re after route information from Brisbane to Sydney?

My advice is if you’re going down the guts (the New England) stay away from the women in Warwick, Stanthorpe, Glen Innes and Armidale.

If you take the Coast Road, be careful of the women around Byron, Ballina, Coffs, Taree, Bulahdelah and Raymond Terrace.

Always use protection, and don’t speed.

[cjf]

Originally Posted by Full Noise

So you’re after route information from Brisbane to Sydney?

My advice is if you’re going down the guts (the New England) stay away from the women in Warwick, Stanthorpe, Glen Innes and Armidale.

If you take the Coast Road, be careful of the women around Byron, Ballina, Coffs, Taree, Bulahdelah and Raymond Terrace.

Always use protection, and don’t speed.

LMFAO this is the best (root) sorry route advice so far.

[GasoLane]

Having seen Full Noise at work in this area, this advice should be written down for future reference by all users.

[DBourne]

hahaha thanks full noise!