Need some road help by some Victorians..please...

[Astroman]

I need some help from those of you that know a little about the road system there...

In March I am planning a trip around your wonderful state, unfortunately, your freeway system and tolls are having me scratch my head... So here is my itinerary for the trip..

I'll be leaving Adelaide probably sometime on Wednesday making my way to about Ballarat/Snake Valley, pitching a tent and staying overnight, then on the Thursday early morning, I plan to drive from Ballarat to Hastings, on the Mornington Peninsula. As I understand it, this will require me to get a citilink toll or something? I am staying overnight in Hastings then onto Avalon on Friday. Then continue the rest of my trip... Since I am only going to need the toll for the trip in the morning of Thursday and morning Friday, would I be better off (as I am not 100% sure on timing) to get 2 x 24hr passes or risk the single 24hr pass? Or are there other options? I'd prefer no tolls, but that makes the trip longer I thing?

Anyway help from vics that use the roads would be great...

[leon]

Andrew, just drive on mate and forget about the tolls, if you go through a toll road as such, just note down when you went through, and where it was, then ring up when you get home, and pay over the phone, you have three days to pay.

We do it all the time, even going through Sydney.

Either that, or get a pass before you leave if you know which tolls you will be passing through.

Leon

[erick]

Andrew, how about we work through your options at Snake Valley. You can get everywhere you want to go without having to incur tolls. And I don't think it will add unreasonably to your travel times. In fact, knowing the (tolled) Monash Freeway's history - you may well get there sooner since it regularly gets all jammed up!

Even if you do end up on the Tollway, you get three days to make a simple phone call and pay the incurred toll over the phone.

[CarlJoseph]

Sounds like a great trip Astroman. You'll be racking up the kms there too. :)

Ballarat to Hastings
You'll pass through both CityLink and the EastLink tollways so will need a pass for both of these.

Hastings to Avalon
You will need the same again although will only use part of the CityLink.

What to purchase
Now, you could purchase individual passes from each company. Say for example a 24 hour pass from each. Then, if you think you're going to miss the 24 hour deadline you can call up whilst you're on the go and purchase another pass. As mentioned above, you have a few days after your travel to pay for it.

It may be easier to get what's called a "Melbourne Pass" from here: http://www.citylink.com.au/1526.jsp

You can use the Melbourne Pass at anytime within a 30 day period. You basically put some "credit" on the account and they debit it as you pass each toll point automagically. As for how much it will cost you, I'm not 100% sure. Something like $10 - $15 might be enough, but I can check more accurate figures if you like.


NOW ... let me know when you come down to the Mornington Peninsula. I live down here so if the weather is good and you want to do some star watching, I'm happy to show you about the locals sights. :)

Cheers,
Af.

[ballaratdragons]

The times I have used Citylink they send me a bill for the Toll amount in the mail about a month later.
I just pay it then :P

It says if I don't pay within 14 days there is an extra fee.

Probably not a good habit.

[Astroman]

Thanks guys, great help, didn't realise I'll be travelling on both the citylink and Eastlink sections. Erick, this is a week before the camp, and I am trying to pay everything soon so I can just drive through, I didn't realise you had tolls till yesterday, wonder who's pocket they line. :D

Carl, great info mate, thanks for that, really appreciate it. Unfortunately, I will only be over on the Peninsula for one night and this is to see my sister, that I haven't seen in about 6yrs so unfortunately no star gazing for me :D

Ken, yeah I was thinking that, then didn't really want to pay the extra fine later on. Don't want to give Vic too much of my money while I am there... They would probably charge extra because I am South Aussie :D

Again thanks for all the great info, will check out the Melb pass, sounds like the way to go.

OR can someone tell me a way to do it, without using the tolls? I looked on whereis.com and it connects to the monash freeway, is this free to use?

[erick]

Will you be using a GPS unit?

Let me suggest a route for you that avoids the toll roads. I'll look it up and let you know.

When do you plan to travel through Melbourne? Travelling the Westgate freeway and crossing the Westgate bridge any time from 6am to about 10am weekdays is pretty agonising. If you are packing up and leaving Ballarat area around sunrise you'll hit it at its ugliest! If you could be travelling through the Westgate Bridge area around 11am each day, that would be better. Toll roads or not make no difference to this question.

Eric

[ballaratdragons]

Andrew, you won't be able to take the usual route from Beaufort across to Snake Valley.

Our recent flood took out 3 bridges on that road and it is closed permanently (or as they say: for most of this year).
I don't know why the slow fix-up as it is a main road.

[acropolite]

Andrew, I suggest that you set up a go via account and put some funds in it, then specify your vehicle rego and the money is automatically deducted. The go via account is useable all over Australia, I put $25 in an account a couple of years ago and have been using it ever since. https://www.govia.com.au/via/home/

[Jen]

:eyepop::eyepop: how is jen going to get there without geting lost AGAIN :rolleyes:

[erick]

Go to Google Maps. Ask it to plot a route from Melton, Victoria to Hastings, Victoria. Open the "Options" box and tick "Avoid Tolls" and there is your route. On the return you basically do the reverse, but turn left to Geelong at the end of the Westgate Freeway.

[Astroman]

Okay might set up a Melbourne pass, that way I can go on them whenever. Any idea roughly how much it costs per trip on the toll roads?

[erick]

Andrew, with a pass, it is a flat rate per day or per weekend. Looks like $13.15 for a weekday (or for a weekend)

Check here:-

https://www.citylink.com.au/pages/secure/PassPurchase/index.jsf

For those of us using tags, one continuous trip through all of Citylink is $6.86. One trip through just the part between the Westgate Fwy and Monash Fwy is $5.93.

[gman]

Use the Princes Hwy instead of the Monash - get to see some of Melbourne scenery along the way.
There are no tolls on the East side of Toorak Rd.
You only get to see concrete and wood walls along the Monash.

[Exfso]

Hey Ken re your comment about the road from Beaufort being out, what is the best way to go then???

[Paddy]

Just my preference for avoiding Melbourne roads altogether - if I go to the Mornington Peninsula, I go to Queenscliff via Geelong and use the car ferry. It is a beautiful and relaxing trip - heaps better than slogging on choked freeways and other roads. More expensive, but you get to see a beautiful part of the Bay.

[Astroman]

Thought about that Patrick, but since I am only on one wage and have limited funds for this trip, I would prefer to keep the costs down, but it was an option at the beginning, would have been nice and relaxing too..

[ballaratdragons]

Have to let you all know in a few days when I try use the road myself.

I want to see if it is open yet. :thumbsup:

[Astroman]

Well I ordered the Melbourne Pass, which should cover me for any tolls around Melbourne, in the inevitable case I will get lost :D

[GrampianStars]

Went past the Beaufort/Carngham Rd. at the Western Highway end Sat morning........
There is NO sign saying the road is closed... :question: