Travel directions please, VIC to QLD

[ballaratdragons]

My daughter has to drive to Mooloolaba in QLD from Ballarat here in Victoria.

Which would be the easiest/best way to go?
She is an inexperienced long distance driver.

Inland on the Newell Hwy up through Echuca, Deniliquen, Parkes, Dubbo, Goondawindi, Toowoomba, Ipswich, Brisbane, Mooloolaba


Newell Hwy/National Hwy through Melbourne, Seymour, Albury, Wagga, Temora, Forbes, then Parkes, Dubbo etc as above

Pacific Hwy via Melbourne, Seymour, Albury, Goulburn, Yass, Sydney, Coffs Harbour, Tweed Heads, Brisbane, Mooloolaba

Any help appreciated, thanks :)

[Octane]

My guess is the inland routes would be safest for her.

The Pacific is notorious. Particularly, if she's inexperienced.

Does she have an iPhone or even Android phone? Get her to install Trapster so you can track her trip in real time online.

H

[mill]

Never thru Melbourne Ken, the city is not good for a inexperienced driver.
Inland might take longer but is better :)

[ballaratdragons]

Thanks H and Marty :thumbsup:

[barx1963]

Only go the Pacific if you REALLY need to go that way. Some nice spots but parts of the road north of Newcastle are really dangerous. We have done both routes in both directions in the past few years and the Newell is the way to go, safer and quicker.

Malcolm

[Shark Bait]

Even though it is longer in distance, I prefer the inland option as well. Travelled to the MotoGP at Phillip Island twice via motorcycle from Brisbane. I have used both coast and inland routes. I would rather deal with the odd kangaroo that the city drivers.

[barx1963]

Yeah, Sydney is also a big issue. Takjes all day to get there and then have to negotiate tired would not be a good idea for an inexperienced driver.

[dannat]

Having travelled the Newell when I lived in wagga & visited relatives in Brisbane it's as boring as crap but the quickest..keep in mind if she is scared of big trucks road trains being all over her this isn't the best route, Kangas a around in the evening also.

To break it up I would either go Newell to Dubbo then head off to gunnedah thru tam worth armidale to Warwick (this 5 hr stretch is bait more interesting )

Or take the ballarat to western ring rd take the Hume to wagga, then turn off to temora etc then continue up the Newell the inland way

How many days will she plan on driving & where does she plan on stopping (we used to do the wagga/bris run in a day butits a damn long day)

Ons econd droughts just save money & fly..with petrol prices its cheaper to fly

[Erg]

Internet, failing that a map?? Out on a limb I know.

Erg

[Forgey]

I would take Albury, Wagga, Temora, Forbes, then Parkes, Dubbo etc as above me and hubby drove that way and i think by memory we stopped at Narrabri over night.
Then same route on the way back but be stopped at Parkes overnight and saw the dish all lit up !

[blindman]

As inexperienced I would take plane!
Cheers Nev

[thunderchildobs]

Rather than going Toowoomba, Ipswich, Brisbane.
Think about just before Ipswich, go Esk, Kilcoy, Caboolture, then north.
It will miss all the ipswich, brisbane traffic. Not sure on times and distance though.

Brendan

[mithrandir]

I'd probably go via Bendigo, Deniliquin, Forbes, Dubbo, Narrabri, and Toowoomba, but with the flood situation around places like Lockhart and Forbes at the moment, Bendigo, Sheparton, West Wyalong, Cowra, Dubbo, Gunnedah, Tamworth and up the New England might be better.

Either way she'll have a lot of trucks sharing the road.

[AstralTraveller]

When is she going? It's a tad wet out west at the moment. The Hay Plains are now the Hay Lakes - never heard so many frogs. Yesterday morning we were stopped at Darlington Point and told that to get to Wollongong we would have to go via either Albury or Bathurst (we chose the former). The situation in the Riverina will only get worse later this week. At Gundagai the Murrumbidgee is a sheet of water kms wide. So, if she is traveling soon she may have very limited options.

[Robert9]

Ken,

That's a long way in anybodies language, inexperienced or experienced driver. Not to be taken lightly. Your daughter should really think carefully about this. Does she really have to drive? The flood situation is only going to add to the difficulty whichever route is taken as traffic will be diverted.

Robert

[taminga16]

Hi Ken,
If your daughter is staying in QLD might I suggest that you investigate rail freighting her car (you may be suprised at the cost) and purchasing a cheap air fare.
Greg.

[acropolite]

Ken, I've travelled both the Newell and Pacific.

As H pointed out, the Pacific highway is notorious, and after dark, is a truckers racetrack, particularly north of Sydney. I've travelled the Pacific highway en route to Astrofest many times, the kindest words I could use to describe the truck drivers is reckless, discourteous and dangerous. I found the traffic on the Newell highway to be slower and quite sparse in comparison, the trucks I did enounter were travelling slower and were more mindful of other road users.

[Screwdriverone]

Hi Ken,

Ive done the Melbourne - Sydney run too many times as well as the Sydney Brisbane run and I would avoid the Pacific Hwy north of Hexham (where the F3 ends)

Depending on when she is leaving and the flood situation, I would recommend avoiding the western side of the ranges due to the risk of getting stuck....

Basically, A300 to Benalla, onto the Hume, follow that to Sydney, get onto the M7 (toll road- but you can pay over the phone if she has no tag), joins M2 (toll also), exit at pennant hills road, stay at motel that night (Formule 1 at thornleigh or another motel in Hornsby). Head north next day via F3 ALL the way to the end. Head towards Brisbane via the New England Highway to Toowoomba and head via North West of Brisbane as shown on the attached map.

Hume Highway is the safest and quickest way from Melbourne to Sydney and the M7/M2 bypass of Sydney is quite quick and well worth it, you wont get too much traffic.

This takes about 8-9 hours with stops at Albury & Goulburn as a suggestion to get to Sydney, so this is a good place to stop for the night. Heading north the next morning from Pennant Hills Road avoids a LOT of peak hour traffic and you are basically out of Sydney proper in 10-15 mins in the morning.

Go via New England Hwy as its a safer road, but not sure of the best places to stop for revive-survive as I normally use the Pacific Hwy.

Hope this helps, its longer, but I would say its easier, less chance of flood blockages and much much better for less experienced drivers, although she should always keep alert. Stops at Maccas are always easier and a good place for rest stops, coffee and a walk around.

Im not sure of the Toowoomba - Mooloolaba section, i just pushed it around Brisbane proper to avoid the traffic.

Hope this helps. I've linked the google maps directions I made in the picture below

Cheers

Chris

http://maps.google.com.au/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=Ballarat,+Victoria&daddr=-37.17425,144.14654+to:-36.4608,144.82874+to:-36.40892,145.25921+to:-36.38817,145.43121+to:-36.42298,145.73126+to:-36.54075,145.98211+to:-36.25292,146.42291+to:-34.41583,150.49617+to:-32.81655,151.63562+to:-31.64738,150.726+to:-30.61526,151.53423+to:-26.88293,151.89834+to:-26.93016,152.70152+to:Mooloolaba,+Q ueensland&geocode=FQXZwv0dFRKTCCnxp6ff9UTRajE lyL5LMcF6UQ%3BFRbEyP0dbICXCCnvDy-oiyvXajEhF-4OpHkFEw%3BFQCn0_0dROmhCCkfRk_BHE3Y ajHgv0IOpHkFEw%3BFahx1P0dynqoCCnf0I P83InYajHQ1_UOpHkFEw%3BFbbC1P0dqhqr CCkhLku9w4PYajFQD_YOpHkFEw%3BFbw61P 0dvK6vCCnTN1iM2HEnazHwkPUOpHkFEw%3B FbJu0v0dnoKzCCnTbNboqg8nazExgyQOpHk FEw%3BFQjT1v0dfjy6CCmf7zJ0eM4mazEgy lkOpHkFEw%3BFSrb8v0dqmP4CCkB8w1Wn6Y TazHgyW63VnYhcA%3BFVpCC_4dpMYJCSmTB K3k60BzazHQsrDnZ30BEw%3BFWwZHf4dcOX 7CCkbf67e9gILazEBJctytAkGEw%3BFSTZL P4dljoICSkV2ssrwZqfazFR4epytAkGEw%3 BFY7MZf4d5MgNCSnN_UAmV8-VazGwlwh58e4AEw%3BFRAUZf4dUAoaCSmxt cpxGnOUazFgTbTMWqMCEw%3BFZLtaP4do2I gCSlzXY5DCZ6TazEArN7zWqMCBQ&sll=-32.10119,149.018555&sspn=19.670685,28.081055&vpsrc=0&hl=en&mra=ls&via=1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13&ie=UTF8&ll=-32.138409,148.491211&spn=19.662821,28.081055&t=m&z=5&layer=c&ei=B6NUT7yQO8fZkAXVov24Dg&pw=2

[ballaratdragons]

Thanks all.

As far as flying up and where she will be staying?
She is moving there and taking her car with her, and already has a house to move into.

As to 'when'?
This coming Saturday.

Considering putting the car on a train?
Good suggestion, except that everything she owns will be in her car. She wants her belongings with her.

How long for the trip?
She is happy to spend 3 days driving up.

Internet or map?
We checked the maps. I was hoping to get answers from those that have done the trip and can suggest which way is better, not how to get there. I have only used the Hume, and can't tell her what the other ways are like.

Thanks to everyone's replies it certainly sounds like she would be safer using the Newell and Brendans suggestion of turning off just before Ipswich, and going via Esk and Kilcoy sounds good, but then head through Beerwah and Landsborough maybe.

[erick]

The Newell, Ken, no question. I've done the Melbourne Bundaberg run several times and love that route. But, at the moment I'm not sure it is open, given the flooding.

[erick]

And she can stop in at the Dish - I know she wants to!

[ballaratdragons]

Hi Chris,
I don't know how you got Google maps to show that way (New England Hwy) as I can only get Google Maps to show 3 ways (see attachment) :shrug:

[ballaratdragons]

:sadeyes: Yes, thanks Eric, we are trying to keep an eye on what Hwy's are open and which are shut.

The floods could change the decision of which route by Saturday. :question:

[Screwdriverone]

Hey Ken,

Zoom into the section you want to change and then DRAG the blue line to the road you want, it gets a little snooty sometimes, but if you persist, it will move after refresh.

You need to select say the Pacific Hwy route first, then modify it.

Cheers

Chris

[ballaratdragons]

Thanks Chris.

I have just done a State by State 'Flood Road Closure' check and the only way through at the moment is by Hume Hwy (31) to Sydney (and somehow find the way through Sydney) then follow Hwy 1 up to Mooloolaba :sadeyes:

I hope the floods recede by Saturday so she can use the Newell.

here is a Map of the closed Hwy's.

[glenc]

The shortest way is 1842 km via Parks and it avoids Sydney.
She might want to avoid Melbourne and Brisbane too.
http://binged.it/yRI7ff
or http://binged.it/AFcQQt

[Cloudyagain]

Hi Ken,

When we used to take the kids to the Sunshine Coast from Bendigo we always went the Newell. 2 long days or 3 less long days. Usually stayed in Dubbo, then sometimes stayed in Goondawindi, other times continued on. From Goondawindi we have been the back way through Esk etc but you need to keep consulting the map. Have also gone through Ipswich and onto the freeway all the way through Brisbane. That was very easy and you end up on the Bruce Highway. Tollway in Brisbane though.

Pity about the floods, can she put it off a few days, could come to the camp and go after that :P

Neale.

[mishku]

Hi Ken,

+1 for Neale's suggestion, including places to stop.

When I was a kid, I grew up on the Gold Coast and we drove down to Melbourne for holidays each Christmas. We'd always go the inland route, stopping at Dubbo or Gilgandra overnight, and would go inland to Warwick rather than following the Coast roads in Qld. Was a reliable 2 day journey with two drivers.

Any chance a friend could go with her and fly back down? Hope she has a safe trip

Mich :)

[mishku]

Hi Ken,

Re-reading the thread - a big +1 for getting someone else who loves a road trip to head up with her (to allow for breaks and company) and paying for a flight to send them home again. What about a bit of father-daughter bonding and a tropical holiday? :)

[Screwdriverone]

Hey Ken,

Hmmm, thats why I suggested the Hume to Sydney, onto the M7 (EASY to get to as its basically at the end of the Hume Freeway on the left 3 lanes) then via M2 (M7 BECOMES the M2), Pennant Hills Road and F3 to New England Hwy. She wont have to go ANYWHERE near Sydney CBD or heavyish traffic if she is travelling outside of peak.

New England seems open except for some local diversions around Tamworth.....

The New England Highway remains open to the Queensland Border.
Alternating traffic conditions are in place due to flooding at Kootingal (east of Tamworth) on the New England Highway due to flooding. Traffic can pass at this location, but delays will be experienced.

Newell is a mine field as you suggested by the flood maps, for best roads/travel times, follow the A300, Hume, M7, M2, F3, New England.....DONE. :)

As I said, the trip is longer this way, but avoids a lot of the well defined issues of the Pacific Hwy and she should get a good run, just take breaks every 2-3 hours for 15 mins at least.

Suggested stop points:

Albury, Yass, Goulburn (or the twin Shell Maccas Servos north of Goulburn at Sutton Forest - 10 mins past) - there is a very nice and quaint winery off the West side Service station road at Sutton Forest - right next door to the servo, lovely Italian couple who have some beautiful wines (ask them for some limoncello -mmmmm - you might get a bottle thrown in!!) - worth a stop if she likes her wine (or you do Ken! ;) ), then onto Pennant Hills/Thornleigh for the night...

Next day, stop at Scone (for some Scones, Obviously!), Armidale and then Toowoomba, before the last run around the NE of Brisbane.

Should be a nice trip....lots of lovely towns to stop at for a break, even if they arent scheduled... better to enjoy the trip and see the sights than push through and hate the drive.

Cheers

Chris

[ballaratdragons]

Thanks Glen, they are the ways she really needs to go, but as my map shows, the highways are cut by floods and it was just on the news that is is about to get even worse.
The waters are now rising not receding :sadeyes:




That is what we have been considering, Mish.

Have to check on a lot of things first.

[ballaratdragons]

I have made the offer to drive her car up there with her, and fly back.

Then she informs me that she might have someone else also willing to do it.

Either way it's better than her driving all that way as an inexperience driver. :thumbsup:

[Screwdriverone]

Did you decide on the route Ken? I still think its a winner to go the Hume/New England combo....

My notes on the original post should work....

Cheers

Chris

[GrahamL]

A friend has travelled the pacific between ballina and sydney up to a dozen or more times and year for the last 10 years and dosn't mind it.

Never changes his driving habits either ,always travels this bit of road through the day 8.00 to 5.00 never at night or early mornings,never at holiday times its just not up to coping with the volume of traffic .

I thinks his logic makes a lot of sense , most all the southbound overnight transport leaving brisbane hits the north coast just on dark,
most all the northbound overnighters pass through just on dawn.

I hope your daughter finds her new life all she hopes for Ken :thumbsup:
So does this mean you've got a reason to head up to astrofest later in the year ?

[mishku]

Oh Ken, I'm glad. Better that than you guys enduring three days of worrying :)

[ballaratdragons]

Yes Chris, it sounds the best way considering the floods, thanks ;)



Yes, it is a good step forward for her. New Job, renting a beautiful House about 80m from the beach, Uni next year.

And no Graham, I won't be able to make it up. The pension doesn't allow for such luxuries :sadeyes:

[ballaratdragons]

All the travel plans have been postponed for one week to see if the waters recede and the Newell Hwy is re-opened.
Not looking good at the moment as they evacuate even more towns tonight.

[ballaratdragons]

Well, I offered to drive, but my daughter and her friend Cassie (each in their own cars) decided they could make the drive themselves and take it slow over 4 days now that the Newell Hwy is re-opened.

You can imagine my fear. Jess only passed her driving test 2 weeks ago :help: but I was partially relieved that they were spreading the trip over 4 days.

Well, they left Ballarat on Tuesday morning. . .





and arrived at Mooloolaba on Wednesday afternoon! :eyepop:

and she sms messaged me tonight with Video of the massive storm they are in, and their street is flooded :lol:

All I could say back was: Welcome to Queensland :rofl:
Her first day in QLD and their street is flooded :lol:

But the good news is that they made it safely. She said it was tiring, and a loooong way (do'oh).

[erick]

Well done to the Ladies! It is one of Australia's nice drives, in my view.