[ausastronomer (John Bambury)]

Originally Posted by erick

By the way, Google Maps wants me to go up the "Great North Road", through Central Mangrove, Kulnara, Bucketty, Laguna, Wollombi, Paynes Crossing, Broke and onto the Golden Hwy at Mt Thorley. Looks OK on Google Street View. Any experience anyone wants to share?

Originally Posted by gary

Hi Eric,

That's exactly the way I go. And in chatting to many AAO staff such as Fred
Watson, that is the way a lot of them tend to go.

However, be advised that the section from Wollombi to Broke is at times narrow and winding. There are a few one lane bridges they have been upgrading and they have been widening the road in some other sections and possibly by the time you go up they may have sealed the last remaining 100m of unsealed road just north of Wollombi. Personally, I like the stretch from Central Mangrove to Broke as it is scenic, quiet and makes you feel as if you have finally left the chaos of Sydney.

But because it is winding particularly in the locality of Wollombi, it is not
everyone's cup of tea. You will have the trailer so just watch for vehicles
coming the other way around some blind corners where the road is narrower.

This way is the shortest in distance but it is not the fastest, in terms of time. It is a more scenic drive than the other route, but, as Gary mentions a couple of one lane bridges and very twisty and windy in parts. The scenic part is not a major part of the trip either. This is the route Mal Leyland would take each and every time, not me.

Originally Posted by gary

Hi Eric,

Alternatively you can stick on the F3 and turn off to Cessnock at Freemans Waterhole, track via Branxton to the Golden Hwy and then onto Mount Thorley. It is longer but it is all freeway and highway.

This is the way I go and whilst it's a little longer distance wise, I think it is probably 20 mins quicker time wise; and a lot flatter, smoother, less windy and most importantly SAFER. Going this way I do Coona in about 4 hrs and 10 mins from Bateau Bay on the Central Coast.

Originally Posted by gary

If you have SatNav in the car, watch that it does not want to take you via what appears to be a short cut through Cassilis. Instead, stay on the bitumen just for a few more k's and then take the signposted right turn to Coolah into Vinegaroy Road.

In addition to this some Sat Navs will try to take you all the way to Dunedoo and then up the Newell Hwy and in to Coona. The one in my Kluger does and the one in my Lexus before that did as well. As Gary mentioned take the Coolah exit which is about 5 kms past the exit to Cassilis (Cassilis Road). Do not follow your Sat Nav and go all the way in to Dunedoo and then up the Newell Hwy. This adds about 40km and 30 mins to the trip.

Cheers,
John B