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