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) . . .
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)
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.
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.
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)
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.
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
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
I hope the floods recede by Saturday so she can use the Newell.
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
+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
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?
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.
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
Quote:
Originally Posted by 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?
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
So does this mean you've got a reason to head up to astrofest later in the year ?
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.
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 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!
and she sms messaged me tonight with Video of the massive storm they are in, and their street is flooded
All I could say back was: Welcome to Queensland
Her first day in QLD and their street is flooded
But the good news is that they made it safely. She said it was tiring, and a loooong way (do'oh).
Yes, thanks Eric, we are trying to keep an eye on what Hwy's are open and which are shut.
), then onto Pennant Hills/Thornleigh for the night... 
but I was partially relieved that they were spreading the trip over 4 days.
