Ideas wanted for road trip: Mel to Bris
Jul 30th, 2008, 03:06 AM
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Ideas wanted for road trip: Mel to Bris
In mid August I have to drive from Melbourne to Brisbane via Canberra and Wollongong, a route I have never taken before and probably won't again. Does anyone have any ideas for some stops along the way which may be kind of unusual and not in the usual tour guides? I'm interested in seeing historical villages, love art galleries, love big old barns full of antiques, love good local food and finding great little cafes, local music, and really enjoy spectacular scenery.
I am very familiar with Sydney so will bypass that. Also, having got the brilliant ideas from this forum some time ago for exploring the Hawkesbury River and going on the Postal boat - that I have done and it was wonderful.
Any ideas for stops along the Hume highway and then north of Sydney up to Bris would be much appreciated.
I am very familiar with Sydney so will bypass that. Also, having got the brilliant ideas from this forum some time ago for exploring the Hawkesbury River and going on the Postal boat - that I have done and it was wonderful.
Any ideas for stops along the Hume highway and then north of Sydney up to Bris would be much appreciated.
Jul 30th, 2008, 11:02 PM
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If you don't mind a slight detour, Ballart Art Gallery has a very good collection of Australian art.
Are you going through the Southern Highlands in NSW, if so, Berrima has an antique barn with lots of old kitchen implements, farm gadgets and sewing things. It's near the White House Inn off the main road. Also there's a very good book barn, Berkelows between Berrima and Mittagong on the old hwy.
Berry has a very good bakery, the Sour Dough Bakery, last turn on the right heading north. Also nearby, Minnamurra Falls has a beautiful walk through lush rainforest--lots of ferns.
Another possible detour (depending which way you leave from Melbourne), go to Tumburruma. The Pioneer Women's hut is a really interesting local museum.
Are you going through the Southern Highlands in NSW, if so, Berrima has an antique barn with lots of old kitchen implements, farm gadgets and sewing things. It's near the White House Inn off the main road. Also there's a very good book barn, Berkelows between Berrima and Mittagong on the old hwy.
Berry has a very good bakery, the Sour Dough Bakery, last turn on the right heading north. Also nearby, Minnamurra Falls has a beautiful walk through lush rainforest--lots of ferns.
Another possible detour (depending which way you leave from Melbourne), go to Tumburruma. The Pioneer Women's hut is a really interesting local museum.
Jul 30th, 2008, 11:31 PM
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Hi Jango
Dito the Riverboat postman. Did it last week and really enjoyed it.
My partner and I drove from Sydney to Wagga Wagga just after new year and decided to return the road less travelled.
One road from Tumut to Canberra is very interesting but I'd only recommend if you have a slightly ambivalent attitude towards your car.
We turned off the Hume H'way at Gundagai and drove to Tumut and then followed the signs to Canberra.
This road goes over the Brindabella Ranges and has some lovely scenery.
Although it's an easy road to follow and you won't get lost it is a VERY rough dirt road.
There are signs advising 4X4 only. We have an AWD and we went ahead but limped into Canberra with a big hole in one tyre.
But we loved every minute of it.
We bought four new tyres in Canberra and then drove from Canberra to Nowra over the mountains and through The Morton National Park.
This is also a dirt road but it's a much better road and I'd recommend it to anyone.
We drove from Canberra to Queanbeyan and onto Bungendore and then onto Braidwood (First up we drove north from Bungendore to Tarago and found the road blocked by a fence and had to return to Bungendore).
From Braidwood we drove north to Charleyong and then followed the road to Nowra.
This was a very nice drive.
From Nowra it's just a hop north to Wollongong.
We didn't have time to stop in the towns along the way so I cannot recommend any cafes or historic villages.
Can recommend the National Gallery in Canberra.
Whichever way you go I'd love for you to give us a trip report.
Regards Nevets
Dito the Riverboat postman. Did it last week and really enjoyed it.
My partner and I drove from Sydney to Wagga Wagga just after new year and decided to return the road less travelled.
One road from Tumut to Canberra is very interesting but I'd only recommend if you have a slightly ambivalent attitude towards your car.
We turned off the Hume H'way at Gundagai and drove to Tumut and then followed the signs to Canberra.
This road goes over the Brindabella Ranges and has some lovely scenery.
Although it's an easy road to follow and you won't get lost it is a VERY rough dirt road.
There are signs advising 4X4 only. We have an AWD and we went ahead but limped into Canberra with a big hole in one tyre.
But we loved every minute of it.
We bought four new tyres in Canberra and then drove from Canberra to Nowra over the mountains and through The Morton National Park.
This is also a dirt road but it's a much better road and I'd recommend it to anyone.
We drove from Canberra to Queanbeyan and onto Bungendore and then onto Braidwood (First up we drove north from Bungendore to Tarago and found the road blocked by a fence and had to return to Bungendore).
From Braidwood we drove north to Charleyong and then followed the road to Nowra.
This was a very nice drive.
From Nowra it's just a hop north to Wollongong.
We didn't have time to stop in the towns along the way so I cannot recommend any cafes or historic villages.
Can recommend the National Gallery in Canberra.
Whichever way you go I'd love for you to give us a trip report.
Regards Nevets
Jul 31st, 2008, 04:27 AM
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Thanks for the information about Berrima and Berry, Susan7. And the Minnamurra Falls sound great - I can see I need a more detailed map already to get to these places.
Nevets, love your descriptions of your car adventures, especially coming to a fence! Whoops. I'll definitely see the National Gallery in Canberra.
Suelynne - I intend to travel up the Pacific Highway since I've been hearing about some of the towns along there for years and have never visited - however, I'm open to suggestions to take a different route.
Nevets, love your descriptions of your car adventures, especially coming to a fence! Whoops. I'll definitely see the National Gallery in Canberra.
Suelynne - I intend to travel up the Pacific Highway since I've been hearing about some of the towns along there for years and have never visited - however, I'm open to suggestions to take a different route.
Jul 31st, 2008, 06:03 PM
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<<One road from Tumut to Canberra is very interesting but I'd only recommend if you have a slightly ambivalent attitude towards your car.>>
I went along the same road about 15 years ago in a white Toyota Corolla in the height of summer. At this time I didn't see any signs about 4WD only.
For about an hour I never saw another car and when I did, I was convinced the windscreen was going to get shattered. By the end, my nerves were frayed and the car was completely covered in orange / red dust, but I've never forgotten that unexpected adventure.
Geordie
I went along the same road about 15 years ago in a white Toyota Corolla in the height of summer. At this time I didn't see any signs about 4WD only.
For about an hour I never saw another car and when I did, I was convinced the windscreen was going to get shattered. By the end, my nerves were frayed and the car was completely covered in orange / red dust, but I've never forgotten that unexpected adventure.
Geordie
Aug 1st, 2008, 06:30 PM
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Yeah Geordie
I'd done the trip from Tumut to Canberra before as well, in the early 90's when I was a sales rep driving a Commodore, and didn't see any 4x4 signs. That's why I was interested to do it again.
I don't remember it being as rough then. I didn't mention that because I try to keep my postings short and not too verbose.
To borrow the immortal words of Banjo Paterson
<<The Snowy River riders on the mountains make their home,
Where the river runs those giant hills between>>
Our Subaru Impreza did well this time although the flint stones tore the tyres up.
Jango- there is another way north from Sydney called the Buckets Way. It goes through Gloucester, Nowendoc, Walcha and joins the New England Highway at Uralla.
This road passes nearby the Barrington Tops National Park and also has some lovely scenery.
If you wanted to rejoin the Pacific Highway at Port Macquarie you could turn right at Walcha and follow the Oxley Highway.
According to my Readers Digest Motoring Guide the part of the Pacific highway you would miss is from Newcastle to Port Macquarie and this part of the Highway is all boring but safe dual carraigeway now.
nevets
I'd done the trip from Tumut to Canberra before as well, in the early 90's when I was a sales rep driving a Commodore, and didn't see any 4x4 signs. That's why I was interested to do it again.
I don't remember it being as rough then. I didn't mention that because I try to keep my postings short and not too verbose.
To borrow the immortal words of Banjo Paterson
<<The Snowy River riders on the mountains make their home,
Where the river runs those giant hills between>>
Our Subaru Impreza did well this time although the flint stones tore the tyres up.
Jango- there is another way north from Sydney called the Buckets Way. It goes through Gloucester, Nowendoc, Walcha and joins the New England Highway at Uralla.
This road passes nearby the Barrington Tops National Park and also has some lovely scenery.
If you wanted to rejoin the Pacific Highway at Port Macquarie you could turn right at Walcha and follow the Oxley Highway.
According to my Readers Digest Motoring Guide the part of the Pacific highway you would miss is from Newcastle to Port Macquarie and this part of the Highway is all boring but safe dual carraigeway now.
nevets
Aug 2nd, 2008, 12:02 AM
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Hi Jango,
I don't think you've given us any idea how long you have to get from 'A to B', and that certainly will affect your decisions. I assume you're getting to Canberra along the Hume Highway, in which case I recommend the Regional Art Gallery in Albury. Canberra of course is not on the Hume, but you are probably planning to rejoin it and pass Goulburn, unless you want to cut across to the coast from Canberra. If you choose the inland route along the Hume, as you ascend into the Southern Highlands, you could turn off to Berrima, an historic village with craft shops, good food, and several private art galleries, requiring several hours at least. Then you could go to Robertson and down the very scenic and slightly scary Macquarie Pass to Wollongong - which also has a good regional gallery.
For spectacular coastal secenery, it's hard to beat the coastal route through the North Wollongong villages, Coalcliff, Stanwell Park and up to Helensburg.
There you need to decide how to get around Sydney, and I'm afraid if you're going to do it via motorways you may need an E-tag.
From the far western outskirts of Sydney you could get up to the Hunter Valley via the Putty Road, or travel up the F3 which starts at Wahroonga, near Hornsby in the north. If you do the latter, I suggest you turn off before Newcastle on to Cessnock Road through the Watagan Mountains. In the Hunter Valley you'll see nice scenery looking back to the Brokenback Mountains. Head north and you'll see Barrington Tops.
I agree with Nevets that The Bucketts Way is very scenic, but this road actually takes you to Taree if you follow it all the way. Nevets has turned off at Gloucester and taken you up a road that becomes Thunderbolt's Way - I'm sure it's great scenery but it's quite a detour away from the coast and the Pacific Highway. The Bucketts Way starts at Raymond Terrace, north of Newcastle, but you could cut across the Hunter and head to Maitland and then join it at Stroud, a very small, historic village that's not as touristy as Berrima. An hour there would probably be enough, unless you want a meal there. I think it makes a nicer stop than Gloucester. Following The Bucketts Way towards Taree you can turn off on to a sealed secondary road towards Wingham. There's some really lovely scenery around there, and an interesting local history museum that I think is open 10-4 most days. There are some good cafes; I recommend the one in the converted bank opposite the park. You would then need to head towards Taree to join the Pacific Highway as there are no sealed roads that will take you across the western parts of the Manning Valley easily, unfortunately.
If you don't have time to do this route don't despair - there's still some lovely scenery on the Highway between Newcastle and Port Macquarie, as well as shorter detours towards the coast and the Myall Lakes. Port Macquarie and Coffs Harbour are the big towns/cities as you head northwards. For a much smaller yet interesting town on the coast, only about a kilometre from the Highway, I recommend Nambucca Heads.
As you head north from there the flora becomes more subtropical. There's a flat but pretty section near Maclean where you're actually crossing islands at the mouth of the Clarence River. Yamba is a fishing village there that may be worth a stop. North again you come to Ballina and could turn off to Byron Bay. North along the Highway you come to more spectacular scenery around Murwillumbah and the Tweed River Valley, and then you cross into Queensland. You're now on the Gold Coast and only a fast drive to the outskirts of Brisbane.
Hope that helps!
I don't think you've given us any idea how long you have to get from 'A to B', and that certainly will affect your decisions. I assume you're getting to Canberra along the Hume Highway, in which case I recommend the Regional Art Gallery in Albury. Canberra of course is not on the Hume, but you are probably planning to rejoin it and pass Goulburn, unless you want to cut across to the coast from Canberra. If you choose the inland route along the Hume, as you ascend into the Southern Highlands, you could turn off to Berrima, an historic village with craft shops, good food, and several private art galleries, requiring several hours at least. Then you could go to Robertson and down the very scenic and slightly scary Macquarie Pass to Wollongong - which also has a good regional gallery.
For spectacular coastal secenery, it's hard to beat the coastal route through the North Wollongong villages, Coalcliff, Stanwell Park and up to Helensburg.
There you need to decide how to get around Sydney, and I'm afraid if you're going to do it via motorways you may need an E-tag.
From the far western outskirts of Sydney you could get up to the Hunter Valley via the Putty Road, or travel up the F3 which starts at Wahroonga, near Hornsby in the north. If you do the latter, I suggest you turn off before Newcastle on to Cessnock Road through the Watagan Mountains. In the Hunter Valley you'll see nice scenery looking back to the Brokenback Mountains. Head north and you'll see Barrington Tops.
I agree with Nevets that The Bucketts Way is very scenic, but this road actually takes you to Taree if you follow it all the way. Nevets has turned off at Gloucester and taken you up a road that becomes Thunderbolt's Way - I'm sure it's great scenery but it's quite a detour away from the coast and the Pacific Highway. The Bucketts Way starts at Raymond Terrace, north of Newcastle, but you could cut across the Hunter and head to Maitland and then join it at Stroud, a very small, historic village that's not as touristy as Berrima. An hour there would probably be enough, unless you want a meal there. I think it makes a nicer stop than Gloucester. Following The Bucketts Way towards Taree you can turn off on to a sealed secondary road towards Wingham. There's some really lovely scenery around there, and an interesting local history museum that I think is open 10-4 most days. There are some good cafes; I recommend the one in the converted bank opposite the park. You would then need to head towards Taree to join the Pacific Highway as there are no sealed roads that will take you across the western parts of the Manning Valley easily, unfortunately.
If you don't have time to do this route don't despair - there's still some lovely scenery on the Highway between Newcastle and Port Macquarie, as well as shorter detours towards the coast and the Myall Lakes. Port Macquarie and Coffs Harbour are the big towns/cities as you head northwards. For a much smaller yet interesting town on the coast, only about a kilometre from the Highway, I recommend Nambucca Heads.
As you head north from there the flora becomes more subtropical. There's a flat but pretty section near Maclean where you're actually crossing islands at the mouth of the Clarence River. Yamba is a fishing village there that may be worth a stop. North again you come to Ballina and could turn off to Byron Bay. North along the Highway you come to more spectacular scenery around Murwillumbah and the Tweed River Valley, and then you cross into Queensland. You're now on the Gold Coast and only a fast drive to the outskirts of Brisbane.
Hope that helps!
Aug 2nd, 2008, 03:01 PM
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Wow - thanks so much - this is all terrifically helpful. I venture forth next week (Aug 12) and have to reach Wollongong on the 16th, but after I head north there are no more time restrictions.
Thanks for the heads-up on e-tags.
I'm now going to study this Bucket's Way and all the detours. This trip, which I'm doing alone, is now starting to look exciting rather than daunting. Many thanks.
Thanks for the heads-up on e-tags.
I'm now going to study this Bucket's Way and all the detours. This trip, which I'm doing alone, is now starting to look exciting rather than daunting. Many thanks.
Aug 3rd, 2008, 08:24 PM
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Just a clarification on e-tags: There's only one motorway in the outer suburbs of Sydney that requires an e-tag, and I think it's the F7. If you get on that or can't get over to the cash lanes on the others, there's a phone number on display you can use to pay after the event - you have a day or so to do that.
Yes, explore the detours. If you have time to drive along the 'Tourist Drives' you'll see some lovely scenery. I think they are all sealed roads, but check on a NRMA map to be sure.
Yes, explore the detours. If you have time to drive along the 'Tourist Drives' you'll see some lovely scenery. I think they are all sealed roads, but check on a NRMA map to be sure.
Aug 7th, 2008, 09:35 PM
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If you are going to stop at Wollongong I highly recommend you do the beach skydive. The following link will give you some good information on the jump http://www.godo.com.au/activity/SDVB103
Aug 8th, 2008, 03:04 AM
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I recommend that you pick up one of the Lonely Planet guide books for starters. It has been a great assist on my current Australia part of my multiple home exchange holiday in OZ and NZ. Of course, there are the theme parks on the Gold Coast, but I am sure you know about them.
Aug 14th, 2008, 05:38 PM
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I have just popped my head in for a quick "skim" of messages - Suelynne gave you an excellent lot of suggestions there, I also wanted to add if you do go into Byron Bay from Ballina, stop in at Bangalow on the way through for some great coffee and local produce and nice shops. There is an antique shop there called Country House Antiques (there are a few but that is a
particularly good one). In fact, along the highway from Ballina before you come to Bangalow you will see a sign to turn off to Newrybar - it is a tiny villiage, literally one small street but the antique dealer there named Paul Moses sells the most amazing stuff from his house and it is worth a stop in if you like antiques and have time. It just occured to me that it is now mid August and you have probably gone but will post just in case. Have fun!
particularly good one). In fact, along the highway from Ballina before you come to Bangalow you will see a sign to turn off to Newrybar - it is a tiny villiage, literally one small street but the antique dealer there named Paul Moses sells the most amazing stuff from his house and it is worth a stop in if you like antiques and have time. It just occured to me that it is now mid August and you have probably gone but will post just in case. Have fun!
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