NSW drive holiday in January
Aug 31st, 2016, 08:52 AM
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NSW drive holiday in January
My kids, 11 and 9, and I have a 2 week holiday in the first 2 weeks of January. From Sydney, I am considering a driving holiday. Choosing between the Coastal drive to Brisbsne and back. Or the southern drive from Sydney.
I know it will be hot, and also busy given school holidays but that's our dates .
Would you recommend going north or south?
Any suggestions on must visits along the drive?
Thanks
Eric
I know it will be hot, and also busy given school holidays but that's our dates .
Would you recommend going north or south?
Any suggestions on must visits along the drive?
Thanks
Eric
Sep 2nd, 2016, 02:17 PM
#2
Aaahh ... Christmas school holidays "roadie" with the kids ..
We know it'll be busy at all the top spots - but I think you could have a great time if you head south.
See what you think of a loop down to the south coast, across to Canberra ( so much to interest big and little kids there) and back via the Southern Highlands.
Visit South Coast; visit Canberra & Visit Southern Highlands are good websites.
I'd start looking for coastal accommodation now, and perhaps consider places a few kms off the beach if you can't find what you want within your budget.
You might even consider a run up into the high country - those ski areas can be gorgeous in summer.
Have fun & get those kids researching too!
We know it'll be busy at all the top spots - but I think you could have a great time if you head south.
See what you think of a loop down to the south coast, across to Canberra ( so much to interest big and little kids there) and back via the Southern Highlands.
Visit South Coast; visit Canberra & Visit Southern Highlands are good websites.
I'd start looking for coastal accommodation now, and perhaps consider places a few kms off the beach if you can't find what you want within your budget.
You might even consider a run up into the high country - those ski areas can be gorgeous in summer.
Have fun & get those kids researching too!
Sep 4th, 2016, 05:08 PM
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There could be as many valid suggestions as you ask people - all different, all good. It’s just that kind of a place!
But we have to pick, so I suggest the following, from personal experience (I lived in Sydney for many years and now visit frequently):
Head south to the lovely town of Berry, popular because it’s within reach from Sydney, but relaxed and not overrun because it is not a beach town per se, yet a short drive away you have the wonderful 7-mile beach.
Check it out at http://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/...-national-park
Enough space to find your own! Find lodgings in or near Berry for a few nights.
Google Berry NSW, on Google maps change to street view, and “walk” up and down the streets, you’ll see what I mean.
Then drive south to Batesmans Bay, stop at a beach along the way to break the drive - Ulladulla, or one of the few beaches just before you get to Batemans Bay, a short turn-off from the highway.
Turn inland at Batemans Bay and head for Canberra. If prices there seem high (which they usually are - politicians and business types drive up the prices), stay in nearby Queanbeyan, it can be easily half the price, just 15 minutes away!
Check out Canberra - why it was built,and HOW it was built, and pick whichever sights interest you all - see http://visitcanberra.com.au/attracti...al-attractions
From Canberra, head for the Blue Mountains, to the fabulous Jenolan Caves. It’s about a three-hour drive, past Golbourn (fast highway) then on a regular country main road with very light traffic, past Taralga and Shooters Hill. Wide open country, then a bit of curvy mountain driving. The caves are something else! There are a number of them, some take longer and are more strenuous than others - see www.jenolancaves.org.au
If you left Canberra in good time, you have time for a cave or two, then drive to Oberon for the night. Just a quiet country town, a good stop for the night. We liked the Motel Titania (Oberon - Titania - Shakespeare, get it?). And there are others.
Then I suggest driving to Mount Victoria where you hang a left onto B59, past names like Bilpin and Putty and Milbrodale, to the Pokolbin-Cessnock wine country in the Hunter Valley. The drive is fabulous, up and over ridges and through lush valleys, never much traffic - bring a sandwich and pull over wherever it feels good. Maybe four hours total (in Australia, that’s considered nothing - long distances are in the Aussies’ DNA).
Now if you head east, via Kurri Kurri (why say it once when you can say it twice?), you come to the A1, the main highway heading north from Sydney.
Either head south to Sydney and make sure you get to know Sydney before you leave, including its many many beaches, or head to the coast up there, north-east of Newcastle, to check out some beaches up there before returning to Sydney.
But don’t shortchange Sydney. While there, you don’t need a car - trains, buses, and ferries (!!!) take you places, and in a pinch take a taxi.
But we have to pick, so I suggest the following, from personal experience (I lived in Sydney for many years and now visit frequently):
Head south to the lovely town of Berry, popular because it’s within reach from Sydney, but relaxed and not overrun because it is not a beach town per se, yet a short drive away you have the wonderful 7-mile beach.
Check it out at http://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/...-national-park
Enough space to find your own! Find lodgings in or near Berry for a few nights.
Google Berry NSW, on Google maps change to street view, and “walk” up and down the streets, you’ll see what I mean.
Then drive south to Batesmans Bay, stop at a beach along the way to break the drive - Ulladulla, or one of the few beaches just before you get to Batemans Bay, a short turn-off from the highway.
Turn inland at Batemans Bay and head for Canberra. If prices there seem high (which they usually are - politicians and business types drive up the prices), stay in nearby Queanbeyan, it can be easily half the price, just 15 minutes away!
Check out Canberra - why it was built,and HOW it was built, and pick whichever sights interest you all - see http://visitcanberra.com.au/attracti...al-attractions
From Canberra, head for the Blue Mountains, to the fabulous Jenolan Caves. It’s about a three-hour drive, past Golbourn (fast highway) then on a regular country main road with very light traffic, past Taralga and Shooters Hill. Wide open country, then a bit of curvy mountain driving. The caves are something else! There are a number of them, some take longer and are more strenuous than others - see www.jenolancaves.org.au
If you left Canberra in good time, you have time for a cave or two, then drive to Oberon for the night. Just a quiet country town, a good stop for the night. We liked the Motel Titania (Oberon - Titania - Shakespeare, get it?). And there are others.
Then I suggest driving to Mount Victoria where you hang a left onto B59, past names like Bilpin and Putty and Milbrodale, to the Pokolbin-Cessnock wine country in the Hunter Valley. The drive is fabulous, up and over ridges and through lush valleys, never much traffic - bring a sandwich and pull over wherever it feels good. Maybe four hours total (in Australia, that’s considered nothing - long distances are in the Aussies’ DNA).
Now if you head east, via Kurri Kurri (why say it once when you can say it twice?), you come to the A1, the main highway heading north from Sydney.
Either head south to Sydney and make sure you get to know Sydney before you leave, including its many many beaches, or head to the coast up there, north-east of Newcastle, to check out some beaches up there before returning to Sydney.
But don’t shortchange Sydney. While there, you don’t need a car - trains, buses, and ferries (!!!) take you places, and in a pinch take a taxi.
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