Driving Brisbane to Sydney
 

I plan on driving from Brisbane down to Sydney the 3rd week in November with my 2 adult children. (First time making this drive.) I'm allowing 3 days for the drive. Is that enough time for a leisurely drive and for some exploring along the way? What's worth seeing along the way? Any side trips that are worth doing? Would appreciate any tips anyone has, particularly if you've done the drive.

3 days is fine. Are you taking the Pacific Highway or New England?

Was thinking the Pacific Highway, but wasn't aware of New England? Which do you recommend?

Have a look at the driving directions on Google; decide whether you want to take the inland or coastal route. The driving time's about the same.

Bokhara and Others,

Which route do you think would be of most interest to a first time visitor. We have done the Pacific Hwy. drive once before but will be traveling with others on our upcoming trip, who have never done either route before. Thanks.

Hi DJE,
I'd take the Pacific Highway to Yamba, then head off to Grafton,Glen Innes & down the New England.

Not sure if this link will work, but if not, Google "driving directions - Brisbane to Sydney" There's a "drag" facility on the map & if you just pull it across to Grafton at Yamba, you'll see the route I'm suggesting. http://maps.google.com.au/maps?f=d&h...p;z=6&om=1

There are myriad "hidden treasures" - the river area around Grafton ... little towns like Maclean, follow the river down to Grafton. Wonderful Regional Art Gallery there - big wide streets; gorgeous Jacarandah trees in season (should be in flower when erniel goes through). Gem fossicking at Glen Innes.
http://www.nnsw.com.au/index.html
If you spend a day or so around, for instance, Armidale, you'll see so much more of the "real" Australia than the well-worn Coast Road.
As you come further South, take the road through the Hunter Valley, and if you have a little extra time, Putty road back to Sydney through Windsor (WATCH OUT .... it's narrow & windy!) OR .. nip back onto the OLD Pacific Highway & come back via the central coast.

As to the "What's to see?" qn .. well, lots, just depends what interests people. I use Google a lot - every Region in Australia is well covered by it's State/Territory's Tourism site. I also like to collect brochures etc., from the Tourist Offices in the capitals. This may sound like a cop-out, but, honestly ... if this is someone's first trip, I would think the places covered by these resources would give them a good experience without the "cookie-cutter" routes of the coach travellers.

Thanks Bokhara,

I will definitely look into the driving route you have suggested.

This will be our 3rd visit to wonderful Australia and we have travelled extensively throughout the country.

The first time was a driving trip from Sydney to Uluru and then further north to Tennant Creek before heading eastward where we eventually arrived on the coast at Brisbane. As mentioned previously we then took the Pacific Hwy down to Sydney. This was a 6 week trip and was terrific.

On our second visit we travelled from Sydney across country on the Indian Pacific train to Perth where we rented a car and drove up the coast to Broome and then inland through the Kimberley area and on to Kakadu and Darwin.
From Darwin we flew down to Melbourne where we rented another vehicle to drive the Great Ocean Road and coastal routes back to Sydney. Again this was a 5 to 6 week trip and another fabulous time.

This time around we will be spending the majority of our trip in Queensland to see the Atherton Tablelands and Rainforest region, along with the GBReef.
We then fly from Cairns to Brisbane for the drive down to Sydney stopping off in the Hunter Valley for 3 days and the Blue Mtns. for an additional 3 nights before ending off in Sydney. I'm sure it will be another wonderful experience.

Thank you again for your suggestions and I'm sure our companions will enjoy whatever route we do take this time.

Bokhara,

I took a look at the route you posted with Google ( again thank you ) and am just wondering where the best places would be to do some overnight stops. We have 3 nights after leaving Brisbane before we have to be in the HV.
Looking for comfortable good quality accommodations along our route.

Hi DJE,
Ah Ha! Now I have a feeling for the sort of travel you like ....
I'd think of night 1 at Iluka or Yamba.
Next morning, head out on road 22 at Harwood (or stay on it if you stay at Yamba). Go up to the Bluff Point Ferry & take that across to Lawrence and come down to Grafton that way. The Lawrence Tavern is right on the Clarence River serves a very decent meal.

Night 2 - Grafton. Biggish town, oodles of accommodation options. I'm a big fan of their Regional Art Gallery - and its restaurant. Very good "Pub grub" to be had at the local hotels too. Can't think of the 2 I have in mind (well, clearly, I don't.... but will get back to you.;)) Great place just to walk around - wander along the river. There are some beautifully kept & restored old houses here.
From Grafton you could head off to Glen Innes - and either stay there or come back to Armidale (night 3). As you're going to the Blue Mountains, I'd almost certainly take the Putty Road & go up through Windsor & Richmond (Bells Line of Road).

ALTERNATIVELY: At Bangalow (just after the first "Byron Bay" turnoff, take the Lismore/Bangalow road to Lismore OR stay on the Pacific Highway to the instersection with the Bruxner HWY (just after Ballina) & go through Casino to Tabulam. Stay on a Lemon Myrtle farm/B&B. http://www.totaltravel.com.au/travel...tle-cooking-fa

This is really something very special!
Then, next day, off to Tenterfield, Glen Innes etc.

Now ... there's a bit to think about :)
drop me an email if you like Bokhara77 at hotmail dot com.

Enjoy your wanderings :)

DJE, you can also get to Tabulam from Grafton ... so you could still do the loop via Lawrence etc.

There's some fantastic country around St.Aubins too (sort of off the Putty Road) ......

aaaggghhhh .... I want to fill up & head out !!!

Agree with Bokhara that inland deviations from the well worn coast is the way to go, particularly with three nights to spend. The last time I did the trip, we cut inland to Dorrigo, Ebor and Armidale and headed north from there. Some very pretty countryside, impressive waterfalls, and nice towns to see en route. We also visited the Granite Belt region of northern New England (part of New South Wales, not the USA!). By all means do not miss visiting Girraween Nat'l Park and Bald Rock (near Tenterfield and Stanthorpe) especially if you like to hike. We stayed at the lovely Beverley Vineyard B&B near Stanthorpe:

http://www.whiskeygullywines.com.au/Beverley/index.html

Then we drove to the Gold Coast (just S of Brisbane) via the beautiful Mt Lindsay "Hwy" - unsealed in parts, but well worth it for the scenery (especially the short detour Mt Barney).

Thanks Ralph: I think most visitors to this region would have figured out they were not in the USA. But then, you never know :)

Thank you Bokhara and RalphR for all the excellent additional info. Lots to look over and obviously the inland route would be a much more interesting way to go with all that you have described and suggested.

Many Thanks.

Bokhara,

Our flight from Cairns to Brisbane arrives about 12:30 pm and then we pick up our rental vehicles and head out. If we are on the road by 1:30, how long would it take to do the drive to the Lemon Myrtle B & B you mention for a first overnight?

Ralph, I will take a look at the website you posted.

That's a thought, DJE, come down through Beaudesert ... about 3.5 hours according to this Google map. The farm's about 30 mins out of town (well, hamlet really ;)) so, probably allow 4ish. http://maps.google.com.au/maps?f=d&h...p;z=8&om=1

DJE, How many will be in your party?
Just thinking about accommodation at Monach Hill Lemon Myrtle Farm B & B.
cheers
Bokhara

Hi Bokhara,

Thanks for the map.

There will be 4 adults in our group. Just wondering if it would be worthwhile to stay at that B & B seeing as we probably wouldn't arrive until around 6:00 p.m. if all goes well. Then we would be up the next morning and on our way again. Not really that much time to spend explore the farm etc.

Also wondering roughly what time the sun will set during the month of October?

You may be right DJE - sunset will be around 6:15 in October. You don't want to be on those bendy unsealed roads around dusk - too many 'roos. While the highways are fine, the road into Tabulam and out to the farm could be a bit tricky. Another trip !

Anyway, there are lots of other options which I'm sure you'd enjoy just as much - this was just a thought.
:)

DJE: Daylight saving starts in NSW 28th October - 28/3/08.

Bokhara,

Thanks again for all your help. I'm sure it will be another great time in Australia