I am planning a ride from Brisbane to Melbourne and back for when the project I am on finishes in a few weeks time.
Yes - ROAD TRIP !!!!!!!! :)
I would love to hear from you on your fav road that I might be able to make part of the down or back trip, good accommodation, things not to miss, places to avoid, etc.
In rough figures I can allow 3-4 days to get down, and 3-4 to get back, so some scope there for a bit of meandering around unfamiliar territory.
So far I have the start point - Caloundra - and the end point - Caloundra - and the mid point - Melbourne (Well Rosebud area actually). Any suggestions for filling in the gaps?
Hey Champs,
When you get past the Sydney area, if you're still near the coast, you could do a run thru the Royal National Park (turn off the Prince's Highway at Waterfall). From there you can hug the (very scenic) coastline most of the way down to Wollongong.
South of the 'Gong you've got Macquarie Pass (great bike road-5*'s) and then Cambewarra Mtn (much fun to be had on a bike on this road).
If you want a tour guide thru this area, I'm always keen for a ride.....send me a PM with some details re: dates & times, etc.
baz.
Champs I may catch up with you before you go to talk about your trip , I'm sure if you talk to Shredder he'll put you right but two sections I would aim to travel on is the Oxley Hwy between Walcha and Wauchhope and another is the Putty between Singleton and Windsor. If I was going this time of year and time was on my side I would also include some of the Snowy mtns. You'll have fun whatever you decide.
I did the car thing just a couple of weeks ago. Next time bike.
I went inland down to Melbourne. I'll have to get my map out to give running commentry.
Return leg, coastal the whole way, very nice. But I'd still do the inland thing, I love my country fix. Plus I had a blast in the small towns and great meals at either bowls clubs or rsl's.
Plus I narrowed down coastal NSW for another shorter jaunt on the bike.
If you keep away from the coast 2 days down 2 days back easy, the first day will be the hardest then its easy
top end of the inland road (Newall Hwy) from Goondiwindy to Moree. Loooong straights & BIG sweepers. I sat on well over 200 through there.....
You could possibly go inland down to Gilgandra & then head across to the Valley & out to the coast just nth of Sydney....
Or inland on the way down & coast the way back.........
There sure is....
BRISSIE, beadesert, Rathdowney, Woodenbong, Kyogle, Casino, Grafton, Nymboida ( AKA HEAVEN!!! ), Ebor, Armidale, Walcha, Wauchope, Glouchester, Stroud, Singleton, Lithgow, Bathurst, Cowra, Young, Coota, Junee, Gundagai, Tumut ( HEAVEN PART 2 ) Cooma, Bombala, Orbost, Sale, THE BIG RAT-HOLE THEY CALL MELBOURNE.
2493 Km.
That a really nice route, I wouldn't change much about that at all (apart from the ending up in Melbourne bit), I'd prefer to end in WA!
I need a good map now or a route planning site/software to get this all clear and on paper - of sorts !! Anyone know any?
Sounds like a hell of a route Shane, and backed up by Heidi so all sounds promising. The other roads mentioned so far by Bazman, Simmo, and Louwai all sound goo as well. I will map them all as I get them (if I can find a way) and then play join the dots to get me there, and maybe save some for the trip back :)
Missy, does M8EE's route sound anything like yours?
google maps, just type in brisbane to melbourne, then click and drag the route to go through those towns. You should try to get dorrigo to bellingen in as well, have a chat to shredder to confirm route. You can e-mail yourself gps co-ordinates from google maps and then download them to your gps unit if you want
Quote:Missy, does M8EE's route sound anything like yours?
I don't think so, mine screams and thrashes around a lot.
Okay my route went....
Mackay, Rocky, Dululu, Banana, Miles, Moonie (gotta love the moonie stop), Goondawindi, Moree, Narrabri, Coonabarabram, Gilgandra, Dubbo, Parkes, Forbes, Narrandara, Berrigan, Barooga, Cobram, Shepparton, to Melb.
Return
Melb, >>> Princes Hwy to Bairnsdale, Lakes Entrance, Eden, Bega, Batemans Bay, Ulladulla, Nowra, Wollongong, Sydney, The Entrance, woodburn, Ballina, (then I'd go in to Nimbin, just me for the trip), Tweed Heads & up.....
How does that sound?
My next ride is straight back down the coast quick like, then return slowly up the coast from Newcastle.
Or I ride inland, but not as far west, Say down New England Hwy & return coastal.
I've got the 2nd trip already pencil scratched into the map book, with reminder notes of the road/countryside, I liked it so much.
Thanks M8ee and Louwai, I am a techo-boy so it pains me to say I think I will get a map and put it on the wall, then mark up all the suggestions. Once I get the idea, then I will head to the PC and download to a GPS (yet to get a new one!!!)
Missy - would you do that route on a bike, or change it a bit?
Shane - I think you mis-spelt route
Google maps if your friend & you can print them out
Would I do it on a bike, yes.
Why - Even most say coastal is prettier, I love seeing my country runs. I would maybe vary the route south (inland, further inland, way inland...) but that is about it. There are long straight roads in areas of rural NSW.
The coastal is staying the same, I'll just mainly concentrate on the trip (coastal home) from south of sydney. I quite liked what I saw along the way. lol I looked at the graffitied road map, I liked a lot north of Batemans Bay, considering to get to BB was done in darkness. So I revise my coastal trip, from NSW/Vic boarder and north....
The map helps you identify trip distances at a glance, & other possibilities. I never booked accomodation, bloody brave in the peak christmas time season and I can say yes I was very lucky to get the last room of the night at 8 or 10pm... I did have a swag in the car, but it came close.