Sorry people. I tried to edit my original post and somehow stuffed up and seem to have lost it. Originally I asked, and received two appreciated replies, re travelling from Tamworth to Grafton via Glen Innes and what road conditions I could expect. I have since had a better look at a NSW map and see it may be possible to go Tamworth to Grafton via turnoff at Armidale then to places such as Woolomombi. Ebor, Hernani, Coutts Crossing to Grafton. Any thoughts? And is there fuel that way; or is the road too steep etc for a 6.6m towing length pop-top vanm behind a Ford Falcom sedan. These latter places are mere names on a map to me and I have no idea re the road etc. Thank you in anticipation.
chopit said
05:12 PM Feb 9, 2015
We haven't been that way for a lot of years but it is very scenic. Mountains, steep in places,tight bends. In saying that many vanners take it. No need to rush it, you'll miss something. Plenty of free camps along the way. If you have a smart phone or tablet get Wikicamps ( Think it costs about $8 and worth much more.)
It will give you an idea of what's about. The comments in it need to be weighed up -- positive / negative.
Some people live to complain. That region is one of our favorites, we plan to head that way before too long.
-- Edited by chopit on Monday 9th of February 2015 05:15:07 PM
SnowT said
06:13 PM Feb 9, 2015
Yeoeleven is probably the best to ask about those route's..
juergen
Radar said
09:29 PM Feb 9, 2015
I have travelled these roads often over the years, they all have there own uniqueness about them.
Armidale to Grafton has small amount of twist, turns on a gentle descend, less then 20 ks by memory. The reward is Ebor Falls, Wollomombi Falls and a most enjoyable drive. I never mention the Ebor Hotel as it is a while since I made use of it, darn god feed back then.
Glen Innes to Grafton another great drive. Barool N/P, Nymboida N/P, Gibraltar Range great views, water falls and some low cost camping. Jackadgery, Mann River
Stop and enjoy Grafton a real gem. Lots of history, some great drives around here. Clarence River NSW longest river.
I dont know how I can help you any more, I have a saying what goes up must come down,, that is what our roads are like but best part is tha where the best views are and more you go along the more adventurous roads the easier it becomes.
On these windy roads you will find more wild life eg. Bird life, small animals. Always a great adventure. Ralph
Yuglamron said
09:39 PM Feb 9, 2015
I travelled from Grafton to Armidale early last year. This time of year. Driving a 7.6 metre Motorhome flat towing a Suzuki Grand Vitara. I left Grafton around 2PM and arrived at Guyra around 6PM.
To me it was a great drive but not the gentle 20K route Radar has intimated. It has some very tight hairpins and is very hilly with lots of climbs and descents. Beautiful views and some great roads along the Clarence River. I was advised that route by staff in a truck stop in Grafton. Told me it was a great drive with some beautiful views to which I would agree. I never met much traffic during the hilly bits but that route is not a wide highway and is more suited to a drive with views.
Radar said
10:10 PM Feb 9, 2015
To answer 2 of your questions no it is not steep. There is a section that will be slower, please drive accordingly.
To be sure top up at Armidale with fuel as I am not sure if there is any at Ebor.
Not only have I towed my Cub Camper weighing about a 1000 kgs. Behind a Subaru Outback though this area I have also driven transport up to 17 metres long without any problems that is a prime mover with a 14 metre trailer and I would not hesitate to tow my 17.6 van on this road. Ralph.
PeterD said
11:00 AM Feb 10, 2015
The road from Grafton to the Waterfall Way is known as the Armidale Road. If you open the link you will see it has one stretch of road >15% incline/grade. I think that makes it the steepest road in the area we are talking about. However the rest of the road is <10% incline/grade.
I don't know why forum members are frightened of hills. The only way they could be of any problem is if your tug is a bit sick or your rig is overloaded. It does your motor more good than harm to blow the cobwebs out of it with a bit of work every now and again. Your vehicles are designed to take a bit of this type of work. It also does you a lot of good to improve your driving skills and gain confidence in mountainous country, you never know when you are likely to take a wrong turn and when you encounter a bit of dodgy road your skills may not be up to handling the situation if you don't train yourself. If you don't try to gain confidence on these roads then you are going to miss out on a lot of nice country in eastern Oz. Just remember to lower your speed on descents and use as low a gear as possible to assist retarding your speed instead of relying on your brakes. Please try some of these roads, go forth with a positive attitude and afterwards you will wonder what all the apprehension was about.
RobandFlip said
01:46 PM Feb 10, 2015
Hi Kev,
Which ever way you travel, you still have to cross the Great Dividing Range. The roads from Armidale to Grafton via Glenn Innes are pretty good. We travelled the roads a couple of months ago towing a 21ft caravan. Topographical maps will give you an indication of the elevations that you will have to cross.
If you want to turn off at Armidale to travel to Grafton, that is very scenic. However, while a pretty good road, it has more bends and twists that the main highways. It will be a matter of the capabilities of your tow vehicle. If it is in good nick, you will not have any problems. Which ever way you decide to travel, have a great trip, you will enjoy it I am sure.
cheers,
Robyn
Kev Pearce said
03:26 PM Feb 10, 2015
Thank you all. It was twists and turns rather than hills I was concerned about. Both routes sound ok. I like getting off the major highways but when not been on a road and have no idea about it, it is best to find out. And where better than these forums, which are brilliant. Thank you all again.
Sorry people. I tried to edit my original post and somehow stuffed up and seem to have lost it. Originally I asked, and received two appreciated replies, re travelling from Tamworth to Grafton via Glen Innes and what road conditions I could expect. I have since had a better look at a NSW map and see it may be possible to go Tamworth to Grafton via turnoff at Armidale then to places such as Woolomombi. Ebor, Hernani, Coutts Crossing to Grafton. Any thoughts? And is there fuel that way; or is the road too steep etc for a 6.6m towing length pop-top vanm behind a Ford Falcom sedan. These latter places are mere names on a map to me and I have no idea re the road etc. Thank you in anticipation.
We haven't been that way for a lot of years but it is very scenic.
Mountains, steep in places,tight bends. In saying that many vanners take it. No need to rush it, you'll miss something.
Plenty of free camps along the way.
If you have a smart phone or tablet get Wikicamps ( Think it costs about $8 and worth much more.)
It will give you an idea of what's about. The comments in it need to be weighed up -- positive / negative.
Some people live to complain.
That region is one of our favorites, we plan to head that way before too long.
-- Edited by chopit on Monday 9th of February 2015 05:15:07 PM
juergen
I have travelled these roads often over the years, they all have there own uniqueness about them.
Armidale to Grafton has small amount of twist, turns on a gentle descend, less then 20 ks by memory. The reward is Ebor Falls, Wollomombi Falls and a most enjoyable drive. I never mention the Ebor Hotel as it is a while since I made use of it, darn god feed back then.
Glen Innes to Grafton another great drive. Barool N/P, Nymboida N/P, Gibraltar Range great views, water falls and some low cost camping. Jackadgery, Mann River
Stop and enjoy Grafton a real gem. Lots of history, some great drives around here. Clarence River NSW longest river.
I dont know how I can help you any more, I have a saying what goes up must come down,, that is what our roads are like but best part is tha where the best views are and more you go along the more adventurous roads the easier it becomes.
On these windy roads you will find more wild life eg. Bird life, small animals. Always a great adventure. Ralph
I travelled from Grafton to Armidale early last year. This time of year. Driving a 7.6 metre Motorhome flat towing a Suzuki Grand Vitara. I left Grafton around 2PM and arrived at Guyra around 6PM.
To me it was a great drive but not the gentle 20K route Radar has intimated. It has some very tight hairpins and is very hilly with lots of climbs and descents. Beautiful views and some great roads along the Clarence River. I was advised that route by staff in a truck stop in Grafton. Told me it was a great drive with some beautiful views to which I would agree. I never met much traffic during the hilly bits but that route is not a wide highway and is more suited to a drive with views.
To answer 2 of your questions no it is not steep. There is a section that will be slower, please drive accordingly.
To be sure top up at Armidale with fuel as I am not sure if there is any at Ebor.
Not only have I towed my Cub Camper weighing about a 1000 kgs. Behind a Subaru Outback though this area I have also driven transport up to 17 metres long without any problems that is a prime mover with a 14 metre trailer and I would not hesitate to tow my 17.6 van on this road. Ralph.
The road from Grafton to the Waterfall Way is known as the Armidale Road. If you open the link you will see it has one stretch of road >15% incline/grade. I think that makes it the steepest road in the area we are talking about. However the rest of the road is <10% incline/grade.
I don't know why forum members are frightened of hills. The only way they could be of any problem is if your tug is a bit sick or your rig is overloaded. It does your motor more good than harm to blow the cobwebs out of it with a bit of work every now and again. Your vehicles are designed to take a bit of this type of work. It also does you a lot of good to improve your driving skills and gain confidence in mountainous country, you never know when you are likely to take a wrong turn and when you encounter a bit of dodgy road your skills may not be up to handling the situation if you don't train yourself. If you don't try to gain confidence on these roads then you are going to miss out on a lot of nice country in eastern Oz. Just remember to lower your speed on descents and use as low a gear as possible to assist retarding your speed instead of relying on your brakes. Please try some of these roads, go forth with a positive attitude and afterwards you will wonder what all the apprehension was about.
Which ever way you travel, you still have to cross the Great Dividing Range. The roads from Armidale to Grafton via Glenn Innes are pretty good. We travelled the roads a couple of months ago towing a 21ft caravan. Topographical maps will give you an indication of the elevations that you will have to cross.
If you want to turn off at Armidale to travel to Grafton, that is very scenic. However, while a pretty good road, it has more bends and twists that the main highways. It will be a matter of the capabilities of your tow vehicle. If it is in good nick, you will not have any problems. Which ever way you decide to travel, have a great trip, you will enjoy it I am sure.
cheers,
Robyn