Just wondering has anybody towed a van from Nowra to Braidwood up the Turpentine Rd, I know a lot of it has been upgraded and there is probably still some dirt, but I am inclined to think it could save pulling up The Clyde. Anybody with any advice out there ? .
If you are going from Nowra, it is bitumen all the way to Nerriga and good road. Steep incline going up Sassafrass. Between Nerriga and Braidwood, less than 20 kilometres of gravel surface remains. This is gradually being improved but you need to be aware that it can be a bit rough at times. Check the RTA website on Main Road 92 updates, that will give you more info. I travel that way a fair bit but haven't taken the van that way yet but will be doing so. It does cut a fair bit of time off a trip though. Have seen a few vans going that way. Hope this helps.
__________________
ColB
Landcruiser 100 series towing a 9.5m Coromal Capri 780
As previously posted, I travelled this road last Monday, the bitumen part is as good as it gets, there is about 15K of dirt, however as long as its dry, and you take it very steady no problem. It certainly removes the long drag going up the Clyde with a big van, and reduces the distance by about 45K. Landcruiser tugging 23ft Heritage.
We've done it a couple more times... and yes it seems a much shorter road and less steep than using the Kings highway. We take a shorter route from Nowra to Canberra which goes through Tarago instead of Braidwood. Theres only 3 km's of gravel road, which has been ok, but theres a low-level bridge with a load limit of 5 tons which might restrict anybody towing a big caravan.
I agree about the weekend traffic dust on that road Woosy... I was quite scared in my little Mazda2, bad enough in the 4WD. Interesting to see how far the fires reached along that road, Tianjarra falls was dry last weekend, still green, but the bush around the car-park was burnt, so it came pretty close.
Went on that road again today, and I'm over it! The bit between Braidwood road and the Highway is rougher than ever and muddy this morning, so came back on the Kings Highway. Next trip is gonna be somewhere nicer.....