Travel Advice into Melbourne needed

Bruce and Bev · Guru

Travel Advice into Melbourne needed

rockylizard · Guru

Gday...

It can be quite straight forward if you come down the Calder Hwy/Fwy.

The attached photo gives it visually - I have 'started' the directions at the Calder Motor Speedway on the Calder Fwy.

As the instructions on the left show, follow the Calder Fwy until the Bell Street Exit, turn left onto that and follow Bell Street to Elizabeth Street.

[edit: I have also attached a photo of the Coburg area so assist in the navigation.]

Cheers - John

-- Edited by rockylizard on Sunday 26th of April 2015 07:52:36 PM

jules47 · The Happy Helper

Crikey haven't been that way since the toll roads opened. Aaaaah - the good old days!!

As for going to Berwick - use the toll roads and the once you get on the Monash - just keep going.

Long Weekend · Guru

Many years ago I lived in Broadmeadows (Glenroy) and went down Sydney Road (which is what the Hume Hwy morphes into) to Coburg, Brunswick and through into Melbourne CBD itself many times. Others will tell you - Sydney Road is no place to take a caravan down!

Anyway, checking my street directory and remembering the way to get to the Corburg caravan park will be to:

1. Come down the Calder Highway into the north of Melbourne.

2. Exit onto the Western Ring road by turning left and heading north east. Keep your wits about you because the exit is a bit complex.

3. Keep on the WRR and exit onto the Hume Hwy. Move to the RIGHT lane at the exit and turn right (south). Note that the exit to the Hume Hwy is different to the Hume Freeway/Craigeburn Bypass which is further along.

4. Drive south down the Hume Highway - it is duplicated for a fair way so no problem.

5. About a kilometre after you pick up the tram line turn LEFT into Gaffney Street. If you have never driven with with trams before the golden rule for cars is DO NOT OVERTAKE A STATIONARY TRAM. Of course, with a van on the back you should just sit behind a tram when it stops and wait until it begins to move again then follow it. But we are talking of around a kilometre here.

6. Gaffney Street becomes Murray Street after a few hundred metres. Stay on that road for around two kilometres then turn LEFT into Elizabeth Street and head north. The Corburg Caravan park is at the end of Elizabeth Street on the left.

I think that going that way you will avoid the maze of small narrow streets. Where the tram lines are the road will be reduced to one lane but a van will have no problems. Even if there is a tram in front of you - just sit behind it for the short distance.

Can anybody else suggest a better way?

Murray

-- Edited by Long Weekend on Sunday 26th of April 2015 08:31:33 PM

rockylizard · Guru

Long Weekend wrote:
Many years ago I lived in Broadmeadows (Glenroy) and went down Sydney Road (which is what the Hume Hwy morphes into) to Coburg, Brunswick and through into Melbourne CBD itself many times. Others will tell you - Sydney Road is no place to take a caravan down!

Anyway, checking my street directory and remembering the way to get to the Corburg caravan park will be to:

1. Come down the Calder Highway into the north of Melbourne.

2. Exit onto the Western Ring road by turning left and heading north east. Keep your wits about you because the exit is a bit complex.

3. Keep on the WRR and exit onto the Hume Hwy. Move to the RIGHT lane at the exit and turn right (south). Note that the exit to the Hume is different to the Hume Freeway/Craigeburn Bypass which is further along.

4. Drive south down the Hume Highway - it is duplicated for a fair way so no problem.

5. About a kilometre after you pick up the tram line turn LEFT into Gaffney Street. If you have never driven with with trams before the golden rule for cars is DO NOT OVERTAKE A STATIONARY TRAM. Of course, with a van on the back you should just sit behind a tram when it stops and wait until it begins to move again then follow it. But we are talking of around a kilometre here.

6. Gaffney Street becomes Murray Street after a few hundred metres. Stay on that road for around two kilometres then turn LEFT into Elizabeth Street and head north. The Corburg Caravan park is at the end of Elizabeth Street on the left.

I think that going that way you will avoid the maze of small narrow streets. Where the tram lines are the road will be reduced to one lane but a van will have no problems. Even if there is a tram in front of you - just sit behind it for the short distance.

Can anybody else suggest a better way?

Murray

Gday...

Check our my reply above, Murray ... praps the Calder/Bell Street/Elizabeth Street is most straight forward and "van friendly".

Almost just 'follow ya nose'

cheers - John

JackieP · Senior Member

Bruce and Bev I agree with Long Weekend. Bell St not far after you enter it from the freeway gets narrow as it goes through a few shopping areas but does open out a bit again after Sydney Rd ( Hume Hwy ) at Pentridge Jail. I am originally from Preston so know the traffic pretty well and I wouldn't like to tow a caravan through Pascoe Vale on Bell St.
I will be flying to Melbourne on Thursday this week until Tuesday so will keep my ear on Traffic reports in the area on Monday and if I hear about a caravan creating havoc in the area I will know its you lol

Bruce and Bev · Guru

Guys - thanks for the time you have put into this - I really appreciate it (have a pile of Hema maps and my Hema GPS - but that doesn't tell you about traffic issues.

Murray and John - if you read this again, can you please agree which route I should follow from the one each of you has suggested - you obviously have the local knowledge.

And gee, thanks Jackie - hope all you get is static on your radio that day LOL

rockylizard · Guru

Gday...

Both suggested 'routes' will certainly get your there. I have towed my 23ft van along Bell Street (from Freeway Exit to Sydney Road) and have not found it a problem.

Buses use this section as well and they fit quite well ... and there are no trams to worry about.

Calder/Bell St/Elizabeth St I think is simplest because it is almost impossible to miss the Bell Street Exit from the freeway and then just go along Bell St to the cemetery and turn left.

But as I said, either way will get you there - and either may or may not be easier/simpler - completely traffic dependent perhaps.

Cheers - and enjoy the choice - John

-- Edited by rockylizard on Sunday 26th of April 2015 09:23:12 PM

NeilandRaine · Guru

I lived in Elizabeth Street in another life. Could even see my work place from the back yard. Back in those days I would of came down the Calder highway, got onto the Tulla freeway then take the Bell street off ramp. Wouldn't have a clue now, last time I went to Melbourne going down the Hume, took a wrong turn and ended up heading to Geelong. Or like Rocky said

-- Edited by NeilandRaine on Sunday 26th of April 2015 09:26:26 PM

MOLLUSCAN · Senior Member

Hi Bruce and Bev, I don't know Melbourne very well but my advice is to do as Rocky Lizard has done and use your iPhone or iPad. Open Apple Maps or Google maps, type in your destination and let the lovely lady give you instructions. Works for me.

wendyv · Guru

If traffic is a concern, you might be better advised to come into Melb on the Sunday.

I would suggest that if the warranty work goes later than about mid afternoon, you might be better to go back to Coburg for that night too, rather than try to navigate the unfamiliar in peak hour traffic.

george57 · Senior Member

Hey Bruce and Bev....I frequently drive my fuel tanker along Bell Street, and surrounding areas....no problem, my suggestion is that whilst travelling along Bell street stay in the right hand lane, otherwise all good...
Cheers
George & Fatdog

Long Weekend · Guru

Hi Bruce and Bev,

The Bell Street way suggested by Rocky Lizard looks pretty straightforward. Keep going until you cross Sydney Road - it is the only street with tram tracks, then drive a short distance and turn left into Elizabeth Street then continue north to the caravan park.

It has been some thirty years since I travelled along Bell Street and I remember it being very busy. For those not used to Melbourne traffic the road seems to go on forever with lots of stop-starts. But George57 manages to take his petrol tanker along it so it should be OK for a van.

That probably doesn't help much - two ways to get to your destination. Although the WRR/Hume way is longer than Bell Street, all except the last few kilometres are divided and multi lane.

Murray

Dougwe · Chief one feather

If I see you drive past me here on the NSW north coast B&B I know you went too far mate. I will shout you a drink and help you do a u turn.

Bruce and Bev · Guru

Folks - I really appreciate the trouble you all went to helping me out. It is much appreciated and I don't think this time I will be having a drink with Doug LOL

Stay tuned as my next one will be Sydney haha

Canberra is ok, because Tony is going to show me round and I just follow the LTD and have a police escort.................

PeterD · Guru

Just go to Google Maps. In the top LH corner you will see a link "Get directions." Click on that and type "Mildura VIC" into the top box (labelled A) and "265 Elizabeth Street, Coburg Victoria 3058" into the bottom box (labelled B.) When you click on "GET DIRECTIONS" you will get Rocky's route with the driving directions on the LHS.

At the top of the driving directions you will see a couple of driving directions. If you click on the second one you will get the route suggested by Long Weekend. The driving directions will also change to suit that route. I would prefer Rocky's route. Which ever one you take you will encounter narrow roads, that's why I prefer Ashley Gardens CP. It has easier access from the north and west. It's also the easier one for the Bass Straight ferry (if you go there on a future trip.)

-- Edited by PeterD on Tuesday 28th of April 2015 11:13:54 AM

ken thomas · Guru

Stay away
Ken