Came that way last week, road is good, yes a bit wonky in patches but , pretty normal Tarred road considering the amount and size of vehicles that use it.
Suggest when you are going down Moonbi Range about 15-20 KM north of Tamworth, you turn right at the Moonbi Lookout Sign about 2/3 the way down and drive up and have look from there, Great spot and plenty of room to turn around.
If you had of travelled the New Englland last year you would of come across bullock teams pulling there loads but not any more, just joking.
The New England Highway from Warwick down over the border to Tamworth is a great holiday drive you can do it in 6 hours or 6 days or longer. The road has windy up and down hill sections with lots of rural scenes. We travel this road often from Brisbane going to Gosford area we generally fuel up at Warick, Glen Innes, Tamworth using Indepent owned servos (cheaper). We have been knowned to have timed our lunch at Deepwater the Bakery on the left, old fashion service, freshly made salard rolls, brought 2 hamburgers once we battled though them. So good.
Freedom camping can be had at lots of places Deepwater, Glen Innes, Guyra (Mother of Ducks Lagoon) and around Tamworth (Chaffey Dam). There is some real enjoyable camps to be had along with low cost caravan parks one that comes to mind is Armidale on the road to Ebor.
At Uralla drive east out of town you find a unique grothic church, with a little bit more looking after going over a bridge a very unusual 8 sided shearing shed, then back in town a railway station, shops are old style and interesting.
Armidale strawberrys, lots to explore, day drive out to look at waterfalls, so much to see in this University city.
I could go on for ever allow yourself plenty of time, short drives away from the highway will reveal hidden treasures.
Hope this helps and enjoy it will become one of your favourite drives also.
Blissonwheels. Thank you for that advice. We have travelled New England to Tamworth a number of times but never been game to call into that lookout in case a problem turning the van. Will remember your advice.