Blayney to Crookwell

TopCat · Veteran Member

Blayney to Crookwell

Possum3 · Guru

Mt Victoria is quickest and relatively good if your tug has plenty of power - only one narrow bit that will force you into RH Lane normally drivers are courteous and let you move across if you indicate early (Although have had some mongrels that made me drop back a cog to almost red-line because they don't like to be behind a caravan for 200 meters).
Bells line of Road easier travelling without any narrow necked passages but it's a bloody long way around.
Direct route to Crookwell from Blayney narrow country Rd (horrendous big descent) near Abercrombie River ensure radiator well filled and take time for a couple of stops to cool down tug motor pulling up hills in lower gears.

PeterD · Guru

Terry, I don't understand your question regarding Mt Vic and the Lithgow Scenic Hill. Is that request for future use or were you intending to go that way if the Tuena road is not to your liking. To dodge the Tuena road I would go via Wellington and Cowra, which is an extra 100 km. Both Mt Vic and Scenic have 1 in 8 sections. When ascending hills keep your motor speed above 3,000 rpm for best cooling, particularly important if you have an auto box. If you keep your engine speed up and your travelling speed down you should have no heating problems on any main road hill in Oz.

Another question - Why Blayney and not straight down from Bathurst, that is a good road.

I have not been through Trunkey Creek/Tuena for over 15 years but the gravel sections were well maintained then. It is the type of road where you keep your speed down so fast oncoming traffic has time to dodge you. Travel a little slower than you normally do and you will take a lot less travelling times than the alternate routes. I have not found the hill gradients on that road excessive but I do take my time and use higher engine speeds to conserve my motor. The last report I have seen is:

27 Mar 2017 - travelled this road today and happy to report that all bar less than 5k's is now sealed. The remaining section is being worked on and won't be far off being completed.

If you want another interesting route then go through Oberon and visit Possum on the way. (Is the Taralga - Crookwell road sealed Possum.)

Possum3 · Guru

Peter, My property bit out of the way I'm on Jerrong Rd (gravel all the way) - Taralga to Croookwell now bitumen all the way see press release www.goulburnpost.com.au/story/3925720/crookwell-to-taralga-road-now-sealed/

I wish they would seal Richlands to Wombeyan and Jerrong Rds.

Wanderlust · Veteran Member

I came down from Blayney to Crookwell towing a 2 tonne van about a year or so ago and it was mostly sealed and upgrading was continuing.
The road is good (a little winding in places) with nice views and has a free camp at Abercrombie River.

Possum3 · Guru

If it is raining East of Abercrombie river move out of Abercrombie quick - that free camp goes about 5 meters under water in minutes.
I tried to teach my Pajero to swim crossing ford on Abercrombie at Jerrong 3 metre wall of water came gushing through - we ended up on top of and old willow tree (the tree saved us from being washing machined to death). Very lucky escape.

PeterD · Guru

Regrading camping, I forgot the Abercrombie Caves just south of Trunkey Creek. There are cave tours and a bush caravan park there.

Possum3 · Guru

Note Wombeyan Caves Rd not suited to caravans - camper trailers OK between Richlands and Caves - Caravans and Trailers not permitted on western side of caves Rd going towards Mittagong - must accessegress from Taralga side only.

Wombeyan Caves Campground is magical with Parma Wallabies in caves well worth a visit ( They are part of the same Limestone caves as Jenolan) - rumoured to be some connections -but I know of some pretty serious spelunkers that have spent days in there and cannot find missing link/s.

TopCat · Veteran Member

Hi Folks,
Sorry for late reply.
Best explain reason for enquiry.
We are farm-sitting in Blayney for 8 days before heading
back to Port Kembla for another house sitting.
The property in Crookwell where I will be leaving my van
is ok with parking there.
We have a farm sitting there for the month of March before heading further South
to Bookham and Wagga.
In the meantime, we are completely booked out except for the month of February
and all bookings so far butt up against each other and no real reason
to be towing the van along with us. (Now booked out to November 2018).
We have a choice of returning to Pt Kembla either by the Hume or GW highways.
This was the reason I ask about the steepness.
I would imagine the Hume would be the best track to Port Kembla - a difference of 3 klms.
I appreciate all the info and the direct distance is only 123klms to Crookwell. I have plenty of time
so will check the great scenery as SWMBO loves photography.
Many thanks to you all.
Travel safe
Terry