Great Dividing Range

Raha · Veteran Member

Great Dividing Range

Rod Mac · Veteran Member

Hi have just been up and down and along the GDR, in a Pajero and towing a tandem Jayco Pop Top.

I would suggest you keep going into Warwick and take your time going down Cunninghams Gap to continue on the motorway to the Gold Coast.

Or go from Glen Innes to Grafton down the Gibraltar Range, again take your time as both of these routes really only have one major Up or Down and then rolling country, note there is lots of road works (i.e.continuous) from Grafton to Ballina, majority limited to 80kmh.

From Tenterfield down the road is very rough in places and you still have to get through Casino, Lismore etc, can be ugly with a fair bit of up and down.

Also stay away from the Warwick to Kyogle route, again very rough and poor condition in places.

Possum3 · Guru

The easiest way is to go up Pacific Highway, which would miss Inverell, Glen Innes, Tenterfield, Stanthorpe. If you go from Inverell across on the Gwyder Hwg to Grafton it is easier but you will miss Stanthorpe.

PeterD · Guru

Raha wrote:
easiest/flattest/no white knuckles for the passenger? route. Thanks.

How does your rig handle the hill up to the Eagle on the Hill? It has a similar gradient to the descent from Cunningham's Gap after you go through Warwick. The big difference is the Gap descent is longer. If the navigator can handle that she can handle Cunningham's Gap. The trick in descending that hill is to slow right down and engage as low a gear that is necessary so as not to have to use the brakes too much. The steeper sections are two lanes wide so you will not be holding traffic up. I get down not touching my brakes too much.

This is the route that I would take.

If you are not prepared to train yourself and the navigator you are going to miss out on a lot of eastern Qld and NSW.

Hendo · Guru

Adelaide to Canberra then onto Hume Highway. Duel lane from there all the way. Negatives - Fair bit of roadworks north of Coffs Harbour - 7 k's of Pennant Hills Road, 3 lane but very heavy traffic, just get in the middle lane and put your elbows out and take your time. Positives - Plenty

Safe travels

Hendo

brickies · Guru

If you can't handle Cunningham's Gap or the Toowooomba range it's time to stop driving

Raha · Veteran Member

Thanks for all the replies. Will probably go Cuninghams. Much appreciated.

Radar · Guru

Raha wrote:
Hi All. We are travelling from Adelaide to Carrara, Qld. via Inverell, Glen Innes, Tenterfield, Stanthorpe With a 22 foot van. we are not sure where we should cross the GDR. Can we have some suggestions please for the ?easiest/flattest/no white knuckles for the passenger? route. Thanks.
Raha

Hi Raha

Glen Innes to Grafton could be a quieter option with some very pleasent views then onto Highway One to Carrara which is multi lanes all the way from Ballina up.

There is some road works happening between Grafton and Ballina with speed limits set at 80 KS which flows very good.

Glen Innes to Grafton is a road in good condition generally. The drop down the range is not super steep.

Long Weekend · Guru

Raha,

To set your mind at rest I have towed a camper trailer and caravan up and down the Cunningham three times, as well as a couple of solo trips. Cunningham's Gap is the easiest one down the GDR that I have used - ranging from the worst Macquarie Pass, Brown Mountain, Clyde Mountain, Mount Darragh in NSW.

As others have said, use your gears for engine braking and take it steady.

Murray

PeterD · Guru

Raha wrote:
Thanks for all the replies. Will probably go Cuninghams. Much appreciated.

Can you please tell us how the navigator reacted to you going that way, after you have done the trip.

Raha · Veteran Member

Thanks Murray. We have been from Batemans Bay to Canberra - the navigator didn't enjoy the ride but managed!
PeterD. Our Landcruiser and van handle Adelaide-Crafers/Crafers-Adelaide no problems so Cunninghams Gap seems the way to go. We are doing the trip in July so I will let you know if the passenger side floor is still intact when we return!

PeterD · Guru

Tks

PeterD

Long Weekend · Guru

Raha, after the Clyde you will think that the Cunningham is like an on ramp to a freeway!

Murray

Raha · Veteran Member

Well. We have just come down Cunningham Highway. There is still a floor on the passenger side and happy to report there were not even white knuckles! I think she quite enjoyed it and is now ready for more challenges. Thanks for all the advice.
Raha