Canberra to Newcastle

Farmhat · Senior Member

Canberra to Newcastle

subaru · Veteran Member

i would suggest heading up to dubbo then come in via the golden highway,i also think it would be quicker just come through sydney then up to newcastle.cheers

Radar · Guru

Farmhat wrote:
Is there any sensible way to get from Canberra to Newcastle with a heavy van to avoid steep parts of the great dividing range, (and not go through Sydney) Would really like some suggestions from you all that know that area please.
Joe

My throughts were across to Yass, Boorowa, Cowra. From ther there variou ways to Coolah to Newcastle.

My favourite from Cowra takes in Molong, Wellington, Gulgong to Cassilis then to Newcastle.

Or from Wellington towards Dubbo but before there cut across toward the Dunnedo road to Dubbo at Wongarbon.

Just my thoughts but then I enjoy roads that don't have a second lane.

Dougwe · Chief one feather

G'day Joe,

Me, I tow a 20ft van and 2.7t. I would just plan my journey for around 10.00am Sunday via M7, M4 then Pennant Hills sticking to middle lane then onto the Pacific hwy to Newcastle. Easy really.

Whenarewethere · Guru

Agree, Sunday morning.

Farmhat · Senior Member

Dougwe wrote:
G'day Joe,

Me, I tow a 20ft van and 2.7t. I would just plan my journey for around 10.00am Sunday via M7, M4 then Pennant Hills sticking to middle lane then onto the Pacific hwy to Newcastle. Easy really.

G'day Dougwe, thanks for that. On the maps I see the Pacific Highway and next to it, a bigger looking Pacific MWY. I assume that is Motorway? They run more or less parallel, so is there any reason to choose one over the other?

Joe

Dougwe · Chief one feather

Just follow signs to Newcastle Joe.

The Belmont Bear · Guru

No big deal Joe as Doug suggested from Canberra stay on the Hume Hwy onto the M7 then the M2 until the Newcastle off ramp onto Pennant Hills Road. Try and stay in the middle lane about 7kms until you get to the M1 to Newcastle we did it last week in peak hour in the opposite direction without a drama. It is better if you can find a quieter time like on a Sunday but if you can,t dont stress just take your time and you will be ok. The alternative is via the Golden Hwy but that will add a fair bit of time to your journey.

Cheers
BB

Dougwe · Chief one feather

Just don't go via Melbourne freeways Joe, they a the yucky ones mate.

Long Weekend · Guru

The Pacific Highway is the old two lane road - it winds around and goes through a lot of towns.

The Newcastle Motorway is a freeway - divided four lanes, and in some places six lanes - so it is a no brainer which one to take.

As for the Pentland Hills Road, while it is a very busy road - as others have said make sure you are in the right hand lanes after travelling about five kilometres. If you are in the left lane you will end up not being able to turn onto the Motorway.

Incidentally, if you happen to be on the Pentland Hills Road during the morning and afternoon school speed zones, you will find that there seems to be around five kilometres of 40km/h past what appears to be half a dozen schools. At least that's what it seemed to be last time I travelled on it.

Murray

Farmhat · Senior Member

Lots of great advice there. Thank you.

Joe

PeterD · Guru

Farmhat wrote:
Dougwe wrote:
G'day Joe,

Me, I tow a 20ft van and 2.7t. I would just plan my journey for around 10.00am Sunday via M7, M4 then Pennant Hills sticking to middle lane then onto the Pacific hwy to Newcastle. Easy really.
G'day Dougwe, thanks for that. On the maps I see the Pacific Highway and next to it, a bigger looking Pacific MWY. I assume that is Motorway? They run more or less parallel, so is there any reason to choose one over the other?

The Pacific Hwy is the old pre WW II route. A lot of it is limited to 60 km/h. It is only the oldies who drive it from Hornsby to Gosford and then that is just for old times sake. The motor cyclists like sections of it for the bends. I last used it with the van when 2 of the three lanes were blocked near Jolls bridge. Despite the large bank up of traffic the motorway traffic got through in the same time as I did.

As for the day to travel Pennant Hills Road, the interstate travelers think Sunday is the best day. However that is when you strike all the weekend wackos. The locals prefer the week days, the traffic may be heavier but it you don't get as many of the wackos cutting you off. Just aim to be on it between 10 am and 2 pm (between the school drop off/pickup hours.)

As you drive the M7 it becomes 3 traffic lanes. Head over to the LH lane, this takes you straight up the off ramp to Pennant Hills Road. When on Pennant Hills Road stick to the middle lane. Near the roads end watch for the RH and middle lanes ducking to the right to exit onto the motorway. The reason some of us say to stick to the middle lane is that most of the trucks use it and the car drivers don't like following them because they accelerate away from the lights more gently. However the trucks get to the other end as quick as the cars and often quicker.

Jaahn · Guru

Hi smile

Perhaps these may help. The official main roads in Sydney and elsewhere in the state too. biggrin

Look at these maps of main roads to see where to go. They are both freeways and tollways, but all are main roads which will be well signposted and easy to get along.

https://www.rms.nsw.gov.au/documents/roads/using-roads/alpha-numeric/southern-map.pdf

https://www.rms.nsw.gov.au/documents/roads/using-roads/alpha-numeric/sydney-map.pdf

https://www.rms.nsw.gov.au/documents/roads/using-roads/alpha-numeric/illawarra-map.pdf

The main reference; https://www.rms.nsw.gov.au/roads/using-roads/alpha-numeric/documents-maps.html

The tolls can be paid by phoning the numbers shown on the BIG SIGNS, after you have driven through. No toll booths now. Note the M7 changes into the M2 and two tolls are due if you go both. (correction thanks Peter) hmm

Why would you use anything but the Hume Highway/Motorway, M31 if you want easy driving and fast travelling. Boreing yes, but easy ! and it feeds directly into the M7 and the easy fast Sydney bypass.

Once you get on the M1 freeway you just cruise north and watch Sydney disappear in the rear view mirror !! Good luck !

Jaahn

-- Edited by Jaahn on Wednesday 20th of February 2019 01:10:27 PM

PeterD · Guru

Jaahn wrote:
The tolls can be paid by phoning the numbers shown on the BIG SIGNS, after you have driven through. No toll booths now. Note the M7 changes into the M4 and two tolls are due if you go both.

A little correction here. You cross the M4 at the Light Horse Interchange. The M7 leads into the M2. The M4 is part of the road from Sydney to Bathurst.