1st week in January we are leaving Horsham, VIC and driving, wife pulling the poptop with the Outlander, me pulling our 2 tonne trailer sailer with our Discovery 2 TD5. The Landy is rather elderly @335K km but in decent nick. My only concern is the transmission and transfer case, both of which I would like to subject to as little strain as possible. As it's likely to be stinky hot I am looking for the route with the least uphill grinds. Any suggestions please? RACQ routefinder suggests via the Castlereagh or the Newell.
Apart from broken edges, undulations is there any difference in two routes for truck traffic? We are generally a bit slower than them and prefer to keep out the way.
Having driven similar routes for years in trucks I will suggest this trip as probably being the most forgiving for you. If trucks are a worry a UHF on ch 40 may help. Anyway here goes;
Horsham To Bowen Horsham - Swan Hill -Hay -Cobar-Charleville- Roma - Emerald- Claremont- Moranbah- Nebo- Eton- Marian- Hampden- Proserpine- Bowen
That is probably the flattest route and it is not much more distance than the other suggested highways. You will still go down the Eton Range which is steep and under traffic control due to roadworks. Speed limit is about 40 Kph for most of it. Dont go into Mackay make sure you turn at Eton but if in times of rain check if roads are open. Get and use an up to date GPS or have good paper maps. The first Eton turn off will be signposted as closed if Sandy Creek is over the bridge. If that is the case take the second turn on the Mackay side of Eton
Most roads are crap in Australia so travel safely.
Oh! And I might add I would put a 12 v aerator pump in your fish tank and switch it on for most of the time. Temperature of the fish water should be monitored closely as well.
Regards
Rob
-- Edited by bentaxlebabe on Tuesday 3rd of December 2019 06:16:04 PM
-- Edited by bentaxlebabe on Tuesday 3rd of December 2019 06:41:00 PM
I prefer the most inland roads as I find a lot less traffic and generally more relaxing to drive.
The Newell is quite hilly in parts and both highways have many more towns to navigate while on your journey.
Many may like the busier routes but not for me.
A UHF is invaluable when sharing the roads with trucks, particularly with wide loads or even in your case Tingau when you are travelling in two vehicles and need to communicate easily between yourselves. If you are talking between yourselves just drop down a channel to 39 and still monitor 40 or use the caravan channel 12 and monitor channel 40.
In any case travel safely and I could think of a lot worse places to relocate to than Bowen. It is a great spot.
Having driven similar routes for years in trucks I will suggest this trip as probably being the most forgiving for you. If trucks are a worry a UHF on ch 40 may help. Anyway here goes;
Horsham To Bowen Horsham - Swan Hill -Hay -Cobar-Charleville- Roma - Emerald- Claremont- Moranbah- Nebo- Eton- Marian- Hampden- Proserpine- Bowen
That is probably the flattest route and it is not much more distance than the other suggested highways. You will still go down the Eton Range which is steep and under traffic control due to roadworks. Speed limit is about 40 Kph for most of it. Dont go into Mackay make sure you turn at Eton but if in times of rain check if roads are open. Get and use an up to date GPS or have good paper maps. The first Eton turn off will be signposted as closed if Sandy Creek is over the bridge. If that is the case take the second turn on the Mackay side of Eton
Most roads are crap in Australia so travel safely.
Oh! And I might add I would put a 12 v aerator pump in your fish tank and switch it on for most of the time. Temperature of the fish water should be monitored closely as well.
Regards
Rob
Thank you Rob for that excellent reply. "Swan Hill -Hay -Cobar-Charleville- Roma - Emerald- Claremont- Moranbah- Nebo- Eton- Marian- Hampden- Proserpine- Bowen" sounds like our route.
Battery aerator is organised. Hoping to able to luxuriate in aircon, even towing a 2 tonne boat which the fish should enjoy as much as us. Depends if the elderly Disco allows it. Don't have UHF. Cheers, Pete
