I plan to travel from North East Victoria to Ballina in northern NSW and will be towing a 5th wheeler. What I am looking for is the best route to take for crossing the Great Divide. If someone can advise on the lowest point to cross I would greatly appreciate.
I'd have to study the maps to be sure but, in your situation, I'd be thinking Albury. depending on where you are in NE Vic it probably won't put that much extra distance on and will ensure you don't have hill issues.
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I would normally suggest going via Tenterfield to Casino and down to Ballina, as to me it is the best way, less of a climb down and back, and Semi's take this way all the time, but it would depend on how big the 5th wheeler is and how confident you are with it on a not so wide road with 36 km of S bends. The other way is via Glen Innes to Grafton, it is much steeper but does not have as many bends, and is exactly 100miles(not km) to Grafton to get to the Pacific Hwy. Then their is From Armidale to Coffs Harbour via Dorrigo Mountain, but it is quite narrow, especially at one point near a waterfall area and you don't want to meet a large vehicle in that section. So if you are by-passing Sydney, but are near Singleton, I would advise you to get to the pacific Hwy, and you don't have a problem. Otherwise I would advise, the Tenterfield route, it is a little bendy, but nowhere near as steep.
-- Edited by Bicyclecamper on Saturday 14th of March 2020 12:45:58 PM
Hi Black Dog, I head north every winter and just go up through Albury, Pennant Hills (Sydney), then the Pacific Hwy through to Ballina. Nice part of OZ up there.
I plan going through 'Sydney' mid Sunday morning as much less traffic and trucks. Double lane all the way with some road works here and there.
I go that way as I don't like going up the middle due to road trains and big rigs coming at me and up my, well, you know, bum.
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TUG.......2014 Holden LT Colorado Twin Cab Ute with Canopy
DEN....... 2014 "Chief" Arrow CV (with some changes)
Hi Black Dog, I head north every winter and just go up through Albury, Pennant Hills (Sydney), then the Pacific Hwy through to Ballina. Nice part of OZ up there.
I plan going through 'Sydney' mid Sunday morning as much less traffic and trucks. Double lane all the way with some road works here and there.
I go that way as I don't like going up the middle due to road trains and big rigs coming at me and up my, well, you know, bum.
Hi Doug.
Would I be correct in assuming your Albury to Pennant Hills would be through Goulburn and not through Bathurst?
Lived in Gundagai for years. Travelled to the Gold Coast countless times. So my suggestion is, Albury to Wagga, Young, Grenfell, Forbes. Up the Newell highway to Goondawindi, Warwick, Gold Coast and back down to Ballina.
Yes it seems a crazy long way. But do the sums. It's the same k's as going up the coast. Only hills are near Coonabarabrand and going down the Cunningham rang east of Warwick. Ask yourself why the trucks go that way.
Thanks for the tips fellas. The Goondawindi is looking good but someone has also suggested going up inland and through the Hunter Valley and rejoining the Pacific near Raymond Terrace. Does anyone know how hilly it is going this way
Thanks for the tips fellas. The Goondawindi is looking good but someone has also suggested going up inland and through the Hunter Valley and rejoining the Pacific near Raymond Terrace. Does anyone know how hilly it is going this way
You can leave Newell at Dubbo & go B84, Golden Hwy to Maitland,Hexham then A1. Probably easiest/lowest crossing.
-- Edited by gnomead on Saturday 14th of March 2020 10:20:24 PM
I plan to travel from North East Victoria to Ballina in northern NSW and will be towing a 5th wheeler. What I am looking for is the best route to take for crossing the Great Divide. If someone can advise on the lowest point to cross I would greatly appreciate.
Get onto the Hume Highway from Victoria to Sydney then Pacific Highway to Ballina.
That will give you mostly 4 lanes to practice your driving skills in and basically no steep declines worry you.
I have travelled all of the above routes in my MH. If I was in your position I would use the Hume then Pacific Hwy. Four lanes all the way. The tolls on the M7/M2 are a small price to pay for the convenience of the Sydney ring road. This road from Cambelltown to past the north of the Newcastle is often busy. I like the Sunday AM idea to avoid peak hours. If you like a more quieter road then I would use Steven's Dubbo then Golden Hwy route via Maitland/Hexham then up the Pacific Hwy. Raymond you should take some "ALL Saints" with you to relax after your trip. Enjoy.
You haven't said why you are concerned about crossing the Great Divide. If it is the gradients, the Newell Highway to Brisbane and then come back down past the Gold Coast is probably the best. It is easy running for most of that trip. The New England Hwy is very hilly. The Pacific Hwy has some long drags around the Hawkesbury River and Sydney, but after that is mostly flat. Of course there is Pennant Hills Road (shudder), but I just get into the middle lane and follow the trucks. It is only for about 15 km and then you are on the divided road again.
Any of the main range crossings are suitable for your rig - large trucks regularly use these roads every day and the gradients are not that steep. Use the gears on your tug to control the speed (don't ride the brakes) and you will be fine.
Probably the safest route is to go up the Hume Hwy and Pacific Hwy because it is divided road for most of the way now. There is about 90 km of roadworks remaining South from Grafton but that is quite manageable.
The Golden Highway has some big hills. Then it dumps you into the New England Highway through the Hunter Valley. The Hunter Valley is crazy busy. If you use the Newell Highway there are lots of camp areas that aren't anywhere as busy as the coast road.
For me it's still a no brainer. Newell all the way. Ask the truckies.
-- Edited by bgt on Sunday 15th of March 2020 11:33:36 AM
The Golden Highway has some big hills. Then it dumps you into the New England Highway through the Hunter Valley. The Hunter Valley is crazy busy. If you use the Newell Highway there are lots of camp areas that aren't anywhere as busy as the coast road.
For me it's still a no brainer. Newell all the way. Ask the truckies.
-- Edited by bgt on Sunday 15th of March 2020 11:33:36 AM
I am a retired transport man. 43 years of driving large ones.
Coming from the north eastern Victoria, lacking a lot of experience, the Hume to Sydney then the Pacific to Ballina is the most easiest.
That is why our good friend, Chief of The ex coach captains drives that way, 2 times a year.
Of cause me you will only find me on short parts of the highway, they are to busy with other caravaners.
-- Edited by Radar on Sunday 15th of March 2020 02:41:29 PM
I go that way cos it's easier IMO. Anything for an easy life in retirement I reckon.
As for the now ridiculous charge on the M7 and M2, well, it's only twice a year and as I say, it's easy. I have saved up for the trip through going north and I will have plenty of time up in the land of the banana to save for the trip back
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Live Life On Your Terms
DOUGChief One Feather (Losing feathers with age)
TUG.......2014 Holden LT Colorado Twin Cab Ute with Canopy
DEN....... 2014 "Chief" Arrow CV (with some changes)
By the way, does anybody have any information regarding when the tunnel bypass of the Pentland Hills Road is likely to be finished? I was last up and down that road in March last year attending the NSW state caravan rally at Maitland.
As Dougwe says, get in the middle lane. Or even the right if traffic is light. If you get stuck in the left you might be forced to go straight ahead instead of turning right onto the Newcastle Expressway. And then you will be in deep trouble trying to turn around and come back.
By the way, there is only one roadhouse/servo on the Newcastle Expressway - don't be caught out.
I go that way cos it's easier IMO. Anything for an easy life in retirement I reckon.
As for the now ridiculous charge on the M7 and M2, well, it's only twice a year and as I say, it's easy. I have saved up for the trip through going north and I will have plenty of time up in the land of the banana to save for the trip back
Hi Dougwe, I thought I was so careful how I worded that sentence.
As a very experienced Chief of The Coach Captains, you would only take your walk on, walk off indian freight on the most comfortable roads from North Eastern Victoria to Ballina being The Hume from Albury to Sydney then the Pacific to Ballina so as to have everybody arrive in good humour, relaxed and ready to enjoy the destination.
Now to compare what transport drivers do is a total no, no. There reasons are nothing like enjoying the freedom of RVing. Time schedules, long, heavy loads rule their lives.
I live just south of Newcastle and if I was travelling from southern NSW to the north coast I would use the Hume Hwy, M7, M2, onto Pennant Hills Rd, the M1 to the Beresfield interchange then to Hexham and the north coast. If you decide to use the inland route you can take the Golden Hwy from Dubbo through Merriwa and across to The New England Hwy/Hunter Expressway and then back to Hexham. Depends on how much time you have or how much you want want to avoid going through Sydney. As Dougwe suggested the only real challenge is the Pennant Hills Road if you just stay in the middle lane you should be OK there are plenty of large trucks that seem to manage getting through there without a problem. I heard that the 7km M1 to M2 tunnel link was supposed to have been completed by the end of this year whether it is or not remains to be seen.
Hi, I might be a bit late with info but we have a 25ft fiver and travelled from Vic north to Coffs and we took the route uptown Dubbo and east across the Golden Highway. An easy run some hills but I would go that way every time as I hate hills. Cheers J and J
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Thanks for the info re opening the tunnel. I expect to be heading north again about March next year to attend the State Caravan Rally at Gloucester and while I have had no trouble on the Pennant Hills Road to date I would love to give it a miss.
I haven't counted the times I have travelled on the Pennant over the years, but it would be over a dozen return trips. A couple of times I have joined it at the end of the Cumberland Highway, so have driven a lot longer distance than from the end of the M7.
By the way, as Dougwe recommends it is best to travel on that road on Sundays. If you must travel during the mid week try and not do it during the school zones slow times! There is one section of the road that seems to have about five kilometres of 40km/h going past a number of schools.
