Thunderbolts Way

RV freewind · Member

Thunderbolts Way

Fester55 · Veteran Member

Did it early in the year in my motorhome. The road is steep and windy but is pretty wide so you shouldn't have any issues whatsoever. It's a very scenic drive and well worth it.

The caravan park at Walcha is well worth an overnighter.

-- Edited by Fester55 on Sunday 26th of September 2021 08:45:39 AM

erad · Guru

The drive on the lower reaches is very pretty, and Gloucester is a pretty little town. The road meanders around a fait bit after Gloucester and is slow, but very pretty drive. There is really only one steep climb, and it is a Lulu. It goes for about 5 km, and the view from the lookout at the top (there is a toilet there as well) is fantastic. It is a very pretty run, and overall saves about 1 hour for the run from Armidale to Newcastle compared to the New England Highway. The big advantage is that you are able to look around at the scenery instead of just occasionally looking up from your speedometer to see where you are going on the New England Hwy. The New England has so many different speed zones, it is a nightmare for me to drive it. Having said this, be careful on the Thunderbolt way because one up the top, it is a lovely, lonely drive and very easy to exceed the limits. I have seen many police cars on it, but never been invited to talk to them.

Bicyclecamper · Guru

I think Thunderbolts Way from from the Pacific Hwy is shut down due to landslides. I would ring Ginger Creek Cafe to varify, or contact roads NSW to be sure.

Fester55 · Veteran Member

I think you're referring to the Oxley Hwy between Port Macquarie and Walcha.

Kebbin · Guru

Yeah it makes you wonder when Bicyclecamper lives in a town where Thunderbolts Way goes thru, seems he is a little confused?

The Travelling Dillberries · Guru

Fester55 wrote:
I think you're referring to the Oxley Hwy between Port Macquarie and Walcha.

Yes, Thunderbolts is definitely open.

Brodie Allen · Guru

There's a simply great and very large camp at Bretti.

One of my favorites.

The road the whole way is no problem whatsoever, and very scenic.
One of NSW hidden driving treasures the whole way.

I have traversed it in all weather with a 21 footer in tow.
A breeze.

KevinJ · Senior Member

I camped at Bretti Reserve for a week in May this year. It was an absolutely great place to stay. I'd highly recommend it.

Bicyclecamper · Guru

I often confuse the two, but I thought it was locked down and not the Oxley.

Peter1059 · Senior Member

Its a brilliant drive its as with all roads, just drive to conditions

jade46 · Senior Member

Well Im confused. Thunderbolts way runs from Walca to Glouchester. How does it get him to Goondiwindi?

RV freewind · Member

It is actually a road trip I found in a Cartoscope map which actually starts from the Bucketts way just north of Raymond Terrace and goes all the way to Goondiwindi.

PeterD · Guru

Thunderbolts Way. That is a good article on the road. It actually terminates near Inverell. The road from Inverell to Goondiwindi is quite good. Most of the roads through that country are OK. I have been through some of them and if they are solid red on maps like Hema then they will be OK.

For camping up the northern end, there is a very nice caravan park at Yetman.