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Hi everyone,

I'm planning a 10 days road-trip with my partner at the end of this month from Sydney to Brisbane and I'm hoping to get people's advice on spirited driving routes and good resting points and/or activities along the way.

Here's the rough route that we'll be taking:



Quick break down of sections:

Day 1: Sydney > Hunter Valley for the Gardens via Putty Road. Hunter Valley to Dubbo via Golden Highway (84)
Day 2: Dubbo zoo > somewhere between Dubbo & Brisbane via ??? - open to suggestions for a location to rest for the night and venture around on the next day
Day 3: Somewhere between Dubbo & Brisbane > Brisbane via ???
Day 4: Brisbane
Day 5: Brisbane (any suggestions on places to visit? Only have some city sight seeing and shopping planned so far)
Day 6: Brisbane > Coffs Harbour via Pacific Hwy
Day 7: Coffs Harbour > Port Stephens via Pacific Hwy (was considering the Oxley Hwy and I wouldn't mind the detour)
Day 8: Port Stephens
Day 9: Port Stephens
Day 10: Port Stephens > Sydney via Pacific Hwy

Thanks everyone - really looking forward to the holiday and I might as well make it even better by mixing in 'more engaging' driving routes

Pretty much any of the roads that cross over to the coast are essential driving. Oxley Hwy, Thunderbolts Way, Waterfall Way, just to name a few. Plenty of tips in the "great roads" section of the forum. Minimize your time on the Pacific Hwy and you'll maximize the enjoyment. Too much traffic, speed traps, and road works.

As for sites and things to do, what are your interests? If nature takes your fancy, then the Warrumbungles, Mt Kaputar, New England NP, Dorrigo NP, and Washpool NP are highly recommended.

Brisbane: Mt Nebo/Mt Glorious, Clear Mountain and Mt Mee. Gold Coast hinterland Numinbah or Beechmont areas.

Brisbane to Coffs: via Lismore, Casino, Grafton and Nana Glen. (Summerland Way and Orara Way).

Coffs to Armidale: Through Dorrigo via the Waterfall Way. (See the forest and falls in the Dorrigo area).

Thanks guys - have taken your advice on the Brisbane to Coffs route via Lismore, Casino, Grafton and Nana Glen.

My biggest headache is between Dubbo and Brisbane.

I know I want to stop somewhere but other than Moree, there aren't many other alternatives (we've been told not to stay there by a friend...)

Ideally, I would like to drive from Dubbo Zoo straight to that 'middle point' in 4-5 hours' time, check in to a motel and grab some dinner.

We would love for the 'middle point' to have some great local scenery where we can spend the morning visiting before driving for another 5-6 hours to arrive in Brisbane for dinner.

Unfortunately, there aren't many options for this 'middle point'.... I'm searching on Google Map atm for somewhere 4-5 hours drive from Dubbo but there's really not much out there unless you can invest a whole day's worth into bush walking to get to the real Aussie sceneries...

What about overnight at Gunnedah then up Route 95 (Fossikers' Way) to Warialda and then Yetman - Texas - Stanthorpe - Brisbane. You can always get to Brisbane via Warwick and Queen Mary Falls or just drill along the New England Hwy (Route 15).

Port Stephens is well worth a look if you havn't been.Turn left,west, just Nth of Raymond Terrace and cut across to the New England hwy

Thanks guys, I really like the idea of staying over at Gunnedah such that i have less chance of running into roadkills by driving at night.

Whilst continuing along 95, I was thinking of turning off near Barraba and go through Bundarra to Inverell via the Tunderbolts Way instead. It looks like there are alot more twisties but I'm just not sure whether the road is going to be a dud or not (dud = badly maintained, disaster waiting to happen...)

Has anyone dríven through that stretch of Barraba road?

Thanks WASP - we're planning to stay at Port Stephens for 3 days & 2 nights on the way back.

BadBong wrote:Barraba and go through Bundarra to Inverell via the Tunderbolts Way instead.

It looks to be unsealed between Ironbark and Bundarra

The border of NSW and Qld is all mountains with a number of great twisties. Check out Lions Road which is a small detour between Kyogle and Rathdowney - its got twisties, roller coasters, one lane bridges, views. On google map for some reason it doesnt show as connecting all the way through but it does and all good road ( a bit narrow, and lots of bends ). Also look it up on googe web search as its an official tourist drive. The Qld club has a run there each year - just fabulous.

Remember while you're here the Qld MX5 Club has a cruise somewhere most Sunday mornings - sure you'd be made welcome.

Thanks Quick silver - i wish i could meet a few of the queenslanders as well but we'll be tracking back on a Saturday.

About the route you've suggested - I'm struggling to find where you mean... are you able to point me to a starting point and an ending point or the names of the cross roads or something?...

Cheers mate.

BadBong wrote:Thanks Quick silver - i wish i could meet a few of the queenslanders as well but we'll be tracking back on a Saturday.

About the route you've suggested - I'm struggling to find where you mean... are you able to point me to a starting point and an ending point or the names of the cross roads or something?...

Cheers mate.

Try this link, it contains details and a map:
http://www.bigvolcano.com.au/stories/li ... index.html

It might be a little out of your way if you are going through Warwick but you might be sick of pretty straight highways by then.

If you are going back down the coast route, turn off just south ofthe Gold Coast to Murwillumbah, Lismore, Coraki, back on the highway for a little way then off to Maclean and follow the river almost to Grafton.

Enjoy your trip.