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Hi forum,
I'm mulling over some ideas for a day trip starting and finishing in Newcastle, as I'm feeling the itch for a good drive.

My first idea was to do the Bucketts way, and come back via the Lakes Way in order to avoid the highway as much as possible:

(Google Maps estimates a little under 5 hours for this trip.)

Then there's the possibility of doing the Putty Road, which I've heard good things about, and going out and back via Wollombi:

(Estimated time: a little over 7 hours)

And then there's my most extreme idea, which is to do Thunderbolts and the Oxley Highway. That would be a big day (Google maps estimates just under 9 hours, and that's coming straight back down the Pacific Highway) but on the other hand, people on this forum RAVE about this loop, particularly the Oxley.


So I thought I would look for some suggestions from the forum to see what people think. Feel free to suggest something completely different too.

All depends on how much time you want to spend on the wheel. 9 hours is a long time so make sure you leave very early.

But Thunderbolts Way is always good.

Also while around Bulahdelah, make sure you don't leave without driving on Wootton Way (old Pacific Hwy - Bulahdelah Bends) to Wootton. Some great multi-lane roads that is practically empty. We normally do it up and down and up again

We once did a trip from Newcastle:
- Left onto Bucketts Way (towards Gloucester)
- Right onto Booral Road (@ Booral)
- Left onto Pacific Hwy (towards Bulahdelah)
- Left onto Wootton Way (@ Bulahdelah towards Wootton)
- Left onto Pacific Hwy (toward Taree)

Then two option:

Option 1: Nabiac Turn-Off
- Left onto Wallambah Road
- Right onto Avalon Road
- Left onto Bucketts Way (towards Gloucester)

Option 2: South Taree (Purfleet) Turn-Off
- Exit (left) Pacific Hwy
- Straight onto Bucketts Way (towards Gloucester)

Then you can either at Stroud Road turn right on Reidsdale Road (which turns into Williams Road) towards Dungog, or continue on Bucketts Way all the way to the Pacific Hwy.

Thanks Hammer. I'll keep the Wootton Way in mind; you'll notice that I included it on the Oxley Hwy option. I don't believe I've dríven it, but I looked at the map and it looked like fun and didn't add too much time so I threw it in there.

Any other thoughts, anyone?

They're all good. Mostly.

I'm pretty sure the road north of St Albans is unsealed. You're better off driving via Spencer.

Best to avoid the Pacific Hwy. Boring! Stick further west for the country roads and hills, and do return runs to the coast on the same road.

Google tends to grossly overestimate travel times. You can safely subtract 20%, even when driving safely within the speed limit.

Guran wrote:I'm pretty sure the road north of St Albans is unsealed. You're better off driving via Spencer.

OK, modified Putty Rd option to accommodate that:

Guran wrote:Best to avoid the Pacific Hwy. Boring! Stick further west for the country roads and hills, and do return runs to the coast on the same road.

Yeah, you'll notice that I only really did that on the Oxley Hwy run because it's quite a long trip as it is. It could always be modified to be longer, but even as it is it stands at over 650 km in a single day.

Guran wrote:Google tends to grossly overestimate travel times. You can safely subtract 20%, even when driving safely within the speed limit.

Yeah, I've noticed that too. Still, 650 km on winding roads... (well, mostly. About 100 km on the highway.) Does anyone have a better idea of what time that Thunderbolts/Oxley route would take?

PaulF wrote:Yeah, I've noticed that too. Still, 650 km on winding roads... (well, mostly. About 100 km on the highway.) Does anyone have a better idea of what time that Thunderbolts/Oxley route would take?

CoffeeBoss is your man.

viewtopic.php?p=537651#p537651

Argh, after reading that again how can I not take the Thunderbolts/Oxley route? I will PM CoffeeBoss though and see if I can get a better idea of time.

I've done that route going up North (Thunderbolts Way - Oxley Hwy) but took the pacific Hwy @ Wauhope back down (running out of time) to Newcastle. It took us about 10hrs and nearly 700kms from Port Stephens. That time includes proper stop for lunch and fuel breaks.

Hey Paul,

in my experience, Google Maps always overestimates travel time, the level of estimation increasing with distance.

That being said, when you factor in stops and what not, the estimate becomes quite reasonable.

The Thunderbolts/Oxley loop is achievable in a day from Newcastle, certainly.

Really, the question is wether or not you want to take extra time to sample some of the local wares, take some photos etc, or wether you just want to driiiivee. There is appeal in both - particularly if you are going by yourself, you may find stopping just for fuel and the occasional rest is all that you will desire.

However, in my opinion Thunderbolts/Oxley is best done in two days. For example, on our second day when we came down the Oxley, because we left Walcha early in the morning, not only did we have time for a few rest stops and breaks waiting for some empty road, but we also had time to drive back up to the top of the last section and back down again. Believe me, particularly if it's a nice day - you'll want to

That Putty loop looks like fun, and a more reasonable day's run too. It would be my preference.

Either way - leave early. Early morning top down is the bestest way to start a drive.

Thanks for all the tips guys. Perhaps Putty would be a better day trip. If I stretched the Oxley/Thunderbolts over two days, I could do a bit more with it - maybe do the rest of Thunderbolts up north of Walcha as well (worth doing?), go back South via the Lakes Way rather than just taking the highway, have a run up and down Wootton Way, that sort of thing.

Hey Paul, this is my first post on the forum so G'day. I moved to Newcastle from Tamworth about 8 months ago, I used to visit the Oxley (Gingers Creek as I and many know it too) on the bike every now and then from Tamworth. Have bought an MX5 SE since moving down here and only just came home from that way from Tamworth on the weekend.

Its definetly the best road and its worth the trip!! I've done a bit in the MX5 so far, Wootton way is good, its pretty hardcore actually, its hard to believe they ever made that to be a highway!! Its smooth and what not but the way some of the turns sneak up on you, its no wonder it was infamous back in the day. I've only done the start of the Lakes way near Buladelah it was really good especially the fresh bit. The Putty is good too but not as good as the Oxley, only done the 10 mile (the twisty bit about 20mins from Singleton) in the MX5, its the best bit anyway. Thats a pretty good little morning or afternoon trip from Newcastle, Cameron Park, Seahampton, Kurri, Cessnock, Broke, Milbrodale, that takes about 1 hour 15 minutes and your practically at the 10 mile, do that, turn around and come back again. Nice country side out that way.

Havent done all of Bucketts only Gloucester to Krambach, Thunderbolts is good although the condition of the road is definetly lacking in places, especially compared to the Oxley.

If you were going to do it in a day, go up the highway in the morning to Wauchope that will take 2-1/2 hrs with fuel / 3hrs morning tea stop including the Wootton way, so that gets the Pacific Hwy out of the way. From there 1/2 hour and your just about getting into the really good stuff, factor in atleast 2 hours by the time you go over, come back, go over again, then 1/2 hr on to Walcha. So thats 6 Hours. Walcha to Newcastle I have no idea, give it 4 with lunch just looking at google maps. Then again, driving into Gloucester in the morning is just magic looking at the hills. Maybe go clockwise, save the run home down the highway for when your spent and ready to just chill out.

Oh, and theres nothing north of Walcha. Trust me lol.

Dan.

Hey Dan, thanks for all that advice, and welcome to the forum! Hopefully we can meet in person at some point, if you're thinking of attending any MX-5 Club or forum events. Good to see someone else from Newcastle around here.

Cheers Paul, I am planning on joining the Mx5 Club and hopefully doing some track events soon. Will be good to hook up with some like minded people, never been for a cruise with other mx5's!

Dandaman,

Feel free to join in one of the MX5 Club runs in Newcastle. Guest are always welcome.

Here are the details for this month:

KURRI NOSTALGIA RUN
Meet: Beresfield BP at the end of F3
Time: 9am
Details: We will meet the Sydney Run at Morisset at 9.30am for coffee and then a short run to Kurri. Lunch at Kurri Kurri
Leader: Phil Mayo

Visit the website for more details: http://www.clubsonline.com.au/customdat ... OrgID=4704

Hammer wrote:Feel free to join in one of the MX5 Club runs in Newcastle. Guest are always welcome.

I can vouch for that. I went along to their meeting last week and everyone was very friendly. Was even offered a ride in a member's car and a possible passenger seat in future runs until I have a '5 of my own. Not bad, considering I was just a young bloke who nobody had met in person before.