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A question for the locals: what is this road like . Sealed all the way
I've dríven up through Macquarie Pass before but looking at this way down just for something different.

John, John, John. All you need to ask is "Hey, I'll be in town and I'd like a fun drive in the Illawarra" and we'll sort you out with PLENTY of tips!

The road you asked about is Jamberoo Mountain Road, right? Yes it is entirely sealed. It starts at Robertson Pie Shop and is mostly 100km/hr zone until just before Barren Grounds. Then you get some very nice twisties before dropping into a narrow pass down the mountain. It's much narrower and a bit rougher than Macquarie Pass, with more blind hairpins - not as flowing. There is a short washed out section at the moment with one lane traffic control operating. You then pass a monastery and the road flattens out for a bit (still twisty), then you have a long straight & steep descent, before a couple more twists and that's it. At the bottom it's country windy lane at 80km/hr, with one more wash-out bit with one-way flow. In summary: not on par with Macquarie Pass but usually less traffic and it makes a great loop when combined together.

I also recommend the roads from Jamberoo to Albion Park, Jamberoo to Kiama, Jamberoo to Saddleback Mountain, Saddleback to Kiama, Jamberoo to Dunmore ... before you think about heading north or south. If you're lucky with traffic, all are a joy to drive. Not so fun of course, if you get stuck behind the reverend and his wife in their LTD!

Yes it is all sealed and fantastic, another option after going through Jamberoo, turn right into Fountaindale Rd then left into Saddleback into Kiama, Paul

Thanks chaps.

Yes, Jamberoo Mountain Road was the one in question and glad to hear it's MX-5 suitable . We're looking at heading that way from Bundanoon (gotta pop in to visit the rellies there) to Kiama, then along the coast, sea cliff bridge and through the Royal National Park as part of the drive back from Natmeet. The Fountaindale/Saddleback loop option sounds good too. If Jamberoo Mountain Road becomes messed up prior to our trip, we'll just go down through Macquarie Pass to Albion Park then loop around through Jamberoo I guess.

Sounds like a plan. Very happy to show you around if you'd like a guide ... but I probably won't be home from NatMeet until Wednesday. We're thinking of staying in Canberra for another night after it's all over.

Thanks for the guide offer Bryan, much appreciated. However, we'll be departing Canberra on Tuesday after brekkie for Bundanoon and all points north. See you at Natmeet I suppose.

Excellent road, even though we were stuck behind a Honda pace car for some of it.