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The Pub For General Automotive Related Talk |
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#1 | ||
Flairs - Truckers Delight
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Brisbane Northside Likes: Opposite Lock
Posts: 5,731
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Afternoon FordForumers,
Next month I need to go to Canberra, and I plan to drive. I've never done the trip before, and I was wondering which way would be the best way to go? Now my idea of 'best' way is: Fastest (time wise), and most easy to drive (minimal heavy traffic, no twisty or windy bits). I don't really care about scenery. Now the three routes google maps has given me is the Pacific Highway then National Highway One, or New England Highway then National Highway One, or Newell Highway. I will be doing the majority of my driving between 10am and 4pm on weekdays. Which way would you go and why?
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Current: Silhouette Black 2007 SY Ford Territory TX RWD 7-seater "Black Banger"
2006-2016: Regency Red 2000 AUII Ford Falcon Forte Automatic Sedan Tickford LPG "Millennium Falcon" |
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#2 | ||
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: Jan 2012
Posts: 677
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I've done Brisbane -> Coffs Harbour, Brisbane -> Sydney, Brisbane -> Newcastle and Brisbane -> Melbourne before, and always taken the Pacific Motorway route. It's a pretty good stretch of highway mate, just remember your E-Toll thingy. Be patient, take plenty of stops and remember those pesky mobile fund raisers!
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#3 | ||
FPV BFII GT Cobra No.249
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Lake Macquarie & Sydney
Posts: 581
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I'd normally say take the New England Hwy to Newcastle. Although there are no reports of damaged areas, due to the floods & more traffic using it, some parts maybe broken up, so it's your call/risk? If you take the Pacific Hwy watch for roadworks (speed zones) & some non-bypassed areas with slow speed zones 50k areas. When you get to Newcastle, take the F3 freeway to Sydney, then take the M2-M7 motorways (cashless toll roads, take your pass) which will get you around Sydney, then take the M5 non-toll at that end/Hume Hwy (straight off the end of the M7 at Prestons), till past Goulburn, then take the Federal Hwy into Canberra.
Pretty much as Google maps says Pacific Hwy then National Hwy 1. If you do go via the New England Hwy, don't follow Google maps & turn off at Singleton & go the back way, continue on the New England towards Newcastle then turn onto the North End of the F3 at Thornton. |
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#4 | ||
Afterburner + skids =
![]() Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Skidsville
Posts: 12,113
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If you're going to Canberra I'd be going down the Newell. And going via Toowoomba to Goondiwindi instead of Warwick.
People say the Newell is boring, but I disagree.
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#5 | |||
FPV BFII GT Cobra No.249
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Lake Macquarie & Sydney
Posts: 581
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Quote:
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#6 | ||
Flairs - Truckers Delight
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Brisbane Northside Likes: Opposite Lock
Posts: 5,731
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Hmm, a mixed bag of opinions. Thankyou to those who have put their thoughts forth - I am now happy to know that I am right to feel mixed about which is the right way to go.
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Current: Silhouette Black 2007 SY Ford Territory TX RWD 7-seater "Black Banger"
2006-2016: Regency Red 2000 AUII Ford Falcon Forte Automatic Sedan Tickford LPG "Millennium Falcon" |
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#7 | ||
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: Feb 2008
Posts: 2,312
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What's the best way through/around sydney?
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My ride: 2007 Falcon Ute BF XR8 Orange, MTO. |
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#8 | |||
FPV BFII GT Cobra No.249
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Lake Macquarie & Sydney
Posts: 581
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Quote:
Brisbane to Canberra, the way I posted up further, F3 - Cumberland Hwy/Pennant Hills Rd - M2 - M7 - M5 - Hume Hwy. M2 & M7 are the only toll roads going that way, will cost $9.90 each direction (Light Vehicles), 49km of freeway conditions mostly at or close to 100kph. Pennant Hills Rd will be the slowest point, you'll be through Sydney & out the other side before you realise, taking that route. |
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#9 | |||
Donating Member
![]() Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Heading thru Hell (Corner)
Posts: 8,142
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Quote:
Having said that, cobramania makes a good point regarding the condition of the Newell, so maybe worth jumping on to the RTA website and seeing if they have any info there (I know that the VIcroads site does provide info on road closures etc, so assume the RTA site would too) I have used the Newell a few times in the past (Vic to Qld and back) and have always found the roads to be in very reasonable nick, never been held up due to accidenst etc, and only ever get a couple of areas where there are roadworks underway. Of course, if you said that you enjoyed the twisty bits, I'd suggest you go by the Putty Road ![]() Not sure this helps as it may just add to the uncertainty. Whichever way you go, enjoy the drive for what it is. Craig H
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Labels are for jars, not for people. Life is a journey, not a destination. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Daily: 2013 FGII EcoLPi in Winter White Play: 2015 FG X XR8 in Emperor Show' N Shine thread Gone, but not forgotten: 2015 SZII petrol Titanium Territory in Emperor |
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#10 | ||
.
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Brisbane
Posts: 6,197
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I've done this drive eleventy dozen times, both inland and whilst I enjoy the Newell, I typically stick to the Hume. Brisbane to the border with fuel stops only is bang on 12hrs.
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#11 | ||
Noobie
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Brisbane
Posts: 525
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I drove the Newell in January (Syd-Bathurst-Dubbo-Moree-Gundy-Tmba-Bris)and it was a in great shape except for potholes and whoop de doos either side of Gundy. There's been flooding since then, so who knows?
The Pacific Highway is hit and miss, depending on crashes, road works and general traffic levels etc.
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