Just checked the map. Would be Dalby, Kingaroy, Nanango, Kilcoy, Caboolture. It would be a little longer but would cut outthe really hilly steep area. I've done Echuca to Bundaberg in 3 days going that way so can be done.
HW, that will still take you across the range and that is via the Bunya Mountains....not a good idea at all.
The Great Dividing Range runs from Victoria to north of Cairns.
If you travel up either the Newell or the New England you are on the western side of the range and have to cross it at some point.
Boroma577 said
08:03 PM Aug 29, 2011
Cruising Granny wrote:
GPS is set in America by Americans, from satellite pictures. Not always accurate I'm afraid.
Ain't that the truth CG??
Happywanderer said
08:04 PM Aug 29, 2011
Yes I realise that Boroma, but its obviously not as bad further north as I have travelled to Bundaberg and not done any of the really steep stuff. I always go up the Newell, Moonie, Dalby, Kingaroy, Biggenden, Bundaberg. If Chichi doesn't want to deal with the really steep bits she could do the same and head back south at Gympie.
ChiChi1 said
08:04 PM Aug 29, 2011
WOW you guys. Going to have to go back to the maps again. Looks like I can't avoid the range. Will have to bite the bullet and just do it. Thanks everyone for your guidance. Will try to update as I go. (Pending internet availability) The other way of course is the coast highway. Thanks.
Sheba said
08:04 PM Aug 29, 2011
Ok, I give up. I've never had a problem with the Hi-ace. All I can think of now, is to suggest you do as Boroma said in the first place. Make sure you're in Low Gear, and go down slowly, whichever Range you cross.
Personally, I'd rather do that than contend with Freeway traffic. Much better scenery along the way as well.
Cheers,
Sheba.
Boroma577 said
08:05 PM Aug 29, 2011
Happywanderer wrote:
Have they taken the toll booths out of the gateway and logan freeways.
They have been gone for a number of years HW...it is all Etag now.
ChiChi1 said
08:08 PM Aug 29, 2011
Yes Sheba. Freeways and tolls are a pain. Am looking closely at the Esk route.
Boroma577 said
08:08 PM Aug 29, 2011
Happywanderer wrote:
Yes I realise that Boroma, but its obviously not as bad further north as I have travelled to Bundaberg and not done any of the really steep stuff. I always go up the Newell, Moonie, Dalby, Kingaroy, Biggenden, Bundaberg. If Chichi doesn't want to deal with the really steep bits she could do the same and head back south at Gympie.
If you go Dalby to Kingaroy then you must go over the Bunya Mts, is that correct?
Time is also not on her side HW.
Boroma577 said
08:09 PM Aug 29, 2011
ChiChi1 wrote:
Yes Sheba. Freeways and tolls are a pain. Am looking closely at the Esk route.
From where to Esk ChiChi??
justcruisin01 said
08:12 PM Aug 29, 2011
Boroma is on the money in my book. One short steep descent & its all over.
This is the way we travell when going to the NT . I have towed a large off road camper up & down there as well as our 20ft van .Went through there about three mths ago, the road works were finished & well sighn posted & the GPS was close enough with the new roads.
Happywanderer said
08:15 PM Aug 29, 2011
The Bunyas are right behind those towns but I've never been over them, there must be valleys as I've found my way over to the east many times without crossing high mountains and steep winding roads. Only ever seen pretty undulating hills. I do not like the Cunningham Gap at all, did it twice, that was enough for me.
Boroma577 said
08:18 PM Aug 29, 2011
justcruisin01 wrote:
Boroma is on the money in my book. One short steep descent & its all over.
Thanks JC, I have lived and driven in the area for many years so have quite a reasonable knowledge of the roads etc.
I first learnt to reverse a CT down the side of the Bunya Mts on a gravel track.....scary stuff but I am sure it was the best lesson I have ever learned and I had to learn it fast.
jules47 said
08:19 PM Aug 29, 2011
Chichi - you are probably very confused by now - just take it easy, work out what suits you best - you know your vehicle and your capabilities - the descents aren't that much of a worry really, just do your own thing - sit behind a truck and follow them down, use your gears - even in an automatic. Take care
Boroma577 said
08:23 PM Aug 29, 2011
Happywanderer wrote:
I do not like the Cunningham Gap at all, did it twice, that was enough for me.
I travel in the area quiet a lot HW and over a number of years which means I have had to traverse both the Toowoomba range and Cunningham's Gap many times.
Neither of them are at all daunting to me but I do understand that to anyone not familar with the area would probably find them a bit challenging.
Boroma577 said
08:24 PM Aug 29, 2011
jules47 wrote:
Chichi - you are probably very confused by now - just take it easy, work out what suits you best - you know your vehicle and your capabilities - the descents aren't that much of a worry really, just do your own thing - sit behind a truck and follow them down, use your gears - even in an automatic. Take care
Very good advice.
Esmeralda said
08:36 PM Aug 29, 2011
I did the Cunningham Gap with Esmeralda when I went from Goondiwindi to Boonah - there were roadworks and everyone went slowly.
Not such a pain as I had thought it would be. Chi Chi whatever way you go, just take a few deep breaths and go for it girl.
Happywanderer said
08:53 PM Aug 29, 2011
Too true Boroma. Down here its as flat as a pancake, not even a gentle rise for 100 ks.
Boroma577 said
09:09 PM Aug 29, 2011
Happywanderer wrote:
Too true Boroma. Down here its as flat as a pancake, not even a gentle rise for 100 ks.
How lucky can you get HW? Where is the general direction of here?
Happywanderer said
09:10 PM Aug 29, 2011
Echuca. Vic.
ChiChi1 said
09:10 PM Aug 29, 2011
Very confused. Have a few days to make up my mind. When I say steep, I would be comparing it to Brown Mountain on the run from Canberra, Cooma, Bega. That, I have done in my car, but not in the van. At least the van is manual and I do know how to use the gears.(I think).
Boroma577 said
09:37 PM Aug 29, 2011
ChiChi1 wrote:
Very confused. Have a few days to make up my mind. When I say steep, I would be comparing it to Brown Mountain on the run from Canberra, Cooma, Bega. That, I have done in my car, but not in the van. At least the van is manual and I do know how to use the gears.(I think).
I don't know Brown Mt so can not compare ChiChi but I am sure you will be fine.
Just start your descent in low gear, get in the left hand lane and stay there until you are near to the bottom of the range.
ChiChi1 said
09:45 PM Aug 29, 2011
Boroma, you'll have to come down this way, and I'll take you down. Only a couple of hours from Canberra across the top of the snowy mountains and down to the coast. Lovely drive.
jules47 said
09:46 PM Aug 29, 2011
Yep, Chichi - takes Boroma's advice - probably more daunting in your mind that in actual fact! You'll wonder you were worried about when you do it.
Boroma577 said
09:48 PM Aug 29, 2011
ChiChi1 wrote:
Boroma, you'll have to come down this way, and I'll take you down. Only a couple of hours from Canberra across the top of the snowy mountains and down to the coast. Lovely drive.
You are on ChiChi, will definitely be in that one.
-- Edited by Boroma577 on Monday 29th of August 2011 09:55:56 PM
Boroma577 said
09:49 PM Aug 29, 2011
jules47 wrote:
Yep, Chichi - takes Boroma's advice - probably more daunting in your mind that in actual fact! You'll wonder you were worried about when you do it.
I agree....
ChiChi1 said
09:50 PM Aug 29, 2011
Yes Jules, we seem to make mountains out of molehills when we don't know where we are going. But at least when we get there and do it, its a great feeling.
Boroma577 said
09:57 PM Aug 29, 2011
ChiChi1 wrote:
Yes Jules, we seem to make mountains out of molehills when we don't know where we are going. But at least when we get there and do it, its a great feeling.
Just think of it as conquering a challenge ChiChi and you feel great after it.
Yuglamron said
07:54 AM Aug 30, 2011
I was driving on the Toowoomba Road from Ipswitch yesterday the 30th.There are huge signs re the Toowoomba ranges, Restrictions from the 4th september.There are roadworks going down the ranges after the flooding where one lane is washed away ,so it is restricted to one lane down anyway.
I would also check the Qld Govt Transport website to check on the condition of the ranges too.
Safe motoring.
I would advise the Cunningham Gap route to avoid the ranges if possible.
ChiChi1 said
09:19 AM Aug 30, 2011
Thanks Yuglamron will do
bill12 said
02:59 PM Aug 30, 2011
I have traveled this area a number of times and , probably the best way is uo the New England highway to Toowoomba, and skirt the dams, til you get to Kilcoy, and down from Malany to the coast.Cuminghams Gap and the Toowoomba range are steep, and the road from Kilcoy to Malany isn,t too bad,and Maroochdore is just up the road. Bill
HW, that will still take you across the range and that is via the Bunya Mountains....not a good idea at all.
The Great Dividing Range runs from Victoria to north of Cairns.
If you travel up either the Newell or the New England you are on the western side of the range and have to cross it at some point.
Ain't that the truth CG??
Ok, I give up. I've never had a problem with the Hi-ace. All I can think of now, is to suggest you do as Boroma said in the first place. Make sure you're in Low Gear, and go down slowly, whichever Range you cross.
Personally, I'd rather do that than contend with Freeway traffic. Much better scenery along the way as well.
Cheers,
Sheba.
They have been gone for a number of years HW...it is all Etag now.
If you go Dalby to Kingaroy then you must go over the Bunya Mts, is that correct?
Time is also not on her side HW.
From where to Esk ChiChi??
Boroma is on the money in my book. One short steep descent & its all over.
This is the way we travell when going to the NT . I have towed a large off road camper up & down there as well as our 20ft van .Went through there about three mths ago, the road works were finished & well sighn posted & the GPS was close enough with the new roads.
I do not like the Cunningham Gap at all, did it twice, that was enough for me.
Thanks JC, I have lived and driven in the area for many years so have quite a reasonable knowledge of the roads etc.
I first learnt to reverse a CT down the side of the Bunya Mts on a gravel track.....scary stuff but I am sure it was the best lesson I have ever learned and I had to learn it fast.
Take care
I travel in the area quiet a lot HW and over a number of years which means I have had to traverse both the Toowoomba range and Cunningham's Gap many times.
Neither of them are at all daunting to me but I do understand that to anyone not familar with the area would probably find them a bit challenging.
Very good advice.
I did the Cunningham Gap with Esmeralda when I went from Goondiwindi to Boonah - there were roadworks and everyone went slowly.
Not such a pain as I had thought it would be. Chi Chi whatever way you go, just take a few deep breaths and go for it girl.
How lucky can you get HW? Where is the general direction of here?
I don't know Brown Mt so can not compare ChiChi but I am sure you will be fine.
Just start your descent in low gear, get in the left hand lane and stay there until you are near to the bottom of the range.
You are on ChiChi, will definitely be in that one.
-- Edited by Boroma577 on Monday 29th of August 2011 09:55:56 PM
I agree....
Just think of it as conquering a challenge ChiChi and you feel great after it.
I was driving on the Toowoomba Road from Ipswitch yesterday the 30th.There are huge signs re the Toowoomba ranges, Restrictions from the 4th september.There are roadworks going down the ranges after the flooding where one lane is washed away ,so it is restricted to one lane down anyway.
I would also check the Qld Govt Transport website to check on the condition of the ranges too.
Safe motoring.
I would advise the Cunningham Gap route to avoid the ranges if possible.