Hi Beth, nice to read of your plans, and wish you well with them.
When you get near Newcastle/HunterValley, I wonder if you would like to meet up for a day or so?
P.S don't stress about getting through Sydney. Most roads are multi lane- just get in yours and stay within it, but avoid peak hours.
jimricho said
06:12 PM Jul 1, 2012
neilnruth wrote:
jimricho - there is no longer a toll booth at end of M2 - plus they are still doing some work on the M2 section. You have to ring and pay or have an etag. I agree about the Pennant Hills Rd. If they could just get the bit from there to F3 done it would be a pretty good route around Sydney and north.
Thanks for that update, I've edited my post to reflect that change
Jim
jetj said
06:38 PM Jul 1, 2012
I forgot all about the M7 tollway to Richmond Rd, a good option, nice road. I've always taken the roads through Penrith across to the Camden/Campbelltown area and didn't think about the tollroad.
The Wanderest in Richmond is handy to the whole shopping centre of Richmond by foot and if a Senior or Pensioner only $2.50 to travel on the transport network all day around Sydney. About a good hour and a half to Sydney by train and most buses, ferries and trains included in the fare.
Beth54 said
07:16 PM Jul 1, 2012
Well, you've all been busy! Thanks so much for all this info.
Going through Richmond appeals to me. Wanderest looks good.
The Putty Road is okay then? Not steep? I don't mind winding roads, just a bit concerned aboout steep.
Beth54 said
07:19 PM Jul 1, 2012
I'm going to have to collate all this somehow.
I'll work it out.
Jim, you are a Godsend with those maps!
jetj said
08:23 PM Jul 1, 2012
Portions of the Putty rd are a little steep, mainly climbing after the Colo River, I traveled the rd about 3 months ago but only to 30 klms short of the New England H/W, haven't been beyond that point for many years. I wouldn't have thought hills, a problem on that route, certainly Mt Ouseley would be much steeper and longer rise than anything on the Putty rd.
Esmeralda said
12:43 AM Jul 2, 2012
Beth54 wrote:
Buccan Caves sounds very interesting. I've taken note of it, and the North Arm Tourist Park Doug.
Hey Beth - if you are looking up info on Buchan Caves it is spelt as I have written not with two c's. Cheers, Helen
Located in a tranquil area of the campground, Wilderness Retreats at Buchan Caves Reserve provide a close to nature experience of bush camping with all the ...
One of five Wilderness Retreats set up for couples but can comfortably sleep up to four people. Each contains a queen size bed, two bedside tables, a blanket ...
Beth54 said
12:55 AM Jul 2, 2012
Sorry Helen, I was getting myself muddled up there. You're right.
Esmeralda said
12:59 AM Jul 2, 2012
I knew I was right Beth - used to go out with a guy who lived in Buchan many many moons ago.
Beth54 said
01:12 AM Jul 2, 2012
jimricho wrote:
Beth54 wrote:
Most welcome Beth.
Have a play around with those maps and get familiar with editing them (please forgive me if you are already au fait with editing directions in Google Maps) You can then change them around to find the most appropriate route for your circumstances.
There are some climbs on the New England Highway. One just out of Murrurundi (Great Divide) but its not too bad. Also north of Tamworth (Moombi Ranges) and north of Armidale. They shouldn't be too big a problem.
If your car is an automatic, when climbing, select a gear so it is not changing up and down too often rather than leaving it in drive and relying on the auto to do its own thing. With a manual when towing, select a gear that avoids constant gear changing on the climb. If the car seems to be "labouring" come back a gear and reduce speed accordingly.
I wouldn't recommend free camping on the New England at this time of year, It can be bloody cold! Get a powered site so you can use a heater and/or an electric blanket.
Jim
Yes, I've used it myself quite a bit, but hadn't thought to do it in this case.
It was the climb from Murrurundi that I was wondering about.
I probably should have said I have had a little experience with towning Lulu. Just short trips so far. I will be bringing her back from her stay at Sis's at Cooloola this week some time, for my son to do some final repairs.
And one reason we will head south by the western NSW Hwys is to get plenty of practice before hitting the mountains of Victoria. It's a manual, and the men in my family have made sure I know how to use the gears while towing. They all tow either caravan or camper trailers.
It'll be November or early Dec before we hit New England, so the cold won't be so extreme by then...hopefully!
jimricho said
01:29 AM Jul 2, 2012
You're really on top of it then, probably more-so than many, so you won't have any problems. New England is really nice at that time of year and a much more pleasant trip than the Pacific.
good travelling,
Jim
Beth54 said
01:37 AM Jul 2, 2012
jimricho wrote:
You're really on top of it then, probably more-so than many, so you won't have any problems. New England is really nice at that time of year and a much more pleasant trip than the Pacific.
good travelling,
Jim
Thanks again Jim.
neilnruth said
04:40 AM Jul 2, 2012
As I said Beth, the only big decision is how you get over the mountain from the coast and if you choose the easiest one - Mt Ousley - then all the others should be OK in comparison I would think. Sounds like you are getting excited just planning this trip!
Beth54 said
05:20 AM Jul 2, 2012
neilnruth wrote:
As I said Beth, the only big decision is how you get over the mountain from the coast and if you choose the easiest one - Mt Ousley - then all the others should be OK in comparison I would think. Sounds like you are getting excited just planning this trip!
Now that it's getting closer, yes I am. I've had this trip in the back of my mind for a long time. I was actually hoping to see Dad's eldest brother who was in a nursing facility in Eaglehawk. But sadly, he passed away a month or so ago at the age of 93. But there are 2 of his sisters there, so it will be good to see them. We hardly know our Victorian rellies because of distance.
When you get near Newcastle/HunterValley, I wonder if you would like to meet up for a day or so?
P.S don't stress about getting through Sydney. Most roads are multi lane- just get in yours and stay within it, but avoid peak hours.
Thanks for that update, I've edited my post to reflect that change
Jim
The Wanderest in Richmond is handy to the whole shopping centre of Richmond by foot and if a Senior or Pensioner only $2.50 to travel on the transport network all day around Sydney. About a good hour and a half to Sydney by train and most buses, ferries and trains included in the fare.
Well, you've all been busy! Thanks so much for all this info.
Going through Richmond appeals to me. Wanderest looks good.
The Putty Road is okay then? Not steep? I don't mind winding roads, just a bit concerned aboout steep.
I'm going to have to collate all this somehow.
I'll work it out.
Jim, you are a Godsend with those maps!
Hey Beth - if you are looking up info on Buchan Caves it is spelt as I have written not with two c's. Cheers, Helen
See below - straight from Google
Buchan Caves
Parks Victoria - Buchan Caves Reserve
Parks Victoria - Accommodation and Camping in Victoria's National ...
Sorry Helen, I was getting myself muddled up there.
You're right. 
I knew I was right Beth - used to go out with a guy who lived in Buchan many many moons ago.
Yes, I've used it myself quite a bit, but hadn't thought to do it in this case.
It was the climb from Murrurundi that I was wondering about.
I probably should have said I have had a little experience with towning Lulu. Just short trips so far. I will be bringing her back from her stay at Sis's at Cooloola this week some time, for my son to do some final repairs.
And one reason we will head south by the western NSW Hwys is to get plenty of practice before hitting the mountains of Victoria. It's a manual, and the men in my family have made sure I know how to use the gears while towing. They all tow either caravan or camper trailers.
It'll be November or early Dec before we hit New England, so the cold won't be so extreme by then...hopefully!
good travelling,
Jim
Thanks again Jim.
Now that it's getting closer, yes I am. I've had this trip in the back of my mind for a long time. I was actually hoping to see Dad's eldest brother who was in a nursing facility in Eaglehawk. But sadly, he passed away a month or so ago at the age of 93. But there are 2 of his sisters there, so it will be good to see them. We hardly know our Victorian rellies because of distance.
Many thanks to everyone who contributed advise.