Princes Highway Lakes Entrance and beyond

Beth54 · Guru

Princes Highway Lakes Entrance and beyond

Dougwe · Chief one feather

edit....Doug deleted comment

-- Edited by Dougwe on Saturday 30th of June 2012 11:58:31 AM

kesue · Senior Member

Its a pretty good road as far as Woolongong with the odd hill but nothing too bad, its at Woolongong that there is a bad one called the Bulli pass ( I think). Keith

Dougwe · Chief one feather

If you are staying at Lakes Entrance Beth which by the way is one of my favourite places, I stay at the "North Arm Tourist Park" very nice little family run park and walking distance to some very good eateries and shops. There is also a nice one at Lake Tyers and the manager is a member on here but is a little dearer and well off the main road but the Lake Tyers Tavern is a must when I am at Lakes. Great part of this big country of ours.

ozi2 · Guru

Beth54 wrote:
I know that's a lot of highway to ask about, but wondering if there are huge mountains to climb along the way?
We plan on carrying up to Woolongong.

Hi Beth, is it your intention to follow the coast road to Woolongong?

I will keep my comments to the Lakes Entance_NSW area. The road is generally in good condition but beware that log trucks frequent the area, more so around Orbost/Cann River and the road is narrow and a few steep climbs but no problems if care taken. The revenue raisers in blue are to be found where you least expect them.

If you have the time, turn off at Genoa and stay a night at Mallacoota on the foreshore .....beautiful little spot.

Safe travels,

ozi2

Kaid · Guru

Beth, if you get the chance. Go to Buccan Caves.
They are magnificent. Bout an hour out of Lakes Entrance

Gerty Dancer · Guru

Kaid wrote:
Beth, if you get the chance. Go to Buccan Caves.
They are magnificent. Bout an hour out of Lakes Entrance

And theres a really nice NP campground there too! One of the nices places we have found, and even if you dont want to go into the caves on a guided tour (some people hate being underground), the campground is worth a visit on its on merit.

villatranquilla · Guru

we did a trip to central QLD with the Lakes Entrance to Cann River section giving us the worst fuel economy for the trip - very hilly and windy

Beth54 · Guru

Thanks all.

We expected it to be windy and mountainous, but my sister worries about my i30 towing on the big mountains climbs. I guess I'm a little concerned too, truth be told. For an example, I'd be concerned if I had to tow up the Toowoomba range, if you know it.

Buccan Caves sounds very interesting. I've taken note of it, and the North Arm Tourist Park Doug.

Of course, where possible, we'll do free camping to save costs.

Keith19837 · Senior Member

Beth54 wrote:
I know that's a lot of highway to ask about, but wondering if there are huge mountains to climb along the way?
We plan on carrying up to Woolongong.

I dont know which way you're going. But Gippsland and the Lakes District is pretty flat. From Melbourne along the Prince's Hwy heading East there are some gentle rises and falls but it's pretty flat. From Lakes Entrance through to Eden it's not much more 'hilly'. If you're going to turn off North at say Neerim or similar or use the Great Alpine Road to go North, then you are going to hit some of the high country of Mt Baw Baw and the Great Dividing Range. But if you are staying on Prince's Hwy you'll be fine at least as far as Eden.

Beth54 · Guru

When I'm checking a road on Google maps, I look to see if there's twists and turns, and if it looks really twisty, I look at it with 'satelite' and zoom in. Then to get an idea of how steep it is, I click on terrain.

In this way, I can see that most of the road to Bairnsdale is relatively flat and easy going.

Doug, we've marked Burned Bridge Reserve, #27 in Camps 6, 12 kms E of Lakes Entrance. ???

jetj · Guru

neilnruth wrote:
I think I've read all the above Beth and the only comment I'd make is that 'don't go Bulli Pass'. If you are going the coast road as above, at some stage you have to cross the mountain. For your little car and van I would say the best option is Mt Ousley at Wollongong. I've been up Toowoomba Range but in my mind I can't compare it to Mt Ousley (probably because I wasn't driving). Lots of trucks use Mt Ousley but it has a 80kph limit on it, there are 3 lanes most of the way up and you can just use low gear and take your time - I'm sure you'd be OK. BUt there might be someone else out there who can comment further. Hope this helps though.
An acqaintance was fined for speeding over 80klms per hour down Mt Ousley on a bicycle.

-- Edited by jetj on Saturday 30th of June 2012 09:03:43 PM

jetj · Guru

Sounds like a great trip Beth. There is another map site like Google Maps called Nearmap. It seems to be more updated and closer than the Google ones. It is also free for private use.

https://www.nearmap.com/products/community-licence-overview

I agree about going North from Wollongong is very hilly. I haven't traveled the Princes Highway for years but it used to be curly and hilly but I would think you'd be ok with your vehicle and van. It is beautiful along the coast but I've only been to just north of Bega and many years ago.

I towed a teardrop van with a Toyota Corolla and had no problem with that. Not in that area though. You wouldn't know the trailer was there most times but that was about 350 kg unladen. You would know best the capability of the vehicle with experience.

jetj · Guru

Beth,
The Wiki suggests Macquarie Pass may not be suitable for your van but who knows when it was updated. The pass was closed at times for roadwork in March.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Macquarie_Pass

Hopefully someone will have experience.

-- Edited by jetj on Saturday 30th of June 2012 10:41:06 PM

Beth54 · Guru

Thanks Janette, I have near maps in my favourites, but forget to use it.

I haven't done a big trip with the Nipper yet. Previously I had a tiny little camper trailer that only weighed 200kg.

It's 590kg, thereabouts, but I need to take it over the weighbridge to find out the loaded weight, and more especially, the ball weight. It should be fine, but son says best to check.

neilnruth · Guru

I think I've read all the above Beth and the only comment I'd make is that 'don't go Bulli Pass'. If you are going the coast road as above, at some stage you have to cross the mountain. For your little car and van I would say the best option is Mt Ousley at Wollongong. I've been up Toowoomba Range but in my mind I can't compare it to Mt Ousley (probably because I wasn't driving). Lots of trucks use Mt Ousley but it has a 80kph limit on it, there are 3 lanes most of the way up and you can just use low gear and take your time - I'm sure you'd be OK. BUt there might be someone else out there who can comment further. Hope this helps though.

Beth54 · Guru

Funny you should mention crossing the mountain, because my next question was going to be which would be the best way to cross the Great Devide?

Macquarie Pass looks a bit hairy..or Illawarra and Hume Highway and go north from Goulburn? Great Western Highway? Or straight through Sydney and out through the Golden Hwy? Is the New England a steep climb after Scone?

I've been along the New England many times years ago, but not driven it myself.

jimricho · Guru

Check out Eden, It's a nice spot with much to see and do, allow at least a few days if you can. I stayed at "The Fountain" caravan park just north of the town centre and can recommend it.

You mention crossing the Great Divide, where to you plan to head after leaving the Princes Hwy/South Coast?

Jim

Beth54 · Guru

jimricho wrote:
Check out Eden, It's a nice spot with much to see and do, allow at least a few days if you can. I stayed at "The Fountain" caravan park just north of the town centre and can recommend it.

You mention crossing the Great Divide, where to you plan to head after leaving the Princes Hwy/South Coast?

Jim

Yes, Eden is definitely on our list Jim.

This trip is all about seeing Victoria and the east coast, where I've never been.

So once we get up around Kiama or thereabouts, we want to cross the range wherever is easiest, and get onto the New England from the west side of the range.

We'd prefer to dodge Sydney and the Pacific Hwy..been there, done that.

I plan on touring NSW another time.

Beth54 · Guru

jetj wrote:

An acqaintance was fined for speeding over 80klms per hour down Mt Ousley on a bicycle.
On a bicycle? Amazing!
No chance of me getting caught speeding anywhere.

-- Edited by jetj on Saturday 30th of June 2012 09:03:43 PM

jetj · Guru

Beth you can cut across through Moss Vale/Bowral and through Penrith skirting Sydney, and then through Richmond, free camp at Wanderest in Richmond or $10 with power if you join the Richmond Club at about $4 I think. Then you can go up the Colo Singleton Rd and on to the New England Highway. There is also a free camp about halfway between Windsor and Singleton on that Road. There is an hill after the colo river but not too bad. The road is bendy in places.

There is also a free camp at Broke for 72 hours which is a little way off that road towards the Hunter Valley.

Beth54 · Guru

jetj wrote:
Beth you can cut across through Moss Vale/Bowral and through Penrith skirting Sydney, and then through Richmond, free camp at Wanderest in Richmond or $10 with power if you join the Richmond Club at about $4 I think. Then you can go up the Colo Singleton Rd and on to the New England Highway. There is also a free camp about halfway between Windsor and Singleton on that Road. There is an hill after the colo river but not too bad. The road is bendy in places.

There is also a free camp at Broke for 72 hours which is a little way off that road towards the Hunter Valley.

I looked at that but wondered if Macquarie Pass is steep?

jetj · Guru

Beth54 wrote:
jetj wrote:
Beth you can cut across through Moss Vale/Bowral and through Penrith skirting Sydney, and then through Richmond, free camp at Wanderest in Richmond or $10 with power if you join the Richmond Club at about $4 I think. Then you can go up the Colo Singleton Rd and on to the New England Highway. There is also a free camp about halfway between Windsor and Singleton on that Road. There is an hill after the colo river but not too bad. The road is bendy in places.

There is also a free camp at Broke for 72 hours which is a little way off that road towards the Hunter Valley.
I looked at that but wondered if Macquarie Pass is steep?

Looking at the map Macquarie Pass looks nasty, no experience.

I personally have used Mt Ousley from Wollongong and then take Appin Rd or I go through the Kangaroo Valley across to Moss Vale. That turn is well before Kiama though. I haven't been down that way for years though.

Berry Showground has reasonably priced sites.

wendyv · Guru

Beth,
Highway 1 from Melbourne to Bairnsdale is pretty flat, also divided road until Traralgon way.
There is a short, steep-ish drop down into Lakes Entrance, but nowhere on the scale of the Toowoomba Range. We have towed up and down that, and there is nothing on the Princes Highway to Wollongong to match it. Both ways left an indelible memory!
Beyond Orbost some ups and downs, but again fairly moderate ones - the road is good and well signposted, and there are passing lanes on many hills. May be some log trucks, but biggest issue in that section is car drivers who find it hard to wait for suitable passing spots. Those comments apply as far as Eden.
After Eden, my memory of trip up there 3 years ago, is that it is winding in places, moderate hills, but fewer passing lanes. Didn't go beyond Batemans Bay, that time.
Earlier, we came down the coast, through Sydney - nasty "down" coming south into Wollongong. I would suggest avoiding Sydney and going up through Robinson to Moss Vale - if other better informed members can say what that road is like. It "looks" ok on map. From Goulburn, you can head for the Newell, or stick to the minor roads.

jimricho · Guru

Can't help you much on info between Nowra and Sydney other than the that the road from Nowra to Moss Vale via Kangaroo Valley is hilly, narrow and windy in places. I think the route suggested by "jetj" may be the better option after the Gong, but I have no local knowledge of it. I towed my rig via the Kangaroo Valley route a few years back and I don't recall any excessively steep sections.

Unfortunately avoiding the Sydney area completely to get from the South Coast to the New England is almost impossible without doing a "Cooks Tour" of a large chunk of NSW. If you take jetj's suggested route to the Hume Hwy (which is a freeway) (the Appin one) you can then pick up the M7 tollway then the M2 to Pennant Hills Road. PH Road is unfortunately a pain in the posterior but can't be avoided. From there it is a matter of picking up the F3 which will take you to the Hunter Valley and beyond to the New England (or Pacific Hwy which you say you wish to avoid and I don't blame you).

The M7 and M2 tollways don't have tollbooths but the number to phone to arrange payment is prominently displayed at several intervals along the way. You have a couple of days after travelling to do this.

Here is the suggested route: http://goo.gl/maps/21qp

jetj's suggested route via the 'Putty Road" ie via Windsor and Colo may suit you better but I don't don't have sufficient recent knowledge to be able to help more than that. Note that this does not not go through Broke unless you make a bit of a detour. This route does avoid Pennant Hills Road. http://goo.gl/maps/7QbU

This is the way through Broke and may be suitable alternative too. It also passes through nearby Wollombi, a very historic and pretty village. http://goo.gl/maps/FMtk

Once you get to the Hunter Valley and Northern NSW I'm on home turf so let me know just how far north you ultimately intend to go and I can come up with some suggestions for you.

Jim

-- Edited by jimricho on Sunday 1st of July 2012 11:11:27 AM

neilnruth · Guru

Beth we do this bit of road over and over as we live on the south coast and our kids are in Newcastle.
My suggestion would be visit Kiama etc then head up Mt Ousley. From there we turn left onto Picton Rd. This is a busy road but the limit is 90kph so trucks won't be going too fast. To go through Moss Vale would mean turning off at Bomaderry (north of Nowra) and you have a mountain to climb, then you go down into Kangaroo Valley then you have to climb back up the other side to go through Moss Vale or Bowral. Kangaroo Valley is pretty though. Do not use MAcquarie Pass if you are nervous about steepness.
Now - you have either gone Kangaroo Valley (and missed Kiama and all its highlights) or you have gone Mt Ousley and across the Picton Rd. You are still on the Hume Hwy whichever way you have gone. You will still have to go around Sydney. To do this we usually go Hume Hwy which feeds onto M7 and turn off M7 at Richmond Rd. The trick to going this way is to leave the coast about 9.30 -10am - you should then miss the heavy traffic (but saying that, anything could happen to cause a traffic jam just like your Qld roads). The reason we go Richmond Rd is to use Wanderest as someone has mentioned. It is 20 mins off the M7 at Richmond. We would then get back on the M7 but as you want to go north inland I would follow the suggestion someone has posted. From Richmond (where you could stay for 72 hrs and catch a train in to Sydney for the day) you can go through Windsor, Wilberforce and up the Putty Rd. This winds down to Colo River and back up but with all the freeways now in place not many trucks use this way. You could check out Grey Gums which Briche posted about - the northern end of the Putty Rd. This would then bring you out near Singleton /Jerrys Plains area and you can choose to go New England Hwy or the Golden Hwy out through Dubbo. We've done all these roads many times as we used to live near Dubbo. The other alternative which hasn't been mentioned is to go from Batemans Bay over Clyde Mtn (some 25kph bends) through Braidwood, Bungendore and across Barton Hwy through (or bypass) Yass, then turn to go through Booroowa, Cowra, etc. That's a way we often go to go inland but you do have the Clyde Mtn. But having said that, there are also some lovely free camps along that way something you won't get unless you use Wanderest at Richmond. Going M7 and Richmond Rd would mean you only have one toll as you wouldn't go onto M2 and you would miss the worst bit of Sydney going north - the Pennant Hills Rd to F3 freeway.
It looks like you have lots to think about. Hope this helps. By the way, don't forget the school holidays are in there somewhere too.

neilnruth · Guru

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.

neilnruth · Guru

Beth I forgot to say that a lot of the south coast road is having roadworks done so by the time you come there should be some pretty good road to travel on. The south coast is a very pretty bit of NSW to explore. The Eurobodalla has some magical beaches. There is a 'primitive' camp run by council at Mystery Bay (just north of Tilba Tilba - another good spot to visit) and at North Head Moruya near the airport. If it is school holidays there may be more people at them but they are about $15/night - no power etc just toilets. But beautiful spots - very close to the beach.

Beth54 · Guru

Esmeralda wrote:
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

Woops. Okay. There is a Buccan in my neck of the woods. wink

-- Edited by Beth54 on Sunday 1st of July 2012 05:52:30 PM

-- Edited by Beth54 on Sunday 1st of July 2012 05:54:12 PM

jimricho · Guru

Beth54 wrote:
I'm going to have to collate all this somehow.
I'll work it out.
Jim, you are a Godsend with those maps!

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

PS: Buchan (correct spelling) is pronounced "Buccan" (as in "buck") I knew a guy whose sirname was Buchan and that's how he pronounced it. He originally came from the town of Buchan in Scotland.

-- Edited by jimricho on Sunday 1st of July 2012 06:20:08 PM