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.

I'm going to have to collate all this somehow.   

I'll work it out.

Jim, you are a Godsend with those maps!

Beth54 wrote:

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

 

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 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

Sorry Helen, I was getting myself muddled up there.  You're right.

jimricho wrote:

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Beth54 wrote:

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 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

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 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 wrote:

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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

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 Thanks again Jim.

neilnruth wrote:

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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!

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 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.