Tamworth to Port Macquarie

biggles · Senior Member

Tamworth to Port Macquarie

Kay · Member

I intend visiting family in Tamworth and Port Macquarie at the end of the month. Has anyone towed a van across the road from Uralla to Port M. I remember doing it years ago with just a car and I think it was narrow and windey. I intend to go to Tamworth first. Would it be better to go across the Waterfall Way - or would it be just as bad with a van.

I did put a post on ROAD CONDITIONS but didnt get one reply.

I would appreciate any help.

Thanks, Kay.

GaryKelly · Guru

Is that the Oxley Hwy? I went from Port Macquarie to Tamworth not all that long ago, which meant driving over the Great Dividing Range. The road over the mountains was very windy, mountainous, and tight in some places. I drove one way in a RAV 4 and the return in a Toyota campervan. I didn't see any caravans but I did encounter quite a few trucks, including cattle trucks. My guess is that towing a caravan is possible but perhaps not all that easy, especially for someone without a lot of experience. Maybe there's some other GN who has done the trip towing a caravan. BTW, when I did the trip, it rained all the way.

Kay · Member

Thank you for that Gary.

Kay.

Wild1 · Senior Member

Hi Kay, yes that is one very windy and mountainous road, particularly on the Port end, though it is good bitumen. I suggest you give yourself plenty of time and use the rest stops along the way, there are a couple of van parks along there too, see the Camps Australia book.

Stay safe

Jennifer

justcruisin01 · Guru

As stated its a very windy mountain road but treated with care its ok, all sealed. Many trucks & vans use it & if comming from Tamworth better the go this one rather than the Waterfall way, It suffered a lot of damage during the floods & dont know where the repairs are up to.

Its all down hill so use the gears & save the brakes. A good camp site at the Apsley falls, east of Walcha.

JC.

Kay · Member

Thank you for your replies.

Kay.

Kantiki · Senior Member

Kay we live in Tamworth and I hate the road to Port, with or without the van. Last weekend we drove to Coffs. Still windey but not as bad. It was clear all the way but you could see where the landslides had been.

Do you need to go to Port for a specific reason? Coffs is beautiful so perhaps you could go there first then down the coast Port, a bit over an hour away. Top spot to stay at Repton, Bellinger River CP with NRMA discount.
By the way,a terrific free camp is at Dumaresqe Dam just outside of Armidale.

Safe travels whichever way you go.

Kay · Member

Thank you Jeanette. I appreciate all the input I have received.

I will be visiting my daughter at Calala, Tamworth. Then I am off to Port M. to watch my son-in-law (from Sydney) run in the Ironman.

I will be towing my van. I know all those roads are windey.

Kay.

Kay · Member

Thank you Jim, I appreciate all the help I can get as i will be towing solo. I know all those roads across to the coast are windey and narrow.

Kay.

jules47 · The Happy Helper

We have just come over from Tamworth to Coffs - the road was good all the way - bit of roadworks on The Waterfall Way, and windy, etc., - but there were heaps with vans and motor homes - as well as some big trucks - take it easy, and don't let anyone push you into going faster than you want. Pull over and rest as you can - Rose's Park, #56 in Camps 7 is open for stop over for a gold coin donation, right next to the shop - and there are plenty of roadside stops along the way.