Aussie road trip!

[tpond]

Hello all!

I have an upcoming business trip to your great country, and I have managed to steal about a week of extra time to do a bit of exploring.

I rented a Land Rover 110 pop top camper in Sydney, and have a week to drop it off in Brisbane. I know that there are national parks etc. in between, but I have no particular agenda, or route as of yet.

I do not have any illusions that I can just camp willy nilly where I please, instead I assume that dedicated camp grounds are appropriate.

Do any locals have any particular suggestions of highlights that we should hit?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

I love all types of interesting machines, so if there are any attractions a petrol head would like, let me know.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Rumpig]

Be sure and drive the Old Grafton to Glen Innes Road as you head North to Brisbane, you can camp at the Mann River Nature Reserve on this road if timing suites. http://www.clarencetourism.com/what-to-see-do/clarence-valley/old-glen-innes-road-scenic-drive/p/618 . It might be an idea to check the height of the vehicle you are hiring though, just to make sure it fits through the tunnel ok, which i'm sure it might likely do. If you do go through this area then Dorrigo just a touch South of there has a fantastic collection of steam trains and other rail gear located on a property on the edge of town. Sadly you can't access the property to view it, but you can see it easily from the road and is well worth a detour to see. There's also quite a few waterfalls in that area to visit aswell.... http://dorrigo.com/things-to-do-2/trip-planner/20-about-the-waterfall-way.html , Dangar Falls Lodge is on the edge of town in Dorrigo and situated right beside Dangar Falls, it's a nice enough spot to camp the night also. This old trip report i did covers much of the areas i've just mentioned (just ignore the first few days of the report showing our friends wedding and skip to Day 4) http://forum.themotleycrew.com.au/index.php?topic=865.0
From the Old Grafton Rd head North towards Tenterfield and go to Bald Rock National Park and climb the rock, the views are spectacular here and camping is available also http://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/bald-rock-national-park
Then head further North to Girraween National Park near Stanthorpe and climb The Pyramid here, the views once again are spectacular and camping also available here aswell http://www.nprsr.qld.gov.au/parks/girraween/
This old trip report shows the 2 areas i've just mentioned above also http://forums.overlander.com.au/viewtopic.php?f=19&t=60924
In saying all that above...these areas get pretty cold in Winter, Stanthorpe and surrounds can even get snow at times (it doesn't happen a lot, but that just shows how cold the area gets), so it might be an idea to let us know what month you are visiting in?. I'm happy to show you a few spots around the Brisbane area when you come here, if i'm free to do so at the time.

 

[PKDreamers]

Hi if you are going to be doing the Old Grafton Road from Grafton side which is a great drive be sure to check out Pebbly Beach camp ground in Yuraygir National Park it is a top spot. http://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/yuraygir-national-park/pebbly-beach-campground/camping

If you don't go that way and keep driving up the Pacific Highway another great camp sites is Bundjalung National Park

 

[PKDreamers]

Sorry also if you are going to go to Dorrigo there is great camp spot at Styx River and its free.

 

[tpond]

Thanks for the detailed advice! My trip is very soon indeed, I will be leaving Sydney on the 27th of May, and I need to be at work in Brisbane on the 3rd of June.

I was expecting the weather to be a bit chilly, but was hoping for the best.

 

[flashkiwi]

Hi Tpond

It is possible to travel most of the way between Sydney and Brisbane on gravel roads. Rumpig and PKDreamers make some good suggestions. I will add to that and suggest following the Great Divide north through Barrington Tops, Oxley Wild Rivers, Guy Fawkes and Dorrigo. At this time of year you may encounter snow in the 'Tops'.

For camping options google wikicamps. There are a lot of places that you can 'free camp' (or very cheaply especially in the National Parks and State forests).

If you are a true petrol head then you should detour through Bathurst (http://www.mount-panorama.com.au/)- slightly out of you way but worth the detour. You can drive track (public road when not racing) though not sure the 110 would be best vehicle.......From there you can head north around Wollimei National Park and Barrington Tops

I have created a quick hack of the NSW and QLD state topographical maps - http://mainlandspatial.com.au/nswtopo.html and http://www.mainlandspatial.com.au/qldtopo.html - which should help in planning a route. Depending on which nav app you have I can create an off line version. I can add some routes if that will help?

Once you get to Brisbane you will have plenty of choices for weekend trips.

Feel free to PM me directly if you have any questions.

Cheers

FlashKiwi

 

[tpond]

Hi Tpond

It is possible to travel most of the way between Sydney and Brisbane on gravel roads. Rumpig and PKDreamers make some good suggestions. I will add to that and suggest following the Great Divide north through Barrington Tops, Oxley Wild Rivers, Guy Fawkes and Dorrigo. At this time of year you may encounter snow in the 'Tops'.

For camping options google wikicamps. There are a lot of places that you can 'free camp' (or very cheaply especially in the National Parks and State forests).

If you are a true petrol head then you should detour through Bathurst (http://www.mount-panorama.com.au/)- slightly out of you way but worth the detour. You can drive track (public road when not racing) though not sure the 110 would be best vehicle.......From there you can head north around Wollimei National Park and Barrington Tops

I have created a quick hack of the NSW and QLD state topographical maps - http://mainlandspatial.com.au/nswtopo.html and http://www.mainlandspatial.com.au/qldtopo.html - which should help in planning a route. Depending on which nav app you have I can create an off line version. I can add some routes if that will help?

Once you get to Brisbane you will have plenty of choices for weekend trips.

Feel free to PM me directly if you have any questions.

Cheers

FlashKiwi

Just arrived in Sydney. Spectacular weather, and even more impressive city. We will be leaving Wed for Brisbane, so any specific routs that you can add to the map would be great. I will let you know if I have any questions. So thankful for your input!

 

[tomammi]

An Australian road trip is one of the best ways to experience our wide open spaces and magnificent scenery. I really love road travelling. I hope I will again travel on this road. This road as in it a spirit, identity in its driving adventures. I love driving. I am crazy to drive on the road.

 

[hmmar]

Australia is a really nice regin for travelling lovers. i will try to go there for having fun there and enjoy my life in next holidays. I wish I will spend my three weeks there with my family. Which attractions will be bets for me here?