The Barry way

Submitted: Sunday, Dec 28, 2008 at 14:20

ThreadID: 64610 Views:5695 Replies:5 FollowUps:6

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Vic High Country

This is a great trek through the Victorian High Country where you'll experience some of our most spectacular mountain areas. See high country huts,

Vic High Country

Section: Treks

This is a great trek through the Victorian High Country where you'll experience some of our most spectacular mountain areas. See high country huts,

Turk

Can someone tell me what the Barry way from Bairnsdale to Jindabyne is like for towing 18ft caravans. Would be travelling in Feb 09.
Thanks.

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Reply By: Peter_n_Margaret - Sunday, Dec 28, 2008 at 14:39

Sunday, Dec 28, 2008 at 14:39

Technically OK, but it is quite narrow with many blind corners and there would be considerable potential for conflict with opposing traffic.
The edges are near verticle and there are no guard rails.

Beautiful drive.

Cheers,
Peter
OKA196 Motorhome

AnswerID: 341596

Follow Up By: Peter_n_Margaret - Sunday, Dec 28, 2008 at 17:00

Sunday, Dec 28, 2008 at 17:00

Maybe I should have added that the above pic was taken in September 2008 and is typical of the road now.

I can't remember, but there may be restrictions to towing or vehicle length. You should check this.

Cheers,
Peter
OKA196 Motorhome

FollowupID: 609278

Reply By: True Blue - Sunday, Dec 28, 2008 at 14:58

Sunday, Dec 28, 2008 at 14:58

Turk. Although it was many years ago, I travelled this road on a motorcycle and some of the corners were so narrow with sharp corners that I literally had to get off and steer the machine around the corner and then get back on. IT WAS THAT BAD.

No problem doing this of course, but would be impossible towing a van.

No doubt (hopefully?) the road is in a better condition now. But it is remote stuff and perhaps hasn't had a lot of budget directed to it's upkeep.

My suggestion would be to perhaps contact the Jindabyne or Bairnsdale police stations who may give you an accurate picture.

But one thing I do remember apart from it's condition was that I absolutely loved it and should not be missed if there is a chance you can get through safely. It is magnificent.

Good luck and all the best for the new year.

True Blue.

AnswerID: 341599

Follow Up By: Boobook2 - Sunday, Dec 28, 2008 at 15:40

Sunday, Dec 28, 2008 at 15:40

Are you serious?

FollowupID: 609272

Follow Up By: True Blue - Sunday, Dec 28, 2008 at 16:10

Sunday, Dec 28, 2008 at 16:10

Yep.

FollowupID: 609275

Follow Up By: HeatherG - Sunday, Dec 28, 2008 at 18:48

Sunday, Dec 28, 2008 at 18:48

We have driven it in 4WD vehicles, a few years ago, from Jindabyne through to the turn off to McKillops Bridge and would not recommend that you do it because of the narrow winding, sometimes steep road with blind corners and the chance of meeting oncoming traffic south of the NSW/ Vic border.
I think there may be signage as to whether caravans and trucks are permitted on some sections of the Barry Way from there through to Buchan, and would suggest (like True Blue) you contact police, or the information centre in Jindabyne in regards to this.
There's a great campground in the National Park at Buchan you could park the van in and take a day drive through to see for yourself as it is spectacular. Alternatively you could drive through from Jindabyne and tow the van through to one of the campgrounds from that end which have some suitable places to stay with a van.
Happy travels.

FollowupID: 609289

Follow Up By: Member - Graeme (NSW) - Sunday, Dec 28, 2008 at 19:44

Sunday, Dec 28, 2008 at 19:44

I have driven it several times in a 4x4 and the stretch in the middle is VERY narrow and windy and there is absolutely no places to pass for several kilometres, plus the sheer dropoffs without safety rails in the worse spots.
Towing a large caravan on that track is suicidal to say the least as somebody may have to reverse for a couple of kms to find a spot wide enough to pass safely.
My advice is 'Please do not consider it'
Graeme

FollowupID: 609305

Follow Up By: Willem - Sunday, Dec 28, 2008 at 19:50

Sunday, Dec 28, 2008 at 19:50

We went that way in the toy car (Xtrail) at the beginning of the year and some of those drop offs made my stomach turn when looking over the side.

Taking any sort of van along that road is not a smart idea.

FollowupID: 609307

Reply By: MEMBER - Darian (SA) - Sunday, Dec 28, 2008 at 15:04

Sunday, Dec 28, 2008 at 15:04

A post on the very subject just the other day.............. try 'Omeo' in the search.

AnswerID: 341600

Reply By: Member - Ian W (NSW) - Sunday, Dec 28, 2008 at 20:11

Sunday, Dec 28, 2008 at 20:11

I did that very trip whilst towing a 15' aluminium boat about six years ago.

Yes there are some very winding sections.

Yes are are some sheer drop offs.

The front of my boat was well "sand blasted" following the trip.

I had no problems as far as tight bends were concerned, I believe it may well be relative to the level of your driving/towing experience.

No I don't believe I would like to attempt it with an 18' van.

Ian

AnswerID: 341643

Reply By: ajd - Monday, Dec 29, 2008 at 09:18

Monday, Dec 29, 2008 at 09:18

Did this trip last year towing a camper trailer. It was hard work in places and I would have reservations about towing anything wider than my vehicle.

AnswerID: 341690