Sunday, Jul 28, 2024 at 07:03
Hi GavVic
We live in
Toowoomba and travel to the Hunter Valley a few times a year to visit family. While my wife is happy to hook down the
New England H/way and get there quickly, I much prefer to stay away from major highways and poke around the back blocks. One issue you have in that area is that most of the connecting roads run largely East/West so one ends up zig zagging back and
forth between the coast and the
New England area.
1. A popular option for us through is the Fossicker's Way which is a good compromise with some good stop over spots. We have spent time
free camping at Texas and
Bingara and other
places along the way. Fond memories but not strictly meeting your 4wd criteria.
2. Lions Rd crossing the Qld NSW boarder is a nice area which can then link to the Mann River and Clarence River (Clarence Way) further south. Lots of great country in there to explore and can certainly satisfy your 4wd desires. In fact you could easily spend 10 days around the boarder ranges alone if you wanted.
3. All those E/W connecting roads such as Summerland Way, Bruxner H/way, Gwydir H/way, Waterfall Way, Oxley H/way, Thunderbolts Way/
Barrington Tops area are
well worth a drive.
Putty Rd from
Singleton area to N/W
Sydney is a good drive. We did the
Putty Rd in Dec/Jan one year and I remember it was hot, in fact very hot. Lots of interesting little towns to stop in and explore though.
So you could head down through the boarder ranges and follow the Mann R/Clarence R south and S/E on Thunderbolts way through
Barrington Tops to Gloucester/
Singleton area. Then south down
Putty Rd skirting around the west of
Sydney into the Blue Mts. I think you would be wishing you had more than 10 days as there is so much to explore in all that.
Ha ha, I think I have just planned myself my next trip south. Done pretty much all of it but so many camping spots and different roads to explore. Unfortunately our next trip south will be a one day dash to
Scone probably down the Fossickers Way to pick up our van which we left there last trip (that is another story). We will spend a month there for the arrival of grand child #13 then head south to Tasmania for maybe six months. No return ticket booked yet.
Whichever way you go, I am sure you will enjoy it.
Take care
Roy G.
AnswerID:
646264
Follow Up By: Nomadic Navara - Sunday, Jul 28, 2024 at 19:34
Sunday, Jul 28, 2024 at 19:34
"No return ticket booked yet"
That's a big mistake. I suggest you start planning the return tonight with at least a quick look at what is available now.
FollowupID:
926746
Follow Up By: Member - Happy Explorer - Tuesday, Jul 30, 2024 at 20:14
Tuesday, Jul 30, 2024 at 20:14
Thanks Peter, that was good advice.
We have now booked for an April return. Just about spot on what we wanted but yes, not a lot of options left.
Again thanks
Roy G
FollowupID:
926765
Follow Up By: Nomadic Navara - Tuesday, Jul 30, 2024 at 22:48
Tuesday, Jul 30, 2024 at 22:48
You are now guaranteed to get back when you wish to. Ten years ago we were down there. The trip was not as popular as it is now, vanners were going down in the new year, expecting to return before winter. The big problem is you have the locals flooding across to migrate north for the winter. They would have booked before Christmas. They would have taken the northbound bookings that the northerners had left vacant. Those without return bookings could not get bookings before October.
FollowupID:
926767