Best way around Sydney
Submitted: Sunday, Oct 19, 2008 at 13:14
ThreadID:
62685
Views:
11760
Replies:
12
FollowUps:
5
This Thread has been Archived
Noels
We're heading down to the South Coast from Qld next month, & have never been past
Sydney.
We are towing a 20' Van, & we need advice on the easiest/fastest route to take from Pacific Hwy by-passing
Sydney to get to
Kiama.Are there any tolls to pay & how much would they be?
Also, how long would it take to drive, towing the van (we DO stick to the speed limit), from
Coffs Harbour to
Kiama?
OR, is the
New England the easiest/fastest way to go from
Brisbane?
Any suggestions would be very helpful.
Thanks, Noels.
Reply By: Member - Porl - Sunday, Oct 19, 2008 at 13:41
Sunday, Oct 19, 2008 at 13:41
have done most ways visiting my bro over the last couple years. My opinion, not necessarily correct, is to take the Pacific Highway and go through
Sydney using the motorway. Toll was a few bucks, do it and pay for it on the internet site. Whereas you used to go through
Sydney, that was a nightmare, now quite easy and quick.
AnswerID:
330718
Reply By: Member - Graeme W (NSW) - Sunday, Oct 19, 2008 at 14:00
Sunday, Oct 19, 2008 at 14:00
As Porl has said above, the motorways are the best way to get through
Sydney. You take the M2, which becomes the M7 after a few kms. The M2 is about $2.20 each way and the M7 about $6.60.
The M7 has no toll booths. I find the easiest way is to get a temporary account over the internet before I leave. This is good for up to a month. It's billed to your credit card at the end of the month. You can also do it over the phone (13 TOLL).
M7 website
Once south of
Sydney I follow the highway to the Appin/Picton road. This comes out above
Wollongong.
Graeme
AnswerID:
330721
Follow Up By: Kiwi & "Grenade" - Sunday, Oct 19, 2008 at 19:35
Sunday, Oct 19, 2008 at 19:35
dido......so quick so easy...only lights are those through Thornleigh etc......such an easy trip....
FollowupID:
598391
Reply By: Chris & Sue - Sunday, Oct 19, 2008 at 14:34
Sunday, Oct 19, 2008 at 14:34
G'day Noels
Not sure about the best/quickest way through
Sydney (we let the GPS decide last time and it involved a couple of motorways as described above). Whatever you do, don't go through the middle of the
Sydney CBD!! :-)
Assuming you're from SE Qld (?), if you have an e-toll device on your windscreen that works on the
Gateway bridge or Logan motorway, then it will also work on the motorways around
Sydney.
As to time, I'd say about 7 1/2 to 8 hrs actual travelling time (not including rest stops), but as they say, 'Your mileage may vary'.
Cheers,
Chris
AnswerID:
330724
Reply By: Member - DOZER- Sunday, Oct 19, 2008 at 14:55
Sunday, Oct 19, 2008 at 14:55
New england, f3, which becomes the cumberland highway (metro7) 10 or so kms and turn right at the M2, which becomes the M7 tollway, $6 pay booth at m2 about $12 for m7 to Liverpool, pay over the net, picton turnoff, into Princess hwy past
Wollongong to
Kiama.
Now, depending on what time you reach
Sydney, you could continue along the cumberland instead of turning M2 and M7. and end up at thesame place half hour and 250 traffic lights later, i would only recommend this route after 10pm and b4 5am
Andrew
AnswerID:
330731
Follow Up By: Member - Jack - Sunday, Oct 19, 2008 at 16:26
Sunday, Oct 19, 2008 at 16:26
: )
Dozer ... I cannot think of any curcumstances that would see me travelling trhe Cumberland these days. 250 traffic lights is about right, of the other 50 aren't working. What a nightmare road that one is.
Cheers
Jack
FollowupID:
598364
Follow Up By: Member - Ian W (NSW) - Sunday, Oct 19, 2008 at 16:53
Sunday, Oct 19, 2008 at 16:53
Noels,
As a Seven Hills resident who travels parts of the so called Cumberland Highway every day I would state most emphatically that you avoid it.
As others have stated. Down the Pacifice Highway - M3 From
Newcastle at the end of the M3 about 10K's on Pennant Hills Rd and turn right onto the M2 - Just watch the
signage and the M2 eventually becomes the F7. After that follow the the Goulburn/
Melbourne Signs. After crossing two extremely high and long conrete bridges, believe me when I say that you will recognise despite not having seen them before watch for an off ramp
sign posted
Wollongong (Left) and Picton (right).
About 40K's later this will put you onto the Princess Highway above Mount Ousley. Just stick to the Princess Highway/Freeway and about 36K's later you will be in
Kiama.
As previously stated organise a toll account before leaving home should you not already have one.
I live Reasonably close to the Cumberland Highway but pay my toll to use the F7 when reguarly travelling down to the South Coast. It's just not worth the aggravation of a zillion traffic lights on what is laughingly called the Prospect Highway but in reality is nothing more than a suburban service road.
Ian
FollowupID:
598367
Reply By: toyocrusa - Sunday, Oct 19, 2008 at 15:35
Sunday, Oct 19, 2008 at 15:35
Hi. I am a resident of Shellharbour Municipality(Next door to
Kiama) We have travelled to both Surfers and Coolum this year and as said, the M2/M7 is the quickest and easiest route.Costs are reasonable for the road travelled. Our first trip we left home at 8.00am and arrived Coffs about 4.00pm with 4 rest stops along the way and sticking to the speed limits(We were not towing so were able to do 110k on freeways ) The worst bit is on the north side of
Sydney for about 25k after the
Newcastle and before the m2. Try to do this before afternoon peak hour if you can as it is very congested with trucks and traffic. At the southern end of the M7 you follow the Picton/
Wollongong signs onto Picton road(a lot of trucks use this road and has a bad accident reputation when it is wet) mainly 2 way with impatient speedsters both directions. If arriving
Wollongong on a week day afternoon it is easier to travel Warrawong,Windang(Shellharbour Rd) as the Highway is undergoing bypass upgrade and traffic can be a nightmare that way.(Google says 8.5hrs normal travel time) If I can be of further assistance you can contact me for a ph.no. Regards, Bob.
AnswerID:
330736
Follow Up By: toyocrusa - Sunday, Oct 19, 2008 at 15:38
Sunday, Oct 19, 2008 at 15:38
Newcastle. Should be Newcastle/
Sydney freeway
FollowupID:
598353
Reply By: Dunco (NSW) - Sunday, Oct 19, 2008 at 15:35
Sunday, Oct 19, 2008 at 15:35
When you travel south...and when you come to the end of the F3, turn onto Pennant Hills road and travel along that for about 10km and then turn right onto the M2 which turns into the M7 and turns into the M5. Then turn left at the Picton Road/
Wollongong ext about 30 km down the road.
It is a great way to bypass
Sydney
Most people forget to tell you that you have to travel the Pennant Hills road bit.
And the M2/M7 have NO TOLL booths, so you will have to ring them up after you've been along it. You will see a big
sign with a phone number.
AnswerID:
330737
Reply By: Philip A - Sunday, Oct 19, 2008 at 17:07
Sunday, Oct 19, 2008 at 17:07
Funny , I agree with the M2 /M7 bit , But I find that it is best to turn left onto the M5 towards the city down past Liverpool onto Heathcote Rd , down past Holsworthy and Menai and rejoin the Princes Highway at Heathcote at the last set of lights (Macdonalds).
It is then 110Kmh almost all the way to
Wollongong.
Regards Philip A
AnswerID:
330745
Follow Up By: Dunco (NSW) - Sunday, Oct 19, 2008 at 18:19
Sunday, Oct 19, 2008 at 18:19
It isn't a bad way Phillip, but from the M& you end up back tracking a little. Either way is very acceptable....beats
Sydney proper
FollowupID:
598372
Reply By: didiaust - Sunday, Oct 19, 2008 at 18:24
Sunday, Oct 19, 2008 at 18:24
I prefer the
New England Hwy - I feel more relaxed on this road. I love driving in
Sydney early on a Sunday morning so if you can manage to stay on the outskirts on Sat night you will be amazed at the lack of traffic. Usually a great run till at least 8 am
AnswerID:
330751
Reply By: Steve - Sunday, Oct 19, 2008 at 19:20
Sunday, Oct 19, 2008 at 19:20
Noel,
No question about this one. The
New England is ok but very hilly for towing a 20 footer. Pac Hwy is deffo your best bet. Not as hilly and actually quicker. When you get to the end of the F3 which brings you to the Northern suburbs of
Sydney, carry on along Penant Hills Rd following signs for Canberra/Liverpool. You'll get a short (maybe 8/10ks???) stretch along this road until you turn right onto the freeway (M2/M7) it does go around the long way a bit but is far, far better than buggering about on the Cumberland Hwy. You'll be straight thru all on freeway apart from the 8/10 ks section untill you get signs for
Wollongong. Once you get off the freeway for "the Gong" it's a very steep decline down to the coast road but there isn't a better alternative. Just take it easy in low gears going down. No big deal really. Have just done the same down to Nowra with a 2000kg van and have tried all the options. Cumberland Hwy is a pain no matter what anybody says. Avoid it.
AnswerID:
330767
Reply By: nowimnumberone - Sunday, Oct 19, 2008 at 19:47
Sunday, Oct 19, 2008 at 19:47
best way head west to northern territiry
south through south australia
east to victoria
you will then miss the whole crappy nsw.
just kidding its not all crappy
cheers
AnswerID:
330777
Reply By: Hairy (NT) - Sunday, Oct 19, 2008 at 21:29
Sunday, Oct 19, 2008 at 21:29
Gday,
"Best way around Sydney"
From Qld?
Id say anti clockwise!!!!!
LOL
AnswerID:
330806
Reply By: Member - Mike DID - Monday, Oct 20, 2008 at 21:18