Quickest ACT to Mackay
Submitted: Thursday, Jul 21, 2011 at 23:03
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roger ramjet
HI,
I haven't driven up N for a long while except the Pacific Hwy.
Whats the quickest way to Mackay from ACT?
Google maps offers two suggestions:
Newell and Leichhardt via
Goondiwindi
or
Castleriegh via Lighting Ridge and
St George.
Theres 50k between the 2, if Im averaging 110kmh I get 18 hrs via
St George which seems quicker. any advice?
thanks
R
Reply By: Member - Mark (Tamworth NSW) - Friday, Jul 22, 2011 at 07:57
Friday, Jul 22, 2011 at 07:57
I early July we went from
Tamworth to
Cardwell (and back), about 1800km each way.
We went up through Goodi, back through
St George, both good roads, all bitumen. I wouldn't dream of going up the coast road even if it was the same distance, the inland roads are just so much easier.
We left
Townsville at 1PM and we were 1800km south at 1PM the next night, not having to travel past 8PM each night.
Once you get past Coona or Gunnedah (going north), there is only a town every 100km or so.
You mightn't average 100km/hr, but doing just over the legal limit you should do
well better than 90 for sure. Go up one way, back the other.
AnswerID:
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Follow Up By: roger ramjet - Friday, Jul 22, 2011 at 08:35
Friday, Jul 22, 2011 at 08:35
Thanks Mark.
Apologies all, I misused the term 'average' - I probably should have said "try to keep it at 110"
Its not at all optimistic to average 900-1000km a day, driving around 10 hours a day. I've done it many times, admittedly not at legal speeds.
cheers
R
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Follow Up By: Member - Mark (Tamworth NSW) - Friday, Jul 22, 2011 at 09:05
Friday, Jul 22, 2011 at 09:05
We sat on 100-105 most of the way, some sections in Qld are 110km /hr and they are reinstating 110km in sections of the Newell in NSW soon as
well.
We did 900km/day coming back, though we were lucky to share amonst 3 drivers. If you drive relaxed fashion (whilst staying alert), not a great deal of traffic, 1000km days are not difficult at all even for a single driver. I do it several times reach year at legal speeds. Excessive speed apart from the danger, just isn't worth it, it adds to your anxiety over getting caught and costs you too much in fuel.
Secret is to get up early and make most of daylight hours, avoiding roos.
Sorry that should have read we left
Townsville at 1PM and were 1800km south at 8PM the next night, not having to drive past 830PM on the 1st night.
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Follow Up By: roger ramjet - Friday, Jul 22, 2011 at 18:11
Friday, Jul 22, 2011 at 18:11
Thanks again.
Sounds like we can make it in two long days on the Newell. That was my plan for last Xmas until the floods took out half the roads.
I'm with you on the 'secret' - get away just after sunrise and you can be done driving by 6pm'ish, 1000ks under your belt.
I've driven Uluru to
Canberra in just over 32 hours by myself, but I was younger and stupider then. :-) I did get pulled over by the cops in
Mildura - but that was for taking a leak on the roadside, not speeding !
Drive safe !
R
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Reply By: Steve M1 (NSW) - Friday, Jul 22, 2011 at 19:46
Friday, Jul 22, 2011 at 19:46
well, I know this isn't really scientifically definitive but I know doing two days from NSW central coast, we would A) go to
Surat (day 1) Belyando Crossing (day 2) pretty flat out for us, with one driver. We also B) go to
Condamine (day 1) and Hydeaway Bay (day 2 - which is half hour or so further on than Proserpine). If we went the
St George /
Roma route, we'd be lucky to make it to Mackay in two days, never mind Hydeaway Bay, which is two hours further on. I'd like to go the
Roma,
Clermont route because I think it's nicer - but it's definitely slower. All of which tells us at least one thing: these truckies know a thing or two.
Still might try it for a change though, because after a nice long run into Rocky, you get a set of red lights every 100m and it's a pita even though quicker ;))
AnswerID:
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Reply By: Josh-38 - Wednesday, Jul 27, 2011 at 08:53
Wednesday, Jul 27, 2011 at 08:53
Hi Roger.
With three drivers we drove from
rockhampton to
Orange NSW (1300kmh) through goondawindi leaving at 930 in the morning and arriving
home at 1130pm. This included 2 20 min meal stops plus 2 fuel stops and a
toilet break. This was sitting on 107kmh as per gps. Mackay in 2 days is deffinantly possible but a hard slog if your the only driver. 2 drivers not a problem. On the way up to the cape we did the 2500 kms from
Orange to
karumba in 44hours including 12 hours worth of sleep stops plus 3 hours at the quantas museum and tree of knowledge.
Cheers Josh.
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Follow Up By: roger ramjet - Wednesday, Jul 27, 2011 at 18:37
Wednesday, Jul 27, 2011 at 18:37
Thanks Josh
That gives me some good relative figures to work with.
If I add 4hrs Rocky to Mackay (ay) and another 4 from ACT to
Orange we might just be able to do it. just.
Appreciate that info.
cheers
R
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