Adelaide to Cairns - Coastal or Inland?

Hi Renee,

Some of us might be in a better position to assist you if we had a bit more info on what your own criteria might be.

Security? Fuel availability? Motel etc accommodation? Free/inexpensive camping? What vehicle? What do you want to see? Or are you just going there and don't care about the trip? etc, etc, etc - the list can be quite long.

Without checking, I reckon it's close to a 4000k trip one-way, so you might want to see a few things on the road>

All of that aside, there is likely to be more traffic, and hence more opportunity for assistance if you encounter difficulties, and probably better mobile phone coverage, on the "coastal" route - not that there's much coast between Mildura and Forbes! There are quite a few more towns on this route.

Both routes are bitumen, as far as I can recall, although standard and quality do vary.

Me? I'd take the inland route, but I don't care too much about the road surface, enjoy the bush and I'm a reasonably fit 67 year-old bloke, so may not face the same issues you might encounter if things go pear-shaped.

If you can find someone reliable you'd be comfortable travelling with, that might change my suggestion, but otherwise, in your position I'd go "coastal", unless you want to see the outback.

Regards,


Charlie

Thanks Charlie.

Much appreciated! A bit of knowledge goes a long way. I have a dog to come with me so my only option is camping at a caravan park really. I’d love to see with outback AND the coastal route but with your advice I do think I’m swaying more to the busier coastal route, just for the security factor and if things do go pear-shaped. Thank you!

Hullo Renee,
We went from Adelaide (Largs Bay) to Cairns and back 2 years ago. Went up by your 1st route, came back by your 2nd option.
Vastly different scenery of course, but road surface was OK, plenty of places to stay. Roads aren't "busy" but inland roads carry road trains. If you are on a narrow road, give them plenty of space (even to the extent of pulling off to the left and stopping.)
Plenty of good caravan parks on the way. Secure places to stop. We did about 500kms per day, towing a 'van and got off the road by about 4:30pm. This co-incided with good sized towns along the way, eg Broken Hill, Cobar, etc
There are plenty of good people out on the road who will help you if it does go "pear shaped". Fuel availability good on both routes, but pricey outside of large towns.
Have a good trip.... we are doing it again in 2013. (Hate Adelaide winters!!!)
Cheers and good luck
Bob

Cheers Bob. I was a little concerned about the road trains so thanks for the tip. I plan on taking my time but maybe a bit more than 500km in a day. I’m only driving a Rav4 – nothing huge but it takes a lot. Really appreciate your advice. Mine will be a move up to Queensland – to escape Adelaide all together – not just the winters! :)

Cobar to Charleville will be lined with Kangaroos, Goats, Emus and pigs. Roads a good but pick the time of the day your are going to travel.

Honky

Depends how much time you have and how stress free you want the drive.

Personally I'd go inland, apart from being shorter, there's less towns, traffic, traffic lights, and variable speed zones to deal with.These things will add time to the trip.

Unless you have a desire to view the coast (and you don't see much of that on the Pacific Hwy anyhow..), then I'd find the inland route less taxing.

And there's some charming inland towns as well.

Hi

A bit off topic, but I hope you have a good job lined up in Cairns. A really beautiful place with VERY HIGH unemployment and LOW wages! We would probably be living there if it wasn't for those negatives.

Cheers

Lyndon

Hi Renee,
Done the Mildura to Gold Coast thing many times. Much quicker and far less traffic going inland, through Forbes, Dubbo, Morree, Goondawindi and across to Gold Coast. This way you also miss crossing the mountain range through NSW as well. Really depends on whether you want to take the slow scenic route(coastal) or the quickest and easiest (inland)

Renee,

After travelling the Bruce Highway recently, I'd be inclined to take your first selection, up through Bourke, Charleville to Townsville and Cairns. A lot of roadworks on the Bruce H'way between Brissy and Rocky. The Pacific Highway up to Brissy is not unlike a Supercar Race......all the time.

Roads are generally good, and depending on your route, would be all 2 lane bitumen. In Qld, many of the towns are about an hour apart, and all have fuel and accommodation. Oh, except Emerald, which is often always booked out, or so I've found.

Plenty of "young female drivers" doing similar trips to this one, so you should be right. If you had a friend or rellie that could travel up with you, and fly home, it would make the trip much better. Just don't drive at night, for various reasons.

Re road trains, treat them with respect, and remember they can't stop, or zip around like a Rav can. If you happen to be travelling on any single lane bitumen, then pull off the tar, and stop, is the best option when passing r'trains.

Drink plenty of water, and get some good sleep before leaving on the trip. Stay safe, and hope you enjoy Cairns. We have a daughter up there and she loves it,

Bob.

Thank you all very much. Your advice is very much appreciated and needed! You've given me a lot to think about, but definitely made the decision easier.

Hi Renee,

We went the same trip a couple of years ago, all the back way. Adelaide, Hawker, Marree, Birdsville, Diamintina Nat. Park, Winton, Hughenden, The Lynd, Atherton, Cairns.

Great way to see some beautiful country and even for some of the remote areas, there was still a bit of other traffic around so we never felt completely alone.

Cheers, Wooly