Best route Melbourne to Brisbane?

[Old Kiwi]

As the topic says, I'm driving to Brisbane (Surfers) from Melbourne.

Does anyone know if the best route is via Sydney, or should I be looking to avoid Sydney?

Cheers
Shane
KIWI

[VXSSV8]

I've travelled down and back along the Newell Highway from Brisbane. Took dead on 16 hours each way whilst adhering mostly to the speed limit ;) . It goes straight North and you cross the QLD border at Goondiwindi and then head east. Not the most scenic route but probably one of the quickest.

See Here (http://www.hotkey.net.au/~krool/photos/nsw/newellhwy.htm)

:)

[marno]

This should take you straight through Willowbank... See how quick you can get down the 1/4 mile with a full load :p


I've travelled down and back along the Newell Highway from Brisbane. Took dead on 16 hours each way whilst adhering mostly to the speed limit ;) . It goes straight North and you cross the QLD border at Goondiwindi and then head east. Not the most scenic route but probably one of the quickest.

See Here (http://www.hotkey.net.au/~krool/photos/nsw/newellhwy.htm)

:)

[NODDY347]

I could be doing this same trip in a couple of weeks....what are the roads and traffic like taking this route? Should i expect a lot of paint damage if i don't use a car bra?

[roo]

i've travelled both routes on many ocasions.at the moment I prefer melb-syd-newcastle,beyond newcastle the pacific hwy to the gold coast is a national disgrace,you have to be very patient,over zelous police every 10 km.melbourne to newcastle is about 98% divided 4 lanes not many cops sit posted 110kph.imo the newell is rough semi double b truck that take pleasure in trowing rocks at your car at every opportunity,also at night the bloody roos slow you down to 40 k'sper hr.100,000's of the bastards..for me its the hume & pacific .18hrs

[EXECJIM]

i've travelled both routes on many ocasions.at the moment I prefer melb-syd-newcastle,beyond newcastle the pacific hwy to the gold coast is a national disgrace,you have to be very patient,over zelous police every 10 km.melbourne to newcastle is about 98% divided 4 lanes not many cops sit posted 110kph.imo the newell is rough semi double b truck that take pleasure in trowing rocks at your car at every opportunity,also at night the bloody roos slow you down to 40 k'sper hr.100,000's of the bastards..for me its the hume & pacific .18hrs

I am with you, i have been both routes, and melb,Syd,New castle to Qld for me :D

[RARASV8]

KIWI
:D i've done this trip twice in the last four years, both times left MELB around 6:00 am (live northern subs)drive up hume till the SHEP turn off and follow the road till the newell then stop at FORBES for lunch around 12:30 then onto Moree for TEA then stop at Toowoomba by 9:30,(this year stopped at RICKO'S (in FORBES) for about an hour, and still got in by 10:00,LUV the LS1 ova the ve tech). if you search TOOWOOMBA you'll find "driving to Toowoomba" and there are some very handy messages plus some short cuts that take of about an hour criusing on the speed limit.
p.s. the RACV have some strip maps that show the way and are handy for keeping track of cost's.
at easter the SV8 adveraged just on 9.2 l/100 k's, for a 3200k round trip, hope this helps. :D
p.s.s. the only wild life i saw was LOCUSTS and MILLIONS of them still pealing them of now!

[Old Kiwi]

Cheers guys, thanks for the info, have to have a good think about which way, but leaning towards the the Sydney, Newcastle way as I've been as far as Newcastle before, and keen on a look at the central coast.
:cheers:

[roo]

up the centre is 2hrs quicker,but you have to encounter trucks doing 120k's in the opposite direction 300mm from your side of your face,rough roads[fatiuge factor] roos,bird strikes and a boring drive.melbourne to sydney is an absolute cruise ,120 dual freeway all the way.sydney to newcastle dual freeway,good sceneary,newcastle to goldcoast is slow 80's average,lots of cops.alternate route newcastle -tamworth-glen innes-grafton. 40k's further but they reckon its a good drive , i'll try that one next time.

[roo]

my record bendigo to gold coast 1986 13.00 hrs. 1.8 litre camira rental.4 bathurst type fuel stops,sat on 170k's all day, got booked at warick doing 165k's $80 fine.buediful those were the days!!

[Swordie]

The Newelll would be the fastest. It's not a nicest road to drive on at night in NSW. There are many trucks and some passing maneuvers are risky. The Newell has less passing lanes. The Pacific / Hume are more relaxed, but it’s a much slower route.

[Devil CV8]

Cheers guys, thanks for the info, have to have a good think about which way, but leaning towards the the Sydney, Newcastle way as I've been as far as Newcastle before, and keen on a look at the central coast.
:cheers: My vote is the pacific Hwy.
Apart from looking out for cops hiding everywhere, all the permanent speed cameras are signposted very well, although one particular stretch seems to breed them.....

[Bumfluff]

My opinion would be to go from Melb. to Syd. to Newcastle then up the New England Hwy. Nowhere near the amount of cops/speed cameras there as opposed to the pacific hwy and there aren't as many towns to pass thru which means more constant speed.

[SS Enforcer]

The Newell hwy is fine mate, sure you get some trucks but not as many as the Pacific.

I would go the Hume to just past Albury then take the Olympic Way follow your nose to West Wyalong from there head up on up the guts.
It's a pretty good drive you actually have to drive your car, change the odd gear and you get to go around a few corners.

I have done that route about 60/70 times IMHO a much better drive than sticking with the Hume and Pacific Hwy.

If you just wish to sit on the cruise control for hrs on end and get bored to death go the Hume and Pacific

cheers

[markone2]

The Newell hwy is fine mate, sure you get some trucks but not as many as the Pacific.




:D And that will suit me just fine heading in the opposite direction...about time I got myself and the little Red car a handle on some of that nice refreshing 10 degrees and lower racing temperture :burnout:

[05guy]

Sound's to me that ROO has a dislike of truck's. But remember. "Without truck's AUSTRALIA STOP'S"
If you can factor out the cowboy element we are just a bench of nice guy's that bring you every consumer product you need to survive including the fine motor car you drive. :D

[roo]

:booty: who gives a shit! trucks throw lots of debris up, usually at my ss & i've got all the stone chips to prove it.their slow going up any lncline & when u find a passing lane u get booked for exceeding the 100k limit.yeh I must admit I have deep rooted feelings for trucks :bash:

[Bumfluff]

don't know why but the term 'ROUND 1: FIGHT!!' just popped into my head........ :box: :box: I'll just sit back and watch the festivities.... :D