Raymond Terrace to Brisbane via some interesting roads?

[Red_Bullet]

This is a GREAT thread!

[slug_dub]

Gloucester to Port Mac would be interesting I haven't been that way, but it's a lot of Pac Hwy to Coffs... You could consider going all the way up Thunderbolts Way to Armidale then across towards Dorrigo and up the Armidale Road to Grafton, that road is very cool too, and I don't think it would add much time.


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[3gress]

Is the armidale to grafton road you are reffering to the clouds creek way? I once lost half my exhaust sytem from my uc torana somewhere along there! The Nymboida route is quite roughly laid though worthy because of the scenic attributes.
If considering heading north from casino I'd suggest aiming on toward lismore and down the bangalow road onto pacific highway. Lovely piece of road and country.

[slug_dub]

I think we are talking about the same road yes. https://goo.gl/maps/JDRDundJSHx

I've dríven it twice, most recently in January this year. I don't find it to be in worse condition than most of the other B roads I've dríven.

[SKYHI]

Wootton way is a must

Does look like a fun bit of road, but is more a bypass and not really a road that's going to allow me to plan a whole route around. Will keep it in mind though when I do my next Brisbane to Raymond Terrace run ;)

The Thunderbolt Way to Armidale route has been suggested a couple of times, so I looked into it. I initially thought it would be the longer way around, but according to Google Maps it's around 789km and 10hrs 10min, so roughly the same distance and time as my previous route. Only question will be where I stay for the night. I could stay in Armidale, but it just mean a slightly longer trip home on the Sunday.

Google Maps link to revised route.

https://goo.gl/maps/2miVAs2vZQr

[Code4]

Having done Newcastle to BNE and SYD to BNE a number of times I always go New England Highway as it is quicker than getting held up goi g coastal. Less towns and less traffic.

[3gress]

New england highway in autumn is a sweet drive. Living at sea level it is always refreshing to experience the crisp air. If going through Armidale during autumn I'd recommend a slight detour out to gostwick church as it is a beautiful location for photo shoots. Worth googling the place just to see what I'm on about. Spontaneous winter time roadtrips to see the snow up around guyra have us relying on exhaust heat only as the heater was ditched long ago and only the blower fan left for demisting along with a little rainex solution applied. Anxious to get the current project on the road as it is just not the same in the partschasersensiblemobile.

[SKYHI]

So new route is looking like this:

Day 1, leaving NitroDanns around lunchtime Saturday.
Giggins Way, Heatherbrae to Two Styx Cottages, Ebor (via Armidale) via The Bucketts Way and Thunderbolts Way (389km / 4hrs 48min)
http://twostyx.com.au/
https://goo.gl/maps/bUgUHxSGJSH2

Day 2, leaving Two Styx Cottages about 7am,
Two Styx Cottages, Ebor to Cornubia via Grafton / Casino / Beaudesert (424km / 5hrs 50 min)
https://goo.gl/maps/MGAUu6WW75D2

Whole journey is roughly (813km / 10hrs 38min)
https://goo.gl/maps/uAK6qeeg5do

[SKYHI]

I want to get further than Armidale on the Saturday, but getting to Grafton via Grafton Rd and Armidale St is going to be a real stretch. Looked into accommodation somewhere around Ebor, but there's nothing available on the 25th of March

As such, I'm going to make the run up to Glen Innes and stay there overnight before heading across to Grafton via the Gwydir Hwy on Sunday morning.

New route

Day 1, leaving NitroDann's about lunchtime Saturday.
Giggins Way Heatherbrae to Walcha via The Bucketts Way and Thunderbolts Way (248km / 3hrs) Stop for refuelling at Walcha
Walcha to Glen Innes via Thunderbolts Way and New England Hwy (161km / 1hr 55 min) Stop for refuelling and overnight stay at Glen Innes.
Subtotal 405km / 4hrs 55 min)

Day 2, leaving Glen Innes around 7am.
Glen Innes to Grafton via the Gwydir Hwy (164km / 2hrs) Stop for refuelling at Grafton.
Grafton to Kyogle via Summerland Way (130km / 1hr 30min) Stop for refuelling at Kyogle
Kyogle to Cornubia via Summerland Way, Gradys Creek RD, Lions Rd, Mt Lindesay Hwy etc (151km / 2hrs).
Subtotal 445km / 5hrs 30 min)

Total (850km / 10hrs 25min)

Google Maps link: https://goo.gl/maps/UXtgaBE9cWr

The added bonus of this route is that I can drop in to see my Mums new property in Kentucky on the way into Uralla

[ManiacLachy]

I know you don't have dates finalised yet, but I was thinking it might be fun to meet you on Day 2 somewhere in northern NSW for the final leg. Maybe Casino? If a few people were keen we could make a good run of it.

[SKYHI]

I know you don't have dates finalised yet, but I was thinking it might be fun to meet you on Day 2 somewhere in northern NSW for the final leg. Maybe Casino? If a few people were keen we could make a good run of it.

Have spoken to Dann about having the car ready for collection on the 25th of March, and he's given me the ok, so provided he doesn't have any major hiccups, that'll be the plan. With that in mind, I'll be doing the 'Casino to home leg' on Sunday 26th of March, and it would be great to catch up with another MX5 or two for the run home.

[ManiacLachy]

Boo I'm away in Bundaburg that weekend

Never the less, maybe someone else will be keen? I hope you have a great trip, and look forward to hearing your thoughts on the car and the drive.

[DTH]

According to Google maps taking the Wootton Way adds one kilometer and 8 minutes to a trip rather than staying on the highway. Wootton Way was originally part of the highway and to my recollection was known generally as the Bulahdelah Bends. On a return trip from Dann's last June I took the Wootton Way, it was deserted and highly enjoyable if excitingly damp in places.

[Custardtart]

Did this happen? My review of my recent drive from Sydney to Brisbane via Buckets and Thunderbolts is in the current MX5 QLD magazine - it was truly epic!

[Custardtart]

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