A question for the truckies.

[Orbit]

If you were to drive from wagga to cairns what route would you take?
would you go dubbo to goondi or dubbo to st george or another route?
would you go through mackay or through charters towers?

orb.

[cool65]

http://www.nowwhereroute.com/travelm...NSW_cairns_QLD

most direct route

[needaXYGT]

it might be the most direct route, but it also may invlove crappy roads or slower speed limits.

[melon466]

Go through Gundi, it's the main truck route from Melbourne to Brisbane so the roads aren't too bad and it's 110 km/h the whole way. Try to bypass going any further west than there as the roads are SH!TE, on the direct route in that link it goes thru Augathella, Barcaldine and Condobolin.
Last time I was out that way the roads were nearly too bad to drive on.

[normxb]

Originally Posted by melon466

Go through Gundi, it's the main truck route from Melbourne to Brisbane so the roads aren't too bad and it's 110 km/h the whole way. Try to bypass going any further west than there as the roads are SH!TE, on the direct route in that link it goes thru Augathella, Barcaldine and Condobolin.
Last time I was out that way the roads were nearly too bad to drive on.

Same here , I went to Bundaberg Via Temora , Parkes , Dubbo & Gundi 3 years in a row in an XF wagon & large trailer and the roads were quite good and wide . Stay away from NSW coast .

[Mechan1k]

I'd say the truck drivers would take the route that has the least (or no) Safe-T-cam cameras.

[Orbit]

thanks guys looks like goodi is the way to go.

[The G6ET Spot]

After travelling up to north Queensland more times than I care to remember. I found the quickest way was to go up through Goondiwindi,then up through Miles and Theodore onto Banana ,Dululu and Gracemere into Rockhampton then straight up the coast. It used to cut 3 1/2 hrs off the trip times from Sydney to Cairns. The problem with going through Barcaldine and out west is that the roads are not the best out that way.

http://www.nowwhereroute.com/travelm...ockhampton_QLD

[Smoke Pursuit]

Originally Posted by Orbit

thanks guys looks like goodi is the way to go.

Dont u mean Gundi?

[Orbit]

typo....

[flappist]

From Wagga to Cairns....

It is a bloody long way and unless you are in a MEGA hurry then do the coastal route.

Pros
There are less trucks.
The roads are better.
There is more to see.
Petrol is cheaper.
Phone coverage all the way (assuming you are not a vodaloser, but then you would be used to no coverage)
No windy hills with slow vehicles blocking the way.
Lots of petrol/food/overnight accom options.
Less hoppy, flappy and oinky things attacking you.

Cons:
Slightly longer distance.
More caravans.
More highway patrol.

If you have kids or a female offsider then the "are we there yets" on the inland route will ensure you sell your car and fly home.......

[ronwest]

Originally Posted by RAPID XR8

After travelling up to north Queensland more times than I care to remember. I found the quickest way was to go up through Goondiwindi,then up through Miles and Theodore onto Banana ,Dululu and Gracemere into Rockhampton then straight up the coast.

Yep, from Wagga that would be the way.

Or, from Rocky you could venture out to the old road and see if Lotus Creek or Connors River has been flooded since 1985, lol.

[Orbit]

wagga miles rocky mackay etc will be the go.
and it's a solo run for me so no complaining tin lids.

[ronwest]

Originally Posted by Orbit

wagga miles rocky mackay etc will be the go.
and it's a solo run for me so no complaining tin lids.

If you've got the time, return to Innisfail from Cairns via Atherton Tablelands.

If you don't get up north very often the tablelands are well worth the visit. It is very nice country and will only add an hour or so to your driving time.

[normxb]

Bit O/T , but if you do have to take the "tin lids" on a long trip anytime , the best I found is give them 2 hr turns in the front seat with the road directory . It gives them something to do & look forward to their turn , also teaches them to read the map . Worked a treat for us , didn't make a wrong turn all the way from Young (NSW) & Bundy (QLD) , just told them "We've got to get to Goondiwindi tonight , next day , Bundy" . They were 12 , 10 & 8 at the time .

Going through the town's they ALL got to look for the road signs .

Cheers
Norm

[Full Noise]

Can’t help you, Orbit. I’m boycotting that state. NSW was in the lead with the most draconian rules until those sc*mbags in the Queensland parliament thought that taking your licence off you for a logbook offence would help road safety.

Happy travelling.

[GasoLane]

Originally Posted by flappist

Pros
There are less trucks.

Wrong.

Originally Posted by flappist

Petrol is cheaper.

Not always

Originally Posted by flappist

Phone coverage all the way (assuming you are not a vodaloser, but then you would be used to no coverage)

Vodafone has national highway coverage, off highway is lousy though.

Originally Posted by flappist

No windy hills with slow vehicles blocking the way.

Are we talking the coast rd (Hwy 1) here. Try Melb/Syd via the coast some day!

Originally Posted by flappist

Lots of petrol/food/overnight accom options.

True

Originally Posted by flappist

Less hoppy, flappy and oinky things attacking you.

Wrong

Originally Posted by flappist

Cons:
Slightly longer distance.
More caravans.
More highway patrol.

MUCH longer!
At this time of year, and untill about mid June most of Vic take their vans.
Nth up the Newell!
HP cars... agreed.

Originally Posted by Orbit

wagga miles rocky mackay etc will be the go.
and it's a solo run for me so no complaining tin lids.

I used to do this run once a week and If it's any help Innisfail to Melb can be done in 41 hrs