Driving distances/times in Oz?
Discussion
Morning all!
Taking the family over to Oz in Jan to see some relatives and friends, problem is the selfish B
RDS are spread all over the country.
We are looking at hiring a camper van and driving from Melbourne, via Sydney up to Coolangatta on the Gold Coast.
I'm just wondering if anyone has any idea how long I should take with this journey, the kids are 8, 5 and 2 so don't want to spend all day on the road but don't want to take weeks over it either.
Any advice on how long it will take, where to stay on route etc gratefully accepted.
Taking the family over to Oz in Jan to see some relatives and friends, problem is the selfish B
RDS are spread all over the country.We are looking at hiring a camper van and driving from Melbourne, via Sydney up to Coolangatta on the Gold Coast.
I'm just wondering if anyone has any idea how long I should take with this journey, the kids are 8, 5 and 2 so don't want to spend all day on the road but don't want to take weeks over it either.
Any advice on how long it will take, where to stay on route etc gratefully accepted.
Don't fly - drive, otherwise you'll miss bits! 
The best bit about driving in Aus is the fact that 600km at 100km/hr takes 6 hrs... That might sound a bit like stating the bleeding obvious but the same distance in the UK can take an awful lot longer...
The worst bit is the fact that the majority of roads are straight and boring to drive and that can overpower the wonderful things you can look at along the way.
Having done a few big trips whilst over here, you can feel like you are just behind the wheel all the time. My advice is to really read up on your journey and learn of little things to stop at along the way, it does take longer to get there, but you are on holiday right? The best bits i have ever found have always been enroute to the touristy bits
The best bit about driving in Aus is the fact that 600km at 100km/hr takes 6 hrs... That might sound a bit like stating the bleeding obvious but the same distance in the UK can take an awful lot longer...
The worst bit is the fact that the majority of roads are straight and boring to drive and that can overpower the wonderful things you can look at along the way.
Having done a few big trips whilst over here, you can feel like you are just behind the wheel all the time. My advice is to really read up on your journey and learn of little things to stop at along the way, it does take longer to get there, but you are on holiday right? The best bits i have ever found have always been enroute to the touristy bits
If you go via the coast from Melbourne to Sydney it would take a few days I'f guess with stops on route. Up to the gold coast, about a week with decent stops, swims etc.
I've driven all over Oz a couple of times and it takes a long time to get anywhere by road cos its huge (obviously) and the police do police the roads quite well so you can't really hammer it. In January you will be driving through the summer and the interior of the country will be bloody (make that VVVVV) hot, hence stick to the coast. That will still be hot but nowhere near as warm as the interior. In your position I would think about flying from Melbourne to Sydney then hiring a car etc in sydney and spend some time exploring - go to the northern beaches... Then think about flying north.
I can't see that the long runs would be much fun with 3 kids and also when you are out of the cities, unless you have been to Oz before, you may be a bit surprised...
I've driven all over Oz a couple of times and it takes a long time to get anywhere by road cos its huge (obviously) and the police do police the roads quite well so you can't really hammer it. In January you will be driving through the summer and the interior of the country will be bloody (make that VVVVV) hot, hence stick to the coast. That will still be hot but nowhere near as warm as the interior. In your position I would think about flying from Melbourne to Sydney then hiring a car etc in sydney and spend some time exploring - go to the northern beaches... Then think about flying north.
I can't see that the long runs would be much fun with 3 kids and also when you are out of the cities, unless you have been to Oz before, you may be a bit surprised...
In fact it is only about this much - .
) you won't have gone anywhere yet...BigBazza said:
Thanks for that, I was wondering about hugging the coast between the two cities and maybe missing Canberra altogether. Any pointers welcome!
Canberra is actually worth a day or two to visit. The parliment buildings are worth going round as is the war memorial and museum, one of the best in the world I would say. Its also quite a chilled city. I quite like it, unlike a lot of people!Twit said:
BigBazza said:
Thanks for that, I was wondering about hugging the coast between the two cities and maybe missing Canberra altogether. Any pointers welcome!
Canberra is actually worth a day or two to visit. The parliment buildings are worth going round as is the war memorial and museum, one of the best in the world I would say. Its also quite a chilled city. I quite like it, unlike a lot of people!Melbourne to Sydney few stops and obeying the speed limit and not getting lost, about 12 - 13 hours more in a camper, Sydney to the GC 10 - 12, the same conditions applying.
That is driving up the highway, mostly dead straight for long distance and boring as bat sh1t, if you are going to do the drive allow a couple of days at least for each leg and see the country, the ranges and coast are both stunning but you can't do both at the same time.
If you are going to drink the local brew stick to Coopers, Cascade or James Squire, the big brands are absolute rubbish. ( born here and lived here all my life )
That is driving up the highway, mostly dead straight for long distance and boring as bat sh1t, if you are going to do the drive allow a couple of days at least for each leg and see the country, the ranges and coast are both stunning but you can't do both at the same time.
If you are going to drink the local brew stick to Coopers, Cascade or James Squire, the big brands are absolute rubbish. ( born here and lived here all my life )
i did every beach that's vehicle accessible between Sydney and Brisbane and it took 2 and a half weeks! the way back was a straight drive back and it took about 12 hours (old combi van that died a week after!) Lots of lovely places to camp on the way! Seal Rocks and Crescent Head i remember as being particularly nice. Make sure to take in Fraser Island if at all possible (bit further North I know).
Enjoy!
Enjoy!
suthol said:
Melbourne to Sydney few stops and obeying the speed limit and not getting lost, about 12 - 13 hours more in a camper, Sydney to the GC 10 - 12, the same conditions applying.
That is driving up the highway, mostly dead straight for long distance and boring as bat sh1t, if you are going to do the drive allow a couple of days at least for each leg and see the country, the ranges and coast are both stunning but you can't do both at the same time.
If you are going to drink the local brew stick to Coopers, Cascade or James Squire, the big brands are absolute rubbish. ( born here and lived here all my life )
You can't beat an ice cold VB though.That is driving up the highway, mostly dead straight for long distance and boring as bat sh1t, if you are going to do the drive allow a couple of days at least for each leg and see the country, the ranges and coast are both stunning but you can't do both at the same time.
If you are going to drink the local brew stick to Coopers, Cascade or James Squire, the big brands are absolute rubbish. ( born here and lived here all my life )
Waiter said:
I went from Melbourne to Sydney on a coach with no touristy stops, just p*ss breaks and it took 13 hours.
Don't drive, fly.
Don't drive, fly.
Internal flights in Oz with Jet Star are VERY cheap. I've spent a month or so travelling round Oz - flew between Melbourne / Sydney / Cairns - then sorted out a local hire car .
It is well worth driving up NW from Melbourne to see the Grampians and Arapiles ( about a 3 or 4 hour drive )
Cape Tribulation north of Cairns is also worth a visit
edit: (Tasmanian )cascade lager is
VB is sh1te - what you'd expect for a main-brand Oz beer
Edited by alfaman on Thursday 30th August 10:34
muley said:
Twit said:
BigBazza said:
Thanks for that, I was wondering about hugging the coast between the two cities and maybe missing Canberra altogether. Any pointers welcome!
Canberra is actually worth a day or two to visit. The parliment buildings are worth going round as is the war memorial and museum, one of the best in the world I would say. Its also quite a chilled city. I quite like it, unlike a lot of people!Puggit said:
muley said:
Twit said:
BigBazza said:
Thanks for that, I was wondering about hugging the coast between the two cities and maybe missing Canberra altogether. Any pointers welcome!
Canberra is actually worth a day or two to visit. The parliment buildings are worth going round as is the war memorial and museum, one of the best in the world I would say. Its also quite a chilled city. I quite like it, unlike a lot of people!I think the consensus on here is about right - drive it, but take your time to enjoy it. We liked Jervis Bay for it's Dolphin watch boat trip (excellent) and we stopped at a place called Eden for no other reason than to say we've been to Eden. It was a bit of a ghost town but we had a decent pub lunch there!
I've nothing more to add other than I'm dead envious of you - it'll be awesome.
Do allow a day for Canberra. As said, the parliament buildings and the war museum are definitely worth a visit.
I've nothing more to add other than I'm dead envious of you - it'll be awesome.
Do allow a day for Canberra. As said, the parliament buildings and the war museum are definitely worth a visit.
freddies_dad said:
I think the consensus on here is about right - drive it, but take your time to enjoy it. We liked Jervis Bay for it's Dolphin watch boat trip (excellent) and we stopped at a place called Eden for no other reason than to say we've been to Eden. It was a bit of a ghost town but we had a decent pub lunch there!
I've nothing more to add other than I'm dead envious of you - it'll be awesome.
Do allow a day for Canberra. As said, the parliament buildings and the war museum are definitely worth a visit.
Sounds like I did exactly the same trip as you!!I've nothing more to add other than I'm dead envious of you - it'll be awesome.
Do allow a day for Canberra. As said, the parliament buildings and the war museum are definitely worth a visit.
Did you hear the legend of the Eden Killer Whales?
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