NSW Weekend Run
Discussion
Looking at doing a decent weekend run.
Idea is to meet at Richmond in Western Sydney, on a Saturday morning, over the Bells Line of Road to Lithgow then up to Kandos (transport stage)
From there head up the Bylong Valley Way to Denman (stunning road, heard nothing but good things about it). From there head up some decent back roads (all tar) to Tamworth for an overnight.
Can get a room for around $100 for a decent motel, cheaper at the pubs.
Next morning we have bacon and eggs to deal with the hangover and then head out east to Thunderbolts Way down to Gloucester, then Bucketts Way back to the F3 at Newcastle.
Both days are an easy 500kms so shouldn't be huge distances involved, but are some brilliant roads through stunning scenery.
Thinking late April/Early May.
Anyone keen?
Idea is to meet at Richmond in Western Sydney, on a Saturday morning, over the Bells Line of Road to Lithgow then up to Kandos (transport stage)
From there head up the Bylong Valley Way to Denman (stunning road, heard nothing but good things about it). From there head up some decent back roads (all tar) to Tamworth for an overnight.
Can get a room for around $100 for a decent motel, cheaper at the pubs.
Next morning we have bacon and eggs to deal with the hangover and then head out east to Thunderbolts Way down to Gloucester, then Bucketts Way back to the F3 at Newcastle.
Both days are an easy 500kms so shouldn't be huge distances involved, but are some brilliant roads through stunning scenery.
Thinking late April/Early May.
Anyone keen?
Here's Day 1
https://www.google.com.au/maps/dir/McDonalds+Winds...
If people are adventurous we can do Willow Tree Rd from Merriwa up to Willow Tree but it is part dirt. Otherwise that route is all tarmac.
And here is Day 2 https://www.google.com.au/maps/dir/Hornsby,+New+So...
Once again, all tarmac.
The only section of road I haven't driven of these is the Bylong Valley Way. All others are relatively familiar. Thunderbolts Way is great fun, the first section of the road out of Tamworth is nice and open and flowing. But it pretty quickly turns in to quite a tight and challenging set of corners, which should suit smaller, lighter cars.
If anyone has some mates who would love to come for a drive then let them know. The more the merrier.
If people could also let me know what they would like to budget for for the overnight stop I can get some options worked out.
https://www.google.com.au/maps/dir/McDonalds+Winds...
If people are adventurous we can do Willow Tree Rd from Merriwa up to Willow Tree but it is part dirt. Otherwise that route is all tarmac.
And here is Day 2 https://www.google.com.au/maps/dir/Hornsby,+New+So...
Once again, all tarmac.
The only section of road I haven't driven of these is the Bylong Valley Way. All others are relatively familiar. Thunderbolts Way is great fun, the first section of the road out of Tamworth is nice and open and flowing. But it pretty quickly turns in to quite a tight and challenging set of corners, which should suit smaller, lighter cars.
If anyone has some mates who would love to come for a drive then let them know. The more the merrier.
If people could also let me know what they would like to budget for for the overnight stop I can get some options worked out.
I've down Thunderbolts many a time. The stretch north of Gloucester is much better than south of Gloucester.
For those who did the Wisemans Ferry run it's no worse than that.
Forgot all about Willow Tree. Amazing stakes.
Haven't done the run down to Nundle since all the bridges were washed away 12 odd years ago. Might be good.
For those who did the Wisemans Ferry run it's no worse than that.
Forgot all about Willow Tree. Amazing stakes.
Haven't done the run down to Nundle since all the bridges were washed away 12 odd years ago. Might be good.
troen. custardtart said:
Google [bot] said:
Are my ears burning? 
Very keen for this if I've managed to get over a couple of issues with the car by then.
Let me know if you need a hand, someone to drink your beer, scratch their head and generally not be much use?Very keen for this if I've managed to get over a couple of issues with the car by then.
Ok, locked in for the 16th.
Been going through a few emails with Mr Bot and thought we'd lock down the route and the accommodation.
We'll meet at the Windsor Maccas because it's easy and has toilets and passable coffee.
Then Bells Line of Road, and along the Bylong Valley Way. If you have a small fuel tank fill up at Windsor, or we can stop at Lithgow. There will be no 98RON petrol until we get to the northern end of the Bylong Valley Way.
From the end of the Bylong Valley Way (little town called Sandy Hollow) we have the following options.
1) We can go up to Willow Tree, about 1hr 20 mins up the road and stay at the fancy pants pub with good steak http://www.grazewillowtree.com.au/accommodation.ht... which is about $200 a night (some rooms cheaper, some rooms more).
2) Carry on even further up to Tamworth (2hr 10 minutes up the road). Stay somewhere in Tamworth, pub, beer, steak.
3) We can do a short trip over to Muswellbrook (Scone is booked out due to some racing carnival) or even Denman and just crash in a motel/hotel and go to a local pub e.g. http://denmanhotel.com.au/
Options 1 and 2 mean a bit more driving, but give up the option of Thunderbolts Way on the way back down, option 3 means less driving, but would mean we could do Putty Rd back to Sydney.
I often do 210kms a day (like 2-3 times a week often) so long distance don't phase me, but others may have a different opinion.
So, yeah, over to you.
Been going through a few emails with Mr Bot and thought we'd lock down the route and the accommodation.
We'll meet at the Windsor Maccas because it's easy and has toilets and passable coffee.
Then Bells Line of Road, and along the Bylong Valley Way. If you have a small fuel tank fill up at Windsor, or we can stop at Lithgow. There will be no 98RON petrol until we get to the northern end of the Bylong Valley Way.
From the end of the Bylong Valley Way (little town called Sandy Hollow) we have the following options.
1) We can go up to Willow Tree, about 1hr 20 mins up the road and stay at the fancy pants pub with good steak http://www.grazewillowtree.com.au/accommodation.ht... which is about $200 a night (some rooms cheaper, some rooms more).
2) Carry on even further up to Tamworth (2hr 10 minutes up the road). Stay somewhere in Tamworth, pub, beer, steak.
3) We can do a short trip over to Muswellbrook (Scone is booked out due to some racing carnival) or even Denman and just crash in a motel/hotel and go to a local pub e.g. http://denmanhotel.com.au/
Options 1 and 2 mean a bit more driving, but give up the option of Thunderbolts Way on the way back down, option 3 means less driving, but would mean we could do Putty Rd back to Sydney.
I often do 210kms a day (like 2-3 times a week often) so long distance don't phase me, but others may have a different opinion.
So, yeah, over to you.
Edited by Colonial on Thursday 26th February 01:29
Hasbeen said:
Fantastic bit of road, & still fun at legal speeds.
However do take care if traveling it on a winters morning. The heavily shaded bits can still be icy with frost until well after 9,00 AM. After 40 years in Queensland, I had forgotten how late frost can last & had given myself a couple of heart in mouth moments my last time through, before I remembered to look for the heavier shaded corners.
Wish I was coming with you.
Oh yeah. Had a few jobs out around Oberon and winter can be an interesting time. However do take care if traveling it on a winters morning. The heavily shaded bits can still be icy with frost until well after 9,00 AM. After 40 years in Queensland, I had forgotten how late frost can last & had given myself a couple of heart in mouth moments my last time through, before I remembered to look for the heavier shaded corners.
Wish I was coming with you.
Seen as the poms are scared of a decent drive we can leave a bit later which makes me happier for the reasons you detail
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