Pre-cruise driving tour of NSW

[John Bull]

OK, cruising the roads, not the seas.:rolleyes:

 

But I'd be grateful if those who know this little bit of Aus could spare a minute or two to look through our planned route & offer any comments.

 

 

We have 8 days between arrival at Sydney Int Airport thurs 13th Feb & boarding Sun Princess on Friday 21st Feb.

We'll have a day & a half post-cruise to spend in Sydney

Flight arrives from Kuala Lumpur 10.45 am and I'm guessing we'll be driving out of the airport about 12.30.

 

First night's accommodation already booked at Park Ridge, Wollengong.

 

Broadly south following Princes Hwy, though spending as little time on it as poss.

Little diversion along a little bit of Botany Bay (just to say we've seen it), then

Sir Bertram Stevens Drive/Lawrence Hargraves Drive thro Nat Park, Stanwell Park, Sea Cliff Bridge, Coledale.

Memorial Drive or Princes Hwy (any preference?) past Albion Park, then depending on time

- cut across to the Irrawarra Fly, down to Kangaroo Valley, & hotel at Wollengong.

- or Irrawarra Fly then Kiama, then Wollengong.

- or Direct to Wollengong, via a stop at Kiama.

Whichever of these we don't manage that day, we'll fit in next morning before heading south.

 

South along the coast (unless we go to Kanga Valley that morning) to Nowra.

After Nowra, via the coast at Huskisson & Green Patch, then return to Princes Hwy & past Ulladulla (a little look round there).

Continue on Princes Hwy (perhaps a little diversion to Durras, but North or South Durras?) to Bateman's Bay (worth a stop?), then coast from there via Malua Bay & up the Moruya River to Moruya.

Princes Hwy to Merimbula or Eden for an overnite stop.

 

Appreciated that 's two days travel (at least ), but the interim overnite might be around Ulladulla/Mollymook or Bateman's Bay or Moruya - we should be able to figure how far we'll get by the end of Day 1.

And if Sydney to Merimbula/Eden takes more than 3 days, so be it.

 

Then Merimbula or Eden to Canberra via Cooma. (Is the scenery worth an out-and-back-same-way diversion from Cooma to Jintabyne or even Thredbo?). Would like to drive Merimbula/Eden to Canberra in one hit, no overnite.

Canberra we can extend to a couple of nights if need be.

 

After that it's all a bit fuzzy, depends on how time goes.

Mebbe straight to Sydney.

Mebbe via Bathurst.

Mebbe Blue Mountains.

Or mebbe up to Hunter Valley at Branxton, even to Newcastle, & attack Sydney from the north.

Comments on a choice between Blue Mountains & Hunter Valley especially would be appreciated.

 

https://maps.google.co.uk/maps?saddr=Centre+Rd&daddr=-33.9872174,151.1470534+to:-34.1504579,151.0606677+to:-34.2320174,150.982627+to:-34.3503771,150.9109156+to:-34.447021,150.8605248+to:-34.49661,150.7996305+to:-34.5471491,150.7852242+to:-34.5822263,150.7202473+to:-34.7350518,150.529323+to:-34.7350518,150.529323+to:-34.7428777,150.7722277+to:-34.7465096,150.8215501+to:-34.8619898,150.6011749+to:-34.8661861,150.6019717+to:-35.0063734,150.6258615+to:-35.058949,150.673719+to:-35.1398891,150.729949+to:-35.760417,150.2103541+to:Eden,+New+South+Wales,+Australia+to:Monaro+Hwy%2FB23%2FB72+to:Alpine+Way+to:Canberra,+Australian+Capital+Territory,+Australia+to:William+St+to:King+St&hl=en&ll=-35.200745,148.897705&spn=3.680391,8.453979&sll=-33.929688,149.07074&sspn=1.868655,4.22699&geocode=FaE2-v0dVZYCCQ%3BFW9l-f0dLVICCSnF5LBDe7cSazGWx0u3Vi4ihg%3BFcfn9v0duwABCSmDNqD2kMQSazH4elup2pCTGQ%3BFS-p9f0d48__CClTUUeQ3N0SazFgV5blZ30BEw%3BFdfa8_0dw7f-CCmhFuUbAx8TazEF4paBQibEdg%3BFVNh8v0d7PL9CCmpGrb-ARoTazHQdKZod5RiYw%3BFZ6f8f0dDgX9CCnJsdujpBETazHJUrZsNN440Q%3BFTPa8P0dyMz8CCk1ka8nZBITazFgCJnlZ30BEw%3BFS5R8P0d9877CCnDpyPuK3MTazER7Ut0tAkGEw%3BFTX87f0dK-X4CCkN4qDcroMTazFx46p0tAkGEw%3BFTX87f0dK-X4CCkN4qDcroMTazFx46p0tAkGEw%3BFaPd7f0dA5r8CCkRFkjD4m8TazEwbLnnZ30BEw%3BFXPP7f0drlr9CClNSuZBc28TazHAsq7nZ30BEw%3BFVsM7P0d1v35CClzd9OK5n8TazHQ_WXmZ30BEw%3BFfb76_0d8wD6CCmbtvMD4X8TazHwcbnnZ30BEw%3BFVvY6f0dRV76CCk7VOh5socUazHx57dytAkGEw%3BFfsK6f0dNxn7CCmJBTxBrYgUazHRH6NytAkGEw%3BFc_O5_0d3fT7CCk9LKEFeo4UazGQNhBztAkGEw%3BFd9W3v0dMgf0CCndx1440-oVazHwRZZytAkGEw%3BFaVzyv0dB1PvCCmXSB4Od6c-azGQCUSQtAkGBA%3BFYr21v0dSKjjCA%3BFSb00v0dlPbWCA%3BFbCj5f0d7IXjCCkhkFywaU0WazFgVmmnbuoABQ%3BFXf6Af4dw0XqCA%3BFUY0-_0dkDUDCQ&mra=dme&mrsp=23&sz=9&via=1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15,16,17,18&t=m&z=8

 

JB :)

[chester32]

Hi JB

You have a lot off driving ahead of you but you bypassed the best place on the south coast Narooma (bias of course) but it is a small town on the coast half an hour south of Moruya it is also the gateway to Montague Island.

Also Kiama is south of Wollongong (about 20 mins) , also when you leave Kiama take the tourist drive through Gerringong/Gerroa much nicer than going down the Hwy and it takes you to Nowra

Merimbula is also very nice and yes you can get to Canberra quite easily from there probably about 3/4 hours drive might be less as haven't done it that way before

Just take your time and enjoy the south coast let me know if you have any questions

Cheers

[rkmw]

OK, cruising the roads, not the seas.:rolleyes:

 

But I'd be grateful if those who know this little bit of Aus could spare a minute or two to look through our planned route & offer any comments.

 

 

We have 8 days between arrival at Sydney Int Airport thurs 13th Feb & boarding Sun Princess on Friday 21st Feb.

We'll have a day & a half post-cruise to spend in Sydney

Flight arrives from Kuala Lumpur 10.45 am and I'm guessing we'll be driving out of the airport about 12.30.

 

First night's accommodation already booked at Park Ridge, Wollengong.

 

Broadly south following Princes Hwy, though spending as little time on it as poss.

Little diversion along a little bit of Botany Bay (just to say we've seen it), then

Sir Bertram Stevens Drive/Lawrence Hargraves Drive thro Nat Park, Stanwell Park, Sea Cliff Bridge, Coledale.

Memorial Drive or Princes Hwy (any preference?) past Albion Park, then depending on time

- cut across to the Irrawarra Fly, down to Kangaroo Valley, & hotel at Wollengong.

- or Irrawarra Fly then Kiama, then Wollengong.

- or Direct to Wollengong, via a stop at Kiama.

Whichever of these we don't manage that day, we'll fit in next morning before heading south.

 

South along the coast (unless we go to Kanga Valley that morning) to Nowra.

After Nowra, via the coast at Huskisson & Green Patch, then return to Princes Hwy & past Ulladulla (a little look round there).

Continue on Princes Hwy (perhaps a little diversion to Durras, but North or South Durras?) to Bateman's Bay (worth a stop?), then coast from there via Malua Bay & up the Moruya River to Moruya.

Princes Hwy to Merimbula or Eden for an overnite stop.

 

Appreciated that 's two days travel (at least ), but the interim overnite might be around Ulladulla/Mollymook or Bateman's Bay or Moruya - we should be able to figure how far we'll get by the end of Day 1.

And if Sydney to Merimbula/Eden takes more than 3 days, so be it.

 

Then Merimbula or Eden to Canberra via Cooma. (Is the scenery worth an out-and-back-same-way diversion from Cooma to Jintabyne or even Thredbo?). Would like to drive Merimbula/Eden to Canberra in one hit, no overnite.

Canberra we can extend to a couple of nights if need be.

 

After that it's all a bit fuzzy, depends on how time goes.

Mebbe straight to Sydney.

Mebbe via Bathurst.

Mebbe Blue Mountains.

Or mebbe up to Hunter Valley at Branxton, even to Newcastle, & attack Sydney from the north.

Comments on a choice between Blue Mountains & Hunter Valley especially would be appreciated.

 

https://maps.google.co.uk/maps?saddr=Centre+Rd&daddr=-33.9872174,151.1470534+to:-34.1504579,151.0606677+to:-34.2320174,150.982627+to:-34.3503771,150.9109156+to:-34.447021,150.8605248+to:-34.49661,150.7996305+to:-34.5471491,150.7852242+to:-34.5822263,150.7202473+to:-34.7350518,150.529323+to:-34.7350518,150.529323+to:-34.7428777,150.7722277+to:-34.7465096,150.8215501+to:-34.8619898,150.6011749+to:-34.8661861,150.6019717+to:-35.0063734,150.6258615+to:-35.058949,150.673719+to:-35.1398891,150.729949+to:-35.760417,150.2103541+to:Eden,+New+South+Wales,+Australia+to:Monaro+Hwy%2FB23%2FB72+to:Alpine+Way+to:Canberra,+Australian+Capital+Territory,+Australia+to:William+St+to:King+St&hl=en&ll=-35.200745,148.897705&spn=3.680391,8.453979&sll=-33.929688,149.07074&sspn=1.868655,4.22699&geocode=FaE2-v0dVZYCCQ%3BFW9l-f0dLVICCSnF5LBDe7cSazGWx0u3Vi4ihg%3BFcfn9v0duwABCSmDNqD2kMQSazH4elup2pCTGQ%3BFS-p9f0d48__CClTUUeQ3N0SazFgV5blZ30BEw%3BFdfa8_0dw7f-CCmhFuUbAx8TazEF4paBQibEdg%3BFVNh8v0d7PL9CCmpGrb-ARoTazHQdKZod5RiYw%3BFZ6f8f0dDgX9CCnJsdujpBETazHJUrZsNN440Q%3BFTPa8P0dyMz8CCk1ka8nZBITazFgCJnlZ30BEw%3BFS5R8P0d9877CCnDpyPuK3MTazER7Ut0tAkGEw%3BFTX87f0dK-X4CCkN4qDcroMTazFx46p0tAkGEw%3BFTX87f0dK-X4CCkN4qDcroMTazFx46p0tAkGEw%3BFaPd7f0dA5r8CCkRFkjD4m8TazEwbLnnZ30BEw%3BFXPP7f0drlr9CClNSuZBc28TazHAsq7nZ30BEw%3BFVsM7P0d1v35CClzd9OK5n8TazHQ_WXmZ30BEw%3BFfb76_0d8wD6CCmbtvMD4X8TazHwcbnnZ30BEw%3BFVvY6f0dRV76CCk7VOh5socUazHx57dytAkGEw%3BFfsK6f0dNxn7CCmJBTxBrYgUazHRH6NytAkGEw%3BFc_O5_0d3fT7CCk9LKEFeo4UazGQNhBztAkGEw%3BFd9W3v0dMgf0CCndx1440-oVazHwRZZytAkGEw%3BFaVzyv0dB1PvCCmXSB4Od6c-azGQCUSQtAkGBA%3BFYr21v0dSKjjCA%3BFSb00v0dlPbWCA%3BFbCj5f0d7IXjCCkhkFywaU0WazFgVmmnbuoABQ%3BFXf6Af4dw0XqCA%3BFUY0-_0dkDUDCQ&mra=dme&mrsp=23&sz=9&via=1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15,16,17,18&t=m&z=8

 

JB :)

 

made an error please delete

Edited January 24, 2014 by rkmw

[John Bull]

Hi JB

You have a lot off driving ahead of you but you bypassed the best place on the south coast Narooma (bias of course) but it is a small town on the coast half an hour south of Moruya it is also the gateway to Montague Island.

Also Kiama is south of Wollongong (about 20 mins) , also when you leave Kiama take the tourist drive through Gerringong/Gerroa much nicer than going down the Hwy and it takes you to Nowra

Merimbula is also very nice and yes you can get to Canberra quite easily from there probably about 3/4 hours drive might be less as haven't done it that way before

Just take your time and enjoy the south coast let me know if you have any questions

Cheers

 

Hi Chester,

 

Didn't mention Narooma, but yes, the highway takes us through the town.

We'll swing into town & take a look-see.

Give us a wave if you see us :D

 

Yes, from overnite in Gerringong to Nowra will be via Gerroa & Seven Mile Beach - unless we didn't fit in Kangaroo Valley the previous day, in which case it'll be Gerringong to Kanga Valley to Nowra instead.

 

JB :)

[orangestreet]

Short on time a bit so will keep it short. Will come back with more detailed comments later. Just a few observations:

 

- Sea cliff bridge is good. Spend time and overnight in Wollongong.

- Keep Kiama/Gerringong and must visit kangaroo valley next day

- skip ulladulla and go to Mollymook.

- personally, I would drive through Batemans bay and into Canberra if that's what you want to do. Merimbula, Eden is all very nice but your drive is too long for my liking. The above places will give you a good taste of the beautiful south coast.

 

If time permits, go back to Sydney from Canberra and spend more time there. Especially the coast between Bondi and Coogee. Canberra is lovely and feel free to ask me for more info. But it is not for everybody perhaps.

 

Slow down, drink lattes, lazy lunches, talk to the locals, people watch, take in the scenery and swim in the ocean. No point in trying to do everything. It is a huge state!

[BronteBlue]

Hi, you have certainly picked some great stops. The only change I would make is skip Nowra and stop at Berry instead. Nowra isn't that nice and a long sprawl. Agree, Narooma is beautiful - you could also have a look at the inlet where you can hire a boat or eat fish & chips - after bridge turn right. About 20 mins south of Narooma is the historic town of Tilba which is worth a look. Then I'd take the Bermagui/Wallaga Lake turn-off from the highway just south of Tilba instead of going down the highway. Bermagui is beautiful and from there you can take the coast road down to Tathra which which takes you onto Merimbula/Eden. After Canberra I think your idea of going to the Blue Mountains is a good one. If you decide it's too much driving you could always stop in the Southern Highlands (Berrima/Bowral in particular) as it's very pretty - famous for historic towns, tulips (Sep/Oct) Bradman Oval, cafes, restaurants, wineries etc on your way back to Sydney. Hope you have a wonderful road trip. :) PS: (Batemans Bay is a lovely seaside town and worth a stop; Moruya hmmm not really)

Edited January 25, 2014 by BronteBlue

[Flipper133]

HI JB

 

Since you are Pom (and we are taking some pity on you lot at the moment), and you know what the correct side of the road to drive is, I will allow you to do this road trip in Oz.:D

 

Although I presently live in Brisbane,and lived and worked in UK for a number of years, I was born and bred in Sydney. At one time some mates of mine and I owned a small seaside property on the South Coast of NSW (Bawley Point)...it remains a favorite place of mine.

 

A few comments therefore:

1. I presume you are hiring a car at the Syd Intnl. Airport. Probably best to get one from one of the majors. Not sure what sort of car you would be looking at, but for a trip such as the one you are planning I would suggest you go for a medium to large vehicle. A 4 cylinder Toyota Camry or 6 cylinder Holden Commodore would be my choice. Expect to pay up to A$1.60 per litre for fuel... and the Toyota would go through about 10litres per 100 klms and the Commoore about 13 ltres per 100 klms. (We no longer use miles/Gallon either). When you return from your driving expedition I think I saw that you will be going to King St. and I am guessing that is where you have some accommodation booked. Worthwhile checking about where the best place to return the car is...probably somewhere up William St towards Kings Cross. When I am in Sydney (Usually for a cruise) I use Avis as they have a depot at 30 Pitt St (Marriott Hotel) which is very convenient to the OPT at Circular Quay.

 

2. When you leave the Airport, make sure you turn right towards the Domestic terminals and head for Botany Bay. Do not be enticed by signs indicating turn left for the "south".

 

3. You itinerary seems fine and it is good that you are allowing some flexibility. The roads you will be travelling will not in the main be super highways....more UK style A/B roads... think A303 or A36, but it is a relatively easy drive. Aust uses Klms/hr with most speed limits on the open road set at 100klm/h. On such a trip as yours I would suggest an average of 80k/h to estimate how far you might travel in a certain time frame.

 

4. The larger towns are fine on the coast, but there is better appeal in my mind with the smaller places. (as already suggested by others). Kangaroo Valley area is nice (dont expect to see too many Kangas however) and I am guessing the old bridge is still there.

 

5. Little point in heading south from Cooma. Jindabyne and Thredbo are pretty ordinary during summer, but liven up when the snow falls. Yes it snows in Oz.... in fact the area of the Aust. snowfields is supposed to be greater than the entire area of Switzerland.

 

6. Canberra is pretty "clinical" and is notorious for its system of circular roads. The lake and the parliament houses are worthwhile seeing...as is the War Memorial.

 

7. I am sure you will have time (if not the energy) to go through the Blue Mountains - and coming up via Cowra and Bathurst will give you a little glimpse of the "outback". The back road up to Singleton in the Hunter Valley is a bit narrow and winds a bit, but good fun if you are rested. The Hunter Valley is one of our better known wine making areas, but apart from that does not have too much appeal as a tourist destination.

 

I hope you will have a really good time discovering a small part of down under. I hope some of the above will be useful (if you didn't already know some of it):o

 

cheers

Edited January 25, 2014 by Flipper133

[CruisinCat31]

Your trip sounds great. I would probably have a look at either Tomakin, Mossy Point or Broulee rather than Moruya. I agree Narooma is definitely worth a visit. While in Canberra you should visit the Arboretum which only opened last year. The building and views are fabulous.

[MicCanberra]

Hi John,

Glad you are nailing down your itinerary, nothing has really changed since our last consultation as you are aware of the amount of driving you have to do.

I would suggest the blue mountains instead of the Hunter as it is easier and more scenic while being relatively close to Sydney. You could drive the back roads from Canberra through to Bathurst and then over the mountains or just go up the freeway towards Sydney and cut across once you get to Camden/Campbelltown.

Don't forget to let me know when you are here in Canberra so i can catch up for a drink.

cheers mic:D

[John Bull]

Thanks for all the great ideas, folks.

 

Flipper - I don't know why you're taking pity on us poms, our national under-12s girls netball team are doing very well at the moment ;)

 

A Hertz car from the airport booked, via an intermediary (more up-front about add-ons than Hertz). We might ask to return it to the Hertz downtown location if the add-on cost is nil-to-low. Toyota Corolla or similar - room for cases out of sight in the trunk, air-con, unlimited mileage.

BTW, yes, we too have moved on from gallons & miles - but not to litres & kilometres. That'd be too easy so we use litres & miles. And economy is measured in miles per gallon. :rolleyes:

 

OK, mebbe not as far south as Merimbula/Eden, though we've got to go as far as Narooma cos we promised to wave to someone there :D

 

And we'll bin the thought of deviating at Cooma.

 

And will explore Blue Mountains rather than Hunter Valley.

(Some websites show roads thro' Blue Mts but Googlemaps refuses to believe it. Already wasted a few pounds on a very poor NSW map via Amazon, so we'll wait til we're in Aus before buying a decent map. Are there paved, or at least good unpaved, roads through Blue Mts?)

 

All of these will trim our mileage and give us time to meander a bit more, taking in some of the places mentioned.

 

Thanks again

 

JB :)

[MicCanberra]

Thanks for all the great ideas, folks.

 

Flipper - I don't know why you're taking pity on us poms, our national under-12s girls netball team are doing very well at the moment ;)

 

A Hertz car from the airport booked, via an intermediary (more up-front about add-ons than Hertz). We might ask to return it to the Hertz downtown location if the add-on cost is nil-to-low. Toyota Corolla or similar - room for cases out of sight in the trunk, air-con, unlimited mileage.

BTW, yes, we too have moved on from gallons & miles - but not to litres & kilometres. That'd be too easy so we use litres & miles. And economy is measured in miles per gallon. :rolleyes:

 

OK, mebbe not as far south as Merimbula/Eden, though we've got to go as far as Narooma cos we promised to wave to someone there :D

 

And we'll bin the thought of deviating at Cooma.

 

And will explore Blue Mountains rather than Hunter Valley.

(Some websites show roads thro' Blue Mts but Googlemaps refuses to believe it. Already wasted a few pounds on a very poor NSW map via Amazon, so we'll wait til we're in Aus before buying a decent map. Are there paved, or at least good unpaved, roads through Blue Mts?)

 

All of these will trim our mileage and give us time to meander a bit more, taking in some of the places mentioned.

 

Thanks again

 

JB :)

Several bitumen roads and of course the highway goes over the mountains.:D

[chester32]

Hi JB

Glad to hear you will make it to Narooma, in that case you will have to make a small detour

When you get about 10kms north of Narooma you will see a tourist drive turn off to your left to 2 small villages called Dalmeny and Kianga take this drive and you will see some of the best coast line and beaches you will see anywhere, this will bring you back to the hwy and 1km from Narooma

If you have time travel about 15mins down the Hwy to Central Tilba as Bronteblue said worth seeing.

Please forgive me if I don't wave to you:) because not sure what day you will be coming through but we will heading over to Perth to start our cruise over the top end on the Solstice, so I might have to organize someone else to give you a wave:) but if we are here when you come through I will buy you a beer at the pub with the best views ever

Enjoy your time in Oz

[John Bull]

Hi JB

Glad to hear you will make it to Narooma, in that case you will have to make a small detour

When you get about 10kms north of Narooma you will see a tourist drive turn off to your left to 2 small villages called Dalmeny and Kianga take this drive and you will see some of the best coast line and beaches you will see anywhere, this will bring you back to the hwy and 1km from Narooma

If you have time travel about 15mins down the Hwy to Central Tilba as Bronteblue said worth seeing.

Please forgive me if I don't wave to you:) because not sure what day you will be coming through but we will heading over to Perth to start our cruise over the top end on the Solstice, so I might have to organize someone else to give you a wave:) but if we are here when you come through I will buy you a beer at the pub with the best views ever

Enjoy your time in Oz

 

Thanks for the add-ons, Chester.

If our paths cross but don't meet, we'll leave a little plastic or cardboard waving hand on a spike at the roadside. :D

It may be holding an invoice for two beers. :p

 

JB :)

[MicCanberra]

Thanks for the add-ons, Chester.

If our paths cross but don't meet, we'll leave a little plastic or cardboard waving hand on a spike at the roadside. :D

It may be holding an invoice for two beers. :p

 

JB :)

LOL, that is funny,:D

[annenic]

There is one more spot that I'd suggest is worth a call in...and that is Pebbly Beach. Pebbly Beach is about 20 kms north of Batemans Bay and is such a pretty, natural spot with lots of wallabies and a beautiful beach. Lots of native birds. I love it!!!

 

I also agree that the Blue Mountains would be the better choice rather than the Hunter Valley. Driving through the HV from the north you'll most likely go past some of the mining....not pretty and rather depressing.

[chester32]

Thanks for the add-ons, Chester.

If our paths cross but don't meet, we'll leave a little plastic or cardboard waving hand on a spike at the roadside. :D

It may be holding an invoice for two beers. :p

 

JB :)

That sounds like a good idea JB but feel free to have more beers my treat

I will get the invoice when we get back

Also keep an eye out for a white car heading north that will be us give us a beep

Cheers:cool:

[cassamanda]

Thanks for all the great ideas, folks.

 

 

And will explore Blue Mountains rather than Hunter Valley.

(Some websites show roads thro' Blue Mts but Googlemaps refuses to believe it. Already wasted a few pounds on a very poor NSW map via Amazon, so we'll wait til we're in Aus before buying a decent map. Are there paved, or at least good unpaved, roads through Blue Mts?)

 

Thanks again

 

JB :)

 

JB when travel from Canberra to the Blue Mountains, go via Goulburn (stop here for a look) then take the Taralga Rd out of North Goulburn all the way to Oberon. From here you can deviate to the famous Jenolan Caves via Edith Rd. The caves deserve a look and I would suggest an overnight at Caves House. The roads are all bitumen.

From Jenolan take the steep and windy Jenolan Caves Road back up the hill (before 10am as the road becomes one way downhill between 11 and 1pm) to the junction of the Great Western Highway near the historic old settlement of Hartley - lots of English convicts buried here. Takes about 1 hour but take the first section up the hill very slow and toot your horn round corners and have your lights on as the road is very tight but a must do.

Then turn right towards the Blue Mountains and your approach will be facing the majestic sandstone cliffs that the early explorers had to beat a path through in the early pioneering days.

When you get to the top of Victoria Pass, turn left along York Rd. At the end of this is a little known memorial and look out depicting the first crossing of the Blue Mtns in 1813.

From here you travel to Blackheath via Mt Victoria and marvel at the views offered at Govetts Leap by turning left at the only traffic lights in Blackheath.

Next stop would be Katoomba and your pick of accommodation, but nicest is Lilianfels right near the 3 sisters at Echo Point.

Just my 2 cents (p) worth.

Hugh

[MicCanberra]

JB when travel from Canberra to the Blue Mountains, go via Goulburn (stop here for a look) then take the Taralga Rd out of North Goulburn all the way to Oberon. From here you can deviate to the famous Jenolan Caves via Edith Rd. The caves deserve a look and I would suggest an overnight at Caves House. The roads are all bitumen.

From Jenolan take the steep and windy Jenolan Caves Road back up the hill (before 10am as the road becomes one way downhill between 11 and 1pm) to the junction of the Great Western Highway near the historic old settlement of Hartley - lots of English convicts buried here. Takes about 1 hour but take the first section up the hill very slow and toot your horn round corners and have your lights on as the road is very tight but a must do.

Then turn right towards the Blue Mountains and your approach will be facing the majestic sandstone cliffs that the early explorers had to beat a path through in the early pioneering days.

When you get to the top of Victoria Pass, turn left along York Rd. At the end of this is a little known memorial and look out depicting the first crossing of the Blue Mtns in 1813.

From here you travel to Blackheath via Mt Victoria and marvel at the views offered at Govetts Leap by turning left at the only traffic lights in Blackheath.

Next stop would be Katoomba and your pick of accommodation, but nicest is Lilianfels right near the 3 sisters at Echo Point.

Just my 2 cents (p) worth.

Hugh

 

A great route and itinerary, if time permits.:D

[Vader1111]

A Hertz car from the airport booked, via an intermediary (more up-front about add-ons than Hertz). We might ask to return it to the Hertz downtown location if the add-on cost is nil-to-low. Toyota Corolla or similar - room for cases out of sight in the trunk, air-con, unlimited mileage.

Not sure how many you have in your group, or how big their suitcases are, but you may want to hire something bigger than a Corolla. The new corollas have very small boots - room for one large suitcase, or (maybe) two medium sized suitcases. It's one of the few drawbacks of owning one.

 

They're a lovely little car to drive, but they're not great for groups of more than two, particularly when there's luggage involved.

[Flipper133]

Not sure how many you have in your group, or how big their suitcases are, but you may want to hire something bigger than a Corolla. The new corollas have very small boots - room for one large suitcase, or (maybe) two medium sized suitcases. It's one of the few drawbacks of owning one.

 

They're a lovely little car to drive, but they're not great for groups of more than two, particularly when there's luggage involved.

 

 

I have to agree JB

 

I did a quick inquiry at the Avis site (albeit using my Avis Worldwide Discount number).

 

A Toyota Camry (Good size 4 cyl) for 8 days... pick up at airport and return to Circular quay, unlimited Klms...is quoted as A$397. Add a GPS for an extra A$78 (bit rich if you have a smart phone) and add A$67 to reduce insurance excess (may not be necessary if your travel insurance covers this).

 

All in all not a bad deal...you might want to compare with what it is costing you for the Corolla from Hertz. In any event the marginal cost difference between a Corolla and a Camry is, in my view, well and truly offset by better comfort....particularly on the trip you are considering.

 

cheers

[OzKiwiJJ]

I'd agree on getting a Camry over a Corolla.

 

Smartphone maps use data and roaming data charges are brutal. Either get a cheap prepaid SIM for your phone or rent a SatNav. However Hertz SatNav rental rates are ridiculous. We did a seven week trip to the UK and Ireland last year and I looked at renting SatNavs with the cars. It was so expensive that I was able to go out and buy one, plus the western Europe maps, for less than the rental cost.

 

Also I ended up getting a local SIM for my smartphone and having both devices was very useful. We used the SatNav for directions and the phone for a broader picture - the SatNav had a bad habit of taking us down country lanes. I think someone had programmed a sense of humour into it LOL.

[Flipper133]

Flipper - I don't know why you're taking pity on us poms, our national under-12s girls netball team are doing very well at the moment ;)

 

 

JB :)

 

Ok JB...the Pommie girls have just won the T20 in Hobart and therefore retained the Ashes...Good on them.

 

cheers

[NSWP]

Ok JB...the Pommie girls have just won the T20 in Hobart and therefore retained the Ashes...Good on them.

 

cheers

Yes Flipper, watched it on GEM, good game. Not any sledging either, unless they whispered sweet nothings into each others ears. LOL.

 

I have not been really interested in Women's Cricket over the years to be honest, but that standard today really impressed me, both teams are great cricketeresses, if there is such a word. LOL. There is now, Uncle Les said it. Interesting to see how the blokes go tonight.

 

Flipper and Shirley, enjoy your Carnival Spirit cruise. We will be in Buenos Aires the day you sail, doing precruise travel.

 

Sorry for the thread hijack, back to the topic, John Bull, as suggested....head down to the NSW Far South Coast - Gods Country. If you have a couple of hours between Batemans Bay and Narooma, check out http://www.mogozoo.com.au it is great. As for maps, call into the Tourist Information Centres enroute, Nowra, Ulladulla, Batemans Bay, Narooma, all on the Princes Highway, which south of Kiama is just like your old British 'A' Roads of the 1960's mostly single carriageway with a few overtaking lanes.

Edited January 29, 2014 by NSWP

[3littlepigs]

Definitely go a bigger car than a Corolla. We do the coast run regularly and I wouldn't fancy it in a little car. Camry or Commodore would be my pick, rental price difference is very little and while petrol would be a bit dearer the increase in comfort would be well worth it.

 

The NRMA here do a very good map, and the car company will give you a map. I can't remember when you are leaving...is it too late for one of us to pick up the NRMA map and post it?

Definitely have a look at Avis, they usually have discount offers on their site.

Travel insurance car rental excess would generally be a cheaper option than the rental company's.

[3littlepigs]

Don't think we can trust Aus Post to deiver before you leave, but, never fear the car rental company will give you a detailed map.

 

Avis ( look at the Australian site) have a few deals like 7th day free or free upgrade, definitely worth a look.