Route advice - Sydney to Gold Coast

Guys

doing a family trip over the summer from Sydney to the Gold Coast via Port Macquarie.

Freeways are great for getting to a destination but this one is superbly boring. Already planned to stop over for a night at Port Macquarie on the way up and on the way back.

So.... what suggestions for some freeway and non-freeway routes from Sydney > Port Macquarie > Gold Coast and return? I'm happy to do part freeway / off-freeway. There will be 3 cars driving up together, mainly adults and also a couple of under 10s -
325i (the nominated luggage mule)
118d vert (for the posers)
190E 2.5 Cosworth (the MB that wishes it was an E30 M3. Still a very awesome car)

Not everyone enjoys driving for the sake of driving if you know what I mean

I've just started planning the route and this is what I had in mind so far:
- Sydney to Warnervale via F3
- Warnervale to Newcastle via Sparks road / Central Coast hwy / Budgewoi rd / Pacific hwy / Newcastle bypass
- Newcastle to Port Macquarie via Pacific hwy (freeway)

After that I'm kinda lost for ideas. I've done the run to Coffs a few times on the freeway (if you can call it that) and I'm wary of the road and conditions especially at this time of year.

I want to keep it scenic and interesting enough without it getting drawn out or boring (remember the non-drivers and the kids!).

Ideas and suggestions welcome!


Cheers guys

Sorry in advance for OT...

PICS OF THE 190E!!

Sina I'm used to you going off topic :p

Tomorrow....



Sent from my V9 using Bimmer App

How about taking the trip inland just before Coffs and going up Waterfall Way thru Bellingen & Dorrigo and up towards Armidale? If you don't want to dog leg up the New England Hwy (via Armidale) to Qld then you can try swinging onto Armidale Rd via Tyringham Rd at Dorrigo and then head towards Grafton.

The trip up Waterfall Way is a spectacular drive and well worth it.

It's a pity you're staying overnight at Port (as nice as it is) else I was going to suggest perhaps you should turn off the Pacific Hwy just north of Raymond Terrace and go up the Buckets Way towards Gloucester and then head up Thunderbolts Way towards Armidale (now there's a road) and then swing down Waterfall Way to Coffs for an overnight stay!

Pt Macquarie - Uralla. Great road with lots of twisty bits and scenery. http://goo.gl/maps/qX8ot

Armidale - Grafton. Narrow in places after Tyringham. http://goo.gl/maps/YosLS Option is to go to Coffs Harbour and then coastal. http://goo.gl/maps/Z7EzQ
...or this way via Grafton.http://goo.gl/maps/jvtFO

Glen Innes - Grafton is also great http://goo.gl/maps/OfX3v

Grafton - Pacific Hwy via Casino and Bangalow http://goo.gl/maps/bCftP

I recently drove from Byron Bay to Sydney via the New England Highway. It was a wonderful drive, good roads very little traffic and quite scenic.

Maybe from Port Macquarie you could go west on the Oxley highway then onto the New England through Armidale, Glen Innes, Tenterfield Casino and Byron Bay.

This is a considerable detour but in my opinion a much more satifying drive.

Originally Posted by Ballistic325

Sina I'm used to you going off topic :p

Tomorrow....



Sent from my V9 using Bimmer App

Sina - coming today....

netgun / Brissyjohn / Con - some great ideas, thanks! If the trip was just myself or a few mates the road less travelled would be perfect.

This is what I have come up with, definitely less adventurous but taking into consideration other people travelling with me.

Day 1 - The Hills to Port Macquarie with a rest stop somewhere in Newcastle

https://maps.google.com/maps?saddr=K...2,3,4&t=m&z=12

Day 2 - Port Macquarie to Surfers with a rest stop at Grafton

https://maps.google.com/maps?saddr=P...a=2,4&t=m&z=11

Thoughts?

Well, as you say, you need to think about the others, but at least it's quick.

You're basically doing the Pacific Hwy almost the entire way from Sydney except for within Sydney and the stretch to Grafton. As you've suggested, your passengers somewhat dictate this.

Why would you get off the freeway at Warnervale? Just get off at Doyalson (the next exit) and then go up through Newcastle? That's if you don't want to drive on the freeway that whole time..

Sorry no advice on the trip, but I wish I had a 190E Cos LOVE those things!

Pics of cossie!!!!!!!!

Ok ok, I'll get the pics already!

Re the route... make some suggestions that are a reasonable deviation from what I've put up. Your input is appreciated

The Cossie pics are coming - just waiting for them via email.

In the mean time, here are some more potential routes.... a little more adventurous

Day1
http://goo.gl/maps/eWssB

Day 2
http://goo.gl/maps/Z4bGp

If anyone has experience on these roads, please let me know.... sealed roads are a minimum, safety, a smooth and enjoyable journey are paramount. If there are any pitfalls, please point them out!

Cheers

I cant remember the name of the road... by far one of if not the best Australia has to offer, kinda out of the way tho.. its around Gloucester/Barrington Tops, would definitely add hours to your trip but daaaamn

Originally Posted by Ballistic325

190E 2.5 Cosworth (the MB that wishes it was an E30 M3.

Admit it, you wish you had one.

Originally Posted by BMW E465

PICS OF THE 190E!!

I love it how this was the first reply
Please excuse the dirty car, I haven't had much time with it, but it's getting a full day's attention on Saturday before we leave on Sunday.







207K and drives like it was built yesterday.

Originally Posted by selien

I cant remember the name of the road... by far one of if not the best Australia has to offer, kinda out of the way tho.. its around Gloucester/Barrington Tops, would definitely add hours to your trip but daaaamn

Iggy it's called Thunderbolts Way, which I mentioned earlier in the thread.

Originally Posted by Ballistic325

The Cossie pics are coming - just waiting for them via email.

In the mean time, here are some more potential routes.... a little more adventurous

Day1
http://goo.gl/maps/eWssB

Day 2
http://goo.gl/maps/Z4bGp

If anyone has experience on these roads, please let me know.... sealed roads are a minimum, safety, a smooth and enjoyable journey are paramount. If there are any pitfalls, please point them out!

Cheers

Ahh going thru Wisemans Ferry. Make sure you pack the spew bags for the family. The intense curves coming up from the river crossing are fun for the driver though.

Originally Posted by Mercedes190E2.5-16

Admit it, you wish you had one.



I love it how this was the first reply
Please excuse the dirty car, I haven't had much time with it, but it's getting a full day's attention on Saturday before we leave on Sunday.


207K and drives like it was built yesterday.