Brisbane to Bathurst

Afternoon Jon
Not sure what you are driving but when I come down from SE Qld after visiting family I usually do the Cunningham’s Gap thing and then through Warwick and on the Goondiwindi and then down the Newell H’way to Tamworth (home for us) This was avoids the hilly sections of the New England - tis a bit longer but IMHO an easier drive. Usually stay overnight at Goondiwindi at the Tourist Park

Cheers

John T

John

I only tow a 1.5Tone camper trailer, I don't know how that compares to your van, but that doesn't put us off going the shortest most direct route via Cunningham's Gap and down the New England.

I have also gone to Goondi, then at Boggabilla take the road to Warialda, Bingara and Barraba. There are a few hills between Bingara and Barraba but fewer than the NE Highway. From memory it's about 45 minutes longer but a far more plesant and picturesque drive. People used to claim that the quickest way through Texas (but they weren't towing and tended to speed)
From Tamworth south towing a caravan I'd head off to Werris Ck across to Coolah, Mudgee (then there are hills) south on Lithgow Rd almost to Lithgow and onto Bathurst
Towing a caravan I would not recommend the short cut Rd through Sofala at Ilford (can be done but more sensible not to)

Camps depends how far you want to travel in a day, whether you were needing to stop overnight in Tamworth, need a Caravan park for it's facilities. You need to provide more details

Quite a few people "free Camp" on the Gwydir River banks at Bingara.

Jon, that is excellent advise from Mark and John T.

It would be good if you said what your tug was and it's weight. I would think your van would be around 2.4 to 2.5t. unless it is a full offload jobie.

I go the way Mark said, One thing, just be careful on the bridge at Bingara as someone will have to back up if your both on it.

The hills along the New England Hwy are no worse than Cunningham's Gap. Going out of your way to dodge them is just being a wimp.

Do you have a copy of WikiCamps on a phone, tablet or Win 8/10. Only costs $8 and you can load it onto 3 machines. Some goods spots for you to look at are Kookaburra Camping & Caravan Park, Mother of Ducks Lagoon at Guyra and Beardy Creek north of Glen Innes.

If you are going through Texas then Look at the camp ground on the Dumaresq River. After Tamworth look at the the camp grounds at Cassillis or Merriwa.

All the roads through the towns I have mentioned have reasonable bitgumen surfaces.

Hi all,

Thanks for the replies. Our van is about 1.6t and am towing with a 4cyl Amarok. Am looking for the easiest way we can. Have allowed 3 days to hopefully get to Melbourne. Am traveling with the wife and 14 and 10 year old. Ideally want to see Tamworth and drive Mount Panorama (provided I can leave the van somewhere near the bottom).

Really appreciate the advice.

Cheers,
Jon

With this additional information, I would suggest Cunninghams Gap, Warwick, straight down the NE Highway to Tamworth.

40km north of Tamworth there is a Free camp area at Bendemeer along the McDonald River. After that there are a number of CP in Tamworth, the Austin CP on NE side of Tamworth seems to have good reviews, Paradise CP is close to the centre of town.
If miraculously you get to Tamworth see what you want and want to push on, then there is a free camp area at Premer 90 minutes past Tamworth on your way to Coolah.
Tamworth can be best seen from the Lookout at the top of Hill/White streets, most visitors aren't aware of it.

After you have finished in Bathurst, onto Cowra, Young, Cootamundra, Junee, Wagga & Albury on the Olympic Way. Normally I find that a beautiful drive, but with 3 months of well below average rainfall, it's starting to look like Longreach
You won't have a great deal of spare time within that 3 days I'd suggest if you are detouring via Tamworth and Bathurst en route to Melbourne whilst ensuring two kids don't drive you mad.

Jon. Can advise that the road from Ilford to Bathurst is not too bad. Good seal all the way. The drop into and out of Sofala towards Bathurst is steep but achievable in what you have. Stop over at Sofala (left after bridge and park there) and walk the 1851 town.

Sandy Hollow via Bylong, Ryleston, Kandos and then Ilford is a popular touring route as well. Very scenic in Bylong ValleyAll. sealed but some potholes north of Bylong.

For Mount Panorama suggest checking withBathurst Council if circuit is open. Quite regularly closed for events and not accessible.

Free camp in Bathurst (near main bridge) available. Google it.

Have a good trip.

Kevin