Advise wanted - Off roads routes in west QLD and NSW
 

Hi, I'm taking my new R1200GSA for a first trip in Dec/Jan. I'll start in Brisbane just after christmas and head to Mackay for New Year. After that I'd like to travel south again via back roads / off road in western QLD and NSW to Melbourne. I know it's going to be hot but I'd like to test my resilience in high temp conditions.

Anyone got ideas on which routes to take. Any info, suggestions or shared experiences would be much appreiated

Cheers Daz

A couple of us are leaving Brisbane and heading to Tassie 1st week of Feb.
For 20 odd days. If you want to think about that we can catch up Oct/ Nov for a coffee.

Just try and stay off the Bruce Hwy on your trip north.

Cheers Bundy54

It isn't dirt, however I recommend travelling from Brisbane west to Ipswich, then head towards Toowoomba and take the Burnett Highway through Nanango, Gayndah, Monto, Biolela to Rockhampton. I travel this very regularly, its scenic well maintained and has a minimum of blue flashing lights. There are also plenty of fuel stops on the way.http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...ilies/clap.gif

Unfortunately in Oct/Nov I'll still be working in New Caledonia. I finish just before Christmas. Wise words on the Bruce but I have to get to Mackay quickly and I haven't travelled that road for years so I'll probably use it on the way up, but coming back...I'll be no where near it. I'll be in Tassie too, though I'll be gone just before you get there. Heading over mid Jan back end Jan. Taking a ride with my daughter.

I'll put you in my Contact list and maybe we can have that coffee sometime.

Cheers Daz

Hi Alstrom

I'll definately be using part of the route on the way back, I have family in Blackbutt that I''l be visiting. Also when I take a closer look I'm sure I'll find some "shortcut" roads and tracks out there too!

Cheers Daz

In Northern NSW the great backroads are: Oxley, Waterfall Way, Thunderbolt's and Putty Road.
South of Sydney try Royal National Park, Macquarie Pass, Jambaroo Pass thru Kangaroo Valley then down the coast road to Bega. Up Brown Mountain to Cooma and Thredbo (stunning in summer) - do the Apline Way loop if you have time then down to Bright and Mt Beauty.
There's two ways over the mountain from there - thru Falls Creek or Mt Hotham - either road is terrific.

Just bear in mind that during the Summer months back roads - especially dirt ones - will not be well travelled and if something goes wrong you may need to be self sufficient in water for anything upto a week, sometimes longer. During the Winter months those same roads can have 20 or thirty vehicles a day. I'd carry an EPIRB as insurance.

Hi Scootergal , thanks for the info. I checked out the northern NSW routes on google maps/earth and it looks cover some great scenery and with some good range rides thrown in. I'm really interested in the Alpine Way and then over the top of Falls or Hotham, and I think there is roads across the Victorian Alpine country heading back towards southern Vic.

Good advice Roger, I like the idea of not many vehicles but as you say can be a long time to get rescued if something happens when I'm on my own. I actually had a Personal Locator Beacon (PLB) in my list of safety gear. I am also thinking of gettting a Satellite Phone, they are very expensive but if I'm on my it's not much if it save my life!!

I'd go for something that can be easily turned on and flash the alarm, carried on the body. Sat phones are fine if you can talk and know where you are - do many visitors really know that? Telling a 000 operator you are in Western QLD is like saying "Help I'm lost in France".

I think there are some EPIRBs that have a leash type arrangement that sets them off if you take a tumble and disconnect from the bike.

Today's forecast for Western QLD is 40C. If you are just sitting on a bike you need about a litre of water an hour, anything strenuous and that can double or treble.

These are fairly experienced workers

25yo man dies of thirst in outback Queensland - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)

Mackay
 

Daz I live in Mackay, the Bruce Highway is a bit of a pig so as an earlier poster said just go the old highway to Rocky & then just straight up the old inland highway & it brings you out at Sarina (30km to Mackay) Just watch the skippies on that inland highway !!!!
If you want to catch up for a beer or coffee let me know as arrive back in Oz on the 6th Dec.
Cheers
Paulbier

Hi Paul, thanks for the info and it would be be good to catch up and have a beer. My plans have changed though, as I have been extended on my current project to March next year so probably won't get up there till late April. I'll add you to my contacts list and be in touch next year

cheers Daz

Poor bugger... thanks for the reminder and your concern Roger...safety input is always appreciated

Cheers Daz

Hey Daz, Suggestions offered so far include some nice roads, but they are all sealed. You don't want to arrive in Melbourne on a spotlessly clean GS. That just wouldn't be right. :wink2:

There are some lovely unsealed backroads between QLD and VIC which are suitable for big adventure bikes like yours. These can be used to join up some of the classic sealed roads already mentioned. How much dirt would you like to build into this ride ?

Also, I concur with others who have suggested Western NSW & QLD are probably best avoided. You can ride out there any time of year, but it's not pleasant during summer. After a few days of it, you will have certainly tested your resilience to heat but you'll be wishing you had stayed East. Much nicer to travel South along the Great Dividing Range at that time of year.