Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Regional Forums > Australia / New Zealand
Australia / New Zealand Topics specific to Australia and New Zealand only.
Photo by Danielle Murdoch, riding to Uganda - Kenya border

The only impossible journey
is the one
you never begin

Photo by Danielle Murdoch,
riding to Uganda - Kenya border



Like Tree1Likes
  • 1 Post By Gerran

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 5 Feb 2012
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Auckland, New Zealand
Posts: 15
Sydney to Melbourne advice

Hi
I am planning a trip around Australia for a couple of months.
I am seeking advice for the options to get from Sydney to Melbourne. I will be on a DR650, so happy to do on or off road or a mixture of both.
This wlll be the firt part of my jorney so will have a lot of opportunties for outback etc. later in the trip.
What I am really after is the best Sydney to Melbourne experience . Unique roads, unique sights.
Thanks,
Ivan
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 5 Feb 2012
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Melbourne
Posts: 266
Number 1 tip-avoid the Hume Highway at all costs.
You could just do the coastal trip all the way. Lots of great little beach towns.
Or come down the coast then cut into the snowy mountains in either NSW or victoria then go through the old gold field areas and wine country of the North east.
Can give you some must see places depending on your route.

If you take the coastal route all the way in Victoria at the very least don't miss Mallacoota, wilsons promontory national park (for wildlife,awesome beaches, great walks) and maybe Phillip island.

Let me know your preferences for scenery.

Cheers,

James
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 5 Feb 2012
bnicho's Avatar
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Melbourne, Australia
Posts: 94
I agree 100% with James, the Hume is only for if you are in a hurry. It's BORING.

The coast road through Eden and Orbost etc is my favourite route and Mallacoota is one of my favourite spots to camp. It's far enough off the main roads to deter large-scale development, so it's a relatively untouched and sleepy little place.

Another alternative is to go west through the Blue Mountains and head down any number of routes south via Cowra way. It depends how much time you have really.

Cheers,
Brett.
__________________
May 2015 - Canberra to Townsville via the Birdsville Track in a 1969 Mini Van.
http://www.facebook.com/TeamBMCAdventures
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 5 Feb 2012
Contributing Member
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: UK and Australia
Posts: 93
If you come down the coast road, we have a place inland from Bega. Can offer you a bedroom and own bathroom plus food for a night or 2. Have hosted British and Aussie bikers and last week a couple of French guys. The latter were thrilled to see their first wombats.

From Bega you can then head inland and do a loop through the Snowy Mountains and Victorian Alps back down to the coast again or you can head straight down the coast via Merimbula etc. Hard choice between those two but personally I would do the mountain route.

Send me a personal message if you want to stay.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 6 Feb 2012
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Rotoiti, New Zealand
Posts: 138
Have a look at the 1st few days of our Oz ride report from 09, we went via the hilly bits & had a great time:

5 Weeks in Oz: Rosie & Clint go International - ADVrider

Cheers
Clint
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 6 Feb 2012
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Auckland, New Zealand
Posts: 15
Hi,

I have as much time as I need. Was thinking this part of the trip would probably take between 2-6 days.

Would be keen to see the Snowy Mountains, so that would be good.

Will definitely check out Mallacoota. It looks incredible.

Thanks for ideas to date.
Ivan
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 6 Jun 2012
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 5
It's a good idea for me too that I can use main road for this trip and enjoy the journey with my bike. and may be this is most adventurous trip.

Last edited by Antwan; 15 Jun 2012 at 16:11.
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 8 Jun 2012
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: May 2012
Posts: 22
You might want to avoid the Snowy Mountains at this time of the year (winter) - they're not called the Snowies for nothing! You might find some roads closed, many campsites will be closed and it will be pretty darn cold!
Plus there's the hazards of city-dwellers in their huge 4x4s actually getting into conditions where they really need a 4x4 - and having NO idea how to drive in snow.
At this time of year, the coast road is much better!
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 12 Jun 2012
bnicho's Avatar
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Melbourne, Australia
Posts: 94
I agree with Precis above. Several mates headed off on short breaks over the long weekend and had major detours due to closed roads in the alpine region.
__________________
May 2015 - Canberra to Townsville via the Birdsville Track in a 1969 Mini Van.
http://www.facebook.com/TeamBMCAdventures
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 17 Jun 2012
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Dandenong Ranges, Victoria, Aust
Posts: 6
Sydney to Melbourne

This is the route I planned to get from the HU meeting to Melbourne last week.
Central Coast - Weismans Ferry - Bells Line of Road - Oberon - Crookwell - Yass - Wee Jasper - Adelong (good pub) - Batlow - Tumbarumba - Jingellic - Hume Dam - Yackandanda - Beechworth - Oxley - Whitfield - Mansfield - Jameison - Eildon - Healesville - Melbourne.
Wee Jasper Road has about 30kms of dirt which has been damaged by storms and trucks so I was recommended to give it a miss. Also the weather will determine if you go via Batlow as it gets very cold up there in winter. Lots of nice quiet roads with plenty of twisties.
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 18 Jun 2012
bnicho's Avatar
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Melbourne, Australia
Posts: 94
Quote:
Originally Posted by Gerran View Post
Central Coast - Weismans Ferry - Bells Line of Road - Oberon - Crookwell - Yass - Wee Jasper - Adelong (good pub) - Batlow - Tumbarumba - Jingellic - Hume Dam - Yackandanda - Beechworth - Oxley - Whitfield - Mansfield - Jameison - Eildon - Healesville - Melbourne.
I love the twisty roads around that area.

On that route you are not far away from Yarrangobilly Caves and the the thermal pool. Well worth a visit.

Yarrangobilly Caves Kosciuszko National Park Snowy Mountains NSW

Blowering Reserviour in that area is also a great place to camp when you want to get away from civilisation. But it would be very chilly right now.

Cheers,
Brett.
__________________
May 2015 - Canberra to Townsville via the Birdsville Track in a 1969 Mini Van.
http://www.facebook.com/TeamBMCAdventures
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 28 Jun 2012
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Australia
Posts: 37
Adding to the previous two posts if you're going inland...

There are caves at Wee Jasper too and a good campsite by the river. The pub is OK but the nearby roads and scenery as you come into the town are amazing.

If you want more of an offroad challenge and have some time up your sleeve you could divert south and cut across the fire trails to Tumut, maybe for the awesome views at the top of Mt Coree on the border of NSW/ACT (not the town of Coree). The Mt Coree diversion is steepish, rocky and rutted in places but not too hard. But only if it's not been recently wet as it gets very slippery. The rest of it is easy on a DR650.



On the coast, the others are right in that the area around Orbost is fantastic to ride on. The miles just disappear because you're enjoying yourself so much!
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 20 Dec 2017
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: Nov 2016
Posts: 1
How long?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Gerran View Post
This is the route I planned to get from the HU meeting to Melbourne last week.
Central Coast - Weismans Ferry - Bells Line of Road - Oberon - Crookwell - Yass - Wee Jasper - Adelong (good pub) - Batlow - Tumbarumba - Jingellic - Hume Dam - Yackandanda - Beechworth - Oxley - Whitfield - Mansfield - Jameison - Eildon - Healesville - Melbourne.
Wee Jasper Road has about 30kms of dirt which has been damaged by storms and trucks so I was recommended to give it a miss. Also the weather will determine if you go via Batlow as it gets very cold up there in winter. Lots of nice quiet roads with plenty of twisties.
Hi,
I know this thread is from a long long time ago but just in case you are still connected to the site. Could you tell me if this could be done in 3 days?
Thanks.
Reply With Quote
Reply

Tags
sydney melbourne


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Solo Russia advice muppet8mycat Route Planning 6 30 Jan 2012 11:59
Route and bike advice for SE Asia Jan-May2012 mountainman77 West and South Asia 2 13 Dec 2011 20:59
Route advice Panny Australia / New Zealand 7 10 Dec 2011 15:51
Vacation to Vic Falls - advice Forsellini sub-Saharan Africa 3 7 Dec 2011 17:05

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now
, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

HU Event and other updates on the HUBB Forum "Traveller's Advisories" thread.
ALL Dates subject to change.

2024:

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

HUBBUK: info

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.




All times are GMT +1. The time now is 07:26.