First trip to the snow

[Brightsbane]

First let me just say how much I love my D3 TDV6. We bought it to tow our 3 tonne boat and it does it with ease, even having to pull it up a short grassy slope to get it out of our yard and even then after the trailer bottoms out at the crest (some landscaping needed), it has power to spare.

Anyway, we're taking a family trip from Brisbane via Canberra (to visit friends) to Jindabyne and the snowy slopes beyond for the September school holidays. We've booked into some stops at Coffs Harbour and Sydney for the drive down and we're now planning the trip back.

Two questions I'm hoping to get advice on:

This is our first snow experience. Is there anything I need to know about driving to Perisher in late September?

We're considering one of the inland routes home. Is there anything particularly interesting to see and do if we take 2 stops? What about road conditions etc? Or should we just double back up the Pacific Hwy?

I know, a few of pretty broad questions but Google doesn't always give you first hand advice.

Cheers,

Peter.

[simonmelb]

Hi Peter,

Lovely time to visit as the weather is usually good for skiing with kids! We go backcountry skiing from Guthega each year at that time.

You are not likely to see snow on the roads but you never know! The only really important tip is to plan to have a close to empty fuel tank when you get to Jindabybe so you can get a full tank of Alpine diesel when you arrive. We once got caught out in a cold snap with gelled up diesel in a toyota and only just got out. In Jindabybe The NSW Parks centre near the cinemas is good for local info also.

Enjoy the trip!

[Silenceisgolden]

We're considering one of the inland routes home. Is there anything particularly interesting to see and do if we take 2 stops? What about road conditions etc? Or should we just double back up the Pacific Hwy?

Cheers,

Peter.

Absolutely ANY route is more interesting and much safer than the Pacific Highway. If you want bitumen roads, going through Dubbo gives you the chance to drive through the Warrumbungle Ranges, and before Dubbo you could visit the Parkes telescope - very interesting for the kids.

If you want to take dirt roads the scope for interest and beauty is endless.

Happy travels.

[Disco-tastic]

Theres also the zoo at dubbo.

Cheers

Dan

[Brightsbane]

Cheers, sounds like an inland trip will be the go. Parks observatory and Dubbo zoo are great pointers, thats the sort of stuff I'm after.

Simonmelb, someone told me about the alpine diesel but what about the coolant? Will I need antifreeze?

[DanW]

Hey Peter,

The family and I have done the same trip you are talking about many times (in our D3, and then our D4).

We were normally there early September and had snow on the road most years, but nothing too challenging and never had any issues with getting around in the Disco's (we stay in Thredbo)

As for the trip there and back, we have done the pacific highway and the Newell - normally try to do down on one and back on the other just to mix it up.

Agree with the others that the Pacific can be a bit boring, but it is great for eating up kilometres too, so prefer it on the way home. My only advice for the Pacific is to leave the highway to find food - there are some great little towns along the way where you'll find old fashioned bakeries etc with Mittagong, Woolgoolga, and Bangalow being my favourites.

This is also the great thing about the Newell - you go through a bunch of great towns, and all have some decent places to stop Cowra, Parkes, Dubbo, Narabri, Moree - the list goes on. I have driven from Brisbane to Gilgandra in one go (but that is a massive day behind the wheel). A great Little motel there called the Windmill Motel - very basic, but clean, cheap and great hosts (at least they did when I went through). I've stayed at Dubbo (actually in the Zoo) and it's great, and have spent a couple of days in and around Coonabarabran. There is an observatory there which has a great way of giving you perspective on the solar system (scale planets on billboards as you drive out of town with distances between to scale) - great depending on how old the kids are (or if you happen to be a nerd like me....) That time of year there are plenty of canola fields in full bloom - great scenery!

If driving home the Pacific and leaving from the Snow after a day of skiing, I can recommend staying at the Rydges Campbelltown - it is modern and really well priced, but if you try to press on you start to run out of options almost until you get to Raymond Tce - and those Motels there are expensive for what they are. I can do Campbelltown to Brisbane in one day without too much trouble (but again that might depend on how your passengers travel.)

Either way you go I reckon it is a great drive if you are willing to take the time for some stops, and the Disco is perfect for the Alpine travel (lots of debate about Alpine Diesel but if you want it they have it at Jindabyne)

Cheers

Dan

[AnD3rew]

I do Sydney to Brisbane trip several times a year and I always go New England Highway now, lots less trucks much more relaxing much less traffic and I like the country scenery much better. I even found some snow to drive through at Glen Innes last time.:D

[Brightsbane]

Thanks for taking the time to write that up Dan. We've already booked some accommodation at Coffs and Sydney for the trip down but as you have said, we probably would have been better taking the Pacific Hwy back.
Not to worry, we have 3-4 days to head up the inland route and your suggestions will be put to good use.

Andrew, good to know about the road traffic. I was worried there would be heaps of trucks but sounds like it will be better than the coast road.

[worane]

Is the Pacific Highway all duel carriage way now? (Syd/ Bris}

[Geedublya]

Not yet.

[DanW]

Is the Pacific Highway all duel carriage way now? (Syd/ Bris}

A lot of it is, but the stretch from around Ballina to Corindi (South of Grafton) Still isn't, and it has got to be one of the worst major roads in the country.

There is a lot of road work going on there now.

[Plane Fixer]

Don't forget south of Coffs until the Oxley turnoff at Port Macquarie is mostly 80 kmh roadworks. There are only a few divided stretches, notably at Kempsey.
Be aware northbound at Kempsey where the divided highway ends the speed goes back to 70 kph and there will usually be a highway patrol car there!

[Summiitt]

I recently came back from the blues fest via Byron hinterland, waterfall/thunderbolts way, Armidale, Barrington tops, scone and then M7- Canberra.. Real zig zag but was home in 2 nights and some great out of the way places. I would highly recommend staying at willow vale north of Scone, the pub there has a great restaurant and very very good, affordable rooms.
As for alpine diesel, fill up in Canberra, it's about 15-20c a litre cheaper than jindy, Hume Caltex on the Monaro hwy is the last one on the way out and will obviously still have alpine diesel, your coolant will already be up to task.

[Catmatt]

Another cheaper alternative is to simply pour 500ml of Kerosene into your tank every time you fill up. It will do the same thing as the more expensive "winter diesel".....

[Xtreme]

Still a lot of roadworks in progress on the Pacific Hwy.

A very scenic alternative to part of the New England Hwy is Buckets Way and Thundeebolts Way - via Gloucester and Walcha. Shorter, much less traffic and a pleasant relaxing drive.

[AnD3rew]

I generally do the Sydney to Brisbane segment in one day these days, but if you are looking for some places to stop then Girraween National Park near Stanthorpe is a nice spot with camping areas for tents and camper trailers/caravans. If you are looking for something slightly more challenging then Sundown National Park is also a good camping spot, you can get a good offroad camper trailer in there, I wouldn't take a caravan in though.

If you just want a bed for the night I like staying in Tenterfield and I stay at the Settlers Motor Inn, it is nothing flash, it is a good old fashioned basic motel, but very clean and comfortable and a great owner and just good basic value, he even washes your windscreen for you early in the morning before you get up if you don't leave too early. Also always have dinner at the Sing Wah Chinese restaurant on the Main Street. It is surprisingly good for country Chinese.

If you are heading South from Brisbane Tenterfield is the right distance if you are going to leave in the afternoon and just want a head start on the rest of the trip in the morning. On the way back if you are leaving from Sydney it is the right distance if you don't have the stamina for a full 12 hours on the road and prefer to stop a bit early, or if you are a bit late getting away from Sydney and don't want to drive into the evening leaving you an easy 3 or so hours left for the morning.

If you were leaving from Canberra it would be a good stopping point after a pretty long day of around 10-12 hours driving.

[LRD414]

This thread is useful for me to plan my travels from Brisbane to the upcoming D3/D4 weekend. [emoji2]

Thanks,
Scott

[allanboston]

I would definitely recommend you attend to your fuel if you are staying overnight or longer in the snowfield area. As a regular to the snowfields, diesel gelling is real and can certainly ruin your plans for departure when it occurs.


The easiest way is to buy Alpine Diesel at Jindabyne, the alternative is to carry some additive (commercial or kero) with you, but this is just another bit of stuff to carry on holidays.


My advice would be to buy a single tank full of Alpine diesel in Jindabyne and keep it all simple.


There will be support crews around to "warm" your engine/fuel system for you if you get stuck in a sudden cold snap - but they make a handsome income from this!

[mitchE39]

I have spent a fair bit of time up at the snow over the years.

At most servos in alpine areas you will be able to buy an actual additive for your diesel, rather than just buying "Alpine Diesel" from the pump. I HIGHLY recommend doing this if you are parking up top overnight. there have been several instances of cheeky servos not putting the correct amount of additive in their diesel, and its a real inconvenience when it freezes. (Ask how i know.)

Also, if you get a chance, Have your glow plugs tested before you head off. On my TDV6, only 2 of them are working. it was very reluctant to start in -2 (-7 overnight) but got there thanks to a strong battery (another thing to consider, carry jump leads).

if your car is well maintained, you should be fine, just the extreme cold will exaggerate any problems you do have. I got quoted $700 to do all 6 glow plugs, still yet to do it.

Enjoy the good snow!!