gold coast to melbourne best route?

**scottygc** · 23rd November 2011, 09:34 AM

i have a few days over xmas and thought id take the wife and kids to visit my parents for xmas

i live in labrador on the gold coast and the folks live in traralgon in gippsland

i have a couple of ways i can go

a) head west to goondawindi then south to melbourne the turn left back to traralgon
according to the map its 1916 km

b) south via syndey then camberra down the monaro hwy to cann river then to traralgon 1807 km

any thoughts on the best way?

it will be a non stop drive on the way down with two drivers changing over

the return trip will be more relaxed with a few stop overs along the way

thanks
scotty

**Bigbjorn** · 23rd November 2011, 09:40 AM

Gold Coast-Beaudesert-Boonah-Cunningham H'way-Newell H'way

**weeds** · 23rd November 2011, 09:58 AM

not sure how much time you have up your sleeve?

i would allow three days with kids and the defender, as its summer i would go the coast road with the hope of a swim or two on the way

blackdiamondmarine · 23rd November 2011, 04:39 PM

If you are wanting to do it in two days take the newell Hwy for sure. Try and make Moree first night, hot natural thermal springs at the caravan park are great for a relax and the pub down the road does good meals.
the Newell is boring, but up to 6 hours faster.
If you have three days go the coast.

**shining** · 23rd November 2011, 05:34 PM

If you want to keep moving stay away from the coast and Sydney at Christmas/any holiday time.

**Homestar** · 23rd November 2011, 06:45 PM

As some others suggested, stay away from Sydney. Go down the Newell, heaps quicker.

If you have a couple of drivers as suggested, then you will only need to stop for fuel. I have done the exact trip - I used to live in Traralgon. It should take about 26 hours or so depending on how often you want to stop.

Between me and the missus, we didn't need to stop. We also had the rug rats along on that trip - we struck out at 5ish - just after work, so they were asleep in a few hours. They slept all night, so we only had to worry about them getting board for half the trip. Rolled into the Gold Coast at 7 the following evening.

Nothing a few games of Eye spy, spotto, and car cricket won't fix.

Cheers - Gav

**ramblingboy42** · 23rd November 2011, 07:59 PM

I'd take my missus......she really stood beside me during the floods.......

**Sleepy** · 23rd November 2011, 10:21 PM

Personally, I would drive down the coast to Sydney then Hume. If you have the time take the Mountain route to Gippsland.

Much prettier journey. The Pacific Hwy is a lot better now and you can get through Sydney a lot quicker than 20 years ago. Lots more dual carriageway. Only real hold up was Ballina road works.

I did this trip in August (in a 101), only other drama was a prang that held up traffic between Newcastle and Sydney.

As for the mountain route south of Canberra - only do it if you have the time - it would be quicker to drive Hume to Melbourne then Taralgon. (all hwy)

**33chinacars** · 24th November 2011, 01:00 AM

My vote is for the Newell Hwy. Especially at Xmas time

Gary

**big dave** · 6th December 2011, 03:15 PM

gday scottygc

if you have 3-4 days why not go out to bourke and down the darling river, well worth the trip, you can get to Tilpa pub in a day, then sort out which way from there, i would go to menindee then across, its not as direct as the newell but a lot more fun,

cheers

dave

Thread: gold coast to melbourne best route?

Thread Tools

gold coast to melbourne best route?

trip

Bookmarks

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions