Road trip from Blue Mountains to Melbourne

[adonna]

Hi all

Im hoping to fit in a whirlwind road trip from the Blue Mountains to Melbourne when I go over in a few weeks.

If anyone could share their experiences or suggestions for the best route or unmissable things to see on the way? (Please no negatives about the blandness - I need to discover this for myself )

Gill x

[Quoll]

Well it all depends on how much time you have. Straight down the Hume will probably take you about 12 hours (all depending where you are in the Blue Mountains) and I wont go into the bland but you will discover that for yourself!

You could go across from Bowral and down to the coast then along the coast to Melbourne but that is a hell of a long way and will take a few days. You could go down to Goulburn and then come and visit the national capital (I reckon everyone should visit Canberra at least once to dispel all the myths!) then go down through Cooma and Bombala to Cann River then along the Princes Hwy through Gippsland and take in some of the scenery there - some lovely beaches in East Gippsland but then it gets a tad boring the last 2 - 3 hours into Melbourne (that would be 1 night in Canberra and then one night around Lakes Entrance).

However you said it was a whirlwind so perhaps just bite the bullet and go down the Hume - maybe stay overnight in Canberra (it's an hour off the Hume).

Or, you could fly, that would be my choice!

[tracy123]

Quoll shame on you........ fly?!!!!!!

Hi Gill,

I have done that trip many times over the years of driving trucks and always enjoyed the run.

After the Blue Mountains, Bathurst should be your first stop (take a look at pommy pauls posts)

Google

The next place I'd want to head is Parkes, there is a movie called "the dish" check it out it's all about that area and the role Australia played in Apollo 11



On the way to Parkes you will drive through a country town called Orange, famous for the orange people in the 80's. A nice town to spend a few hours.

From there my trip went via Cowra, Young, Wagga Wagga then on to Melbourne. I'd stop at Holbrook home to HMAS OTWAY, something you don't expect



As you're about to drive into Albury look to your left and you will see the Ettamogah pub, it is a working pub, take a look at it's web site




From Albury you are looking at about 4 hours (max) to get into Melbourne and it's really upto you BUT places well worth a detour are Beechworth (you will spend a good few hours here try a pie) on the way back out go via Milawa (home to brown bros wines) and all around this area is Ned Kelly country (Glenrowan home to his last stand)

The Milawa Gourmet Region, the tourist destination of North East Victoria.

From there it's a straight run into Melbourne unless you want to pass by Shepparton (fruit bowl of Australia) mile after mile of fruit trees.

Notes

If you are hungry watch out for where the trucks are stopped, there you will find good food at a reasonable price. The roadhouses are not bad and if need be you can have a free shower and a cheep room for the night normally around $20 p/night but be warned it will be basic but it's clean and it's a bed.

Driving at dawn and dusk is not the best thing to do as the chances of hitting roo's is increased. If you do drive through the night the trucks will over take you if you sit on the speed limit, they can and will do over 120 kph and don't really like cars on their road.......

Make sure you have plenty of batteries for your camera as you will stop often to take photos.

Also around Seymore you should start to see signs of where the bush fires took hold.


Enjoy your trip take your time and enjoy

Geoffrey

[adonna]

Thanks to you both

Im staying at Katoomba for a few days and hoping to have time to travel to see some of the 'sights' and luckily the three sisters is on the doorstep.

I went to Sydney the last time I was over so thought would try to get to Melbourne this time.

Thank you and hopefully will have some great pictures to post xxx