Blackhorse Posted January 9, 2013 Share Posted January 9, 2013 Hi all I'm planning on driving down the Newell Highway to Melbourne from Brisbane soon. Does anybody have experience of whether it's necessary or desirable to book in advance overnight accommodation along the route? I'd prefer not to restrict myself to having to reach a certain town by a certain time, so would like to just find a hotel/motel when I get to a suitable town to stop overnight. Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bobj Posted January 9, 2013 Share Posted January 9, 2013 Hi all I'm planning on driving down the Newell Highway to Melbourne from Brisbane soon. Does anybody have experience of whether it's necessary or desirable to book in advance overnight accommodation along the route? I'd prefer not to restrict myself to having to reach a certain town by a certain time, so would like to just find a hotel/motel when I get to a suitable town to stop overnight. Thanks G'day mate, I worked on a section of that road, (Goondiwindi-Narrabri) and would suggest Brissie to Narrabri, or Coonabarrabran on the first day, Narrabri/Coona to Wagga Wagga second day then Wagga to Smellbum third day. Being the Newell Hwy, be aware of the interstate trucks, have seen convoys of up to 13 tucks at a time. The section Boggabilla, through Moree to Narrabri is across the NW Plains and is virtually a straight flat road, so take care as the truckies use this section to gain time. Also, being a major hwy, there are quite a few motels at each town. All up, it is about 1700 km. http://www.racq.com.au/travel/drive_travel/trip_planner Cheers, Bobj. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackhorse Posted January 10, 2013 Author Share Posted January 10, 2013 Thanks Bobj - that's useful stuff. The guide and map on http://www.newellhighway.org.au is also pretty good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest The Pom Queen Posted January 10, 2013 Share Posted January 10, 2013 We have really struggled as a lot of accommodation closes their office at 5pm, so we ended up tied to reaching a certain destination by a certain time. If it's not holiday period you could chance your luck, we did that heading over to Katherine but couldn't get in at Hughendon anywhere so ended up in Richmond. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest The Pom Queen Posted January 10, 2013 Share Posted January 10, 2013 If you are staying at Coonabarrabran I can highly recommend this place http://www.barkalafarm.com.au/the-old-schoolhouse/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fish.01 Posted January 10, 2013 Share Posted January 10, 2013 (edited) Last time on the Newell, on a trip from Brisbane to Melbourne 2 years ago, we stopped at Parkes to see The Dish in real life. It is close (ish) to half way. We stayed at The Station Motel and it was an excellent stop. It is still #1 on tripadvisor for Parkes: http://www.tripadvisor.com.au/Hotel_Review-g255327-d665320-Reviews-Station_Motel_Parkes-Parkes_New_South_Wales.html Tis a long boring road. If you're the driver take a book to read The alternative New England and Pacific are far more fun though I guess are more optimal for Brisbane to Sydney trips. Edited January 10, 2013 by fish.01 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul B Posted January 10, 2013 Share Posted January 10, 2013 I spend lots of time on that road. If you do go to Wagga, i use the Price of Wales hotel, was there last night, great value and fantastic food. Let me know what town you decide on as have lots of hotels i use. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackhorse Posted January 11, 2013 Author Share Posted January 11, 2013 Many thanks for all of that. Paul B - I will definitely contact you about towns I'm likely to stop at. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BritChickx Posted February 5, 2013 Share Posted February 5, 2013 you should definately see The Dish it's massive!! Argh it's gonna annoy me now we did stop some where for the night and we didn't book anything we just rocked up....i will have to rack my brains and come back! If it's still needed! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wakeboard1980 Posted February 5, 2013 Share Posted February 5, 2013 Hi all I'm planning on driving down the Newell Highway to Melbourne from Brisbane soon. Does anybody have experience of whether it's necessary or desirable to book in advance overnight accommodation along the route? I'd prefer not to restrict myself to having to reach a certain town by a certain time, so would like to just find a hotel/motel when I get to a suitable town to stop overnight. Thanks Do it in one hit mate. Have a short snooze in the car around 1/2 way and then carry on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BritChickx Posted February 5, 2013 Share Posted February 5, 2013 (edited) I hope you're joking wakeboard....it's an 18 hour trip. even doing it in 2 days would be a struggle. We went from melbourne to leeton to narrabri to the sunny coast. Edited February 5, 2013 by BritChickx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wakeboard1980 Posted February 5, 2013 Share Posted February 5, 2013 I hope you're joking wakeboard....it's an 18 hour trip. even doing it in 2 days would be a struggle.We went from melbourne to leeton to narrabri to the sunny coast. Depends on how quick you want to get there. I've done a few big trips, it can be done if you need too. Saying that there are plenty of nice towns/different towns to see along the way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BritChickx Posted February 5, 2013 Share Posted February 5, 2013 Well, you're not supposed to drive when it's dark, because of the wildlife, that's why we didn't drive at night, plus paul was shattered driving 8 or 9 hours and wouldn't risk falling asleep at the wheel. Each to their own though! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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