the drive from sydney to surfers paradise

[joshf2]

who's done it and is it really as bad as its rumoured to be?

im considering heading up over easter, as i have some friends flying from perth, but im a tightarse and flights are more expensive than how much i want to catch up with them.

so based upon the assumption i'll stay level headed and not speed at any stage, what would the traffic be like, how bad is the road, and about how long would it take me?

any feedback is appreciated

[Bluehoon]

Originally Posted by joshf2

who's done it and is it really as bad as its rumoured to be?

im considering heading up over easter, as i have some friends flying from perth, but im a tightarse and flights are more expensive than how much i want to catch up with them.

so based upon the assumption i'll stay level headed and not speed at any stage, what would the traffic be like, how bad is the road, and about how long would it take me?

any feedback is appreciated

Josh,

When are you thinking of going???

DON"T leave on Friday!!!!

Go thursday night, and drive overnight, leave around 8pm, and just cruise up overnight.
There are heaps of servos and rest stations over the easter period.....

F3 in peak is a basket case.

Pacific Highway through the country towns can be an absolute nightmare.
Ballina and Coffs harbour is the worst part if the whole lot (i know a back road if you are interested but).
Other than that, it is pretty easy, with 4 lanes the whole way, just follow the signs to Brizzy...

Tip: Hop onto the M1 and go into brisbane, and take the Gateway motorway turn off, (nb: toll to pay, but cheap). This takes you through brissy at 100km's per hour, and spits you onto the bruce highway, destined for wherever....

If you pick your time right, it is a pleasant, enjoyable drive, and with stops and taking it easy, you should see surfers in 11 hours (very conservative).

Cheers

[Ryan]

Well ive done the drive from Newcastle to Surfers.

I went early in the morning and it took rougly 10 hours.

[Fairlane]

Its really not as bad as many make it out to be. 11 hours should get you to surfers easy, your main problems will be, just dont expect to be able to get any sort of decent averages and if you do 100kmh your doing well in Easter traffic.

Main problems might be:
Beresfield (end of F3)
Coffs Harbor
Tweed/Tugun (Gold Coast)

If its really bad or you here of any accidents you might want to take the NR15 (the New England Highway) and cut across to the Gold Coast from Warwick. It will add a little a while to your trip, but it is an alternative to the Pacific.

It really isnt that bad, ive done the Gosford/Sunshine Coast run several times myself and im only a p-plater, and ive had no real dramas.

*Oh yeah take the shortcut around grafton (if you know it, its pretty easy to spot really even if havent driven that way before

[shadowXR8]

It is not as bad as people make it out to be ( I am an ex interstate truck driver) but on long weekend there will be a lot of traffic as other people have mentionen other places where it will be slow include Kemply & Ballina.
if you are only going to Surfers there are no toll ways 11hrs at most.

[MrSparkle]

Well I'm up here now (Gold Coast), drove up Sunday. I left at 3am pre-daylight savings time, and got up here at lunchtime. It's a pretty easy drive up if you do it at the right time. If you can manage to do a full overnight run (leave Sydney 8pm or so), you'll have the road to yourself for the entire trip! As mentioned, there are plenty of opportunities to stop and grab a bite/drink/slash/poo/nap.

I refuse to do the trip during the day - the Pacific Hwy is just rubbish once you get more than 3 or 4 cars in a row on it! I've always said that I'd MUCH rather take my chances with animals and the night, than with other people.

I also fully endorse the Grafton bypass - saves you a bit of time and also the odd radar trap set up to catch those coming into the 60 zone.

[falcon91]

Be extremely careful around the Taree area (Known Blackspots) also the boys in blue will be out in force and of course double points. I'd fly! Not much fun in that though! Have a happy and safe trip!

[deesun]

If I were you I would take the o'night option at easter best if you have two drivers. 8pm may still be a little early to leave Sydney,10 would be better but it may suit you. Think about what time you need to be there and work back from there. Plenty of 24 hr places to stop in major towns would be end of M3 then Bulladelah,Kempsey,Coffs,Grafton,Ballina,Tugun. Early morning trips mean "short cuts" are less optimal especially if you dont know them. The worst parts are north of Coffs up to about 30k south of Murwillimbah. Syd- 20k nth of Karuah is all 2 lanes. Then 1 lane with plenty of overtaking till Bulladelah then 2lanes till Coolongolook then 1 lane w/some o/t till Lakes Way/Foster turnoff,then 2lanes to past Coopernook (new bypass open 2 weeks) then 1lane w/ot to Kew then mostly 2lanes till past Port Macquarie turn then 1lane w/ot till Kempsey (bad bad in high traffic times) then 1lane not much o/t till Nambucca and on to Coffs with some 2lane thrown in. Coffs to Grafton mostly1lane w/ot and same on to Ballina. From Ballina north there are some major works near/from Byron turnoff. Speed cameras are prolific from Herrons Creek near Kew to Murwillimbah (about 12) but most face the southern lanes. A couple in 60kph townships like Urunga and Woodburn so watch out for the signs wich specifically say "speed cameras operate 24hrs" and "speed camera ahead large fines and loss of licence apply",these are the real ones as opposed to the generic ones that just say "speed camera operating in NSW".
That was a bit long but it is an 11hr journey so good luck and have a safe trip. PM me if you need.

[Gammaboy]

Far better way to do Brisbane-Sydney or vice versa, is the New England highway, its about 50km longer, but around 2 hours faster.

[deesun]

Originally Posted by Gammaboy

Far better way to do Brisbane-Sydney or vice versa, is the New England highway, its about 50km longer, but around 2 hours faster.

Sorry not any more, Newcastle to Surfers would be about 8hrs drive, I doubt you could do that in 6. A number of larger truck companies are these days going Pacific because of the improvements the last 5 years or so and the lack of maintainance on the NE. Karuah,Bulladelah,Taree, Chindera,Murwillimbah bypasses and other major improvements make the Pacific the better way.

[Mechan1k]

New Engl;and Highway is meant to be quicker ... but dead boring as well ... I just drove it the other night for work 1700km round trip in 16 hours ... straight driving ... only stopping for LPG/drinks/toilet/deliveries.

Pacific Hwy is more scenic ... and I would do as Mr Sparkle said ... take the night time run ... all you have on th road ar truck drivers ... and they are safer than the once a week driver's out there at holiday time.

I have done the Sydney to Sunny Coast trip several times and find the Pacific Hwy a good run.

The Festy should return good fuel range figures when cruising .... and there are plenty of 24-hour servo/truckstops along the journey.

Get a good rest before the journey ... it makes it a lot easier and safer as well.

There are some rougher parts of the journey ... but they have been fixing these up lately and more and more bypasses have been built since my last journey up notrh that way.

PS: for the person that mentioned that you had to go over the Gateway .... I am 99% certain that Sufer's is WAY before getting to Brisbane (ie: on the SE side of Brisbane) .... so i don't think it's necessary to go through the toll at all.

I prefer night driving .... I find it to be much safer .. and more relaxing (temperature wise it is more comfortable as well.

[Smoke Pursuit]

Surfers is about 100 kays before you get anywhere near the gateway, thats the north coast...

Id go the back way myself, only because its not going to be as busy.... What car are you going to be doing it in? If the Fiesta then your probarly better going the coast way for safety reasons, theres plenty of Roos on the new England and most of its only 2 way, so you need plenty of overtaking power. Also don't do overnight by yourself unless you got someone with you to share the driving and keep you awake... Your life isnt worth a plane ticket..

[rag top]

I've done non stop from Gold Coast to Canberra recently, and don't try to guestimate how long it takes. Weather, other traffic, stops taking longer that anticipated, roadworks... all play a factor. It takes as long as it takes.

[nobbystang]

Just out of curiosity, never having made the trip myself, is the pacific highway as dangerous as people make out or is it just a bad case of incompetent/unlucky drivers all crashing in the one area???? last time i made the trip we went up the new england from newcastle and it was a pleasant little drive, didn't appear to be too bad a road that way.

[Gammaboy]

Originally Posted by deesun

Sorry not any more, Newcastle to Surfers would be about 8hrs drive, I doubt you could do that in 6. A number of larger truck companies are these days going Pacific because of the improvements the last 5 years or so and the lack of maintainance on the NE. Karuah,Bulladelah,Taree, Chindera,Murwillimbah bypasses and other major improvements make the Pacific the better way.

Not the chrissy just gone, but the chrissy before I did Brisbane to Adelaide via Sydney, took the New England on the way down, door to door in 10 hours (I had plenty of overtaking power though!).
On the way back up, I took the pacific, just to see what it was like. With the traffic, and road works, and dotty little towns along the way, and coppers with radars at the end of every overtaking lane, it took 12 hours.
I drove through the day, so roos weren't a problem.

[AnthonyQLD]

Originally Posted by Mechan1k

PS: for the person that mentioned that you had to go over the Gateway .... I am 99% certain that Sufer's is WAY before getting to Brisbane (ie: on the SE side of Brisbane) .... so i don't think it's necessary to go through the toll at all.

Yeah thats right

[chief]

I have driven up to Taree before. There are plenty of boys in blue. Heaps of known blacksopts up there. Isn't the state's worst blackspot up near Taree. It is a lot better to drive south. To go north I would fly.

[Dark Horse]

www.webjet.com.au ;)

[Steffo]

We drove Sydney (Minchinbury) to Gold Coast (Mecure Beachcomber Hotel) in December 1995, in my dad's then new, 1995 Ford Econovan Maxi.

Checked the odo... trip was 954km. Did the whole thing in 12 hrs - with stops.

From what I remember the drive was nothing horrible. We just left very super early and beat all the traffic. When we got to Surfers... the traffic had just started.

[GOLDIE]

We drive the other way often that is gold coast to sydney and always use the pacific hwy.

Evey time we take it we do it close to 11 hours give or take about 30 minutes.

Going the new england hwy from the gold coast adds 2 hours as you have to go west first and than down.

Ian

[shadowXR8]

Originally Posted by nobbystang

Just out of curiosity, never having made the trip myself, is the pacific highway as dangerous as people make out or is it just a bad case of incompetent/unlucky drivers all crashing in the one area???? last time i made the trip we went up the new england from newcastle and it was a pleasant little drive, didn't appear to be too bad a road that way.

It has more to do with the drivers than the road as the road has improved out of sight in the last few years

[Lukeyson]

I Live at Coffs Harbour, watch your *** around here 100kms either side, fixed speed cameras everywhere. From Port Macquarie, to Grafton the roads are pretty bad IMO

[deesun]

Originally Posted by chief

I have driven up to Taree before. There are plenty of boys in blue. Heaps of known blacksopts up there. Isn't the state's worst blackspot up near Taree. It is a lot better to drive south. To go north I would fly.

Taree fine now bypassed and a couple of improvements like a flyover at the Foster turnoff,improvements @ Lakes way,southern Forster turnoff as well as the extention of Taree bypass by 20k to past Coopernook make Taree as safe as anywhere.

[RAREV8]

I think that most points have been covered now- if you can drive at night, do so. The Pac Highway has got better but as was mentioned earlier, the trip will take 10-11 hours approx but it is not a journey worth rushing for al the cameras, cops, black spots, etc.
We usually break it in two and subsequently enjoy it a lot more. We stop in Coffs for the night and leave early the next morning.
Obviously, this might be harder if you are pressed for time over the long weekend.
The NE Highway is an easier, straighter drive and it can be as quick but generally only during holiday traffic........it isnt really a time saver, just straighter and more boring!

[joshf2]

cheers guys

i'm already on holidays off work, my oldies are over in sydney on holidays. they leave on thursday morning, so i can leave by about thursday 11am

i guess the final point now is, since i have this option to drive the day before easter, will it still be better to do the thursday overnight run or will driving thursday day be just as easy?

Originally Posted by Dark Horse

www.webjet.com.au ;)

shut up :P

[BroncoFanCam]

Originally Posted by Bluehoon

Josh,

When are you thinking of going???

DON"T leave on Friday!!!!

Go thursday night, and drive overnight, leave around 8pm, and just cruise up overnight.
There are heaps of servos and rest stations over the easter period.....

F3 in peak is a basket case.

Pacific Highway through the country towns can be an absolute nightmare.
Ballina and Coffs harbour is the worst part if the whole lot (i know a back road if you are interested but).
Other than that, it is pretty easy, with 4 lanes the whole way, just follow the signs to Brizzy...

Tip: Hop onto the M1 and go into brisbane, and take the Gateway motorway turn off, (nb: toll to pay, but cheap). This takes you through brissy at 100km's per hour, and spits you onto the bruce highway, destined for wherever....

If you pick your time right, it is a pleasant, enjoyable drive, and with stops and taking it easy, you should see surfers in 11 hours (very conservative).

Cheers

11 hours is very conservative.

I have driven to Sydney twice. (from Brisbane's Western Suburbs - via the Pacific Highway)

The second time took us 11, stopping two extra times (not needing fuel) to feed a very young baby along the way.

Not too bad drive, and to Surfer's you should knock 45 minutes/1-hour off my time.

Happy trails!

EDIT ~ Yes there are a few speed cameras on the Pacific, but you are warned at virtually every single one of them, if you get nabbed, you are pretty dense. :sm_headba

[old_mate]

I did the Brisbane to sydney run a couple of years ago

I went the new england hwy. No roadworks, but man what a boring, long ???? drive. Took 14 hrs. Thats only stopping for fuel too. All my mates down here drive to Brissy all the time, it takes about 11 hrs going up the pacific

When i did it, i left Brissy at midnight, got into sydney at 3pm (was in daylight savings). No real traffic issues until Tamworth cos of the golden guitar crap and of course Sydney peak hour was continuing (i say that cos it never really ends after 6am lol)

[deesun]

Originally Posted by joshf2

cheers guys

i'm already on holidays off work, my oldies are over in sydney on holidays. they leave on thursday morning, so i can leave by about thursday 11am

i guess the final point now is, since i have this option to drive the day before easter, will it still be better to do the thursday overnight run or will driving thursday day be just as easy?



shut up :P

Leaving then puts you in and around Kempsey at a very bad time,last easter lineup was about 3klms long into Kempsey. Also daytime driving will take longer as more traffic. Kempsey to Nambucca and Coffs is a bad stretch with little overtaking. I'd still do the overnighter so long as you can get some rest/ sleep before you go. Do you have two drivers?

[TURBOTAXI]

I have done this drive at least 30 times. Its nothing. The night drive is the much better run. The fixed cameras (there are plenty) are well posted, obviously be careful going through towns - there are plenty of radars in the holidays. In QLD they seem to use Landcruisers as a kind of mobile camera platform so keep your eyes peeled for them too, there are heaps of motorists in QLD with a freindly flash to warn you of any approaching hazard to yourself of your wallet.

There are also heaps of different (and slower) ways to do it. At Christmass we went through the goat tracks to the west of the Gold Coast en route to our house up there, there was some very cool scenery but it took about 2 hours longer.

Try driving from Airlie Beach via Bowen, Via Emerald to the Gold coast in one hit after a week of sailing around the barrier reef and spending too much time at the pool bar.
That sucked. Took 17 hours and plenty of coffee. Spent two hours on the Gold Coast then had to drive my sister to Brisbane Airport. I never thought I would have the land version of sea legs - but I did.

[joshf2]

at the moment, i'll be driving this one solo, so my concerns are quite predominant in my head, ie, never driven the route, never driven that far in one hit, and doing it at night as well.

the camera's dont really concern me, i can keep reasonably level headed about my speed.