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General => General Discussion => Topic started by: schmik on February 12, 2013, 02:02:47 PM

Title: Suggest me a route? Ballarat to Kangaroo Valley
Post by: schmik on February 12, 2013, 02:02:47 PM
In April I need to get from ballarat vic to kangaroo valley nsw.

I will have 4 or 5 nights to do it and wish to take in the high country near Mansfield Vic.   Not sure on the best way to it.
I have been to the Bright area, the Tumut area, Jindy, Thredbo and Cooma.   I like to see new places but hate spending too long in the car.   Visited Buchan a couple of years ago... can i just keep heading north from there. The maps show roads but what are they really like.

Cheers
mike
Title: Suggest me a route? Ballarat to Kangaroo Valley
Post by: britts on February 12, 2013, 02:04:45 PM
Bendthera is supposed to be quite good
Title: Re: Suggest me a route? Ballarat to Kangaroo Valley
Post by: GGV8Cruza on February 12, 2013, 02:18:26 PM
Are you towing or tenting, may help with a route through that area, some not so trailer friendly

GG
Title: Re: Suggest me a route? Ballarat to Kangaroo Valley
Post by: schmik on February 12, 2013, 02:21:53 PM
Towing.
No brakes on the CT either.

mike
Title: Re: Suggest me a route? Ballarat to Kangaroo Valley
Post by: Mace on February 12, 2013, 02:24:59 PM
Want to do heaps of back counrty & 4WD stuff, or Just Tour?
Do you want to move on avery day?

5 nights/days is a while, but then its not!

 :cheers:
Title: Re: Suggest me a route? Ballarat to Kangaroo Valley
Post by: Bird on February 12, 2013, 02:26:06 PM
recovery gear, winches, good comms, travelling alone?
Title: Re: Suggest me a route? Ballarat to Kangaroo Valley
Post by: schmik on February 12, 2013, 02:36:57 PM
Geez... i really should have given more info.

Boring trip with the family (i.e. the last thing i want to do is recover CT and 4wd).  I have recovery gear but no winch. Travelling alone.
I'd rather stop twice or three times.  Don't want to set up too many times.

I'll stop anywhere with a toilet ;)   Van parks, bush ... whatever.
Anywhere near water is good. I love to drown worms.

So just a nice leisurely tour with the possibility of day trips up some steep hills or to some nice lakes and rivers.
Title: Re: Suggest me a route? Ballarat to Kangaroo Valley
Post by: Mace on February 12, 2013, 02:46:54 PM
Start with two nights near Mansfield.  Either Howqua Hills or Upper Jamieson.  Drown a worm and plenty of short drives nearby.

Then over the range, several routes Via Woods Point or  Licola (fires should be out by then), or via Hotham @ Omeo  (another night?).

Then up the coast with another stop on the way somewhere (Mallacoota, Wigan Inlet??)
Title: Re: Suggest me a route? Ballarat to Kangaroo Valley
Post by: schmik on February 12, 2013, 02:55:43 PM
Thanks Mace. Will bust out the maps again tonight.  Better bust out the thermals too. 
And this will be late april. Fires should be out.
Title: Re: Suggest me a route? Ballarat to Kangaroo Valley
Post by: Mace on February 12, 2013, 03:06:31 PM
Thanks Mace. Will bust out the maps again tonight.  Better bust out the thermals too. 
And this will be late april. Fires should be out.

It will be cool at night, yes. Nothing that a fire and a bottle of stones wont fix!  ;D
Title: Re: Suggest me a route? Ballarat to Kangaroo Valley
Post by: hargs on February 12, 2013, 09:37:07 PM
Anywhere up the mountains can mean cold nights at that time of year. Can get a frost or 2 here in Tumut the end of April....good camping around Blowering ( its a bit low and ugly at the moment ) Can fish, ( but Lake Disappointment is its other name ).

Have a son at Kangaroo Valley ...nice place to endup.

I recon you can just keep coming north from Buchan, we did a few years ago, dont remember the road being too bad.

4-5 nights is not long...you will be spending quite sometime in the car !
Title: Re: Suggest me a route? Ballarat to Kangaroo Valley
Post by: Bird on February 13, 2013, 08:50:31 AM
From Home to anywhere in from Mansfield/Merijig/Sheepyard through to Lovicks Hut 
or
in from Mansfield/Merijig/Buttercup rd to Pineapple Flat to Kings through
or
into in from Mansfield/Merijig/Kings Hut/Lake Cobbler

Then bit of a journey through to Tom Groggin

thru Jindabyne, Cooma, to either Bendethera or Braidwood

http://www.visitbraidwood.com.au/camping (http://www.visitbraidwood.com.au/camping)
then up to Kanga.
Title: Re: Suggest me a route? Ballarat to Kangaroo Valley
Post by: Redcherokee on February 14, 2013, 08:40:35 PM
At the KV end you have basically three choices.

1. Up the Hume hwy, then right at the Sutton Forest servos then through Exeter (turn left after you go under the railway bridge, and right to avoid moss vale). This will bring you into KV from the west.
2. Up the coast. The Prince's hwy up from Bateman's Bay, Ulladulla etc. then turn left at Bomaderry  and up to KV.
3. The link road from either Braidwood or Tarago, and through Nerriga to come out near HMAS Albatross at Nowra, then zip over to Bomaderry and same as option 2.  A bit of good quality fast dirt 3k via Tarago, or more like 20k via Braidwood.

There are a couple of other more interesting routes into the valley, but if you are towing you will find the main road interesting enough from either end.

I love the stone formations on the link road, but the coast may be worth checking out if you have never been up that way.  You could go up one way and back another.   There are a mile of places to stay on the coast.  Or you could come up Snowball Rd from Cooma to Braidwood and then follow the link road.

Timing wise, we do Canberra to Bomaderry via either Exeter or the link road in about two and a half hours.

Title: Re: Suggest me a route? Ballarat to Kangaroo Valley
Post by: schmik on February 16, 2013, 11:38:46 AM
Thanks ALL.   Heaps to think about.

It's just the home leg of another trip... Will be in Grampians / Ballart for 10 days.  Can't wait.
The link roads into KV sound great. Seen the coast many times so something is what i want!

Might need to pick up a flat pak fire place for the trip.

Mike


Title: Re: Suggest me a route? Ballarat to Kangaroo Valley
Post by: Kangaron on February 16, 2013, 01:12:21 PM
for your info
last week, about 10th Feb or thereabouts went through Kangaroo Valley from the coast [Nowra]
Road was wet, visibility 50 feet [fog]
Anyone that tackles this leg without trailer brakes IMHO is a co#khead.
Coming in from the other side is somewhat easier, but brakes would be and advantage.

Title: Re: Suggest me a route? Ballarat to Kangaroo Valley
Post by: schmik on February 16, 2013, 02:49:24 PM
Have driven that rd a number a of times.  Driving to the conditions is required.
I know i don't have trailer brakes... and drive accordingly. I keep it under 750kg and tow it with a 100 series cruiser. 

And if you ever met me.... you'd be left without a doubt...   C*CKHEAD for sure !