Bonneville America Forums Forums General Motorcycle Forums Rides, Rallies, & Events Where to stop between Sydney & Adelaide?

OK, me Aussie mates,
I will be going to the Adelaide (SA) area next month on business. My sweety will be joining me, assuming she gets her visa. She got one last year for Fremantle, WA, so I don't see any reason why they would say no this time around, other than to harass single Thai women.

To avoid domestic luggage weight limit hassles, and to help support the Aussie economy, we will fly from Bangkok to Sydney. Then, we are going to drive between Sydney & Adelaide.

It looks like I can go straight across on an inland route, but I've heard driving along the coast is really nice.

How long a drive is it straight across versus taking the scenic shoreline route? One friend (married to an Aussie from SA) told me that Sydney-Adelaide coastal route is about 12-14 hours.

I've read about the Victorian Alps. She has never seen real snow (she saw fake stuff in Dubai last year) and I was thinking we could detour there for a look, either coming or going.

Also, if we do take the coastal route, can anyone suggest decent towns/hotels to overnight in? I'd like to drive for no more than 8 hours a day.

Any tips from the boys down'unda would be greatly appreciated.

Hey Steve sounds like a fun trip. I personally have not done that particular route but going straight across as you have already mentioned is alot more direct. Keeping in mind Australia is a large country and thats a whole lotta driving around the coast. The coast road would certainly offer alot of scenic views and some interesting towns to stop in at. I guess you could obviously look at a map and then google it to see what that particular town has to offer. I mean are you looking to see kangaroos or beachy stuff or what. Melbourne looks to be in the middle and is a large city which is known for restaurants and nightlife. Maybe you would prefer to see the small towns and the country life. Whatever you decide I hope you both enjoy your stay here. Pity you couldn't do it on motorcycles.

As an afterthought I can list you some places on that route that I have been through.

About to go out at present but I will do it later.

Hi Steve
Do you want to get there quick, or see some scenery???

The direct route through Wagga Wagga and Mildura, will take about 15 hours straight through. Hard driving for this length of time.

Most people tend to admire the country scenery, and you wont see much if you want to do it in 15 hours.

Depending on when you leave Sydney, but my suggestion is to leave early Am, stop at Wagga Wagga they have a really good pie shop "Micks Bakehouse" amongst other attractions thats about 5-6 hours from Sydney.

Then on to Mildura another 5-6 hours, (bit boring this section across the Hay Plains, straight and flat) stay overnight here. Eat at Pizza Cafe at The Grand

Up Early the next day and about 4 hours to Adelaide.

To go the coast road will take you about 3 - 4 days, great scenery and Philip Island race track is on this route.
There are a lot more towns on this track with heaps of accomodation choices.

Give me a yell when you decide, I'm about an hour south of Sydney on the coast.

How long are you going to be in Australia? If the SO is going, you might as well make it a proper vacation and take as much time as you can... SWMBO and I went to Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide a couple of years ago (and a couple of days on Kangaroo Island). All of it was brilliant! Nice people, amazing scenery... and LOTS of tasty wine to drink.

Not sure why this was moved from the lounge, since it's not a bike ride, rally or event. Just asking for advice about the best way to DRIVE between Sydney-Adelaide as well as possible places to overnight that my SO will enjoy.

Lance, we'll be there all of June and into early July. I'm intending a week or so, after the job is done, to do some sightseeing on the way back to Sydney. I think we'll save the scenic 3-4 day coast drive for the return to Sydney.

Thanks all for your suggestions.

You maybe lucky to see snow at that time of the year, no guarantee though, some years it snows early, some it snows as late as August

Yay, I'm back in the lounge. Thanks Friar John.

It looks like we will do the more direct 2-day run from Sydney to Adelaide. Then the more leisurely seaside drive on the way back. Hopefully she can see real snow on the way back.

We do intend to explore the Barossa Valley wineries. I'm also going to order some wine from a place we visited last year in WA. They don't ship overseas but will ship in-country. It was a very good wine.

I always drive over to Victor Harbor when I'm there, it's a nice drive. We'll probably also pay a visit to Birdwood, they have a great collection of vintage motorcycles there (and some cool cars).

I also have to take her to the Adelaide Triumph dealer. Nice people there, they gave me a key fob that I use for my bike.

The downtown Adelaide pedestrian shop area is fun to walk around too. I know she wants to buy an opal too.

We'll be staying in the Semaphore area right along the shore, which she will also enjoy. Some nice places in the area for her to explore while I'm working during the day. Hopefully it won't be too cool & wet for her.

Sarah just called me with the news that she definitely has her visa. Now we can really start planning.

We had a great time last year, over in WA (Fremantle and Perth). This will be my 4th time back to SA and Adelaide. Sarah is going to have so much fun there. I'm looking forward to taking her there!

OK, we arrive at 7:45AM on June 2. We can either rent a car and set out right away, and then stop for the night, maybe in Wagga Wagga. I don't want to drive too hard since the flight is a red-eye and I never sleep well on airplanes. I know I will be tired.

I need to be in the Adelaide area by noon on Saturday. I need to visit the local OfficeWorks to get a print job ready by Sunday afternoon.

Here's the planned route from Google maps. I'm assuming my Garmin gps device will be similar: Route map from Google Maps

Any suggestions from the locals??
Thanks!

mmmmm!

By the time you clear customs and get a hire car it will be about 9.30 before you are on the road.

From Sydney airport you get straight on the M5 motorway, which runs to Melbourne. (Changes name to Hume Highway)

Just Past Gundagai you turn off to Wagga Wagga via Sturt Highway.

This should take around 5 hours or so (about 460 km). fairly easy Drive, the Hume is 2 lanes each way, the Sturt is mostly single lane.

Leave Wagga Wagga early Friday about 6 hours or 550 km to Mildura, camp here Friday night, Leave early Saturday for 400 km run to Adelaide. Depending on where in Adelaide you need to be by noon, you will need about 5 hours or so.

If you aint tired when you get off the plane you will be by the time you get to Adelaide.

The roads are well sign posted so you shouldn't have any trouble navigating.

and bring your sunglasses.
Steve

go to www.whereis.com.au
select get directions and enter these details:

Start Airport Dr, Mascot, NSW
Via1 Wagga Wagga, NSW 2650
Via2 Mildura, VIC 3500
End Adelaide, SA 5000

you will get all the turn offs, distances and estimated travel times.

Bill, thanks for the suggestions.

I was able to get in touch with Office Works, over in Adelaide, tonight. It looks like I can e-mail them the files I need printed. So that removed the need to be there by noon on the 4th at the absolute latest.

So now, we'll get to Sydney, go through customs & enjoy my Thai sweety getting the 3rd degree about what's in our bags and scrutinizing her visa very closely. We'll take the shuttle bus into Sydney and overnight downtown so she can see the tourist sights. We'll pick up the car rental late in the afternoon that same day (cheaper to rent in downtown Sydney than at the airport, saving about AUD$200 - go figure) and get a good night sleep. We'll push off early in the AM on 3rd and make the long drive to Mildura, where we will spend the night, as you suggested.
Morning of the 4th, we'll continue onto the Adelaide area.

I've got my GPS, so we shouldn't get lost. It worked just fine in the Perth area last year. I just now need to find a hotel in Mildura.

Do you know the address of the meat pie place in Wagga Wagga?

Once again, thanks very much!!

PS: Holy cow, even the Best Westerns (3 of them) in Mildura ao about AUS$150/night!! That's about US$160!!! Dang that's a lot of money for just a place for us to freshen up and get some sleep!! Crikey!!

here you go buddy hope this a little help to you
http://www.wotif.com/hotel/View?hotel=W4...mp;viewType=all

how about this a Cabin for the night @ $75 seems to be fair value
https://www.big4.com.au/booking/crossroa.../2011&gbf=1


or perhap's the Queen Bed option on this site
http://www.wotif.com/hotel/View?hotel=W5...mp;viewType=all



some thing for you to have a look at hope it helps

Micks Bakehouse
67 Baylis Street
WAGGA WAGGA
NSW 2650

Try here for accomodation

http://www.commodore-mildura.com.au/location.html