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Sydney to Byron

2K views 10 replies 8 participants last post by  Brockie 
#1 ·
Kind of off topic, in that my wife refuses to ride a motorcycle. With that caveat... Lisa and I are headed from the US to Sydney in late November. I'm taking a scuba day and planning to dive Fish Rocks in South West Rocks, which Maps says is a 5-6 hr drive. We are planning to hire a car, stay on the CORRECT side of the road, and drive up the day before. I'd like to find a few roads that take us off the beaten path and show a few sights. Any recommendations for scenic routes, places to visit, etc between Sydney and South West Rocks?

Thank you much! If I could get her on a bike, we'd be doings the trip a lot different, but even with this, she's still a keeper. :)
 
#3 ·
Hi Johno
How much time do you have to do the trip in?. The Hunter Valley is always nice if you enjoy a wine, but best as an overnighter if you are going to have a few, Foster has some beautiful beaches or if you decide to take an inland route going via Gloucester is nice.
Port Macquarie is also worth a stop.
You will love the diving off South West Rocks, it is absolutely spectacular, especially Fish Rock cave.
Have a great trip.
Cheers Brucestrom
 
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#4 ·
We are there for 9 days total. My wife likes the museums and sights of a city, so I'm thinking no more than 4 days on the road. We are Mormon, so we don't drink coffee, tea, or alcohol, so wine tasting would be wasted on us lol...

I like the motorcycle museum idea, I'll keep that one handy!

Sent from my Nexus 5X using Tapatalk
 
#5 ·
As Sydney to South West Rocks direct is only 457 kms (5 and 1/4 hours drive) I'd be looking to get off that coastal highway and deviate inland occasionally as I hate that M1 anyway - too many truck & trailers for me, and slow traffic in front with speeders behind!

Back from the coast is a spine of mountains like the Rockies that makes for some great and interesting drives. If you go to Google maps to get directions Sydney to South West Rocks it gives you a couple of easy alternative detours, and if you close in their are many other sealed routes. The A43 is a nice drive, often very near the sea and if you wanted to go inland find your way to Thunderbolts Way (named after an old highwayman) inland from Newcastle, over the mountains and onto the high plains. All sealed roads.

Use Google Maps and Google Search for the area's tourist websites which will give you ideas on places that appeal. Mind you, there are also countless bays and holiday spots along the coast.

p.s. ever heard of Bathurst? It is the site of Australia's "great race", your Indy, and the racetrack is a public road that can be driven by anyone (at a greatly reduced speed), and also has a permanent racing museum. The town is full of tourist attractions and cafes. Go gold mining.
 
#6 ·
What part of Sydney will you be leaving from ?

This would help decide what roads to use.
 
#8 ·
Spyder....
maybe that would be an "in between" option for you guys when it comes to the bike problem (tell her that a Spyder has a BIG trunk/boot at the front that will easily carry her hair dryer and other essentials she wants to take :wink2: )

Gosford has a big motor museum with lots of old cars and bikes that would be worth a look... going to check it out ourselves in the near future.
 
#10 ·
This might be a problem!

Spyder....
maybe that would be an "in between" option for you guys when it comes to the bike problem (tell her that a Spyder has a BIG trunk/boot at the front that will easily carry her hair dryer and other essentials she wants to take :wink2: )

Gosford has a big motor museum with lots of old cars and bikes that would be worth a look... going to check it out ourselves in the near future.
Take a drive up The Waterfall way to Dorrigo then continue on to Grafton, a scenic route to The Bruxnor Hwy, Casino, Lismore, then Byron Bay.
You'll wish you'd been on the bike. :)
https://goo.gl/maps/oPaKzTTMJ2A2
I've heard about the Waterfall Way from others and am lobbying for that to be part of our return route, actually. Thanks!

What part of Sydney will you be leaving from ?
Not sure. We think we'll stay near the ferries, just to be central to the attractions we want to see (beaches, please... beaches. Utah has a lot of beaches but they're all lacking water)

As Sydney to South West Rocks direct is only 457 kms (5 and 1/4 hours drive) I'd be looking to get off that coastal highway and deviate inland occasionally as I hate that M1 anyway - too many truck & trailers for me, and slow traffic in front with speeders behind!

Back from the coast is a spine of mountains like the Rockies that makes for some great and interesting drives. If you go to Google maps to get directions Sydney to South West Rocks it gives you a couple of easy alternative detours, and if you close in their are many other sealed routes. The A43 is a nice drive, often very near the sea and if you wanted to go inland find your way to Thunderbolts Way (named after an old highwayman) inland from Newcastle, over the mountains and onto the high plains. All sealed roads.

Use Google Maps and Google Search for the area's tourist websites which will give you ideas on places that appeal. Mind you, there are also countless bays and holiday spots along the coast.

p.s. ever heard of Bathurst? It is the site of Australia's "great race", your Indy, and the racetrack is a public road that can be driven by anyone (at a greatly reduced speed), and also has a permanent racing museum. The town is full of tourist attractions and cafes. Go gold mining.
I'm the same - why take the highway when there are backways. Honestly, Lisa's more the male and I'm more the female. She just wants to get where we're going, with as little fuss as needed. Never heart of Bathurst but maybe that needs to be on the list (although with a small rental car, driving won't be so much fun).

Thank you for all the info folks, I really appreciate it (in spite of the long hiatus - been swamped with work and life)
 
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