Adelaide to Sydney / Blue Moutains

[millers]

Hi all,

Looking for some advise about am upcoming trip from Adelaide to Sydney (which will be in the NSW School holidays (Easter).

Rough outline of the trip is:

Adelaide to Emu Plains (Thursday / Friday of Easter, planing to stop in Hay)
Sat / Sunday (Train into Seymour Centre)
Then Train into Sydney for sightseeing (for a couple of days)
Move to Katoomba do some walks and Blue Mountains
Move to Oberon to do the Janolan Caves
Then to Bathurst (Mt Panarama and motor Museam)
Then to Dubbo (Zoo)
Then 2 days to get home either via Hay/Mildura or Broken Hill.

Note:
Located north of Adelaide so would be using the Mildura route.
I have a rough schedule, but need the rest of the family to agree.

So the Questions are:

What is the quickest way from Hay to Emu Plains (via Bathurst or via Wagga)?

Which is the quietest caravan park near/in Hay?
Do they have drive through sites where we can leave the van connected to the car?

During school holidays (NSW) are the places above going to be booked out?

Is Oberon a good place to do the Janolan Caves from?

Appreciate any information feedback and thanks in advance.

Steve

 

[Bellbirdweb]

Hi @millers, via Wagga would most likely be the quickest, but possibly more interesting if you go over the mountians.

We have stayed at the Big4 in Hay. It has some nice drive through sites with ensuites as well as plenty of other standard sites. We didnt hear any road noise from the highway when we were there.

Since you are heading towards Bathurst, you could stay in Lithgow or Little Hartley to go to Jenolan Caves. Its a nice day trip to the caves from either location.

 

[crackacoldie]

The caravan park on the highway at hay is nice and not too pricey, we have never heard any noise when we have stayed there.

 

[Griffo]

Go via Wagga, leave the freeway at Campbelltown (left turn), go towards Narellan and then take the Northern road, Its a bit quicker and cheaper than the M7 & Then M4. Was sceptical about the Big 4 at Hay being so close to the Highway but ways proven very wrong with no road noise. Book a drive thru ensuite site as early as possible as they only have 4 or maybe 6

 

[yabbietol]

I can suggest a nice short cut which will take longer, but is a very nice drive. It is a paved back road with minimal traffic.

From Goulburn take the Taralga Road north to the nice little town of Taralga which has a small park on the LHS about ¾ of the way through the town going North, good for a lunch stop (with toilets) and kids play area.

After leaving Taralga keep heading North and you will cross the Abercrombie River which is also a nice spot to stop and has a good camping area on the north side. (I think still free camping, but I have only ever passed through). If you keep going North you will pass through Black Springs a nice stopping place for a break with park with toilets and then on to Oberon.

After Oberon you can take the road to Hartly which then joins the Great Western Highway at the bottom of the Western side of the Blue Mountains just below Victoria Pass. Katoomba has a small caravan park, I have not stayed there as I usually stay at a friends place.

The Hartly Road takes you right pass the Jenolan Caves turnoff I would suggest you leave van somewhere before the caves road turnoff. The road down to Jenolan Caves is narrow with tight bends and tour buses. There is a large rest area near the caves turnoff on the Hartly Road. There is also a back road to Jenolan Caves from Oberon, which is dirt and I would not recommend this road unless you are van-less.

It is a short 1 days drive from Goulburn to Katoomba, but really nice scenery and a couple of places to stay. This route is paved but with some steep hills (Abercrombie River and Victoria Pass) and a few tight bends. I have gone this way many times from Queanbeyan to the Blue Mountains with my Avan which was quite small and easy to tow, however you should have no trouble with your van.

 

[achjimmy]

Hi Steve

First I am so glad you defined the blue mountains as separate to Sydney, there's a sign at the bottom of the mountains entering emu plains saying welcome to Sydney . We don't like to be assimilated lol

I have done the reverse trip. My preference will always be through Bathurst, Cowra etc. the maps always show going through wagga being quicker and it may well be but it's as boring as batshit in comparison IMHO and seems longer. I have stayed at Balranald CP

The CP at emu plains is right on the railway line and maybe not the best. If you need to be close to Sydney think about the one at lane cove national park. Never been but others on here have and give it a wrap. The Katoomba park is nice and the train service still goes right through to the city just takes longer. I can give you some "achjimmy must see" for the mountains. For Jenolan I would probably use Oberon a great trip with a fourbie is into Jenolan and back out the back way to Kangagra walls. The road into Jenolan Caves is one way in the mornings now and the opposite in the arvo FYI . Oberon is an okay place I don't know the CPs there but it can be unbelievably cold so pack warm. It's the second highest town in AU after Cabramurra.

If you going up to dubbo yeah go home through Broken Hill. We just towed from Mildura/Wentworth to Broken Hill and home through Dubbo. Great road BH to Dubbo. Didn't do the silver city Hwy went through Menindee / pooncarrie instead.

Good luck just hollow for more info.

 

[acmackie]

In addition to directional restrictions around Jenolan Caves, there are, from memory also restrictions on taking Caravans through. So I think you need to take the van around. I've stayed in Oberon before, a bit of noise from the nearby timber factory, but not bad. The caravan park in Emu Plains is not great, I'd recommend finding somewhere else if you can.

 

[achjimmy]

From Goulburn take the Taralga Road north to the nice little town of Taralga which has a small park on the LHS about ¾ of the way through the town going North, good for a lunch stop (with toilets) and kids play area.

After leaving Taralga keep heading North and you will cross the Abercrombie River which is also a nice spot to stop and has a good camping area on the north side. (I think still free camping, but I have only ever passed through). If you keep going North you will pass through Black Springs a nice stopping place for a break with park with toilets and then on to Oberon.
.

Great advice, Taralga / Abercrombie region is gods country

 

[achjimmy]

In addition to directional restrictions around Jenolan Caves, there are, from memory also restrictions on taking Caravans through. So I think you need to take the van around. I've stayed in Oberon before, a bit of noise from the nearby timber factory, but not bad. The caravan park in Emu Plains is not great, I'd recommend finding somewhere else if you can.

Yeah I wouldn't be taking a van down the caves road. Although my dad did, scary as.

 

[millers]

Hi all,

Hi @millers, via Wagga would most likely be the quickest, but possibly more interesting if you go over the mountians.

We have stayed at the Big4 in Hay. It has some nice drive through sites with ensuites as well as plenty of other standard sites. We didnt hear any road noise from the highway when we were there.

Since you are heading towards Bathurst, you could stay in Lithgow or Little Hartley to go to Jenolan Caves. Its a nice day trip to the caves from either location.

Google does indicate Wagga is longer but quicker, unfortunately for us the trip over is on a time line noting that I am pulling a van. It may also depend on final location (if Emu Plains is not suitable).

The caravan park on the highway at hay is nice and not too pricey, we have never heard any noise when we have stayed there.

Thanks for the word on Hay caravan Parks (will be ringing to book a drive through).

Go via Wagga, leave the freeway at Campbelltown (left turn), go towards Narellan and then take the Northern road, Its a bit quicker and cheaper than the M7 & Then M4. Was sceptical about the Big 4 at Hay being so close to the Highway but ways proven very wrong with no road noise. Book a drive thru ensuite site as early as possible as they only have 4 or maybe 6

As above, depends on the final destination.

I can suggest a nice short cut which will take longer, but is a very nice drive. It is a paved back road with minimal traffic.

From Goulburn take the Taralga Road north to the nice little town of Taralga which has a small park on the LHS about ¾ of the way through the town going North, good for a lunch stop (with toilets) and kids play area.

After leaving Taralga keep heading North and you will cross the Abercrombie River which is also a nice spot to stop and has a good camping area on the north side. (I think still free camping, but I have only ever passed through). If you keep going North you will pass through Black Springs a nice stopping place for a break with park with toilets and then on to Oberon.

After Oberon you can take the road to Hartly which then joins the Great Western Highway at the bottom of the Western side of the Blue Mountains just below Victoria Pass. Katoomba has a small caravan park, I have not stayed there as I usually stay at a friends place.

The Hartly Road takes you right pass the Jenolan Caves turnoff I would suggest you leave van somewhere before the caves road turnoff. The road down to Jenolan Caves is narrow with tight bends and tour buses. There is a large rest area near the caves turnoff on the Hartly Road. There is also a back road to Jenolan Caves from Oberon, which is dirt and I would not recommend this road unless you are van-less.

It is a short 1 days drive from Goulburn to Katoomba, but really nice scenery and a couple of places to stay. This route is paved but with some steep hills (Abercrombie River and Victoria Pass) and a few tight bends. I have gone this way many times from Queanbeyan to the Blue Mountains with my Avan which was quite small and easy to tow, however you should have no trouble with your van.

Unfortunately we will be time short so this is not an option for the trip over. May be good for a day trip though thanks.

Hi Steve

First I am so glad you defined the blue mountains as separate to Sydney, there's a sign at the bottom of the mountains entering emu plains saying welcome to Sydney . We don't like to be assimilated lol

I have done the reverse trip. My preference will always be through Bathurst, Cowra etc. the maps always show going through wagga being quicker and it may well be but it's as boring as batshit in comparison IMHO and seems longer. I have stayed at Balranald CP

The CP at emu plains is right on the railway line and maybe not the best. If you need to be close to Sydney think about the one at lane cove national park. Never been but others on here have and give it a wrap. The Katoomba park is nice and the train service still goes right through to the city just takes longer. I can give you some "achjimmy must see" for the mountains. For Jenolan I would probably use Oberon a great trip with a fourbie is into Jenolan and back out the back way to Kangagra walls. The road into Jenolan Caves is one way in the mornings now and the opposite in the arvo FYI . Oberon is an okay place I don't know the CPs there but it can be unbelievably cold so pack warm. It's the second highest town in AU after Cabramurra.

If you going up to dubbo yeah go home through Broken Hill. We just towed from Mildura/Wentworth to Broken Hill and home through Dubbo. Great road BH to Dubbo. Didn't do the silver city Hwy went through Menindee / pooncarrie instead.

Good luck just hollow for more info.

I am glad I past the geography test. Looking into where to stay for the Sydeny visit. Was hoping to be on a railway line so that we can commute into Sydeny and do bridge, Opera House, Zoo, Bondi etc. Not concerned about the drive, but more about parking. Also the further into Sydeny the longer the drive over. For the home leg, we have done the BH to Adl a number of times, just not the other side.

In addition to directional restrictions around Jenolan Caves, there are, from memory also restrictions on taking Caravans through. So I think you need to take the van around. I've stayed in Oberon before, a bit of noise from the nearby timber factory, but not bad. The caravan park in Emu Plains is not great, I'd recommend finding somewhere else if you can.

Yes I had read that caravans are not welcome on this road; Hence the stop at Oberon so that we can do two days at the Caves. Will have a passenger that is not good on winding roads, so I did not want to have a long drive into the caves.

So it looks like more research to replace Emu Plains as a place to stay to for the Sydney portion. I am thinking Katoomba is too far but an option.

Thanks everyone for the advice.

 

[acmackie]

I think Emu Plains would be very convenient, about 1km from the train station. Since I grew up in Emu Plains I've never had need to use the caravan park there but I get the impression its mostly a residential park. However if you're only using it as a place to sleep then other than some train noise it would probably be fine.

 

[yabbietol]

Sound like you are looking at a good trip.

If you come through Wagga turning off the Hume Highway at Goulburn and going via Taralga is probably the quickest way to Oberon. However, the drive through Canowindra and Cowra is also very nice, especially if you like wine. I can strongly recommend Rosnay Vineyard South of Canowindra great wine at fair price from vineyard, plus olives and olive oil. Their wine is organically grown so can't hurt you .

The Museum of Fishes in Canowindra is also worth a visit, great fossils.

No matter which way you travel you will be in some nice country west of Sydney out beyond the "Sandstone Curtain".

Even if you have limited time Jenolan Caves is well worth the visit.

 

[fishinglizard]

I have done the reverse from the Mountains to Adelaide, I went Bathurst Cowra, to hay. It was easy. Theres a caravan park at blackheath in the blue mountains also. I have been in the Emu Plains caravan park plenty of times, heaps of oldies living there, and always plenty of britz campers and overnighters there, its crammed in but its not too bad. Never had any problems in there. Do yourself a favour and go Indoor skydiving at IFLY near panthers. Its good fun. And worth the coin. If you don't mind driving into the city, the parking station at the opera house is really cheap on weekends. I paid 15 dollars only restriction was in between 7 and 9 out before 5pm and you have to book on the internet. weekends are easy driving into city if you go in early.

 

[Bonners]

You could always stay at Camden CP and drive into Campbelltown or Macarthur stations and get train to city

 

[Bellbirdweb]

I think Emu Plains would be very convenient, about 1km from the train station. Since I grew up

Nothing against Emu Plains, but there isn't much around there.

Since you want to do the city, you should look at the Lane Cove River Park at North Ryde (http://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/lane-cove-national-park/lane-cove-river-tourist-park/camping). It's close to the rail link or only a 20 minute drive to the city. (https://www.google.com.au/maps/dir/...42d4a8399bc!2m2!1d151.137893!2d-33.794554!3e2)

It's part of the Lane Cove National Park and would be much nicer than Emu plains.

When it is time to head west to the Mountains / Oberon, it's right on the M2 and an easy drive.

 

[relgate]

Im with @Bellbirdweb
have a look at lane cove. Bush camping in the middle of the city

 

[Bonners]

The Big 4 Sydney Lakeside caravan Park looks good

 

[Bonners]

That's the Big 4 Sydney lakeside Holiday Park, check out their website

 

[Drover]

I'd go with @achjimmy and @Bellbirdweb , Lane Cove be the way to go everything on the doorstep. Check out WikiCamps and go online for the Oberon Van park and Jenolan Caves very informative sites also when going to Jenolan check the weather forcast the bottom can fall out of the thermometer very quickly.

 

[mbr37746]

Great advice, Taralga / Abercrombie region is gods country

Have a look at this trip report on Abercrombie Caves, if you're after a bit of a relax for a night.