NSW Armidale Road from Grafton to Ebor

[mikerezny]

Hi,
we are planning a trip from the Gold Coast back to Melbourne via Ebor and Wollomombi Falls.
Google maps is showing a route through Grafton then via Armidale Road via Nymboida and joining Waterfall way just before Ebor.

Does anyone have any experience regarding using Armidale Road towing a caravan or camper trailer?

Looking at Google Maps it is about 66km shorter than going up from the Pacific Highway via Waterfall Way.
Using Google maps in cycle mode shows the elevation profile. It is a total 2,844m of ascent and 1,563mm of descent via Armidale Road and 3,024m of ascent and 1,743m of descent via Waterfall Way. Interestingly, the route via Armidale Road appears to be not as steep as the climb is over a longer distance.

many thanks

take care
Mike

 

[Drover]

If memory serves me correct it doesn't have the big climb like Waterfall but there are some long winding climbs, scenic valley drives, it was many years ago now and wasn't in any hurry... road was a bit narrow but believe its improved a lot now..........

 

[BJM]

Been up and down that road many times ,was going to come down it Sunday,no van,late afternoon but was told lots of pot holes. This road is windy from Nymbodia up the hill for 20 ks , many sharp corners ,plus have to look out for logging trucks. Last time we went up ,road was breaking up on the corners.To be honest Waterfall Way would be my pick with a caravan ,however currently it has a along stretch of oneway with stop lights due to slips.

 

[Drover]

I have done Waterfall after big rains, the extra long one way sections and slides were not fun at all with a van, not overly great with a big van in good times, just stay away from NSW Nth coast all together now....

 

[mikerezny]

Hi,
considering the weather, state of the roads going up either Waterfall Way or Armidale Road, and my preference for coming in from the West and descending rather than ascending the range in that region, we have decided to not travel that way coming back from Queensland.
We will cut across from Byron Bay, Lismore, Casino, Tenterfield through to Bingara.

We will visit that region when conditions are more suitable.

Thanks for the informative replies.

take care
Mike

 

[gspy4u]

good call, we have just driven through Nymboida, ebor, etc over the weekend and although the roads are open, the size of some of the potholes and the damage to the roads is dangerous and certainly keeps you awake while driving. I would hate to take a van that way at the moment.

 

[Drover]

I dont think the Bruxner would be in great condition either...be wary of the edges.

 

[mikerezny]

I dont think the Bruxner would be in great condition either...be wary of the edges.

Hi,
thanks for the warning.

As far as I can tell, we don't go anywhere near the Bruxner Highway.

Coming from the Gold Coast to Bingara we planning to travel:
M1 to around Byron Bay,
B62 to Lismore then Casino,
B60 to Tenterfield, A15 South to Glen Innes,
B76 through Inverall, to Delungra,
Bingara / Delungra Road to the B95 and then head South to Bingara.

Does anyone know whether the Delungra Bypass Road is still unsealed? Google Street view shows it as unsealed in 2010.

take care
Mike

 

[Grandpa Gunna]

Yes still unsealed, travelled across it 4 wks ago

 

[mikerezny]

Yes still unsealed, travelled across it 4 wks ago

Hi,
thank you so much for that information. What condition was the road in at that time?

take care
Mike

 

[Grandpa Gunna]

Looks like it had been topped with a good layer road base. Not as many bigger gibbers to damage sidewalls

 

[Drover]

B60 is the Bruxner but probably no worse than any of the others nowadays, let us know how you go if you cut the corner at Delunga, never been on it as I'm heading the other way but one day ........................ If you haven't been before the Myall Creek Massacre Memorial is an interesting spot to visit, well laid out and a nice walk to tell the story and about the area..