Advice - Good Driving Rd - Syd - Hunter Valley.

[R36 Dreamer]

Howdy,

Hoping someone will give me some advice.

Am heading up to the Hunter tomorrow for some RnR with the wife.

Leaving Sydney about 1pm from Putney.

Thinking about going a different way than the usual F3 option - (152kms, 2hrs 12 mins according to google).

Tried loading up the putty Rd way, but this increases the travel time to 4 hours and 225 kms (I find that difficult to believe), which wont get approval from the Minister of War and Finance.

Has anyone else got a good idea for route?

I have really only taken the R up the highway to date, so am looking forward to some fun through the twisties - all legal and sensible of course.

[VW Convert]

Howdy,

Hoping someone will give me some advice.

Am heading up to the Hunter tomorrow for some RnR with the wife.

Leaving Sydney about 1pm from Putney.

Thinking about going a different way than the usual F3 option - (152kms, 2hrs 12 mins according to google).

Tried loading up the putty Rd way, but this increases the travel time to 4 hours and 225 kms (I find that difficult to believe), which wont get approval from the Minister of War and Finance.

Has anyone else got a good idea for route?

I have really only taken the R up the highway to date, so am looking forward to some fun through the twisties - all legal and sensible of course.

I go to the Hunter often (and support the local economy very well as can be seen by this pic). I sometimes go via the Putty Road and a snail could do it in 4 hours! It is a great drive, some nice twisty bits around Darkies Creek but you have to take it easy there. Last time I did the drive, I passed only one car and only encountered a handful coming the other way so it was a great drive.

It's a very scenic drive, especially around the Colo River area, then you turn off and go through the less travelled part of the Hunter Valley through Broke, past the Singleton artillery range and arrive in Pokolbin via the back door as it were. I'd say an easy 3 hours would be about right from where you are.




Cheers

George

[gtimk5]

Mmm, and that Peppertree wine was very nice at christmas too George!!!

[VW Convert]

Mmm, and that Peppertree wine was very nice at christmas too George!!!

That's right Andrew, I know all the good places to buy wine from! LOL

Peppertree wines are always good, never seems to be any variation which is why I return so often. Just a tip, Pepertree also own Briar Ridge Wines, they too have some excellent wines.

Is it cooler in Tassie than when you were up here a couple of weeks ago?

Cheers

George

[Lance B]

That's right Andrew, I know all the good places to buy wine from! LOL

Peppertree wines are always good, never seems to be any variation which is why I return so often. Just a tip, Pepertree also own Briar Ridge Wines, they too have some excellent wines.

Is it cooler in Tassie than when you were up here a couple of weeks ago?

Cheers

George

Yes, I remember the fantastic Briar Ridge 2004 Cab Sav! What a gem.

[Lance B]

Take the Old Pacific Highway rather than the F3. Then go to Central Mangrove, Bucketty, Wollombi and then to Cessnock. That should still be relatively quick at about 3 hours yet a little more scenic.

[R36 Dreamer]

Is this the way you would suggest?

Driving directions to Halls Rd, Pokolbin NSW 2320
229 km – about 3 hours 43 mins


1. Head southeast on Morrison Rd toward Mitchell St 1.0 km
2. Turn right at Princes St 13 m
3. Turn left at Morrison Rd 0.4 km
4. Turn right at Church St 0.2 km
5. Continue on Devlin St 0.8 km
6. Continue on Lane Cove Rd 4.0 km
7. Take the ramp onto M2 Mwy 17.1 km
8. Continue on Westlink
Partial toll road 1.1 km
9. Take the exit toward Old Windsor Rd 0.6 km
10. Slight right at Old Windsor Rd 6.1 km
11. Slight left at Windsor Rd 15.5 km
12. At the roundabout, take the 2nd exit onto Bridge St 0.2 km
13. Continue on Wilberforce Rd 5.4 km
14. Wilberforce Rd turns slightly left and becomes Singleton Rd 21.4 km
15. Head northwest on Putty Rd toward Wheelbarrow Ridge Rd 119 km
16. Turn right at Milbrodale Rd 4.7 km
17. Slight right to stay on Milbrodale Rd 8.2 km
18. Turn right at Broke Mount Thorley Rd 0.2 km
19. Turn left at Broke Rd 21.1 km
20. Turn left to stay on Broke Rd 1.4 km
21. Turn right at Halls Rd 0.6 km
Halls RdPokolbin NSW 2320

[KWICKS]

Yep, Putty is the winner. Do it, let the minister for war choose the radio station. A little over 3 hours door to door from Putney. Getting out west to the start of Putty is the biggest variable, but leaving early on the weekend is a good bet. You will need an absolutley full tank for the return trip.

The alternatives are as mentioned above, or slightly extending that you could drive out to the Wiseman's Ferry and then enjoy the drive along to Central Mangrove from there. But this way, just north of Wollombi, there are a few hundred metres of unsealed road if you care.

If your Mrs likes bubbly do get the Blanc de Noir from Blueberry Hill Vineyard (and don't look at the website for any wedding photos of our big day)

[Lance B]

Is this the way you would suggest?

Driving directions to Halls Rd, Pokolbin NSW 2320
229 km – about 3 hours 43 mins


1. Head southeast on Morrison Rd toward Mitchell St 1.0 km
2. Turn right at Princes St 13 m
3. Turn left at Morrison Rd 0.4 km
4. Turn right at Church St 0.2 km
5. Continue on Devlin St 0.8 km
6. Continue on Lane Cove Rd 4.0 km
7. Take the ramp onto M2 Mwy 17.1 km
8. Continue on Westlink
Partial toll road 1.1 km
9. Take the exit toward Old Windsor Rd 0.6 km
10. Slight right at Old Windsor Rd 6.1 km
11. Slight left at Windsor Rd 15.5 km
12. At the roundabout, take the 2nd exit onto Bridge St 0.2 km
13. Continue on Wilberforce Rd 5.4 km
14. Wilberforce Rd turns slightly left and becomes Singleton Rd 21.4 km
15. Head northwest on Putty Rd toward Wheelbarrow Ridge Rd 119 km
16. Turn right at Milbrodale Rd 4.7 km
17. Slight right to stay on Milbrodale Rd 8.2 km
18. Turn right at Broke Mount Thorley Rd 0.2 km
19. Turn left at Broke Rd 21.1 km
20. Turn left to stay on Broke Rd 1.4 km
21. Turn right at Halls Rd 0.6 km
Halls RdPokolbin NSW 2320

My Version:

1. Head northeast on Mitchell St toward Ida St 0.2 km
2. Turn left at Morrison Rd 0.8 km
3. Turn right at Princes St 13 m
4. Turn left at Morrison Rd 0.4 km
5. Turn right at Church St 0.2 km
6. Continue on Devlin St 0.8 km
7. Continue on Lane Cove Rd 5.1 km
8. Continue on Ryde Rd 2.8 km
9. Take the ramp to Pacific Hwy 0.3 km
10. Turn left at Pacific Hwy 5.5 km
11. Continue on Cumberland Hwy 19 m
12. Turn right to stay on Cumberland Hwy 10 m
13. Slight left at Pacific Hwy 3.4 km
14. Head north on Pacific Hwy toward Watson Ave 5.9 km
15. Continue on Pacific Hwy 66 m
16. Continue on Pacific Hwy 5.2 km
17. Slight left to stay on Pacific Hwy 8.4 km
18. Head north on Pacific Hwy 18.2 km
19. Head southeast on Pacific Hwy toward Ashbrookes Rd 4.0 km
20. Slight left at Mount White Intg exit 0.2 km
21. Slight left at Mount White Intg 0.2 km
22. Take the ramp onto Sydney Newcastle Fwy 4.8 km
23. Take the exit toward Peats Ridge Rd 0.5 km
24. Keep left at the fork to continue toward Peats Ridge Rd and merge onto Peats Ridge Rd 14.1 km
25. Slight left at George Downes Dr 2.3 km
26. Head north on George Downes Dr toward Hallards Rd 27.7 km
27. Continue on Great North Rd 19.6 km
28. Turn left to stay on Great North Rd 3.7 km
29. Turn right at Wollombi Rd 28.9 km
30. Turn left at Allandale Rd 1.4 km
31. Continue on Wine Country Dr 5.3 km
32. Turn left at Broke Rd 3.6 km

173 km – about 2 hours 57 mins

[VW Convert]

Is this the way you would suggest?

Driving directions to Halls Rd, Pokolbin NSW 2320
229 km – about 3 hours 43 mins

Not sure whether it is best to go M2 & M7 or just straight along Victoria Road and onto James Ruse Drive to Old Widsor Road but the rest is the way I would go. I can't see how they work out 3 hours 43 minutes, that's an average speed of 61Km/h. Averaging 80 which I think would be easily achievable given some city traffic and some open road would take under three hours.

Cheers

George

[R36 Dreamer]

The Verdict

Well I Jumped in the car on Wednesday as planned, for a mid week getaway to the Hunter Valley.

Took the Putty Rd from Windsor, and what a blast. It was the first time I had really had a chance to fang the R36 since I bought it and what a great car it is.

Whilst it is a little nose heavy on downhill corners, the car feels so composed and quick throughout the bendy bits.

had to ensure the Wife was securely fastened by tightening the side bolsters, but she didn't complain so it must have worked (plus I left her in control of the stereo as suggested - perfect).

The speed which I could carry through corners was just exhilerating.

I have no doubt the GTI would have been quicker round the corners, but overall I am not sure - the R seemed to have such a great pickup out of each bend.

Found myself going around the corners much quicker than the yellow signs suggested.

All in all a great run up to the Hunter, highly recommended.

Only came up against about 4 other cars which were quickly dispatched with!

Came home via Peats Ridge Rd, which whilst also fun, was much busier, and the road surface was much poorer than the Putty Rd.

Also highly recommend the Tower Lodge in the Hunter - First Class place to stay.

Thanks for everyones advice.

[VW Convert]

Also highly recommend the Tower Lodge in the Hunter - First Class place to stay.

Thanks for everyones advice.

Yes, great drive isn't it? Glad you enjoyed it.

Tower Lodge......now we're talking 5 star!

Cheers

George