Driving from Melbourne to Sydney

minty on 16/01/2022 - 00:39
Last edited 16/01/2022 - 20:10 by 1 other user

Howdy folks, hope you're having a good weekend :)

I'm in Sydney and I'm buying a car from Melbourne and thought about driving it back.

The default google route:

Anyone who's made this trip before, can you shed some light on what the drive/roads are like? Is it all properly paved roads/highways or am I to expect gravel/dirt/etc [Edit] I meant a mix of road condition including non-sealed roads, gosh darn it you peeps! [/Edit] Should I be concerned about banging into a roo? Plenty of rest stops along the way so my bladder won't burst? There's a toll and no toll option, how much are the tolls all up?

Picking it up at 9:30am, calculating in breaks it seems too long to do it in a day and too short to break it up into two. If I do break it up over 2 days, is there anything along the way that's worthwhile to check out, what's a preferable mid-ish point to stay the night? Obviously the main goal is to get the car back so would have to be relatively along the way and not 50km off tangent. looks like I'm doing it in a single trip based on the suggestions.

Any advice/thoughts/tips would be great, lost my last minute travel buddy and I've never remotely driven 900km in such a tight span of time before.

Thanks heaps

[Edit] I have now secured a travel buddy, it'll be much better of a trip :) Thanks to all who's responded. I appreciate your input.

Automotive

Comments

      • smartazz104 on 16/01/2022 - 23:19

        Hey sometimes you come across a gravel driveway.

        • pegaxs on 21/01/2022 - 10:48
          +1

          That’s why all those soccer moms have big Land Cruisers in the city. Sometimes the sports fields have grass that they have to park on, or a dirt driveway.

  • Grunntt on 16/01/2022 - 09:09
    +3

    If you haven't driven a 370Z on a highway before be aware it is really easy to go well over the speed limit without even trying.
    My wife has one and there have been a couple of occassions when passing 'slower' drivers on the way to the ACT that she has easily hit 'lose your licence immediately' speeds.

    Also, get used to playing your music loud - cabin/road noise in the 370Z is one of the compromises you make owning one.

    Side/rear vision is also not one of its' strong points. Check and then check again before changing lanes every time (even trucks can hide in the 370Z's blind spots (and with the aforementioned cabin noise you will not hear it either).

    You will need to keep an eye on the fuel - 370Zs can tend to be thirsty at the best of times. If it hasn't been serviced recently you will definitely notice it. (make sure your credit card has enough on it to pay for fuel - at 12-13L/100km a full tank can be pricey - my guesstimate is you are up for approx $200 at current prices) From memory it's about 70Lt capacity. I don't recall if it's a requirement or not but my wife always fills it with premium98 to keep the running costs as high as she can.

    • minty on 16/01/2022 - 10:02

      Yeah have read/watched all of those things! Did your wife do anything about the visibility or just got used to it? There are these convex mirror replacement that increases POV but it costs a pretty penny (USD$250).

      • Grunntt on 16/01/2022 - 11:37

        She eventually got used to it. Can't say I feel particularly safe when I'm a passenger though.

        By the way - if you can avoid dawn and dusk it will reduce but not remove the wildlife risks.

        You will likely approaching the outskirts of Sydney at dusk so keep aware of the roadside residents. Especially as it will be after having been driving for 6 to 8 hours already.

        • bobbified on 16/01/2022 - 13:21
          +1

          Especially as it will be after having been driving for 6 to 8 hours already.

          The whole trip is generally pretty boring, but that three hour stretch coming into Melbourne after crossing the border is just.. outright screwed-up boring because it's pretty dead straight. A few speed cameras close together too. And then it's even more shit to have at the 'end' of the trip when tired already.

          • Grunntt on 16/01/2022 - 15:38
            +2

            @bobbified: Luckily in the OP's case they will be travelling the opposite direction but I have to agree that's not the most exciting part of a trip to Melbourne.

            • bobbified on 17/01/2022 - 13:16

              @Grunntt: For some reason, I thought OP is going from Melbourne to Sydney, then driving back to Melbourne. My bad!

      • daowiies on 16/01/2022 - 16:05

        Love the car choice. One thing you're going to have to learn while driving a coupe is mental car chess. You'll learn to remember where cars are positioned around you and always double check your blind spots, rear left passenger side is probably the one you'll want to be always on the lookout for. Enjoy the the drive!

        • bobbified on 16/01/2022 - 21:59
          -2

          That's actually exactly what I've been doing for years! Also I've found that it helps if you drive just that little bit faster than everyone else so you know exactly where each car is and when, without needing to duck around the mirrors too much to check again.

          • Grunntt on 17/01/2022 - 08:14

            @bobbified: By driving just a little faster than everyone else you are constantly putting more cars in those blindspots than would occur if you went with the flow. There is no problem with having someone driving in your blind spot if you make sure to stay aware of them.

            The thing to watch with this habit is that people sometimes subconsciously speed up a little as cars pass them so they will be in the 370z's massive blindspot a lot longer than you calculate. You really need to make sure they are visible to you before you move across, not just estimate their location based on the time since you passed the front of their car.

            • bobbified on 17/01/2022 - 08:56

              @Grunntt:

              so they will be in the 370z's massive blindspot a lot longer than you calculate.

              I have this same blindspot thing with my TT. I probably didn't explain it properly earlier - by travelling a little bit faster, as soon as the cars that I pass appear in my mirrors, then I know they're not in my blindspot anymore.

              The way I describe "duck around the mirrors" is actually the way I sometimes do blindspot checks. I dont know if it's common or if it's something that other people might subconsciously do wihtout realising, but you can check the blindspot by leaning forward to the side mirror so you can see all along the side of the car. It works on both driver's and passenger's side mirrors. A lot of bus drivers do this instead of physically turning their head. It's a pretty nifty trick!

  • numloxx on 16/01/2022 - 09:12
    +6

    Bring plenty of fresh water, a spare pair of stockings, emergency beacon, enough food for a week. Don't pet any dropbears you come across and you'll be fine.

  • WT on 16/01/2022 - 09:46
    +7

    dont do it, somewhere along this road it turns into apocalyptic where people try and steal your fuel. If you do attempt it please make sure your car is a blown XB falcon with zoomies and a massive drop tank so you dont have to risk stopping as much. Also your preferred side arm should be a sawn off double barrel. Word of advice, ignore anyone on gyro copters.

    Last thing, make sure you replace your rear windshield with a spare tyre since your drop tank now takes its place

  • Ghost47 on 16/01/2022 - 10:19
    +1

    Done this trip heaps, unless you’re 65+ or something it’s really no big deal. Roads are sealed as mentioned, but on the way up there is a pretty big pothole (I saw one last week and it’s probably not fixed yet, can’t remember where it was exactly).

    The worse part about this drive is other drivers who don’t use cruise control and drive like idiots, some will overtake you and move into your lane immediately without leaving a decent gap and kick stones up onto your car. By the time you get to Sydney you’ll probably have bug splatter on your car so give it a quick wash.

    I usually stop at Albury and Goulburn on the way back at least, you might need to make a few more stops depending on fuel economy.

  • Hugh G Rection on 16/01/2022 - 10:20
    +2

    stay to the left side

  • CheapandUsed on 16/01/2022 - 10:31

    I have done this trip several times in various cars. It is an easy drive, especially with someone else in the car to talk to and listen to music. Just ensure you have plenty of water and healthy, light snacks.

    For an itinery I would suggest,
    Melbourne to King Valley (winery's & best olives I've ever had) or Rutherglen (winery's) or Albury (all ~3hrs) and stop for lunch.
    From whichever to Yass for an afternoon break (bit less than 3hrs)
    Then Yass to Sydney (~3hrs depending where).

    You may want to have NRMA on your new car for this trip as a just in case.

  • pharkurnell on 16/01/2022 - 10:49
    +2

    IWMO
    With your questions about it being dirt roads which it hasn't since 1970's, I'd suggest you don't attempt this in 1 go. This isnt like driving to a family outing with nanna. Now that it bypasses everything its as boring as (profanity) going down sesame st (the Hume) which brings many once a year travelers undone as you don't go through any towns anymore and they zone out and fall asleep.. I've seen it happen..

    You'll be contending with shit loads of impatient sales reps, and interstaters who are on a tight schedule (I have no issues with trucks as I in their shoes 15yrs) the entire way

    If you go the coast road far more enjoyable, you go through shit loads of towns which help break it up - but that route is few hours slower and more roadworks/speed traps etc..

    Edit:

    Should I be concerned about banging into a roo

    I wrote off my ute in 1990 hitting a roo, I've hit plenty over the years - they make a mess of a car.

    • SBOB on 16/01/2022 - 11:04
      +1

      I've seen it happen..

      Same, I've been behind a car that just drove straight into the trees in the middle section due to being asleep

      • pharkurnell on 16/01/2022 - 11:05

        Yep, doesnt only make a mess of the car but makes a mess of the humans.

    • minty on 16/01/2022 - 14:01

      I am having a hard time comprehending this overruling dependency of a point to hinge to my admittendly lack of knowledge of what the road is like from VIC to NSW, because it's been that way since 19xx, I've never drive on that road, and yes I am basing it on my limited experience of having only driven to Canberra, Hunter Valley, Dubbo and Broken Hill. If I had drive the route or knew I wouldn't be asking, that's the whole reason I made the post, I lacked knowledge in one thing that I didn't know, so I asked. I don't get some of the responses… This is not against you so my apologies if it comes across that way.

      I have managed to secure a travelling buddy now, so it'll be monumentally better :)

      Thanks mate, enjoy the rest of your weekend

      • pharkurnell on 16/01/2022 - 15:57

        ..I am basing it on my limited experience of .having only driven to Canberra, Hunter Valley, Dubbo and Broken Hill.

        They've all been tar for decades too.

        Heres some good info
        https://sydneyexpert.com/driving-from-sydney-to-melbourne/

        • minty on 16/01/2022 - 18:34

          I believe you, and I believe the rest of the world who have made this trip, alas I do not know, I have not made the trip, this is why I'm asking for the experience of it all. I did do some preliminary research before I I made the post alas I just wanted to get some firsthand tales of experience.

          Thanks mate

      • bobbified on 17/01/2022 - 13:34

        I think it's quite clear to most people based on what you've said that you either don't have a lot of experience driving long distance or you haven't done it in a long time. All in all, it's not really a fun drive and can get quite tedious if you're not used to it. Try not to take it to heart :)

  • brad1-8tsi on 16/01/2022 - 11:55
    +2

    Did the trip down & back in late November.

    Going South I stopped overnight in Beechworth to have dinner with my boss.

    Coming back I did it all in one hit. Took a tuna salad for lunch because greasy takeaway makes you lethargic. Stopped whenever the bursting bladder or empty fuel tank required. Drank lots of water. Made some phone calls.

    Used the NSW fuel app to save a few dollars on fuel. The Victorian version is rubbish.

    It's an easy trip

  • Euphemistic on 16/01/2022 - 11:55
    +1

    Danger time for ‘Roos is dawn and dusk. Middle of the day there is little risk, but yes, there still is some risk during day.

  • jcsantos on 16/01/2022 - 12:21

    I’ve done it , drive inthe morning so you’ll feel relaxed, it’s a 10-12 hr drive depends on many stops you do, it’s a straight drive super boring , get a good sleep before driving

  • [Deactivated] on 16/01/2022 - 13:18
    +1

    You get in your vehicle/public transport and commute end of story.

  • 91rs on 16/01/2022 - 15:17
    +3

    It's almost like street view doesn't exist! Have a look, you will probably be surprised.
    Pick some random sections of the route along the hume and see if you will be able to deal with it or not? (Lots of sarcasm in that last bit).

    Its fine, it's a major transport route.
    Avoiding the crush of trucks out dawn and dusk is a good idea, you're probably gonna still have a lot of them on the road. If you're not confident enough to pass them then just sit in line with them and pay attention, otherwise pass confidently and then get back out of the way of everyone else.
    You're also traveling at the end of school holidays so there might be some stragglers returning so it might be a bit busy at times.

    Get insured before you leave the sellers place.
    Check your spare, check all tyres and air pressures, check all fluids you can, if in doubt (don't know how old the car is) pick-up a small 1L of oil or coolant on the way out of Melbourne "just in case" with whatever last was used and check things half way (its a used car you know nothing but what the seller told you).

    I hope you're aware of this though,
    https://www.vicroads.vic.gov.au/registration/buy-sell-or-tra…

    Selling your Victorian registered vehicle to an interstate buyer
    VicRoads recommends that you cancel the vehicle’s registration at a VicRoads Customer Service Centre and sell the vehicle unregistered. Remember to remove the number plates. This must be done before the buyer takes possession of the vehicle.

    The buyer can then apply for an unregistered vehicle permit to transport the vehicle to their home address, and then must register the vehicle in their home state.

    You will need to get a permit to drive the vehicle back to Sydney, the seller in all cases I know of (friends have done this several times in the past) will remove the rego plates off the vehicle you are picking up and driving back.

    Have you got that sorted out?
    Same goes for receipt of sale that proves its a vehicle that has just been sold and is in transit if you're stopped by police.

  • imurgod on 16/01/2022 - 15:18
    +4

    First and foremost, INSURE the car BEFORE you drive off!!!

    If you've never done this drive before, it's pretty cool but considering the cost of fuel, the risk of damage, risk of a fine, wear and tear and adding kms to your odometer, I'd say it would be a smarter idea to have it transported to you.

    • corvusman on 16/01/2022 - 15:32
      +4

      I'd say it would be a smarter idea to have it transported to you.

      This is a good advice. It won't cost you much and you will save you a lot of stress.

  • penguin286 on 16/01/2022 - 15:33

    Pretty fun trip :P Load up your playlists from music/podcast/youtube whatever. Prefer driving in some rain to keep it interesting

  • Vote for Pedro on 16/01/2022 - 16:00
    +1

    Jfc its not 1923, the drive is a piece of p*ss. Break a bit before yass at a rest stop and that’ll do ya.

  • OzHunterNSW on 16/01/2022 - 16:08

    I have done this many a time… fly down, picked up the vehicle and drove back.

    The roads are the best they can be… new sections, dual highway all the way.

    Take plenty of songs to play.

    I like to leave Melb about 2pm… as that gets me over the border in time for night driving. Absolutely love driving the highway at night.

    Good luck… pre do your Vic Roads and Sydney road tolls….

  • jan1var on 16/01/2022 - 16:08
    +1

    There are several dashcam videos on Youtube that cover the entire Melbourne to Sydney drive.

    Eg. have a look at this one (9hrs 32min long): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iV2n-yV7akQ

    • Ridiculous Panda on 16/01/2022 - 20:17

      Watching this during the actual drive will be handy and keep him busy. OP Just start the video 2 or 3 minutes before leaving so you know what is coming.

      • Munki on 17/01/2022 - 00:32

        Yeah nah OP should keep his eyes on the road not a video of someone else driving.

      • lunartemis on 17/01/2022 - 12:37

        Watching a video while driving is not only dangerous but I believe it is illegal

  • gregc4680 on 16/01/2022 - 18:46

    I drove an A45 from Melbourne to Gladstone (2,000 km) without plates in February 2021. Took three (3) days. You'll be fine. Just have appropriate insurance.

  • asc on 16/01/2022 - 19:35

    Done this a few times in the last few years. Easy to feel drowsy so take a break every so often. If you stick to speed limit it can still take 11 hours or so depending on if you are on the outskirts or innerburbs.

  • dust on 16/01/2022 - 19:47
    +1

    Use your chopper to lock in the best fuel price for filling up.

  • Triamble on 16/01/2022 - 20:52

    Get a good nights sleep, don't be in a rush, don't drift off, and stay a safe distance from the car in front (don't be one of those idiots tailgating at 110km/h) and you'll be fine. If you get sleepy don't ignore it; find a rest stop and take a nap then a quick walk. I kind of enjoy it. Some are suggesting the coast road but that's MUCH more dangerous as well as being too long.

  • lainey13 on 16/01/2022 - 21:52

    Good luck, now you will find out what your longest tolerable single drive period will be :)

  • mrbargainhunter on 16/01/2022 - 22:45
    +1

    I drive this route (return) multiple times a year, and have done so for many years, as I have family in Sydney and live in Melbourne.

    The people saying "it's easy… I've driven it many times" should be completely ignored. It seems easy because they've driven it many times. You have not driven it many times. It will not be easy for you. It will be tiring. Very tiring.

    I love driving. Love it! But despite having driven it many, many times, I'm still very tired by the end of the trip. Adding an early start (~5am!?) and a flight to driving it inside one day, leaving realistically closer 10.30-11am, seems a big task to me, especially if you're clearly not used to driving long trips. With stops, this means getting into Sydney after dinner and is therefore a 15+ hour day. Imagine working a 15+ hour shift and how sleepy you would be at the end of it…

    If you're still going to try a single trip, stop every 2-3 hours, map out your driving stops before you even leave Sydney, go for a walk at each stop and really stretch your legs, plus have food/drink. You can just Google "good places to stop driving Melbourne to Sydney". Happy to suggest spots if you're interested.
    Having a passenger for conversation, especially towards the end of each segment is really handy to prevent incredibly dangerous microsleeps. Music, snacks (chewing gum, lollies, etc) are also good to break up the monotony.

    Like others have said, FFS use your cruise control. Nothing annoys me more than having to overtake pricks 10 times because they speed up to 130+ to pass you and then they drift back to 90 not concentrating, so you overtake them again as you sit bang on 110 cruise control (verified with mobile phone GPS as others have said).

    Also, heaps of speed cameras along this route as others have mentioned.

  • apple2016 on 16/01/2022 - 22:46

    Most topics are covered by others.
    Be aware of average speed detection on hume.
    https://www.camerassavelives.vic.gov.au/camera-locations/cam…

  • Philthy on 16/01/2022 - 22:52

    oh yeh since its a 370z , even more so..watch out for trucks.
    Some just don't look and change lanes ..usually because the truck in front is keeping em.

    youll probaly want more breaks driving hte 370z , your back and ass will be a bit sore.

    what MY is it ? i use to have one and had a full size spare

    why dont u jump on a z car forum and get someone to go down with you? OR up

  • kaleidoscope on 17/01/2022 - 00:10

    I did go to SA from VIC over the break and was my longest ever drive and a similar distance and time covered.

    1. Take time to rest every few hours for either toilet break, refuel, stretch your arms and legs, have a meal etc… so look into some places along the way.
    2. If it’s a new vehicle that you aren’t familiar with, then don’t push all the tech to their limits during the first run.
    3. Check tyre pressure and other safety features are intact.
    4. Be prepared to go to a car wash after taking it home as I recall, the amount of bug smears across front side of the vehicle after my trip to SA was simply… shocking.

    Can’t stress the first point enough.

    Safe travels ✌️

  • Hangryuman on 17/01/2022 - 09:18

    having done lots of 10 hour drives between Syd-Mel, Syd-Bri, etc. a few thoughts

    as the TV ad I saw yesterday 'we're half way there!' - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lDK9QqIzhwk - coming from McDonalds

    our convention for long drives is to break every 2.5-3 hours - usually at a Mickey Dees for combined toilet break, stretch the legs, and some hot chips, coffee, meal if we fancy.

    this allows a refresher to avoid driver micro-sleeps, drifting out of your lane and into an oncoming vehicle killing you and/or another family

    if you find your eyes starting to self-close and your head starting to sag, pull off into a shady spot and doze for 20 minutes or so

    we also tend to fill a thermos with strong home-made coffee hot or cold depending on season - these are the best ones - https://www.zojirushi.com/app/product/smsf - one hand flip open and close to safely sip while driving

    daytime beware of heat in summer making you sleepy - sun in the eyes at certain times is stressful

    and the Hume Highway tends to have many many trucks setting off in the evening for the other city, meaning night drives are lots of overtaking trucks in tandem which can be dangerous with headlight glare, etc.

    for a 10 hour drive, I'd probably break it into 4 x 2.5 hour drives with rest/snack/coffee/toilet breaks at whichever McD you happen past in the 2h15m-2h35m window

    oh - saw another's comment about cruise control - yes this can change a tiring journey into a relaxing journey - just don't assume it has intelligence, i.e. flip it off when too close to other vehicles or side by side with another at same speed if someone behind you is getting annoyed waiting to overtake you

  • BartholemewH on 17/01/2022 - 09:28

    My little sister drove from northern NSW to Melbourne in one day with a dual axle trailer on. My in laws drove 600km after lunch on Wednesday. I think you'll be fine with your dual carriageway lol.

    As for tips, make sure your car has air in the tyres (not so much the sidewalls blister), put fuel in the car, if you get thirsty have a drink of water (not vodka), if you hit a guide post you should have a rest.

  • FareEvader on 17/01/2022 - 09:40

    It is the most boring drive I've ever done due to the endless straight roades. Have your caffine ready and take plenty of breaks to stretch. Watch out for speed cameras.

  • lunartemis on 17/01/2022 - 12:32

    How much cheaper is it to drive it back compared to using a car transport company? (fuel, possible accommodation, food, getting there to pick it up as well as adding large kms to the car)

  • frostman on 17/01/2022 - 13:05

    I did the drive not too long ago, Boring as hell get coffee/V/Redbull.

    Roads are paved.

    NSW/Vic roads speed limit is atrocious at 110kmh,

  • Dreamcast on 17/01/2022 - 13:16

    Can I join you? We can make it a 3 way on the freeway…..

  • mini2 on 17/01/2022 - 14:15

    You will cop stone chips, it's inevitable.

    • Euphemistic on 17/01/2022 - 20:05

      From all the gravel roads?

      You are just as likely to get stone chips on suburban roads that have potholes.

  • stewy on 17/01/2022 - 14:32

    I wouldn't recommend trying to do this in one stint since you will be up early to get the plane down, plus you don't have any experience on longer drives.

    Either fly down the night before and stay in Melb for a night or split the drive up and stay in Albury for a night.

  • stqpdb on 17/01/2022 - 15:28
    +1

    Doable in 10 hours if you follow the Hume Hwy route. The rest stops you want to take are Euroa, Albury/wadonga, Gundagai and Goulburn.

    • whatgift on 17/01/2022 - 18:03

      Good suggestions - Albury has cheap fuel, Gundagai has Dog on Tucker box, and Goulburn has the bigass sheep!

      • SBOB on 17/01/2022 - 19:47
        +1

        bigass sheep

        The ass isn't the only thing big on that

  • greatlamp on 18/01/2022 - 07:53

    I wouldn't be worried about the road surface, but your timing, you may be late to the buyer. Which part of Melbourne will you be picking up the car?

    If it's particularly eastern, google may try route you through a different road rather than the Hume. Do not do this, the hume is a divided dual carriageway, most rural roads are single lane and shared in both directions. Just follow the route you posted.

    I would plan to check and top up the oil, coolant water, and tyre pressure before a 10 hour drive. Also teach yourself the cruise control and Bluetooth before you arrive.

    Bring a car charger for your phone and phone mount too.

  • Eeples on 18/01/2022 - 09:01

    You are buying a car you don’t need the time pressure. You also got up at 5am.

    Your flight arrives 8.30am then just try and get away by noon.

    Stay overnight at Albury.

    Drive to Sydney the next day.

  • Littlevu on 18/01/2022 - 09:18

    Why don’t you get to Melb 1-2 days before so you can arrange a pre-purchase inspection and get minor service? Brakes and tyres are non negotiable for a long distance trip. Replace if needed. You’ll also be well rested for the drive back to Sydney.

    Make sure you have insurance the day you pick up the car. It pays to shop around and sometimes it’s worth paying a little more if it means stress free when there’s a claimable event.

    The trip to Melb is similar to going to Canberra albeit a lot longer. Stick to the left unless overtaking and don’t be a dick speeding up if someone wants to overtake you. There are towns along the way so observe any change to speed limits. Stop by, rest and support local businesses.

    Enjoy the experience and safe travels.

  • OwMeKnees on 18/01/2022 - 10:42

    Lol, dirt roads. Just did a 3200 km road trip over 10 days with the family. We chose to come back from Melbourne via the coast road. Longer trip but its a very nice drive.
    If you're just getting back, itll be a boring freeway trip.
    Ive done it many times, just look out for the drugged up truckies if you're doing it at night

  • jerjergege on 18/01/2022 - 11:02

    I recommend taking the train to Mascot, then take the 350 Bus from Mascot station to Syd Airport to save you 17 bucks.

  • JayM on 18/01/2022 - 12:03

    I like stopping over at the Holbrook Bakery for lunch on my way to Melbourne

  • tmg316 on 18/01/2022 - 14:37
    +1

    Heading straight up the HUME is direct but perhaps the most boring drive in Australia - it is dead straight with absolutely no change in landscape. The biggest risk you will face is driver fatigue so I recommend plenty of stops along the way. A travel buddy is a good idea and maybe download some podcasts or audiobooks. Much better if you’re not in a rush.

    • pharkurnell on 18/01/2022 - 14:46

      Heading straight up the HUME is direct but perhaps the most boring drive in Australia

      Bendigo - Mildura is just as bad

  • ModBot on 18/01/2022 - 17:13

    Not sure if everyone knew, but 7-Eleven has opened up in Wodonga, just across Albury. A great way to get cheap fuel - provided you know how to fly a chopper!

  • adn on 18/01/2022 - 20:22

    Just drove back to Melbourne from Sydney. I usually do 2 stops and do it in 9-10 hours. I try to make it to the destination before sunset which determine my start time.

    If it your first time just stop every 2 hours. Fill up and pee. In the middle stop for lunch. Try to stop at service center so you don't have to detour long off the highway.

    Use cruise control to avoid speeding
    Have alot of music
    Use Waze
    Stay in the left lane unless overtaking. If you see someone speeding up in the right lane and you are in the right lane, just let them pass and drive at your speed.
    Be careful of trucks and when you overtake them, do it quickly.

  • whyisave on 18/01/2022 - 20:33

    I recommend, staying in Melbourne for 1 x night,
    and have a rest there, before the 9+ hour driving back.

    I have driven this route many times,
    and I have the mindset for long, long drives,
    so I can handle the 9-10 hour drive with 1 rest-stop even.

    I really don't like driving in the sun,
    so I try to leave at dawn,
    because I find myself getting sleepy when it's dusk.

    To discourage sleepiness, carry some Red Bull drinks or stop over McDonald's or HungryJacks for frozen Coca-Cola
    (or coffee, if you drink it)

  • creesy on 18/01/2022 - 21:30

    Only danger is falling asleep on the hume. Probably the best road connecting two capital cities in Australia.

    Long flat boring etc

  • windrc on 18/01/2022 - 23:02

    once you hit the highways, pick a large truck that's travelling at good speed and follow behind it for the following benefits:

    • you dont have to constantly monitor your speed makes your drive less tiring

    • if the truck is speeding, the truck would have get caught first by highway patrols and not you

    • the truck acts like a safety buffer in case of any wildlifes, debries, bugs etc, the truck would have enough momentums to clear it out of the way

    • most cars would avoid driving behind a truck as they associate truck being slow, so you are less likely to have cars over taking and cutting infront of you

    • you may save a few % on fuel economy due to the drafting effect but please maintain a safe distance, don't tailgate the truck for the sake of it

    • a truck will take more time and longer distance to decelerate, so if it crash or do a sudden stop, you would have more time to react compared to following a small vehicle

    • professional truckkies knows the route very well and knows where are the speed cameras spots, and they alert their mates on HF radio if they see any hazards (roadkills, cops, debris etc)

  • Muzeeb on 28/01/2022 - 17:58

    Not long to go now OP.

    Are you excited?

    • minty on 30/01/2022 - 13:56
      +2

      Change of plans and I actually picked it up Sunday 23rd. God bless the fella for bringing the car to the airport so I was able to get going immediately (8:45am) after stopping at a servo. The drive itself was pretty easy, skipped the original Benalla stop and made it to Albury as first stop, was there for about 45mins for a bite. Stopped at Gundagai for fuel (forking out $116 is bit of shock to the system! though, having driven it for a week I'm averaging 10.5L/100km which is still better than my Impreza), then somewhere just before Goulburn at a resting spot for a 30mins snooze and quick walk. Got home just before 8pm after dropping my mate off. The drive itself was decent, got pretty samey, but excitement of a new car kept the energy up well.

      Gorgeous fun ass car, I've been wanting it for 7yrs, after I sold my bike driving was just A to B and boring as shit, been relatively docile with the peddle getting used to everything and the extra width but looking forward to taking it to some twisties in the upcoming weeks :)

      • Muzeeb on 30/01/2022 - 18:41

        Thanks for the update. Glad it all went smooth. Best of all - no dirt roads 😉

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