[NSW] Sydney to Orange - Safe to Drive?

archieduh on 06/04/2022 - 18:14

I have plans to drive from Sydney CBD to Orange this Friday (8 April).
I am looking at the weather charts and it does forecast rain.
I look at Google Maps and it doesn't show any flood warning on the route now.

What are the best resources that I should keep looking at to keep myself informed to know if it's safe or not to drive to Orange.
This will be my first drive to Orange. Was surprising a friend/colleague for his birthday.
But now a bit skeptical as the weather forcast for central NSW is bad too.

Looking for tips, opinions, suggestions for resources and general advice.

Ps: Not looking for abuse but hey if it brings you happiness, feel free to make disparaging comments.

General Discussion

Comments

  • George Washington on 06/04/2022 - 18:23
    +2

    I drove last week to orange. Roads are fine easy roads through the blue mountains speed limit is 60 - 80 -100.
    Not much 100km stretches from Blue Mountains 3 sisters to Bathurst is 40mins away. then 30mins or so to Orange.

    Easy drive I thought it would be challenging. I also did it in the rain no issues.

    Plenty of nice antique shops to pass by.

    • jetblack on 07/04/2022 - 08:48

      3 sisters to Bathurst is 40mins away. then 30mins or so to Orange.

      How bloody fast were you going?? Mt Vic (further west than 3 sisters) to Bathurst has to be at least a good 45, and onto Orange another 45-50.

  • Muzeeb on 06/04/2022 - 18:27
    +11

    Don't sweet the small stuff. If it takes longer to get there it's better late than navel. Don't let the weather be a peel breaker. All the zest with your travels.

    • gimli on 06/04/2022 - 19:43
      +3

      Did you mean naval?
      Didn't think it would be so bad to require the navy

      • PeterSnoot on 07/04/2022 - 08:57
        +1

        Think about it…

        • gimli on 07/04/2022 - 10:37
          +1

          Im not good with that

      • xylarr on 07/04/2022 - 10:31

        Maybe he's thinking of his belly button?

    • ilikedeals on 06/04/2022 - 22:21
      +5

      Bitter late than navel
      +1 for orange puns

  • Look Up on 06/04/2022 - 19:23
    +2

    Check

    Tyre pressures
    Spare tyre and jack
    Headlights and indicators
    Battery voltage/condition
    Pre plan the servos for rest breaks

    Stick to the speed limit, highway patrol should greet you near Bathurst

  • RockyRaccoon on 06/04/2022 - 19:23
    +3

    What are the best resources that I should keep looking at to keep myself informed to know if it's safe or not to drive to Orange.

    Waze and NSW LiveTraffic app/website

    https://www.livetraffic.com

  • Savas on 06/04/2022 - 19:40
    +5

    Orange forecast is like no rain … it's a completely different climate. Sydney always gets rain while the rest of the country is in drought.

    • gimli on 06/04/2022 - 19:43
      +2

      its fairly inland. most of the rain seems coastal from what i gather

      • Savas on 06/04/2022 - 19:47
        +3

        my parents drove to Dubbo the last floods and said there was like no water.

        • Dslrfirst on 07/04/2022 - 09:33

          "like no water" ?

    • archieduh on 07/04/2022 - 10:30
      +1

      Tomorrow's Orange forecast - Possible rainfall: 20 to 35 mm :-/
      http://www.bom.gov.au/nsw/forecasts/orange.shtml

      • Savas on 07/04/2022 - 17:42

        Already they changed it to 10 to 25. Public transport is always an option.

  • gimli on 06/04/2022 - 19:46
    +2

    check livetraffic as already suggested.
    Waze is great whilst you drive.

    livetraffic you'll no in advance about flood warnings.
    Just be careful for potholes, so many with the all the rain which haven't been fixed.

  • Benoffie on 06/04/2022 - 20:07
    +2

    Rain is nothing. West of the mountains climate is totally different.

    Now if the forecast is snow….. 🤣

  • Quantumcat on 06/04/2022 - 20:14
    +3

    Stop in Bathurst and have an ice cream sundae at Annie's for me. I really miss that place. You won't regret it.

    • ilikedeals on 06/04/2022 - 22:22
      +1

      I miss her too! 😉

  • May4th on 06/04/2022 - 21:01
    +1

    worked there for 3 months. drove from western sydney to orange in one go every weekend. it's a nice easy drive, drive during day time stop half way and take a rest stop to be safe.

  • altomic on 06/04/2022 - 21:31
    +2

    Fact - Orange was named after the colour and not the fruit!

    • SF3 on 06/04/2022 - 21:37
      +3

      Also fact - the colour orange is named after the appearance of the ripe orange fruit.

      Therefore orange fruit -> orange colour -> Orange location.

      • altomic on 06/04/2022 - 21:55
        +1

        dur

    • Densor on 07/04/2022 - 08:25

      A "colourful" joke, or just fake news. It was actually named after some European Prince dude. It's way too cold in Orange to grow oranges. Perfect for apples, cherries, pears and peaches ! (Nowadays mainly grapes !)

  • mskeggs on 06/04/2022 - 22:15
    +2

    I make this trip often, and live half way.
    The road to Orange is very high quality, no issue even with heavy weather.
    If you find the rain reduces visibility too much, slow down or pull over for a bit.
    Take it easy and you will have no problems.
    The mountains towns, Lithgow, Bathurst and Orange all offer interesting places to stop for a bite or a look around compared to Sydney shopping malls, I’d recommend stopping for a bit for coffee & cake or a meal on the way.

  • battler on 06/04/2022 - 22:46
    +2

    take Great Western Highway, not Bells Line of Road.

    • archieduh on 07/04/2022 - 08:05

      Seems weather related issues around Katoomba, so Live traffic is suggesting Bells Line not Great Highway. What do you think?

      • fouhay on 07/04/2022 - 08:30
        +1

        Wouldnt be too concerned, GWH is a major road, Bells line not so much. Either way it takes a pretty decent amount of rain to close either - at the most take it slow if the weather is bad.

        As others have said, once you are over the Blue Mtns it's a different climate.

      • battler on 07/04/2022 - 12:53
        +2

        Bells Line is a an up and down, windy road, single lane each way (for most of it). It requires care and/or experience - and even more so in the wet. There were a few potholes when I drove it last weekend.
        I could be wrong, but given your questioning, you sound like an inexperienced driver for these types of roads.
        Take GWH.

        • archieduh on 08/04/2022 - 21:42
          +1

          Thank you. Early morning Western Highway wasn't even coming up in live traffic or Google maps as an option but around 10am it started showing up, and only had landslide drive slow advisory and no flooding incident. Enjoyed the drive. Drove 4.5hr non stop.

  • archieduh on 06/04/2022 - 23:27
    +1

    Thank you so much everyone!
    Was overwhelmed by the comments.
    Cheers!!!

  • elgrande on 06/04/2022 - 23:30
    +3

    Avoid Algona Crescent..

  • SydneySwan on 07/04/2022 - 08:45
    +1

    I have driven this route a few times in rain and shine without any issues.

  • MontyMacaw on 07/04/2022 - 08:56

    Who doesn’t love a road trip??

  • archieduh on 07/04/2022 - 10:27

    Tomorrow's Orange forecast - Possible rainfall: 20 to 35 mm :-/
    http://www.bom.gov.au/nsw/forecasts/orange.shtml

  • archieduh on 08/04/2022 - 08:11
    +1

    Well…
    Bells Line of Road - North Richmond bridge closed till evening at least due to flooding..
    Western Highway - isn't even an option as per Live Traffic NSW

    Seems like there is no way to go from Sydney to Orange now :(

    • RockyRaccoon on 08/04/2022 - 20:23

      At least you had the smarts to ask here first. No joy getting part way there and having to turn back.

  • archieduh on 08/04/2022 - 21:40

    Thanks everyone. The Western Highway was an option without major incidents and I was able to drive.
    Cheers

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