Sydney to Brisbane.

I never really gave it much of a thought or asked too many questions at the time but now I'm retired I have a lot of time to think about these things. Which was the most travelled transport route between Sydney and Brisbane, was it the Pacific or New England, and if it was the New England was it the Putty Road or Pacific to Doyalson?
Enquiring minds.

Blokes more experienced than me will give you the answer.

During my time in the 60's you would only go New England via Putty if your pick-up was in far western Sydney. New England was a complete pain in the a.. in any case with 120hp pulling 20 tons. Normal route if you wanted New England was head up Pacific Highway towards Newcastle and turn off to run through Maitland and Hunter Valley.

The Melbourne blokes up the Newell were supposed to swing across Coonabarabran/Gilgandra/Tamworth onto the New England because Pilliga Scrub and Moree to Goondiwindi  was still dirt but there sure was a lot of traffic that the companies did not (or chose not) to know about. Pilliga was OK because it was sandy and pretty smooth most of the time but the Moree-Goondiwindi stretch was rough as guts. 60 years later I am still using the bolts left on the floor of the trailer from the fridges and washing machines I regularly carried.

I am so old I remember looking forward to the 3 ferry crossings on the Pacific to give you a short relaxed break. If it was during the day and holidays you might have to wait for a second voyage but never held up at night.

1970 or so, Cob & Co ran coach loads of Defence personnel from Sydney bases to Canungra and return. Newcastle Expressway open, so out that way to the New England.
About 8 of us left over went on their regular civilian service by the Pacific. Much newer coach.

Mates going to Brisbane on leave used the New England in preference to the Pacific.

Think many overnight services used the New England, with change over depots on the way.

Late 1970’s to early 1990’s transporting horses, the New England was preferred, but Pacific used when servicing properties along the coast.
Out the Expressway then through Freeman’s Waterholes to Maitland or Branxton.
Many horse studs around Scone on the way.
Sometimes used the Putty Rd to access studs in the Jerry’s Plains, Denman and Widden areas.

Got used to the New England and only 25 Tonnes gross fully loaded, so better choice back then. Different now the Pacific is rebuilt.


 

The New England Hwy was the main route, even to modern times when there was a restriction on B doubles through Bulahdelah. For the full story see my article in VTC magazine no 36 (Jul-Aug 2016). The route through Wallangarra and Cunningham's Gap wasn't opened up until 1950 so it was a case of going via Mt Lindsay or Warwick and the Heifer Creek Rd to Gatton.

Brisbane to Melbourne via Warwick, Tamworth, Dubbo and Shepparton was about 1050 miles.

Used to see rigs towing dollies on the Putty Rd,
maybe to hook up at Dubbo to go north.

Few bridges in gullies in the Pilliga Scrub were not finished until about 1980. As Lang said, Moree to Goondiwindi was rough even when sealed, mainly bad culverts.

Sometimes had to use the Gwyder between Glen Innes and Grafton, then on to Brisbane.

Dave 64 might have run on the New England, 
be good to hear his memories.

I did not like the New England because of the hills although it seems unbelievable now, my little Perkins Commer was well into the top half of the speedsters on the road. Not often carrying the full twenty tons all-up with Hartridges because we carted white goods and car parts normally bulking out before weight. I got a fright one night on Moonbie with maybe a bit more than a full load and just got over the last 100 yard rise in low low and about 1,200rpm left on the clock.

Only other place that ever happened was the last kick-up on Mount Lofty also with probably a bit more than I should have had on board.

My response to anybody telling me that I do not need such a powerful car or ute because their Nissan Micra takes them to work quite satisfactorily comes from Roger Penske the Indianapolis race driver.

"You NEVER have enough power until you can leave two continuous black lines from the start of the straight to the braking area at the far end"

Think the Cob & Co motor coaches used to transport the defence people were Commers.

Not the most efficient route, from sea level each end to about 1300 metres near Armidale.

I also remember hearing during the 80's and 90's about blokes using the Newell to go from Sydney to Brisbane rather than negotiate the mountains on the New England. They reckoned travelling on a billiard table returned excellent fuel economy.

Yes Standen, off the New England at Willow Tree, through Gunnedah to join the Newell at Narrabri. Flatter track.