Sydney to Melbourne Drive

Lpseudodev on 12/10/2023 - 11:06

I'm still relatively new from New Zealand, and I've been thinking about occasionally driving between Sydney and Melbourne as I have friends and family in both cities - going by plane is a bit expensive as I need to also factor in travelling to/from the airport to where I'm staying.

Is there anything I should be wary of in particular? I heard there were a lot of kangaroo road kills and should avoid driving during certain times. Also, are there any toll roads I should be aware of? Any information would be appreciated :)

Travel

Comments

  • GG57 on 12/10/2023 - 11:10
    +11

    There are a couple of different routes to consider, the deciding factor most likely how long you want to drive for.
    Anywhere in Australia you will potentially find animals crossing roads at dawn and dusk. I've never seen any cross the Hume on the many times I've driven it.
    If you are not familiar with driving long distances, or long durations, I'd recommend breaking up your trip with a stop-over.

    • pegaxs on 12/10/2023 - 13:06
      +7

      Bit disappointed that it wasnt the meme post about driving with your windows down from Sydney to Melbourne or cutting corners on the freeway to save on those precious km…

      Or the dude that asked if the road was paved all the way from Melbourne to Sydney…

      • brendanm on 12/10/2023 - 14:42
        +1

        Nice, thanks for those treasures.

  • [Deactivated] on 12/10/2023 - 11:14
    -7

    lol

  • JimmyF on 12/10/2023 - 11:24
    +7

    I heard there were a lot of kangaroo road kills and should avoid driving during certain times

    Yep last time I did this trip, lots of dead wild life on the road :(

    The safest time to drive is during daylight hours, so avoid night time, dawn and dust as this is the main time they might jump out on the road.

    • [Deactivated] on 12/10/2023 - 13:04
      +2

      I did a trip out to Dubbo over tthe NSW Labour day weekend, Syd to SUB via the newcastle/golden highway, bac via mudgee and through the mountains, there must've been 80+ dead roos and joeys/wallabies in the few days before my trip (bit of rigor but not any rot).

    • randomusername2017 on 12/10/2023 - 16:14

      lots of dead wild life on the road

      In front or behind your vehicle…

    • RSmith on 13/10/2023 - 12:29
      +5

      dawn and dust

      Don't drive in dust.

    • nobro25 on 14/10/2023 - 07:49

      True… there's a lot of nocturnal animals in Australia where they can literally pop out of nowhere. I also find it surprising how many birds get killed in the roads. Literally, look up there's so much more flying space compared to a thin trip of road in the ground. Any flying animal traveling above 10 meters and above will be fine. Aeroplane is another topic.

  • fantombloo on 12/10/2023 - 11:25
    +30

    I think jv lives in Melbourne so be careful when you're down there.

    • NatoTomato on 12/10/2023 - 16:22
      +1

      Probably hangs out down at Elizabeth/Flinders St

  • freefall101 on 12/10/2023 - 11:27
    +4

    There are tolls in Melbourne and Sydney but none in between.

    I’ve done the drive a few times, it’s extremely boring.

    I’ve done a lot of dawn drives, never had an issue with animals at that time.

  • ashftc on 12/10/2023 - 11:29
    -2

    Leave early like 4 am or so and you will be fine. It’s a great experience if you enjoy driving 😊 I have done it multiple times and it’s absolutely fine. Just drive safe, take regular breaks and stops and you should be fine.

    • fantombloo on 12/10/2023 - 11:40
      +2

      Mate…. In daylight savings you can get out of here by 10:00, take it easy, and still get there just at dusk.

    • pegaxs on 12/10/2023 - 13:30
      +9

      At 4am? Do you want to hit Kangaroos on the freeway? Because that's how you get to hit kangaroos on the freeway.

      Wildlife is most active around roads at dusk and at dawn. Ripping down the expressway at 5am as the sun is coming up is a sure fire way to meet the wildlife.

      • Mechz on 12/10/2023 - 15:02
        +3

        Yeah but by the time you get out of Sydney it's 5am and broad daylight.

      • bbinc on 13/10/2023 - 08:20

        Hitting a wombat is not fun.

        • jackspratt on 13/10/2023 - 21:08
          +4

          Particularly so for the wombat.

      • joelmuzz on 14/10/2023 - 08:46

        Not too much of an issue for the first couple of hours out of Sydney.

  • EightImmortals on 12/10/2023 - 11:31
    +5

    Go up the Hume Highway, it's pretty much double lanes all the way. Easy-peasy.

  • ATangk on 12/10/2023 - 11:32
    +16

    Plane is cheaper if you’re going by yourself. Especially at these fuel prices.

    I wouldn’t recommend solo driving for the entire day, you’ll get bored and tired. If solo and not used to driving long distances, try stop somewhere in between for a night.

    • EightImmortals on 12/10/2023 - 12:33
      -4

      Dude it's only 8-9 hours….

      • ATangk on 12/10/2023 - 12:47
        +2

        Well OP is from NZ, And it’s 10 hrs. If he drove 10 hrs before he’d be in the ocean. You couldn’t get a city dweller to drive to Nelson Bay without taking 2 stops.

        • EightImmortals on 12/10/2023 - 15:41
          -2

          Actually 9hr and 17 minutes. :)

          https://tinyurl.com/n9s62wy5

          But I'm guessing that's CBD to CBD, we used to live in Albury which was 6 hrs to Syd and 3 hours to Melbourne and that was before the dual carriageway. So I guess with pee breaks and a stop for lunch then maybe 10.5 hours. Depends how quick the OP wants to get there I guess otherwise drive to Goulburn/Canberra and stay overnight.

        • syousef on 13/10/2023 - 15:54

          Do you know how much NZ roads wind? Like your circulatory system if you straightened them out they'd go around the earth many times :P ;-)

          • ATangk on 13/10/2023 - 18:06

            @syousef: Guess he’s headed for an ocean or a cliff then :P

          • quick-dry on 13/10/2023 - 19:53
            +1

            @syousef: and one lane each way, so yoiu can spend a fun time going through gorges or windy farmland… trundling along slowly behinc a truck

      • Brianqpr on 13/10/2023 - 17:09

        only?

        • EightImmortals on 13/10/2023 - 17:13

          Sure. We recently had to drive QLD to Albury, about 12 hours or so which was a bit much much so we broke it down into 9/4 going down and 10/2 coming back. What's the issue?

    • outlander on 13/10/2023 - 12:34

      Depends on the car. A hybrid can do that distance for $90

      It's the time/health impact thats the biggest cost

      • BluebirdV on 13/10/2023 - 13:22
        +1

        Does that include tyres and extra servicing costs plus risk of damage, etc?

        • outlander on 13/10/2023 - 19:53
          +9

          Nope. It also doesn't factor in the seasonal effect on air temperature leading to changes in air resistance, or the near infinitesimal effect on momentum that driving into airborn bugs will have.

      • bomberswarm2 on 13/10/2023 - 13:48
        +1

        My non hybrid could do it for less than 90$

      • CocaKoala on 13/10/2023 - 19:03

        Free if you walked.

  • pyramid on 12/10/2023 - 11:33
    +4

    Driving on Hume few weeks back, saw so many dead kangaroos….so drive safe…..it's easy and boring drive… 110km/hr speed along most of the stretch….

  • geekcohen on 12/10/2023 - 11:38
    +20

    I've been thinking about occasionally driving between Sydney and Melbourne as I have friends and family in both cities - going by plane is a bit expensive as I need to also factor in travelling to/from the airport to where I'm staying.

    Driving it honestly going to be more expensive than flying and take a lot longer.

    If you drive:

    • It's about 900kms (give or take) which is about 1.5 tanks of fuel for a car that uses about 600kms per tank. So probably looking at maybe $200 in fuel?
    • Food costs (2 meals?) $20 each unless you take food with you
    • Tolls, if you are going to be using tolls, allow maybe $30 there?
    • 8 to 9 hours of your time

    Total - $470 roughly - Thats just one way!

    Flying, you can get tickets for maybe $99 each way depending on when and who you fly. If you plan in advance, then you could get cheap tickets and it would be maybe 3 hours travel including your flight.

    I have friends and family in both cities

    Could they not help you get to and from the airport?

    I have driven many times in a Van with no Cruise Control and would leave at Sunrise and be in the city about 3pm. Rarely had animal issues or major traffic issues. Its boring as hell, but after a few times I got into a routine of where I would stop for Fuel and Food before continuing on. Always making stops relatively quick to avoid being stopped for too long.

    • [Deactivated] on 12/10/2023 - 11:48
      +3

      Came here to say the same thing. Considering fuel prices, return flights with time either side getting to/from airport, and you'll still be miles ahead, both in money and time.

      I'd fly all the time. Maybe drive once for the experience being new from NZ to see more of Australia, but after that, fly.

      • ATangk on 12/10/2023 - 12:00
        +1

        ‘The experience’. Haha don’t think roadkill counts as a highlight but that’s about all you’re going to get if OP is only driving between Sydney and Melb.

        • [Deactivated] on 12/10/2023 - 12:03
          +1

          There's all the towns in-between which is what I was referring to. You miss all those different towns, but if you don't care for them, then just fly.

        • BluebirdV on 13/10/2023 - 13:27
          +1

          Could detour to Tumbarumba, see Paddy's River Falls and ride a bike down the rail trail to Rosewood. Town is in the western foothills of the snowy mountains and is quite scenic.

          • syousef on 13/10/2023 - 15:57
            +1

            @BluebirdV: I can vouch for Goulbourn, Gundagai, Yass, Holbrook, Albury all being worth visiting at least once and they're all either on or within a dozen km of the Hume.

    • randomusername2017 on 12/10/2023 - 12:06
      +6

      So probably looking at maybe $200 in fuel?
      Total - $470 roughly - Thats just one way!

      Very rough….

    • xazark on 12/10/2023 - 13:20
      +7

      Your math leaves something to be desired.
      $200 (fuel) +
      $20 x 2 (meals) +
      $30 (Tolls)
      = $470 somehow?

      Tolls are not relevant imo as I am going to assume if you pay tolls you are going to pay them in the travel after the flight either way. So realistically you are looking at ~$240 one way. $480 return & roughly 18hours time elapsed.

      Assuming you are travelling alone, had a quick look and the cheapest available flight I could find was $122 one way - I am sure if you hunt around and look for deals you could find this cheaper. A quick search on car hire (if this is required) is roughly $60/day, lets assume 3 day trip = $180. Assume 1 meal during the travel to the airport/location you are staying = $20

      Return flying costs would be:
      $244 Flights
      $180 Car Hire
      $40 Meals (1 each way)
      $40 transfers (assume uber etc..) to/from airport to home
      =$504 return and ~6hours travel time (~3hrs actual air time, 3 hours in transfers / arriving early)

      All this to say the costs are probably not as clear cut as you make out but I would still lean towards flying depending on your length of stay and vehicle needs while there.

      • geekcohen on 12/10/2023 - 15:00
        -3

        Your math leaves something to be desired.
        $200 (fuel) +
        $20 x 2 (meals) +
        $30 (Tolls)
        = $470 somehow?

        $470 return and its very rough estimations, could be more!

        • xazark on 12/10/2023 - 15:02
          +4

          Total - $470 roughly - Thats just one way!

          Maybe you meant return, which would make sense but its not what you wrote.

        • Mechz on 12/10/2023 - 15:05

          Yeah nuts if you don't pack your own lunch and drinks.

          It's an easy drive.

        • outlander on 13/10/2023 - 12:37

          It sounds like TV shopping channel math

          "You could easily spend five, six, or even seven hundred dollars!"
          Cut to image of worried lady with hands pressed against her head in an expression of panic

          "But if you act today, you can get to Melbourne for just 3 easy payments of…"

      • bbinc on 13/10/2023 - 08:25
        +2

        I’ve done two windscreens on the Hume out of about 10 return trips. Sure, insured, but just saying, cars can be expensive.

    • geekcohen on 12/10/2023 - 15:03
      +2

      Total - $470 roughly - Thats just one way!

      Correction, $470 return and that is rough on Food and Toll Estimates.

    • Hugh G Rection on 12/10/2023 - 19:08

      this is probably ok if you are single. different story for a family of 5. once you have a family of 6+ it is really expensive because you need to hire a 3 row vehicle. at least with a family of 4 or 5 you can fit in a cheap car as long as you don't pack heavy for a week or longer trip.

      lots of factors involved, also where is all the entertainment and places you want to see located. if you are going to stay in the cbd, then fly and take the bus to the cbd. transportation in the cbd is free as long as you stay in the cbd.

      drive if you want to go to the beach and see other things outside of the cbd and have a family.

    • apple2016 on 13/10/2023 - 10:11

      Total - $470 roughly - Thats just one way!

      Total - $470 roughly - Thats just one two way door to door!

      For flights, include taxi fares (at least on melbourne side) and train fares at sydney?
      Also you would not have a car in melbourne to go arround.

      Also flight tickets are more like $200 each way not $99 unless you are flying odd hours.
      I would drive unless I dont have the time!

      • geekcohen on 13/10/2023 - 13:06

        Yes, I acknowledge that I made a math error.

        include taxi fares (at least on melbourne side) and train fares at sydney?

        But if they have family or friends, why can family/friends help with transport?

        Also flight tickets are more like $200 each way not $99 unless you are flying odd hours.

        Depends when you fly, but if you plan it, you can do it cheap. Fly on a weekend, fly during the middle of the day, fly Jetstar, so many options.

  • LanceVance on 12/10/2023 - 12:15
    +5

    Don't drive between dawn and dusk and you'll be fine. To spice it up a little consider taking the coast route over 2-3 days. Some of the most spectacular views and roads that Australia has to offer, particularly in the lower half of NSW.

    • JimB on 12/10/2023 - 15:41
      +3

      I think you mean between dusk and dawn

  • valuer on 12/10/2023 - 12:23
    +1

    $53 for a Jetstar flight next week. Plus a couple of UBERs, or the cheaper train/bus options.

    Perhaps it depends if it is suburb to suburb and if if you will need use of a car when you get there.

    • Mechz on 12/10/2023 - 15:07
      +1

      Probably evens out when you factor costs to the airport, but heaps cheaper if you can get a friend to drop you off and pick you up.

      • outlander on 13/10/2023 - 12:39

        From sydney to melbourne it's not too bad, as they have a station at the airport. Though they do charge $20 to use it, you can walk to the next station which is about 20 minutes away. Pretty easy as long as you don't have too much stuff

        • Mechz on 13/10/2023 - 12:53

          But if you have a 6am flight are you really using public transport (depending on where you live)?

  • djkelly69 on 12/10/2023 - 12:26

    It was for Mel to Syd, but many of these are still relevant :-D

    • ATangk on 12/10/2023 - 12:49
      +1

      I can’t take that seriously with pack light and taking the racing lines. Cruise control is much better than a heavy foot, and a/c saves fuel at those speeds.

      E 5 years later and I’m finding my own comments in there re: cruise control lol.

  • Mokr on 12/10/2023 - 12:46

    Consider the train or bus ride.

    In Europe there is an app for hitchhiking

    • pharkurnell on 12/10/2023 - 13:37
      +4

      In Europe there is an app for hitchhiking

      Is that the Wolf Creek app?

      I did the train Melbourne - Goulburn n return to visit few mates few month ago… was ok for the price, but pretty cramped if you actually have legs… same as a plane really.

      You couldnt do the drive for the same cost as the train fare.

  • deme on 12/10/2023 - 13:26

    Dan might lock you up - jv

    • jv on 12/10/2023 - 14:33
      +1

      Dan is in the USA…

      Possibly visiting Uber head office (for some 'unknown' reason)….

  • knasty on 12/10/2023 - 14:14
    +2

    It's a pretty straightforward drive and without kids easily done as a day trip, but you'll arrive exhausted and in my mind this scenario only makes sense with at least 2 or more likely 3+ people in the car. At some point you have to value your time…

  • foursaken on 12/10/2023 - 14:16
    +5

    I have no idea why 1/2 the userbase on this site wants to talk about something else when they are asked a specific question… anyway! I have driven the Hume (dual carriageway freeway from Melb —> Syd) at least a few times a year for a total of >100 I would think.

    I've never seen an animal, but they are obviously around. Don't worry too much about it. Other posters have correctly pointed out you're most likely to have trouble at dawn and dusk.
    Don't speed too much. Police are everywhere.
    If you're tired, pull in somewhere, get out of the car and get your blood moving. Walk for a minute or two. It's not an exciting drive. If you want an exciting drive, take coast roads, but we're talking a couple of days worth of driving. Much longer.
    I recommend Holsbrook bakery.
    It's about 550kms to Albury on the Victorian border, and then you've got another 4 hours of driving. Absolutely, positively don't speed on the Hume in Victoria. You really need to factor in where you're going to in Syd/Melb as it can easily add an hour or two to the trip, and if you're anything like me, you're going to feel tired, bleary-eyed, and like you're crawling when you get there. So when you see the city, stop and have a bit of a wake up.

    Mate if you're young and keen you can do this without too much trouble. For old fellas like me it's too much, and I'd stay over in Albury.

    Lots of Australians have died on the Hume. Don't be silly.

  • jv on 12/10/2023 - 14:30

    I'm still relatively new from New Zealand,
    Is there anything I should be wary of in particular? I heard there were a lot of kangaroo road kills and should avoid driving during certain times.

    Don't park under any trees along the Hume Hwy as it is likely your car will get damaged by a drop bear…

  • aggregate on 12/10/2023 - 16:01
    +1

    Hume is the fastest route, and it is a long boring drive. Leave home early and take plenty of rest stops, especially if you plan to do the drive in a single day. Paying for toll can avoid 30-60 min of the drive time.

  • rambutann on 12/10/2023 - 17:44
    +1

    XPT

    • simgue on 13/10/2023 - 10:34

      Agreed. It’s tediously slow and connectivity almost nonexistent along the route. However it’s a great way to get plenty of focus time for work

  • Ghost47 on 12/10/2023 - 21:17
    +1

    As mentioned, considering petrol is expensive right now is driving actually going to be cheaper than flying? I would compare costs first, although having a car in Melbourne is pretty handy if you want to explore further out e.g. to the Dandenongs, Yarra Valley, Great Ocean Road etc.

    I've done the drive heaps of times (going via the Hume), it's nothing to be intimidated by and it's super easy. It's a pretty boring drive though so maybe consider downloading an audiobook or have some podcasts queued up. I've never had a roo jump out in front of me during the trip luckily and I've done it pretty much any hour of the day you can think of, but stay aware of what's ahead of you. Depending on where you live and your destination I'd say the trip can take anywhere from ~9.5 to 12 hours (including any break/s).

    Some tips:

    • Since it's your first time I would leave early in the morning (e.g. 6 am) to beat any traffic, and to make the most out of daylight.
    • Keep left unless overtaking: The roads are busiest during the day and there's always some jerk who thinks they're allowed to speed and will want to overtake everyone, so don't stay in the right lane blocking it (for too long anyway). It's also courteous when you're overtaking someone to make sure you create some distance between you and them before merging left because a decent gap needs to exist (it also prevents stones flicking up onto their car).
    • Use cruise control: This will help you to maintain your speed and overtake people at the speed limit (e.g. if they're going at 108 km/hr and you're doing 110 km/hr you'll still overtake them, just slowly which is fine). There have been times I've spotted mobile speed cameras (especially on the way out of NSW) and you don't want to risk getting a ticket just to shave off a few minutes from the trip.
    • Plan the trip: There's plenty of places to stop to fill up the car and stretch your legs if you need to, e.g. Goulburn, Yass, Gundagai, Holbrook, Albury — you can set it up in Google Maps (along with selecting no tolls).
    • Depending on what phone carrier you're with you may lose 4G reception on the way. In my experience Optus is fine along the entire Hume highway, Boost will drop to 3G somewhere past Gundagai but before Albury IIRC. It's not a big problem though.
    • Keep in mind where you are leaving in Sydney and where you need to go in Melbourne, if you're leaving from North Sydney and need to get to Cranbourne or something it's going to take a bit longer than leaving from Liverpool to get to Craigieburn, especially with traffic.
    • A few notable landmarks you might want to stop at: the Big Merino at Goulburn, Dog on the Tuckerbox at Gundagai, the Holbrook Submarine and the big Ned Kelly at Glenrowan. I particularly like seeing the big wind turbines near Goulburn on the drive.

    Enjoy the drive!

  • Citizenm on 13/10/2023 - 09:15

    We do this drive all the time with the kids. As mentioned hume highway is the most straight forward drive. There are some towns worth having a quick stop. If you have more time I would definitely recommend driving down the sapphire coast for a mini break. Spending time at Jervis bay. Going further south from there google will try to get you to join the motor way but i would suggest hugging the coast as much as you can. Lakes entrance in VIC would be a major stop too. From there you can continue around the coast to Wilson’s prom or drive direct to melb inland.

  • Waltervp on 13/10/2023 - 09:16

    Just drive and stop often. On the Hume highway fatique is your biggest enemy, not wildlife. As for cost….. just make sure you do not speed as a traffic fine will blow anyone's budget.

    Stop regularly, any time you yawn stop at the next fuel so amd get some good/drink/stretch.

  • Bilby s on 13/10/2023 - 10:49

    Hume is the quickest and agree with others, leave well before peak hour and plan your stops. It’s a boring 10+ hour drive and terrible radio reception. Bring lots of water and snacks and take breaks every 2-3 hours. I’ve never seen a roo across the Hume. Watch out for speed cameras leaving Sydney and entering the outskirts of Melbourne. Once you do it a couple of times, you appreciate the joys of flying. A longer and more interesting drive is the coastal road. Really lovely towns with amazing food if you can span it over a couple of days.

  • jrvb42 on 13/10/2023 - 12:22

    It shouldn't be more expensive to fly than drive.
    Airfares are often cheap - you seem worried about end-point transportation though. Let me ease your concerns.

    In Sydney, it is easy to get the terminal bus and then walk to Wolli Creek (30 minute walk) - this bypasses the gate charge for the trains. Saves about $30 return.

    In Melbourne, there is a bus from the carpark of the terminal to a nearby station (locals help me out here) and again this avoids having to use the overpriced Skybus. Saves around $40 return.

    So, in each case, into the city can be had for under $10 return. Book your flights in advance or on sale to get good prices.
    This will save you both time and money (the drive is around 9 hours each way, and will cost around $100 in fuel plus wear and tear on both you and the vehicle).

    Hope this helps.

    • GG57 on 13/10/2023 - 13:07

      All of these comparisons, with the best of intentions, don't allow for where OP lives and where OP wants to get to (as in specific suburbs).

  • outlander on 13/10/2023 - 12:44

    I've done it, by car train and plane

    Plane is the best if you can get a cheap ticket, but these are only during the offpeak periods. As soon as you get into december it becomes $200+

    To minimize cost, the best way is to pickup a rideshare (or join one) and split the fuel and the driving. There's a facebook group for it. That turns it from a 11 hour driving, $100 fuel cost trip to a 5 hour driving $50 fuel cost trip. There's tons of people who go that way so it's not hard to find someone looking to leave at the same time.

    • ReaperX22 on 13/10/2023 - 13:53
      +2

      Ew strangers

      • outlander on 13/10/2023 - 19:55

        Where you under the impression that aeroplane are filled with your closest friends, and popular celebrities?

        This is a bargain hunting website dammit. We do what we have to

  • branners on 13/10/2023 - 13:45
    +1

    First off, welcome to Straya.
    Have done the trip dozens of times, I watch out for speed cams like a hawk. Usually run a phone on GPS to make sure that the speedo is accurate, as fines can get expensive.
    At the Melbourne end, there are a few good entry points, depending on where you want to end up.
    If you want the northern or western suburbs of Melbourne, stick to the Hume Hwy.
    If it is the eastern suburbs (and beyond 25km from the CBD) it might be better to branch off past Benalla and come in via the Maroondah Hwy. The other run is from Euroa to Merton, which is a great drive, that drops you off on the B340/380/300. But I would not do either of these at dusk, too many critters, stick to the Hume.
    Oh yes, the pies at the Yea bakery are pretty good!

  • Powlie85 on 13/10/2023 - 15:18

    When driving after dark try to stay behind some of the large trucks with bull bars. they'll sweep anything off the road. Andcas far as I remember, lots of speed cameras when entering Vic from nsw?

    • S2 on 13/10/2023 - 17:15
      +1

      Google maps will indicate where the speed cameras are.
      However, there seem to be plenty of point to point speed cameras too which aren't indicated on maps. Basically, don't speed.

  • digitalbath on 13/10/2023 - 16:08
    -2

    Is this what we’ve become?

    • Powlie85 on 13/10/2023 - 18:08

      What is it that we we've become? Apart from def ton s groupies?

  • S2 on 13/10/2023 - 17:13
    +1

    For a warm or hot day, peel and freeze some oranges to munch on the drive.
    Delicous and refreshing. Have wet wipes ready to clean your fingers afterwards.

    • Powlie85 on 13/10/2023 - 17:52

      Wholesome!

  • koalabargains on 13/10/2023 - 23:23
    +2

    Don’t speed. There are like 50 speed cameras. Just don’t speed.

  • Alley Cat on 13/10/2023 - 23:56
    +1

    Pretty easy drive, abundant rest stops you can stop and chill. But I suspect the petrol and wear & tear costs more than flying. Have you considered the overnight train? They have a six-month pass for peanuts if you travel regularly. I used to take it every weekend. Need some good pillows, blankets and a power bank. Occasionally you’d have a funny conductor as well, that or I’m easily entertained. Not great cellular data coverage so it’s best that you use the time to sleep.

  • ChupaCabra on 14/10/2023 - 03:34

    Is everyone pretending to go along with the troll or is it just me?

  • ninnypoop on 14/10/2023 - 08:40

    Get a good podcast. Nothing has helped me deal with the bordem of the Hume, than a nice podcast. I recommend Dan Carlin's hardcore history. The series are hours long and enthralling.

    Otherwise it's an easy drive. Boring as hell but easy.

    Be aware that driving in Sydney is confusing and parking can be a nightmare (or very expensive). If you're only staying in and around the CBD your car will likely be a burden. If you are visiting and staying with friends around Sydney, or want to explore areas around Sydney, then having the car will be worth it.

    I usually take my car because I prefer the freedom and I hate airports but I'm rarely staying in the city of Sydney. If I was staying in the city, I wouldn't drive.

  • bigbadboogieman on 14/10/2023 - 10:44

    Done it once. 20 to 30 min break every 2 hours religiously. Just enough food to not feel sleepy. Good upbeat music. 12 hours you will be there. Leave at the dawn when it starts getting lit up. You will be there by dark.

    Consider the petrol prices + car KMs/maintenance though..Might be more expensive to drive than take a flight if only one person is travelling.

  • Top G on 14/10/2023 - 12:17

    You just drive mate, you’re overthinking it.

    If you have good endurance/2nd driver possible to do it one go.

    Otherwise make it a mini road trip and stop over at some cheap accommodation and take it chill.

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