Skip & Joey Loooong Weekend

[Skip]

I'm planning a 4 day ride with my son and would welcome some ideas for scenic roads and suggestions for overnight accommodation. Will probably be joined by another friend and his son as well.
Thinking of heading south from Brissy. The 2 boys don't have the comfort of the ST & GTR that us older blokes enjoy, so looking at doing about 400 - 450 k's a day. We want this to be a very relaxed few days. We're no IBA or FarRiders ok, but no doubt you guys have covered some of the best this part of the country has to offer. It's not so much about covering distances as it is about picturesque roads and spending time with the boys.
Would welcome any road suggestions from anyone.
Nice clean pubs or motels will be MY preferred sleeping quarters. 
Thanks in advance for your suggestions.
Skip.

[ST2UP]

You couldn't go wrong with any of the roads that run between the coast and the ranges, Bruxner, Gwydir, Waterfall Way, Oxley, Thunderbolts way. Much cooler riding up here on top of the ranges compared to coastal or well inland this time of year.

As far as accommodation on those roads, Bikers rest near Drake (Bruxner), Red Lion Inn at Glencoe (Gwydir), Commercial Hotel Dorrigo or Ebor Hotel (Waterfall Way), Top Pub at Uralla (Thunderbolts & Oxley) their all bike friendly.

Many people rave about the zig-zag run south from Brisbane doing these roads.

Cheers

Chris

[Abe]

Hi Skip,

As ST2UP has stated, Thunderbolt Way, named after the old bush ranger and has a bit of history all around the area.

Have done this (link below) road in a car several times and it would be bloody fantastic on a bike, beautiful country side, great little towns for meals as well.

http://goo.gl/maps/Zi2jS

Enjoy your ride

Cheers
Dave

[Skip]

Thanks guys. It maybe a couple of months before we head off so heat shouldn't be a problem by then. Is the road down to Forster better than the one heading to Wauchope. Does anyone know what the road is like between Grafton & Casino for the route back home.
Cheers.
Skip.

[saaz]

The road down to Forster is just a normal highway, whereas the Oxley (Route 34) is one of those roads you just have to do on a motorcycle (better mid-week as all the boy racers are out on the weekend try to see how fast they can go). That said, Forster is a great place to visit (we spent a few nights there recently) and the lakes way is scenic.  Last time I did the Grafton-Casino road it was quite ok, but that was a few years back.  If you go north from Grafton on the Pacific Highway about 10kms out of Grafton the the Ferry Park cafe and info centre.  Big back deck looking over the river, water lizards, ducks and supposedly dolphins in the river - road will be more frustrating than the Casino road though as limited overtaking and policed heavily.

[STeveo]

Grafton to Casino is quite good with very little traffic. Grafton to Coffs through Coramba is good bike road too. Once at Coffs, could go up hill to Dorrigo, Ebor, Armidale, Uralla to Walcha and down to Wauchope, back roads to Taree and up Buckets way to Nowendoc, Walcha, Armidale, Guyra, Ebor, Grafton, Glen Innes, Tenterfield, Casino, Kyogle, Rathdowny, Beaudessert. Also consider some of the more western roads like Stanthorpe to Texas, Yetman, Warialda, Bingara, Inverell via Copeton Dam road  ,Glen Innes.
Have ridden most of these roads in last six months and have varied from excellent to average, most with very little traffic (but keep an eye out for the wild life).

 

[Skip]

   Sounds like I can't go wrong on any of the roads down that way. It may be easier to ask if there are roads I should avoid.
Cheers.
Skip.

[ST2UP]

I that there is....most hidious bit of bike road in this area is the road between Ebor and Guyra, and its got the bike bottom out scars carved in the bitumen to prove it.

Cheers