Hi,
I am thinking of doing a ride from Campbelltown to Kiama via Appin road and was wondering if anyone could advise if this is safe to do.
There seems to be sufficient shoulder all the way to the Visitor's centre , close to the start of Bulli Pass.
Not sure if the highway from there on to Kiama is then safe, any advice would be appreciated.
Regards
Campbelltown to Kiama, via Appin
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- Derny Driver
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Re: Campbelltown to Kiama, via Appin
Postby Derny Driver » Mon Aug 26, 2013 5:40 pm
I live in the area. There are a number of options ...some of the back roads are great.
Have you considered coming down to Wilton via Wilton Rd or Menangle Rd / Douglas Park rd ...then along Picton Rd to the top of Mt Keira ...Mt Keira Rd is closed but you could come down the mountain via Mt Kembla. Then from there head to Kiama via the quiet country roads west of the Princes highway which go through Dapto, Avondale, Marshall Mt, Albion Park, Jamberoo and then Kiama. This keeps you off the highways, is scenic and safe. Its the training grounds of all the cyclists down here. I can give you the exact road names so you can map it if you want. But its longer than the way you want to go.
Have you considered coming down to Wilton via Wilton Rd or Menangle Rd / Douglas Park rd ...then along Picton Rd to the top of Mt Keira ...Mt Keira Rd is closed but you could come down the mountain via Mt Kembla. Then from there head to Kiama via the quiet country roads west of the Princes highway which go through Dapto, Avondale, Marshall Mt, Albion Park, Jamberoo and then Kiama. This keeps you off the highways, is scenic and safe. Its the training grounds of all the cyclists down here. I can give you the exact road names so you can map it if you want. But its longer than the way you want to go.
- Derny Driver
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Re: Campbelltown to Kiama, via Appin
Postby Derny Driver » Mon Aug 26, 2013 6:29 pm
Ok so if you want to go Appin Rd to the visitor centre, you will be okay coming down Bulli Pass as you will be going as fast or faster than the traffic. But at the base you are on the Princes Highway and you want to get off that ASAP. Its non stop lights and traffic. Turn left at Point St which is about 1km from the bottom of the pass. Follow it to the beach and then head south on Blackall St, which turns into Trinity Row, Farrell St and then turn left at Carrington. At the end of Carrington turn right at the roundabout near the coffee shop then immediately left into Railway Pde which runs next to the railway line on the east side. Railway Pde becomes Pioneer Rd which becomes Squires Way.. .keep bearing left and you are at the coastal /beach part of Wollongong. Nice coffee shop right on the beach across the road from the Novatel on Cliff Road if you want a break. Follow Cliff Rd south, it becomes Marine Drive ...now you've gotta take the main Rd which is Corrimal st to keep going south. Its okay to ride on, there is a bike path next to it if the traffic is bad. Soon you will be at the Steelworks on Springhill road and Id be on the bike path on your left now as the traffic goes fast here and its 80kph. Take the path for about a few kilometres alongside Springhill Rd (which turns into 5 Islands rd) until it ends then jump back onto the main road....keep in the left lane and soon you are at Warrawong shopping centre.
Sounds complicated but its not, you are just following the main road south along the coast.
From Warrawong you can use the main road which is King St /Windang Rd ... again if its busy there is a bike path on your left. The section between the King St shops at Warrawong (harvery norman etc) and Windang bridge is a bit notorious for being dangerous. A few riders have been hit here. If its busy, take the path.
After you cross Windang bridge its all good, keep in the left lane on Shellharbour road and you will eventually end up at Shellharbour / Shell Cove. Just past the Shell Cove housing area you will be able to enter onto the main freeway south ...don't be scared as its very safe, a great wide edge for bike riders and good vison for drivers. This will take you directly to Kiama, and despite being 100kph, its safe enough.
You could exit at Riverside drive Minnamurra and take the old highway, joining back onto the freeway at Bombo ...similar distance, with little or no traffic. A couple of small hills.
Anyway just pull up a google map and you'll see what im talking about.
In short, yes, its do-able and quite safe. We ride these roads all the time. Just be careful around the Steelworks area.
Sounds complicated but its not, you are just following the main road south along the coast.
From Warrawong you can use the main road which is King St /Windang Rd ... again if its busy there is a bike path on your left. The section between the King St shops at Warrawong (harvery norman etc) and Windang bridge is a bit notorious for being dangerous. A few riders have been hit here. If its busy, take the path.
After you cross Windang bridge its all good, keep in the left lane on Shellharbour road and you will eventually end up at Shellharbour / Shell Cove. Just past the Shell Cove housing area you will be able to enter onto the main freeway south ...don't be scared as its very safe, a great wide edge for bike riders and good vison for drivers. This will take you directly to Kiama, and despite being 100kph, its safe enough.
You could exit at Riverside drive Minnamurra and take the old highway, joining back onto the freeway at Bombo ...similar distance, with little or no traffic. A couple of small hills.
Anyway just pull up a google map and you'll see what im talking about.
In short, yes, its do-able and quite safe. We ride these roads all the time. Just be careful around the Steelworks area.
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Re: Campbelltown to Kiama, via Appin
Postby koosie » Mon Aug 26, 2013 7:07 pm
Thanks for the quick response and so much detail.
That seems like a great option.
Was also wondering if it will be ok to stay on the main highway, M1, from the visitors centre all the way past Wollongong and continue to Kiama?
Regards
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk - now Free
That seems like a great option.
Was also wondering if it will be ok to stay on the main highway, M1, from the visitors centre all the way past Wollongong and continue to Kiama?
Regards
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk - now Free
- Derny Driver
- Posts: 3039
- Joined: Wed Nov 21, 2012 12:18 pm
- Location: Wollongong
Re: Campbelltown to Kiama, via Appin
Postby Derny Driver » Mon Aug 26, 2013 7:47 pm
No. You'll need to come down Bulli Pass.koosie wrote:Thanks for the quick response and so much detail.
That seems like a great option.
Was also wondering if it will be ok to stay on the main highway, M1, from the visitors centre all the way past Wollongong and continue to Kiama?
Regards
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk - now Free
Firstly, the M1 is extremely dangerous with B doubles doing in excess of 100kph and the edge where you would be riding is narrow and covered in debris. Secondly, Im pretty sure bikes aren't allowed on that section, especially My Ousley. And the same on the freeway in the Wollongong area. Take one of the 2 options I outlined above.
- Derny Driver
- Posts: 3039
- Joined: Wed Nov 21, 2012 12:18 pm
- Location: Wollongong
Re: Campbelltown to Kiama, via Appin
Postby Derny Driver » Mon Aug 26, 2013 7:58 pm
Cheers mate, good luck
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