Armidale to Dorrigo then Urunga

[hartleymartin]

G'day All,

I have friends in Armidale and Dorrigo. I was thinking of taking the train up to Armidale, stay with friends for a bit, then have a 1 or 2 day cycling trip to Dorrigo (probably 2), stay for a while with another friend, and then down the Waterfall Way to Urunga, stay overnight in local pub or hotel then take the train back south perhaps stopping in one or two places for exploring.

Anyway - does anyone have any advice or experience on the road between Armidale and Dorrigo?

[elantra]

Hi Martin i have not done it on a bicycle but i have been over it in a car, there are some significant ups and downs but would be a pleasant journey. Doubt if you will see any other cyclists !
It is several years since i drove it so i would not like to comment on the state of the road but it is a highway.
The village of Ebor would be a good place to stay a night - try the local trout if it is on the motel or pub menu.
There is a trout hatchery that can be inspected.
Near Ebor is a big mountain ( Cathedral Rock) definitely worth a look if you have time (or energy)
New England national Park is also near Ebor but is more of a detour
Might be a bit cool up there.

[hartleymartin]

Thanks for the heads up about Ebor! That makes stage 1 about 77km. I might even make it a couple of days stay (where did I pack that telescopic fishing rod?) Oooo! Wait a sec, there are some nice things to see at Wollomombi too!

[daacha]

Martin,

It's been a while since i travelled that road too but i haven't cycled it. I went through by motorbike and the road was mostly single lane (but little or no traffic). Absolutely georgous country that reminded me of Grizzly Adams. Hopefully the highest waterfall in the Southern Hemisphere has some water going over when you stop there.

daacha

[rmgrimes79]

Hopefully the highest waterfall in the Southern Hemisphere has some water going over when you stop there.

daacha

hate to through water on your water fall but qlders claim that wallaman falls (soemthing like 285m) is the largest in southern hemisphere .... i havnt seen the one down new england way so cant comment .... i havnt seen many bikes up the range there but maybe email coffs girl she should be able to highlight some good roads

[rustguard]

I'm afraid I'd be no help but I just wanted to say what a lovely area dorrigo is

[Leigh_caines]

I hate to put a sour face on any trip….
Cons
But I’ve done this one more then once and …
Narrow and no shoulder….
Cars are not use to touring bikes and they travel at speed so is a bugger if you meet one on a corner…
Down the big hill is fun…
But along the flat to Bello is once again “no shoulder’
Pros
Any trip is better then no trip
Have fun

[hartleymartin]

I'll just have to get brighter flashing lights. No shoulder? No problem! I'll just ride on the road anyway. It's not a heavily-trafficked road is it?

[Leigh_caines]

Well it is the main road west at this point…. Not to many trucks which is something but there ‘can be’ a lot of fast moving cars.
You’ve made up your mind to do it and that’s great…
I’ve done it a few times before and all I say is there are less stressful roads to tour on

[lemmiwinks]

Martin, I've ridden (motorcycle) and driven the Waterfall Way many times and while it's not heavily trafficked by city standards, it is quite busy by country standards. Also bear in mind that the road is windy, hilly, narrow and bumpy in many places and also there is no shoulder for the majority of the road. I don't imagine this would be a pleasant ride as cars and trucks will whiz by 30cm from your elbow at 100+kph.

If you want to see Cathedral Rock, allow a lot of time. It's a long way in from the main road and it takes over an hour (IIRC) to climb it.

To get a cycling fix why not tag along with these guys? Very much your pace

[hartleymartin]

Thanks for that tip. I'll look into it!