Great Driving Roads In Australia - Lotus Driving Roads #3.

[ceejay]

The Murray Valley & Snowy Mountains Highway Loop..

You might be wondering why I'm posting the articles about great driving roads
in Australia? I have lived in the north east region all of my life, I have driven these
roads many, many times in the past... mostly in the elan, they are all exciting,
challenging roads, and worth sharing with other lotus owners, both here in OZ
and overseas..

The snowy mountains region is well known to many performance sports drivers who
have taken part in Targa tarmac type events, there are few places where you can
explore the limits of your lotus than these roads.... but be aware, on some days the
boys in blue are out to catch you, and there are ridiculously low speed limits on some
roads which have obviously been speed restricted due to a few stupid accidents here
and there, so folks, we have to be protected from our own actions, traffic calming
is the new order, we are not supposed to have fun in our cars on the roads anymore.

It will only get worse as time goes by, so get out and enjoy the lotus while you can.

Now for the drive, we begin at point ?A? on the map at Wangaratta, which is
on the Hume freeway, it's a boring drive in the elan on the freeway, you could
also chose to travel via Historic Beechworth instead, the road will still bring you
to Wodonga where you turn onto the Murray Valley highway to head for the hills
as they say.

From Wodonga you soon arrive at Bonegilla, famous for the large Migrant camp
situated near the Hume Weir in the 50s & 60s, a lot of interesting history here.
The Hume Weir is full, or it was when the heavy rains in the past few months
filled it to100% capacity. It is less than that now, but still looks an awesome
body of water.

The road follows the lake around to Tallangatta, the road then begins to
become more of a drivers road, you follow the valley, then climb up the
escarpment to the pine forests of Koetong & Shelley, there are magnificent
wide open but sweeping bends which are a delight to navigate, some of
the descents are long and steep, with sharp ?S? bend sweepers at the base,
great lotus roads.

Once you move past Cudgewa, the road is pretty normal on the run into
Corryong... Famous for the Man From Snowy River legend, you?re in the heart
of the best cattle country in Australia, they are a tough breed of people here,
but very friendly all the same, as you'll find out if you ever need a hand with
breakdowns etc. Fill your fuel tank and perhaps your tummy at Corryong.


A few Kms out of Corryong, you'll see the big brown sign to The Snowy Mountains,
ya cant miss it, enjoy the views as you crest the hills on the drive toward Khancoban,
you'll be forced to make a navigation decision at the "Y" intersection, to the left
is Cabramurra whish is the highest town in Australia, take the right turn and you
head for Thredbo, New South Wales premier ski resort. I've been both ways,
they are both great to drive and bring you out at the same place down the road,
but today we'll head for Thredbo.

Be very very careful around Khancoban, speed at your own peril, the kojak
with the Kodak is itching to get you in his sights to take your photo!! (Smile).

Once out of the speed restriction zone (Seems like ages out of town) you can
once again get to enjoy the road, there are some spectacular vistas as you climb
towards a little place called Geehi, there are a several places of interest along
the way, but probably not a good idea to take the lotus off road!

The road to Thredbo has moments when you seem to be on the valley floor, and
next thing, you are climbing and driving through very narrow & deep cuttings,
the webers plus the exhaust makes a nice aural sound bouncing back of the
cutting walls.. (Insert smile).

Thredbo is a great place for an overnight stay, or you can travel a few more
Kms and stay at the Lake Crackenback Resort, a bit exy, but nice, you may
decide to stay, or to press on, Jindabyne or Cooma is not that much further
for alternative and less expensive accommodation.

Day 2:
If you had an overnight stay at Cooma, you will have to retrace your steps
next morning, a few Kms out of town, take the right turn towards Tumut, this
section or road is probably the fastest sector, takes you out through Dry Plain,
into Adaminaby (Great Coffee shop here), the last time I traveled this road
the surface was excellent but that was some time ago, I cant vouch for the
condition now.

From Anglers Reach... (Must be good fishing here) the lotus begins to get into
its stride again with sweeping bends, rises and drops in the road, some days
the traffic is a pain, and other times it's not a problem. But thank God for ultra
close ratio gearboxes and a rapid response from the twink.

The old Kiandra Gold Fields just pop up out of nowhere, you'll need to slow up
a tad here as you have to make a left turn towards Cabramurra, you will be
plagued again with NSW ridiculous speed restrictions, (This is way out in the
bush mind you) 80Km for starters and then after leaving Cabramurra they expect
you to drop down to 60Km, well sorry boys, not in an elan, you can safely do
much more than that without being silly about it. The close ratio gearbox
will get a good workout here.

The drop down to the Tooma ponds is simply breathtaking, the road drops
quite dramatically, you?ll need a good set of brake pads. I guess that's the
reason for the 60Km speed zone, but years ago, there were no speed restriction
signs to be seen anywhere, most skilled drivers would know when they were
about to overstep the mark as far as speed goes, but there is always one
who will do something wrong, and spoil it for others.

Finally, the Tooma dam wall is reached, now this is fun in the elan because
other drivers cant see our little cars because they are hidden behind the concrete
wall barrier which the road passes through, so you need to take a quick look to
make sure you can get across before someone in a 4X4 meets you half way!
And it?s one vehicle at a time on the wall thank you.

Once across the wall, pull up and enjoy the scenery, it is spectacular, the climb
back up is pretty dam good too, if other traffic passes by as you take in the
scenery and the fresh air, give them several minutes start up the climb because
as you well know, 4x4s are painfully slow uphill and some drivers seem to be petrified
of mountain roads, and move about as fast as a snail on the back veranda.

The snowy Mountains Hydro Electric scheme is unique in Australia, this is one of
the engineering wonders of the world, it is definitely worth exploring and taking
a tour of the underground power stations, it is an amazing sight - education
and understanding of how it was all achieved.

On the western side of the Snowy Mountains you notice the road begins to drop
quite rapidly as you now head for the valley floor, it is very steep, and you note
the numerous ?brake fail? uphill stop ramps... and hope like hell that you don't
have to use one of the ramps, but there is evidence on some that someone has
had to take to the ramp at some stage.. that would be bloody scary.

As you drop further towards the valley floor, the scenery is no less spectacular, if
the weather is fine, you will think you might be in Lotus heaven, this really is a
great drive. Just a few Kms further on and you take the right hand turn (Remember
you took the turn towards Thredbo) You have come full circle now, you have over
been over this part of the road, now you can take it easy while you head back
towards Corryong... assess your fuel needs and food situation, you may need to
drop into town for supplies before heading back out again to take the Murray
River Road back to Albury.

You'll pass through the pleasant little rural villages of; Bringenbrong, Towong,
Greg Greg, Tintaldra, (Make sure you visit the old pub) Walwa. Burrowye, & Granya.

Don?t think for a minute because you are following the valley floor next to the
mighty Murray River that the drive is boring... far from it, it is still an
excellent drive but the roads are much more open.

Once you reach Bellbridge, you cross the Bethanga bridge over the Hume
weir and pass by the weir wall and either take the road to Albury, or drive
back through Wodonga and return to your home destination, you may even
be over the great drive adventure and put the lotus into hibernation for
a short spell... until the driving urge nags at you once again.


It would be easy to spend a couple of weeks exploring the many attractions
in the snowy Mtns, this article is really about the driving pleasure to be had.
This is also the final great driving roads article, I hope you have enjoyed
them, and if you live in Australia, plan a date to drive these great roads
in your lotus, mid/late spring or mid summer/early Autumn are the best times.
Total driving distance 775Km.
Enjoy.
Col