Goulburn - Oberon road?

Make sure you fill up well. A mate and I ran out of petrol out there once after sundown. Very scary.

It truly is Deliverance country. I swear I heard duelling banjos playing as we hiked through scrub to a distant, run-down farmhouse for help and a local version of Bubba opened the door

Just to further scare you off – there are some still unexplained murders that took place out there years ago. Some suspect Ivan Milat and an unknown accomplice were responsible as Milat was working on road gangs in the Oberon area at the time

But dangers and off-topic scaremongering aside, i reckon it’s still faster than going via the Hume Hwy and Blue Mts

Very Busy said :

I’m not understanding how people can say that the Oberon Road would be a quicker route to Katoomba than the Hume Hwy. It would have to be at least an hour longer in driving time.

The quickest way would be to use the Hume Hwy to the Narellan turnoff and then The Northern Rd up to the M4. You could use the M7 but it would take the same time and you’d need to pay the toll.

By all means the Oberon Rd is a very nice drive but it’s not quicker.

He said he was considering going to the Blue Mountains via Oberon. He didn’t mention Katoomba specifically. Talk about mass confusion!

joingler said :

Very Busy said :

I’m not understanding how people can say that the Oberon Road would be a quicker route to Katoomba than the Hume Hwy. It would have to be at least an hour longer in driving time.

The quickest way would be to use the Hume Hwy to the Narellan turnoff and then The Northern Rd up to the M4. You could use the M7 but it would take the same time and you’d need to pay the toll.

By all means the Oberon Rd is a very nice drive but it’s not quicker.

Just googled it. Going via Oberon is 18km shorter but 38 min longer. The main reason I want to go this way is to visit friends who live at Tarana and I can probably meet them in Oberon.

I do regularly travel to the Penrith area and always use the Northern Road for that.

Every time I have used The Northern Road it is gridlocked and average speed is about 60 km per hour; it’s not quicker than the Taralga way.

Very Busy said :

I’m not understanding how people can say that the Oberon Road would be a quicker route to Katoomba than the Hume Hwy. It would have to be at least an hour longer in driving time.

The quickest way would be to use the Hume Hwy to the Narellan turnoff and then The Northern Rd up to the M4. You could use the M7 but it would take the same time and you’d need to pay the toll.

By all means the Oberon Rd is a very nice drive but it’s not quicker.

I regularly use this road to get to Lithgow, Katoomba and even Mt Wilson. I have largely given up on the Hume Hwy/M7 (or Bringelly Rd)/Great Western Hwy via Lower Blue Mts option – invariably I hit traffic congestion once I get into western Sydney – even if using the M7. The back way is far more pleasant and scenic, but you need to take care at night because of the fog and wombats. If you’re using the road for the first time, go through Oberon and Black Springs, but for future reference be aware there are opportunities to take short cuts once you get over the Abercrombie River (I take the Shooters Hill route).The road via Oberon is fully sealed. Taralga is a nice stop-over for dinner on the way back from the Mts when you’ve got through the fog and wombats. The pub of choice is on the Goulburn side of the town. The Abercrombie River and surrounding area is also super scenic.

misspris said :

Hi JohnH,

I travel this road quite frequently. The road has been sealed all the way through to Oberon and it’s a great drive (it’s pretty popular with motorcyclists). In Taralga either the Taralga Hotel or Melinda’s Cafe are great places to stop for a meal. There are a few nice cafes in Oberon too (there’s a Thai restaurant I’m keen to try) and a wood fired pizza place. If you wanted to pack a picnic you could stop at the Abercrombie River (there are picnic spots either side).

+1

If you are not in a rush, the Taralga-Oberon route is certainly my choice, far less traffic and plenty to see. Don’t forget to stop at the Monkey Bean cafe on the main street of Oberon, serves good food and great coffee.

Very Busy said :

I’m not understanding how people can say that the Oberon Road would be a quicker route to Katoomba than the Hume Hwy. It would have to be at least an hour longer in driving time.

The quickest way would be to use the Hume Hwy to the Narellan turnoff and then The Northern Rd up to the M4. You could use the M7 but it would take the same time and you’d need to pay the toll.

By all means the Oberon Rd is a very nice drive but it’s not quicker.

Just googled it. Going via Oberon is 18km shorter but 38 min longer. The main reason I want to go this way is to visit friends who live at Tarana and I can probably meet them in Oberon.

I do regularly travel to the Penrith area and always use the Northern Road for that.

joingler said :

Thanks guys.
How steep is it compared other roads (Clyde Mtn, Brown Mtn, Macquarie Pass)? Also is the road ridiculously narrow likely Macquarie Pass or is it a proper road?

I’ve done Jenolan Caves before and plan to do it again sometime soon but don’t have time on this trip.

You are not actually crossing a mountain range; rather traversing one. It has steep pinches occassionally but nothing like Brown of Clyde. If you go on to Bathurst there is a steep descent onto the Georges Plains near O’Connell. It is a proper road overall; very enjoyable drive and there is a lovely picnic spot at Black Springs.

If you’re travelling via Taralga-Black Springs-Oberon the only really steep/winding section is the Abercrombie River crossing. The rest is like most country back roads. Some stretches are narrow and without a paved shoulder or marked centre line, but they aren’t what I would call treacherous.

We attempted this trip a couple of years ago on our way to a family wedding. Didn’t make it to Jenolan in the end as we happened upon a fatal accident – they literally had just closed the road as we swept around the bend. No way they were going to let us through obviously. We drove 50k’s (or thereabouts) back to Taralga and asked around about other ways to get through. That was the hardest bit as the locals seemed to have barely been to the end of the road! Finally got a suggestion from a local farmer although we couldn’t be sure of the quality of the road and with a one year old in the back who had already vomited I wasn’t game – so missed the wedding. Was not about to trek up to Sydney and then on to Blue Mountains via the Hume at that stage.

So, whilst it is a fab drive through the countryside, drive safely.

I’m not understanding how people can say that the Oberon Road would be a quicker route to Katoomba than the Hume Hwy. It would have to be at least an hour longer in driving time.

The quickest way would be to use the Hume Hwy to the Narellan turnoff and then The Northern Rd up to the M4. You could use the M7 but it would take the same time and you’d need to pay the toll.

By all means the Oberon Rd is a very nice drive but it’s not quicker.

Thanks guys.
How steep is it compared other roads (Clyde Mtn, Brown Mtn, Macquarie Pass)? Also is the road ridiculously narrow likely Macquarie Pass or is it a proper road?

I’ve done Jenolan Caves before and plan to do it again sometime soon but don’t have time on this trip.

I went this way last year in a family sedan – road is sealed all the way except around the Abercrombie River crossing (probably fixed by now). It’s a lot quicker and direct than going via Katoomba but I wouldn’t do it at night. Expect only takeaway and pub food along the way.

There used to be a few kms of unsealed road north of the Abercrobmie River crossing, but that has been sealed in the past couple of years.

If you’re interested in speed and ease of journey, the freeway is the better choice. If you’re looking for a slower scenic drive then take the back road, bearing in mind that it is quite narrow in places. If you have the time I’d recommend bypassing Oberon and going via Jenolan Caves. A lovely drive, but very slow and twisty in places.

It’s a nice road but it is not a quicker way to Katoomba than the Hume Highway. At least, it shouldn’t be – if it is, you’re driving too fast on a windy road!

Hi JohnH,

I travel this road quite frequently. The road has been sealed all the way through to Oberon and it’s a great drive (it’s pretty popular with motorcyclists). In Taralga either the Taralga Hotel or Melinda’s Cafe are great places to stop for a meal. There are a few nice cafes in Oberon too (there’s a Thai restaurant I’m keen to try) and a wood fired pizza place. If you wanted to pack a picnic you could stop at the Abercrombie River (there are picnic spots either side).

We go that way to the Blue Mountains quite regularly. The road is fully sealed and is quicker than the Hume, although windy and quite picturesque in places. We’ve rarely encounter much traffic on the road. You can also save a little bit more time and bypass Oberon by going down (or up – as it’s rather high altitude) Shooters Hill Road which is also fully sealed. But be careful when you exit Shooters Hill Road. It can be a bit confusing and you can end up in Oberon, or worse, Jenolan Caves.

I was in a toyota four runner that rolled on (off…) that road just outside Taralga many years ago.

last time I did that road a few years ago it only had a small amount of unsealed surface left, and that was quickly being finished so I expect it is all done now. Take it easy on the tight windy bits at the rivers, and watch out for ‘roos and wombats and you should have a blast.

I don’t know if it will actually be quicker though. That would be somewhat dependant on traffic.