So I'm seriously considering going to Valla - the pull of seeing the best aircooled of NSW and Queensland is getting too much... But having never been before is it really, really, really worth the long trek North?

The thing is, being an ex. pom, I've never driven so far in Australia before [ certainly not in a 54yr old car! ] - it says on whereis.com.au that its 5.5hrs from Sydney. Is that reasonable? - seems kinda optimistic seeing tho it sometimes takes 4hours to get to the Hunter Valley!!!??

I'm mainly interested in the Saturday Morning cruise and show and am wondering if it's best driving up very early Saturday morning [ leave Sydneyaround 3am ]. My thinking being the roads will be dead quiet and i could be there for the opening of the sausage sizzle! - maybe even a little roadside snooze on the way...

Whats the B&B / Hotel situation like in Valla come that weekend - I'm not really into camping - and if my missus is coming along theres not a chance. Is there plenty of places to sleep? I presume most places will have gone by now but what about a little further afield, Coffs or into the country a little???????

Is anyone else going from Sydney? Interested in doing this? Or am I completely mad?

Cheers in advance.

Do it mate. It ain't that far from Sydney. It's actually further from up here in Brissy. breaqk the trip up into small trips. I've found that to be the best way to do it. 2 hour stints behind the wheel then stop for a break then hit the road again. I usualy do Valla from Brissy in 2-3 stops depending on how traffic is when I hit Coffs Harbour.

It is definately worth going to and if you make some enquiries for accomodation in Nambucca heads you'll prolly find something for sure. there are loads of people who travel up from Sydney. some even come from Melbourne, South Australia and even Perth.

It's a weekend not to be missed. Take the Friday off, and take a nice easy drive up. Stop at Bulladelah at the burger shop as you come into town, and then make Kempsey another stop. Should do it in around 6-7 hours. There'll be lots of dubs on the road in case you have any problems. Both Saturday and Sunday are great. Saturday for he morning cruise into Nambucca, Saturday arvo for Raleigh, Saturday night for the dinner, and then Sunday for the show and shine. Even if you leave just after lunch on Sunday, you've made a good show of it.

Not sure how accommodation is at Valla now (possibly booked up by now), but we are in at The Headlands Caravan Park in Nambucca for a pretty cheap rate - check their website.

This a copy of what steve has started on the 2008 Events page

Sydney to Valla convoys leaving times?


Hi

I thought I would start this thread so that we could get some convoys happening.

Two of us are meeting at the beginning of the F3 on the Friday morning and we are pretty sure that it will be at 3am, 6am at Bulahdelah for breakfast.

My mobile number is 0439 133 354

Steve

yeah, it's worth the drive!..................a couple of guys often point out on here that most daily drivers hit 500km a week..........i certainly do, so it's not too much to ask from your 50 odd year old car............do the run in stints of 2 hours, as menntioned best way to arrive in good condition!

i did the round trip to Sydney "bug-in" (Easter weekend with torrential rain) and back in 24 hours............the majority of the trip is on excelent "freeway" style roads allow 6-7 hours, but yes, it's drastically reduced if you can motor along without being held up by peak hours


there are plenty of cheap hotels etc around but you may have to look further afeild than Valla..........try Urunga or Macksville to be 20 minutes from here, both those towns have el cheapo beds (say $50 or less!) and at the end of the day, all you will be doing there is showering and sleeping!................Coffs is a haul and crappiest bit of highway between Brisbane and Sydney.

see you here i hope!

An event definitely not to be missed. One of the best on the calendar. I'll be driving my 56 no worries without a heater bit chilly.

We take our time meet up with the Sydney guys Fri morning and have heaps of stops along the way.

Hope to see you there you wont be disappointed.

Hi

You have got to do it, you wont be disappointed, its VW nirvana. If you cant do it yourself, have the car checked out safety wise paying attention to tyres, oil levels, brakes fan belts etc

A good run in the country is what every city bound VW needs.

You have got leave very early to beat the traffic, take Friday off and come with us if you want.

Steve

We are coming over from Perth to go to Valla, can't wait - flying over Friday arrive 6.15am, picking up the kombi which is getting shipped over and then driving up on Friday to Nambucca. Hoping to meet up with some other Sydneysiders heading up on Friday. Going to keep an eye on this forum.
Then.....we are driving back to Perth. So far I think there are four other kombis driving back with us. Trip of a lifetime!
So if you don't go up with Steve, you can come with us if you like.

You are a Geezer (aka Pom) so it is NOTHING like the size of bugjam and the other UK events, but it is a fun, laid-back weekend and one of the premier VW events in Oz. Take Friday off, cruise up, have fun, chill out, sink piss with the rest of us

hey man, depending on work and a few other things(the fact i leave valla, get on a plane and go to NZ) i will hopefully be there.
i have never had friday off and normally do a night drive and late check in.

if you get out of sydney by 4 you'll get a sweet rund up, and be there by about 10.

i'm not a morning person so you won't catch me getting up at 3am!! ahaha

it's well worth the trip, it really is.

if you want to leave friday arvo let me know, i'm going to see who else from syd is leaving then.

and i would recomend staying sunday night, sunday arvo traffic into sydney is a NIGHTMARE!!

cheers,

aaron

Hi

I'm going to go back Sunday, I try to time leaving so that I get back to Sydney around 9pm, that way you miss the traffic. My sons in year 11 and I don't want him to miss too much school.

Steve

worth it ! totally worth it ! unlucky for me ive double booked myself for the greazefest weekend in qld

Hi

Your correct, if I want him to be expert on all VW models, VW modifications, lowering, swearing, understanding beeranese (VW54 is his language professor), bodily fluids and functions.

The 1st time he went was in 1991 but he wasn't born yet, the 2nd time in 2004 when I took him out of school the teacher said that he would learn more by going away with me, sounds like a plan.

Steve

yes we r going to VALLA aint missed one since 1984

but it will take u around 6 to 7 hours with stops and depending on where u live in Sydney and time to get to the F3