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Yep, the run down and back last year was great.

We're thinking of a 3 night trip to McLaren Vale but we're not doing the track day. For us, this means leaving Brissie on Tuesday 30 Mar 10 to Gilgandra, Wednesday 31 Mar 10 to Hay, Thursday 1 Apr 10 to Nuriootpa or Tanunda, Friday 2 Apr 10 to McLaren Vale down through the Barossa.

This leaves a bit of time for hiccups enroute and a chance to clean up the car and clothes at Nuriootpa/Tanunda for a short touristy drive down to McLaren Vale on Good Friday. I'd hate to get to McLaren Vale after an 8 hour drive and then have to clean the car for concourse on 3 Apr 10 - I'd collapse at the welcome BBQ.

We're also looking at GOR etc. for the run back. Not sure yet which way to go after the Melbourne area.

When we (the whole family) towed the MX5 behind our Patrol to SA and back last September (for the Motorkhana Nationals) we did a slow trip there and came back in 3 days - from Murray Bridge to first night at Hay (the RSL club for dinner was OK but there may be better around), second night at Dubbo, and home third night. They were long days but we had time to spend at the Dish (near Parkes) and also to the Cotton Centre at Narrabri - very informative.

Peter

PS We had a ball in SA with lots of tourist things done. Monarto Zoo and pre-arranging feeding the lions was a highlight for the whole family. Of course the Barossa was great, although expensive for us :-)

Have fun!

Sounds like a plan. Coonabarabran might be better on the way to SA rather than Gilgandra which we stayed at last time.

Not sure about which way to go from the GOR still. There's the road up to Corryong from the Sale/Bairnsdale area but then there's also the route up through Bega and across to Cooma etc. Too many roads and not enough time.

It sure would be nice to run the roads we used up through the snowies again but without the pouring rain and the roadkill.

All sounds terrific.
We have never dríven these areas at all.
Not doing track for us either.

Ann and I will meet up with youse guys at McLaren Vale as we will be traveling to Adelaide from Sydney and back to Sydney as I expect to be based there around that time, so I'll be trying to hook-up with the NSW chaps. Your plans sound great (...other than the Hay Plain).

One of the reasons for wanting to go to Natmeet this year is McLaren Vale used to be my old stomping ground in the days when Ann and I were driving Honda S600s, and then later a '73 Datto 240Z. If the roads are as good as I remember them, then we're in for a good time amongst the vales and the vines.

Hi All
Brian & June and Pat & Linda are also coming in our new rebuilt turbo NA's. We both paid our deposits today. Should be a great time coming and going as well as the Natmeet if our Coffs excursions was anything to go by. Anyone know if Tony Doust is going? John are we going to hook up with the Newcastle club?

I don't know all the forum names, however, I believe this is the Group so far:
I apologise if I've missed anyone or got the models wrong .

Steve and Eve NB
Frank and Liz ND
Peter and Brenda NC
John and Marion NC
Brian and June NA
Pat and Linda NA
Stewart and Lisa SE
Andrew and Ann SP

Additions to the list:

Derek & Michelle SE
Craig & Michelle SE
Tony & ? NC
Col & Di NC

Note: The MG National Meeting for 2010 is also scheduled for Easter in Adelaide. 200-300 cars from all over Australia typically attend the event, so enroute accommodation may become scarce. Early bookings may be a wise move.

JBT wrote:...Note: The MG National Meeting for 2010 is also scheduled for Easter in Adelaide. 200-300 cars from all over Australia typically attend the event, so enroute accommodation may become scarce. Early bookings may be a wise move.

That's a good point John.

...er, has anyone accepted responsibility for coordinating this trip? I'm getting a bit confused as there seems to be a number of versions floating about (i.e. 'MX5 Club QLD Forum', 'Rag-Top Review', and this thread) all showing different start dates/routes. It would be good to know if there is a central focal point, or persons to contact if there is more than one group!

Also, in case the point has been missed... Snow White will be leaving from Sydney (not Brisbane) early on Thursday morning (06:00). It would be good if we could catch up with 'a convoy' (although a non-MG variety is preferred) at Balranald on Thursday evening - but don't make any special plans around us though as our preference is to head to Tailem Bend and cross the Murray by the punt at Wellington and come into McLaren Vale via Paris Creek/Dashwood Gully.

Back to John's point, I'd like to make a booking at Balranald sooner, rather than later, so it would be appreciated if an early decision can be reached - otherwise, we'll see youse all at McLaren Vale.

P.S. If anyone wants a map of Snow White's intended route then send me a PM.

Cheers

As you point out Andrew, there is some information/thought about coordinating a group run to McLaren Vale in the latest Rag-Top Review. However, that is based around a departure from Brisbane on Saturday and arriving McLaren Vale on Wednesday. The timings don't suit us at all though.

Mrs JBT and I plan (as per my post on 22 Mar 09) to leave Brisbane on Tuesday to arrive McLaren Vale on Friday via the Barossa. The firmed up plan is: Day 1 (Tues) to Gilgandra, day 2 (Wed) to Hay, day 3 (Thur) to Nuriootpa and day 4 (Fri) to McLaren Vale. I've sussed out sub $100/night motels and will be making our bookings next week. Anyone who wants to run with us is more than welcome; just email me to indicate your interest and we'll coordinate things from there.

Normally people make their own way to NatMeet and run in groups if convenient/as required. There is no club run organised as such. Last time, four QLD cars ran down in one group, I think another three or four went on different days in another group and one went as a single. The four in our group all made their own bookings but we agreed on places to stay on the two overnights.

So Andrew, I guess we'll see you at McLaren Vale because we'll be passing through Balranald for breakfast on the Thursday.

OK... We'll see you there.

Good to hear Michelle.
It will be Easter before we know it!

Hi All,
I have just found this thread. Is your plan still to go through Coonabarabran? NSW always convoys to Natmeet for those who have the time. One time Q'land hooked up with us in Sydney and we went the long way I think it was to Adelaide last time. It was fun, and started the event off very well! I haven't spoken to anyone around here so I don't know what is being planned if anything. We are heading down the South Coast this weekend, so will talk to a few people then. It would be good if we did manage to hook up with you at Coonabarabran and carry on the rest of the way together. We try and arrive on the Thursday night, which gives plenty of time to wash the car and settle in before everyone else arrives.
I will get back to you all after the weekend! Hope the rain says away!

There are two groups that I know of going from Qld. This is the plan for our group of 9 or 10 cars:

Tuesday 30 Mar: Brissie - Gilgandra
Wednesday 31 Mar: Gilgandra - Hay
Thursday 1 Apr: Hay - Nuriootpa. Clean car and clothes
Good Friday 2 Apr: Nuriootpa - McLaren Vale. Short run but touristy opportunities down through the Barossa and Adelaide hills etc.

I think the other group is going earlier but I have no idea of route and timings.

Well the time for Natmeet is rapidly approaching and the 17 NSW/ACT cars & crew have started to plan the various routes to Adelaide with some leaving early and going via the coast and some the “fast” way via Hay.

Being one who likes to get where I’m going fast, myself and a few others will be staying in Hay on the Wednesday night (31/3) so if the QLD boys are there we can meet up and have a beer or two.

From there we will be taking the fast route to McLaren Vale staying there on the Thursday night.

Homeward bound for me will be via Coonawarra, Port Fairy, GOR, Beechworth, Rutherglen. A mixture of sight seeing and wine tasting.

Hey CB! CU in Hay.