I hope the moderator will allow me this quick thread as I am not sure where else to post it.
My wife and I are thinking of visiting Australia this October if time and money permits. She likes quilting so she showed me a Australian website for a quilt store in Bathurst. "Aha" I said guess what.. so we would like to fit in the Bathurst 1000 which I beleive is in October this year.
Two questions if I may of the many Australian members here
1) I think Bathurst is about 100km from Sydney, is that true and how long would it take to drive on raceday?
2) I would love to see it but in fairness I don,t want to drag my wife to a "zoo" of traffic and people for what is a long race. Is there any reasonably civilised way of seeing the race properly in a one day trip from Sydney or do we need to stay locally?
Any advice would be very welcome.
Bathurst 1000 - a request for tourist help
Started by
mariner
, Apr 25 2008 19:09
10 replies to this topic
Advertisement
#2
Russell Burrows
-
- 6,529 posts
- Joined: December 07
Member
Posted 25 April 2008 - 20:52
Originally posted by mariner
I hope the moderator will allow me this quick thread as I am not sure where else to post it.
My wife and I are thinking of visiting Australia this October if time and money permits. She likes quilting so she showed me a Australian website for a quilt store in Bathurst. "Aha" I said guess what.. so we would like to fit in the Bathurst 1000 which I beleive is in October this year.
Two questions if I may of the many Australian members here
1) I think Bathurst is about 100km from Sydney, is that true and how long would it take to drive on raceday?
2) I would love to see it but in fairness I don,t want to drag my wife to a "zoo" of traffic and people for what is a long race. Is there any reasonably civilised way of seeing the race properly in a one day trip from Sydney or do we need to stay locally?
Any advice would be very welcome.
Bathurst is about 140 miles from Sydney. It used to be a good three hour drive and almost certainly still is.
#3
Ray Bell
-
- 82,264 posts
- Joined: December 99
Member
Posted 25 April 2008 - 20:58
Driving to Bathurst on race day would be fraught with danger...
Bathurst is more like 210 kms from Sydney, it's over the Blue Mountains and it's a busy drive for those travelling up there on race day. Driving there is then followed by a long queue to get in.
The course of wisdom would be to stay locally, but that would probably mean camping. This is possible at the top of the mountain, which is the best way without a doubt. You camp at the back of the major spectator area and join in the atmosphere of the meeting... some of which is a bit raucous. I doubt that stores in Bathurst would be open on race day, but they will be the following day, and they will be on the Saturday, which includes minor races and so on.
Unless it rains, the weather conditions should be reasonable... cool nights, warm to hot days. Magnificent views, plenty to see and do in town, you could radiate out from Bathurst to do a lot of nice touring.
My recommendation is to go Saturday only, get right around the track and have a good look, let your wife go off to the quilting shop for a few hours if you wish. Don't make the mistake of spending too much time near the pits... everything worthwhile at Bathurst is at the top of the mountain, with some spectacle at the Chase as well.
Bathurst is more like 210 kms from Sydney, it's over the Blue Mountains and it's a busy drive for those travelling up there on race day. Driving there is then followed by a long queue to get in.
The course of wisdom would be to stay locally, but that would probably mean camping. This is possible at the top of the mountain, which is the best way without a doubt. You camp at the back of the major spectator area and join in the atmosphere of the meeting... some of which is a bit raucous. I doubt that stores in Bathurst would be open on race day, but they will be the following day, and they will be on the Saturday, which includes minor races and so on.
Unless it rains, the weather conditions should be reasonable... cool nights, warm to hot days. Magnificent views, plenty to see and do in town, you could radiate out from Bathurst to do a lot of nice touring.
My recommendation is to go Saturday only, get right around the track and have a good look, let your wife go off to the quilting shop for a few hours if you wish. Don't make the mistake of spending too much time near the pits... everything worthwhile at Bathurst is at the top of the mountain, with some spectacle at the Chase as well.
#4
brucemoxon
-
- 1,056 posts
- Joined: December 04
Member
Posted 26 April 2008 - 00:12
Originally posted by Ray Bell
Driving to Bathurst on race day would be fraught with danger...
Bathurst is more like 210 kms from Sydney, it's over the Blue Mountains and it's a busy drive for those travelling up there on race day. Driving there is then followed by a long queue to get in.
The course of wisdom would be to stay locally, but that would probably mean camping. This is possible at the top of the mountain, which is the best way without a doubt. You camp at the back of the major spectator area and join in the atmosphere of the meeting... some of which is a bit raucous. I doubt that stores in Bathurst would be open on race day, but they will be the following day, and they will be on the Saturday, which includes minor races and so on.
Unless it rains, the weather conditions should be reasonable... cool nights, warm to hot days. Magnificent views, plenty to see and do in town, you could radiate out from Bathurst to do a lot of nice touring.
My recommendation is to go Saturday only, get right around the track and have a good look, let your wife go off to the quilting shop for a few hours if you wish. Don't make the mistake of spending too much time near the pits... everything worthwhile at Bathurst is at the top of the mountain, with some spectacle at the Chase as well.
"A bit raucous"? Ray, it's a zoo these days. I'd not take a lady up there after about Saturday afternoon. There is plenty of evidence of the gene pool needing chlorine.
I agree that the best viewing areas are at the top of the track - the elevation changes are incredible from Skyline to Forrest's Elbow and the speeds through the sweeping corners from The Cutting to Syline are amazing.
You can camp in nearby Orange or Oberon; you might even find a Bed and Breakfast in the latter, or at Lithgow. They're all about an hour away.
Bruce Moxon
#5
seldo
-
- 2,664 posts
- Joined: June 06
Member
Posted 26 April 2008 - 08:45
Are you blokes trying to scare Mariner off?
It is quite "do-able" in a day but there will be 40,000 others trying to do the same thing, so it will be a slower trip.
Bathurst is a two and half to three hour trip under normal conditions depending of course on your point of departure. On race day I'd factor in maybe an extra half hour. So, if you are prepared to beat the traffic and depart early - say 06.00, (05.30 even) you will be there comfortably by 09.00, enjoy the day's racing. Let the urgent traffic depart, have something to eat, and, after the early rush, drive back at about 20.00 to get you home by 23.00. A long day but very do-able.
It's a must-do experience...
It is quite "do-able" in a day but there will be 40,000 others trying to do the same thing, so it will be a slower trip.
Bathurst is a two and half to three hour trip under normal conditions depending of course on your point of departure. On race day I'd factor in maybe an extra half hour. So, if you are prepared to beat the traffic and depart early - say 06.00, (05.30 even) you will be there comfortably by 09.00, enjoy the day's racing. Let the urgent traffic depart, have something to eat, and, after the early rush, drive back at about 20.00 to get you home by 23.00. A long day but very do-able.
It's a must-do experience...
#6
Catalina Park
-
- 6,891 posts
- Joined: July 01
Member
Posted 26 April 2008 - 10:15
The only way to the top of the mountain on race day is by bus. You park near the pits and when you want to take a look upstairs you catch a bus. There is a charge for the bus in these commercial times.
#7
Amaroo Park
-
- 334 posts
- Joined: April 06
Member
Posted 27 April 2008 - 11:10
There is a charge for everything. Another thing to be aware of is that regardless howmany days you are going for you will be made to purchase a 5 day pass. Make sure you get it stamped on the way in otherwise they will not refund you the balance of the days you wont be there as happened to a group of people I was up there with on the friday last year,
#8
275 GTB-4
-
- 8,274 posts
- Joined: February 03
Member
Posted 27 April 2008 - 11:23
Originally posted by Catalina Park
The only way to the top of the mountain on race day is by bus. You park near the pits and when you want to take a look upstairs you catch a bus. There is a charge for the bus in these commercial times.
The bus is about fi-dollar from memory...however, if you have mountain goat in your family and are reasonably fit...theres nothing to stop you walking up to the top of the mountain...I'd estimate it would take you 30 minutes at least.
Another option might be to investigate campervan hire from Sydney and go up early one afternoon....Bathurst has a special lot for these vehicles.
#9
Amaroo Park
-
- 334 posts
- Joined: April 06
Member
Posted 27 April 2008 - 11:31
Originally posted by 275 GTB-4
however, if you have mountain goat in your family and are reasonably fit...theres nothing to stop you walking up to the top of the mountain...I'd estimate it would take you 30 minutes at least.
Ahh yes there is these days, Cochrane and his Avesco Storm Troopers. The only way they let people up there last year was on the bus. They don't let you walk up there now, cause they can't chrage you for walking up there
#10
timbo
-
- 535 posts
- Joined: December 07
Member
Posted 27 April 2008 - 20:45
Originally posted by Amaroo Park
There is a charge for everything. Another thing to be aware of is that regardless howmany days you are going for you will be made to purchase a 5 day pass. Make sure you get it stamped on the way in otherwise they will not refund you the balance of the days you wont be there as happened to a group of people I was up there with on the friday last year,
I'm sure you can buy a weekend only pass, but that still doesn't solve then problem of paying for the Sunday and not being at the track. If they had a Saturday only ticket I would make the trip from Sydney for the day, but now just watch it on television instead.
Perhaps you could try and time your visit at Easter, when the Festival of Sporting Cars are holding their race meeting. It would be a much more relaxed and enjoyable atmosphere.
#11
Bex37
-
- 2,487 posts
- Joined: November 98
Member
Posted 27 April 2008 - 22:16
Hi Mariner
I've been going up there every year for more than a decade and always camp on the top of the mountain up near Sulman Park.
Last year's ticketing prices are shown here as well as information about camping, local accomodation and the circuit. If you were looking to stay at a motel, you had better book fast.
If you look at this web site, you'll see that Bathurst is 207km from Sydney city centre. If you're coming from the airport, its about the same distance. They quote 2.5 hours travel time by car which is probably about right with light traffic and no stops. I would leave 3.5 hours plus stops if I were you and then you should have a stress free run.
@Bruce Moxon:
If you've were up the top of the mountain last year and the year before you would know that it has settled down a HUGE amount. I think it would be safe to take the wife as long as she has a bit of an open mind (there are always idiots where-ever there is alcohol). Alternatively, there is a family camping area down near Caltex Chase. But if your wife is anything like mine, she would probably prefer the motel where you've got your own shower and there is somewhere to plug in the hairdryer. She would also be much closer to the quilt shop and could keep herself amused shopping at leisure in town while your at the circuit.
Also, you will need clothes for every possible type of weather. I've had Bathurst weekends where its shorts and T-shirt and really hot and I've had others where its as many clothes as you can put on and you're still cold. I've seen sun, wind, rain, sleet and snow ......... and the next day it was slightly better :-D
We've always got space in our camp site for extras, but unless your better half is VERY understanding you should probably just pay us a visit up at Sulman Park. We have 6 camp sites about 100m from the track. You will know the camp site when you hear the sound system (yes, you will hear it from a LONG way away - I pity the neighbours) and see a projector aimed at the side of a Pantec truck playing classic rock music DVDs and F1 races.
Cheers
I've been going up there every year for more than a decade and always camp on the top of the mountain up near Sulman Park.
Last year's ticketing prices are shown here as well as information about camping, local accomodation and the circuit. If you were looking to stay at a motel, you had better book fast.
If you look at this web site, you'll see that Bathurst is 207km from Sydney city centre. If you're coming from the airport, its about the same distance. They quote 2.5 hours travel time by car which is probably about right with light traffic and no stops. I would leave 3.5 hours plus stops if I were you and then you should have a stress free run.
@Bruce Moxon:
If you've were up the top of the mountain last year and the year before you would know that it has settled down a HUGE amount. I think it would be safe to take the wife as long as she has a bit of an open mind (there are always idiots where-ever there is alcohol). Alternatively, there is a family camping area down near Caltex Chase. But if your wife is anything like mine, she would probably prefer the motel where you've got your own shower and there is somewhere to plug in the hairdryer. She would also be much closer to the quilt shop and could keep herself amused shopping at leisure in town while your at the circuit.
Also, you will need clothes for every possible type of weather. I've had Bathurst weekends where its shorts and T-shirt and really hot and I've had others where its as many clothes as you can put on and you're still cold. I've seen sun, wind, rain, sleet and snow ......... and the next day it was slightly better :-D
We've always got space in our camp site for extras, but unless your better half is VERY understanding you should probably just pay us a visit up at Sulman Park. We have 6 camp sites about 100m from the track. You will know the camp site when you hear the sound system (yes, you will hear it from a LONG way away - I pity the neighbours) and see a projector aimed at the side of a Pantec truck playing classic rock music DVDs and F1 races.
Cheers
