[ImpatientAnna]

I would try to get it done in one day and tag team on the driving front.

Pack lots and lots of activities and a laptop if you have one. Ohhhh and snacks!

[.:Natty:.]

Vegie sticks are very good for snacks for every one We pack an esky so have plenty of cool water.

Pull ups are great for emergencies.

Lots of breaks.

I generally buy a lot of $2 shop stuff and make an activity box for my children, but I find the drive generally does end up putting them to sleep for a few hours lol.

I'm dreading our next trip up as I will have a third by then :/

[`Comic Sans`]

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This post has been edited by *magenta*: 03/01/2013, 07:05 AM

[casime]

I used to do the trip all the time. Eleven hours from the south side of Brisbane to Penrith, but I didn't have kids that I needed to stop for.

Make sure that you stop at the Macadamia Castle at Knockrow, and since you're not in a hurry, there's a big kids area and petting zoo type of thing. Their icrecreams are yummy! Once you get past Coffs, lots of the rest stops have small fenced playgrounds now, so the kids can stretch their legs safely.

[idignantlyright]

I used to do the trip all the time. Eleven hours from the south side of Brisbane to Penrith, but I didn't have kids that I needed to stop for.

That would still involve some speeding to do it in that time.
You are supposed to have frequent rest stops to stop driver fatigue. Anyone who doesn't is irresponsible.

[casime]

That would still involve some speeding to do it in that time.
You are supposed to have frequent rest stops to stop driver fatigue. Anyone who doesn't is irresponsible.

No it doesn't (I am fiercely anti speeding, don't get speeding fines, so I can assure you that I don't speed). There are some shortcuts you can take, and I would go to the outskirts of Sydney, not having to go right in to town which made a difference. I also left at around 2 or 3 am which meant you get a great run in the morning, and didn't hit peak hour in sydney. I probably should have stopped for longer than I did, but I was a lot younger and it didn't bother me. A few pee breaks and some take away food and I was happy. I would imagine that you would stop a lot more more, and for longer, when travelling with children.

I had to do Melbourne to Sydney a couple of weeks ago, and that took me a LOT longer than usual, with having to stop every hour for a pee! Damned pregnant bladder!

[kaboo]

We've done Sydney (northwest suburbs) to Gold Coast and back. On the way up we went via the New England Highway and drove to Tamworth with just a quick breastfeeding and coffee stop at a servo in Muswellbrook. Left around 5pm and got in around midnight. The next day we drove up to Malen, stopping at Glen Innes for lunch.

On the way back we drove from Gold Coast to Nambucca Heads, in between Coffs and Kempsey with a stop at Ballina for lunch. That way we were just that bit closer to home on the second leg.

[QueenOfTheDesert]

I have done this drive a few times. DS was 4 months the first time, then 18 months, 2.5 hrs and 3 yrs old. He slept most of the way the first time.
My tips would be to stop every 2 hrs, even if you feel good. This is really important and very easy to do with meals, toilet stops and babies feeds. Get every one out of the car at each stop, to stretch and refresh. It will make a world of difference, even if it's only 10 minutes.
Get going early. Have the car packed the night before leaving, so you can get up and get going without any stuff around. Leave the little ones in their pjs initially, and change them at one of the pit stops. Hopefully they will transfer and sleep the first few hrs away. You could even time your departure for immediately after one of your 7 week olds night feeds.
Buy or borrow a car DVD player. We use our iPad as a DVD player. DS will sit happily the whole way watching his movies, only asking for something to eat occasionally.
If you can, stop overnight half way.
Good luck, it's very do-able if you plan ahead.
Lots of snacks and DVDs work for us every time.

[superdupertroope...]

Also, if you take the Pacific Highway, from Grafton to Byron take the Summerland Highway via Casino - a much better road and only one speed camera at Clunes as opposed to a million speed cameras on that stretch of the Pacific Highway.

though if you are not speeding you wouldn't really need to worry about speed camera's i guess. I wish they would just make speed cameras hidden so no one knew where they were!

[AgEm_my_world]

Hi Guys, Thanks for all your tips! I have takn alot of them on board and will be using them! I dont have my licence, so the shared driving thing is out LOL
I am BF lol but travell seems to send him into an endless sleep, every lucky!
I am super excited now!! Thank-you all!