The Grafton to Armidale road is one of the great rides in the New England tablelands region.
Refereed to just as Nymboida on some bike forums, the rural village where actor Russell Crowe owns the pub is a interesting stop in route. (now closed)
Heading south you can obtain fuel at Courts Crossing if you wanted to skip Grafton. Next fuel is Ebor and before that is a mountain range with mix of road surface and surveying.
Before Ebor you can ride the waterfall way to Dorrigo. Don’t miss the falls at Ebor and there are some excellent viewpoints a little off the main road along the route but they do involve some gravel to get to, vista point and point lookout which at 1563m is actually one of the highest views in the country.
You can locate this road on the map, expand to see the list.
These ‘good road’ posts were published 2006-2008. At some point the original images and descriptions became out of date and I moved overseas. I archived them here to update when I ride Australia again. This collection is just my own personal riding records, not a definitive list.
My wife & I rode this section turning off to Dorrigo and the Waterfall Way.
The Nymboida route was a sensational piece of road that must be ridden at a pace which allows you to enjoy the surrounding countryside. Plenty of tight turns ensures that there is a challenge even at leisurely cruisy speeds.
Gee, I’ve nearly talked myself in to heading down there again.
Cheers, Peter
You don’t have to try hard to get me thinking of the same! The waterfall way is superb and the countryside around this area has so many things of interest to look at.
My wife and I left Kingscliff and headed to Grafton via Casino, then onto Nymboida and stayed over-nite at the pub with Russell crowes interesting things….. rooms and food were all very good. Next morning headed west, then turned left to Dorrigo and Coffs, WOW, what a ride, awesome, smooth corners, big straights, we really opened up the boulevard….its a must do
This area has so much to offer, I am thinking to go back in April if I can find a bike to rent as currently offshore with no wheels.
I am looking forward to this ride -Banora Point -Melbourne via Armidale in September on an old reliable XJ600. Traveled down to Melbourne to see our daughter last year with my wife by car. This year I turn 70 and wish to complete the ride: Another bucket list out of the way. Loved reading about the different rides people ask me why do I want to do it. They don't ride bikes so don't try to explain. Hope I can add photo's later Cheers Campbell
Only a rider knows the feeling Campbell. The road Grafton to Armidale is both interesting and a good ride. I also like the waterfall way to bottom of range past Dorrigo. All the lookouts and waterfalls in this area are all well worth visiting. Hope you have a good ride.
love this part of the world ..great ride great places