The Alps Are Calling
Answer the call; join us on another mind altering extravaganza. From the Ocean to the Alps is the setting for the first 2016 BreakFast Club major tour. Our assault on the South Coast Hinterland and the fabulous Victorian & New South Wales Alps is now a reality.
Accommodation for this tour is limited to 15 rooms each night. So you may need to double up with other Club Members each night.
RSVP as a matter of urgency if you want to be part of this fabulous MX-5 Challenge.
Assembly Point - 10 March 2016
The tour will begin with an overnight stay at Merimbula. Thursday after work all participants will drive in the cool autumn evening air, roof down, and meet up at the Summerhill Motor Inn Merimbula.
Accommodation: Summerhill Motor Inn, 24-26 Merimbula Drive, Merimbula NSW, Ph 02 6495 3111
DAY 1 - 11 March 2016
Friday morning will begin with a 6:30am briefing for a 6:50am start. We will head for Pambula then take a right turn on the Mount Darragh Road up to the high country for Lochiel, Wyndham, Cathcart and a toilet stop just before entering Bombala. Breakfast at the Bombala Bakery will be a welcome respite and the coffee should re-energise everyone for the next stage.
Breakfast:
Bombala Bakery - 115 Maybe Street Bombala NSW 2632 - Ph 02 6458 3113
9:00am should see us leave Bombala for the joy of driving back down to the coast via Imlay Road. We head south down the Monaro Highway towards Rockton and turn left on to Nungatta Road then we merge into the Imlay Road for the descent to the coast. At Narrabarba we make a sharp turn onto the Princes Highway and settle down for a delightful drive through the coastal forests towards Cann River. We will refuel here as 98RON is available. Then, a well-deserved Lunch; you have the choice of Cann River Bakery or Pelican Point Coffee Lounge to satisfy your cravings.
Lunch:
Cann River Bakery - 22 Princess Hwy Cann River Victoria 3890 - Ph 03 5158 6334
Pelican Point Coffee Lounge – Princess Highway Cann River Victoria 3890 – Ph 03 5158 6328
11:45am and we are off again up the Monaro Highway for Delegate in the High Country. This is a really scenic drive that everyone will enjoy. The road is for the most part wide and winding; however it is a real stress relieving stage. We will make a comfort stop at the Delegate Café for a caffeine boost to get us ready for the highlight of the day.
Coffee & Snacks:
Delegate Café - 64 Bombala Street Delegate NSW 2633 – Ph 02 6458 8171
2:10 pm Leave Delegate with calm – In the Zone - apprehension at what is to come. Have you travelled this incredibly challenging road? I have the expectation of a massive adrenalin rush that will undoubtedly hit all of you. I have enjoyed this section of road at least 30 plus times in the past 4 years, since the road was re-made and sealed. The "Grader Driver" really knew his stuff when he cambered the corners; tightened the curves and switch-backs and created such a wonderful surprise for all who travel this Iconic Road. It is almost like Slalom Skiing in your MX-5. There are better roads but none with the demands this one has to offer. That’s just the top 18km; there are 90km to go before a well-earned rest.
The Bonang Highway waits. 113km of MX-5 NIRVANA. The top section just has to be done twice; it has become an addiction of mine. I just love the challenge of the G forces that are generated as our amazing handling cars cling to the surface with such confidence, how could you not be impressed?
There is no time on this 113km section for boredom. The road demands your attention drawing you in deeper to the ultimate "ZONE". This is truly "Bucket List" time. It’s 5:45pm when we arrive at the Lakes Entrance Bamboo Motor Inn for the night. Tired with nervous energy, we need to wind down from the day's high. We will enjoy basic accommodation that is clean and affordable. Only a short 500m walk away–very welcome after a full day in the car- for dinner at the Seafood Restaurant on the Esplanade. I have eaten there on several occasions and the meals are always enjoyable, well prepared and exceptional value.
Accommodation: Bamboo Motor Inn, 163-167 Esplanade, Lakes Entrance VIC, Ph 03 5155 155
DAY 2 - 12 March 2016
The day starts at 6:30am for the mandatory daily briefing and everyone is expected to be there. We head off at 6:45am on our BreakFast Club early morning run to Orbost. Although this stage of the day is only 134km we will all be ready for a hearty breakfast. Upon arrival at Orbost we will have a delightful, well earned Big Breakfast at the Matthews & McKerlie Orbost Bakery, washed down with ‘we hope good coffee’.
The drive to Bruthen and on to Buchan is a lovely stress free drive. Then a magical run from Buchan to Orbost takes us through some of the best country. What a fabulous way to start the day. This is what the BreakFast Club is all about.
Breakfast:
Matthews & McKerlie Orbost Bakery, 121 Nicholson Street, Orbost Vic 3888.
For the next stage of the tour, everyone should have an extra drink and a snack to keep your energy levels up. The run up and down the mountains will get your adrenalin pumping. The cornering ability of your MX-5, that you have already explored over the previous stages; put you in the box seat to enjoy this stage to the max. Ahead there are a wide range of narrow rural roads that will keep you focused. At times on the long not so straight stretches you will be wondering; why we are going this way? You will soon find the answer, and what an answer you will get. Once you check-out the view your nervousness will melt away. It is here you take a deep breath and get yourself in the right frame of mind to attack the hill climbs and the downhill descents. This section is very demanding with blind corners that tighten-up and tighten again. The double esses and switch-backs need to be treated with respect. Be ready for some wonderful vistas, the changes to the landscape are a feast for the eyes. The road itself will be speaking to you at more than a whisper. Occasionally loud voices will sound a warning in your head; take heed, it is real. Each of us should be a better driver for the experience of this tour. At least that is the plan. This road is best enjoyed without the need to write anything about the experience. There will be plenty spoken after the drive this morning.
We arrive at the Bonang Highway Junction, what an opportunity. MX-5 NIRVANA; we have the opportunity to attack the top section of the Bonang again. I for one cannot resist the “High” I get driving this section of the road. It gets better every time I drive it. I feel at one with my MX-5; knowing that any demand I make of her, she will reward me with sheer exhilaration. The grip levels of this fantastic car focus the mind and allow me to enter the "Zone". By the time I arrive at the top again the adrenalin boost is at the maxx. I am on cloud nine.
Once all of the cars are re-assembled after the “Bonang Stint”; we head for Jindabyne and a well-earned rest at the Lake Jindabyne Hotel. Once there everyone will gather up on the Hotel Balcony and enjoy our Happy Hour. Dinner is at the Italian Kitchen Restaurant in the commercial centre across the street from the hotel.
Accommodation: Lake Jindabyne Hotel, 21 McLure Circuit, Jindabyne NSW, Ph: 02 6456 2203
DAY 3 - 13 March 2016
We are gathered together at 6:30am for the days briefing. Everyone will have their car ready for the day before breakfast at 7:00am. At 7:30am we leave Jindabyne for a fantastic day of MX-5 Driving. We head for Khancoban for our morning coffee and cake indulgence at Shane O’s Café, where Michelle will treat us like royalty. Here we have a 50 minute break. Leaving Khancoban we have a fantastic drive ahead, we frolic around the Murray River and head for Elliott Way. There is an opportunity for a blast down Goats Ridge Road and back up again to head out on the Link Road for our overnight stay at The Snow Goose Hotel in Adaminaby.
Accommodation: The Snow Goose Hotel, 2 Denison St, Adaminaby NSW, Ph 02 6454 2202
DAY 4 - 14 March 2016
The last day of the tour will see the Sydney folk in Campbelltown by early afternoon. There will be three options that they can take.
