[prydey]

I've done Adelaide to Brisbane more times than I've had hot dinners, and yes, many of the national highways are goat tracks. I don't go via Mildura but through the Mallee so can't comment on Adelaide side of Balranald. There is a section between hay and west Wyalong that is literally like a goat track. Not sure where your your mate Tom took you. I used to go via Toowoomba, but the turn off is at the border. Not sure there's too many other ways to cross the range apart from Toowoomba and Warwick.

I can see how the break in really capped it off for you. Sorry to hear about it. Hope you don't have any issues with insurance.