Route from Canberra to Melbourne via Bombala and Orbost

First topic message reminder :

I'm thinking of taking the bike down to Tasmania sometime in November, and am looking at the route options to get to Port Melbourne.

Is it worth the ride / extra time to go through Bombala and Orbost?

Once you get past, say, Sale, is the traffic slow, and what is the best road option to get into Port Melbourne from that direction?

I'll be loaded up, so filtering probably won't be an option.

Thanks in advance.

I note also that google maps has Orbost almost exactly half way, 370km then 372km, and the time for each half as almost the same (ie 4.5 hours each). Seems a bit not quite right.... thoughts?

maybe I'll just borrow Leroy, and he can look after my stuff....