Road Photos & Information: New South Wales: Pacific Highway, New England Highway, John Renshaw Drive, Southern Freeway, Mount Ousley Road & Princes Highway (National Route 1) (Decommissioned)

Road Photos & Information: New South Wales

Pacific Highway, New England Highway, John Renshaw Drive, Southern Freeway, Mount Ousley Road & Princes Highway (National Route 1) (Decommissioned) - Urunga to Clybucca

Statistics:

Length: 1149 km (Urunga to Clybucca: 65 km)
- Northern section: 668 km
Northern Terminus:
- Northern section: Gold Coast Highway (SR2) and Tugun Bypass (M1) at Tweed Heads West
Southern Terminus:
- Northern section: John Renshaw Drive (NH1) and New England Highway (NH15) at Beresfield
Suburbs, Towns & Localities Along The Route:
- Northern section: Valla Beach, Nambucca Heads, North Macksville, Macksville, Warrell Creek, Eungai Creek, Eungai Rail, Barraganyatti and Clybucca

Route Numbering:

Former:
Road Authority Internal Classification: SH10 (Tweed Heads West to Hexham) 1
Decommissioned: 2013

General Information:

National Route 1 forms part of the main coastal route between Victoria and Queensland. The route features a mix of rural highway, arterial and freeway design standards. The route forms part of what is collectively known as Highway 1. It is Australia's coastal highway joining all mainland's state capitals and coastal towns circumnavigating the entire Australian continent. It is also the longest numbered highway in the world, covering more than 14 500 km.

In New South Wales, National Route 1 was truncated by National Highway 1 between Beresfield and Wahroonga, by Metroad 1 between Wahroonga and Waterfall and by M1 at Tweed Heads West.

Northern Section:

The northern section of National Route 1 took in a small section of New England Highway and the rest was made up by the Pacific Highway. The route varies from dual carriageway arterial and highway standard, to motorway standard and the rest is generally undivided rural highway conditions. The Pacific Highway is very well trafficked, and as a result notorious for a large amount of road trauma within the state. These crashes have resulted in more than 50% of the route being divided since the late 1980s.

Pacific Highway:

The Pacific Highway section of NR1 runs between Brunswick Heads and Hexham, and also between Wahroonga and the Gore Hill Freeway at Artarmon. The northern section between Brunswick Heads and Hexham is a mix of dual carriageway, rural highway and urban arterial roadway. The southern section between Wahroonga and Artarmon is urban arterial standard and passes through one of Sydney's more affluent areas.

The highway traces its origins back to an early settler, George Peat, who owned the land between the Hawkesbury River and Mooney Mooney Creek. To provide access to his property, Peat began a ferry service across the Hawkesbury River in 1844 and surveyed, then constructed a road between Hornsby and Kariong in 1854. After his death in 1870, the ferry service was abandoned and the road fell into disrepair, finally closing to all traffic in 1899, following the completion of the Sydney-Newcastle railway.

Demand for a route between Sydney and Newcastle dates back to the early 20th century. When the only access was via the sea or via a long route through the town of Wiseman's Ferry. In the 1920s, the then Main Roads Board undertook a series of surveys to form an easier and more reliable route north from Sydney. In 1928 construction began on upgrading the old road and converting it to a modern standard, plus creating a new route north, utilising some of the abandoned Peat's Ferry Rd, while improving the horizontal and vertical alignments. In May 1930 the ferry service across the Hawkesbury River was re-established to service the new road until such times that a bridge became necessary. June 1930 marked the completion of the concrete surfacing.

During the time of the Hornsby to Gosford contruction, improvements were made to roads between Gosford to Newcastle as part of the link. On May 17 in 1929, the route was named as the Great Northern Highway. The work from Hornsby to Gosford cost almost £1 million, however it was money well spent, reducing the trip from Sydney to Newcastle from 9 hours to 4 ½ hours.

History:

Pacific Highway:

1930s: Construction of bridges along the Pacific Highway. Bridge built over the Nambucca Clarence River. 2
1931: Great Northern Highway and the North Coast Highway were grouped together and renamed the Pacific Highway. 9 The MRB built a bridge over the Nambucca River at Macksville, which replaced a vehicular ferry.
1932: In Macleay area, construction began on raising of a section of road and the construction of two three-span timber beam bridges, and two concrete culverts at Clybucca Creek, north of Kempsey. 4
1935: Long Cutting Deviation south of Urunga opened to traffic. A further deviation 6200 feet long at the Short Cut between Urunga and Raleigh also completed. 5
1939: By this time, two thirds of the Pacific Highway was bitumen paved. 2
1959: A footway was constructed on the bridge over the Nambucca River on the Pacific Highway at Macksville. 6
1965: Reconstruction was completed immediately south of Macksville, providing improved access to Macksville from the south. 7
21 May 1971: A ceremony was held on the site for the official opening to traffic of the new bridge over lower Warrell Creek on a deviation of the Pacific Highway near Macksville. 8
13th March 1972: Bridge over the Kalang River on the Pacific Highway at Urunga opened by the Minister for Highways. The structure is 752 feet long and provides two traffic lanes and one footway. It replaced a timber bridge 690 feet long. 9
1973: The Department commenced construction of a five span prestressed concrete bridge over Newee Creek, north of Macksville. The structure is 387 feet long, will provide two traffic lanes and replaced a one lane timber bridge 178 feet long. 10
1974: Work commenced on reconstruction through the Cooperabung Range. Construction of a deviation 3.5 km long immediately north of Macksville was completed. Construction was completed of a five span prestressed concrete bridge over Newee Creek north of Macksville. The structure is 116 metres long, provides two traffic lanes and replaced a one lane timber bridge 54 metres long. The construction of a deviation 3.5 km long, immediately north of Macksville, was completed. In addition to providing flood-free approaches to a new bridge over Newee Creek, on a greatly improved alignment, this deviation considerably improved the northern approach to the bridge over the Nambucca River at Macksville. Approaches were constructed at Nambucca Head for a new bridge over Teague Creek. 11
1975: Preliminary work commenced in preparation for reconstruction of the Pacific Highway in cement concrete at Clybucca Flat. 12
1976: Reconstruction was commenced between Bellimbopinni and Clybucca with continuous reinforced concrete pavement. The concrete pavement was completed at Clybucca. 13
17 December 1998: Duplication of Eungai Deviation opens to traffic, with new southbound carriageway commencing operation. 14
July 2013: Work commences on Fredrickton to Eungai upgrade. 15

Click here for the former alignment between Urunga and Clybucca.
Click here for historic photos of Pacific Highway between Urunga and Clybucca.

Urunga to Clybucca		Clybucca to Urunga
Preview:	Description:	Preview:	Description:
	Driver Reviver Sign: Driver reviver stations are operated during school holidays and long weekends, usually by volunteers to encourage people to break whilst travelling, Urunga, June 2006. Image © Dave Whiteman		Advance Directional Sign: AD sign approaching the Clybucca Bus Crash Memorial at Clybucca, July 2013. The fatal crash occurred 22 December 1989, that and another bus crash a few months prior, prompted an accelerated upgrade program for the Pacific Hwy. 16 Image © Paul Rands
	Advance Directional Sign: AD sign at Urunga, approaching Newry Island Rd, November 2010. Image © Rob Tilley		Entering Clybucca: Pacific Hwy (NR1) as it enters the town of Clybucca, July 2013. Image © Paul Rands
	Newry Island Road: Corner of Pacific Hwy (NR1) and Newry Island Rd at Urunga, November 2010. Image © Rob Tilley		Supplemental Advance Directional Sign: Supplemental AD sign at Clybucca, approaching Plummers Ln (TD12), July 2013. Image © Paul Rands
	Yellow Rock Road: Corner of Pacific Hwy (NR1) and Yellow Rock Rd at Urunga, November 2010. Image © Rob Tilley		Advance Directional Sign: AD sign at Clybucca, approaching Plummers Ln (TD12), July 2013. Image © Paul Rands
	Intersection Directional Sign: ID sign at the junction with Marina Cr at Urunga, November 2010. Image © Rob Tilley		Entering Barraganyatti: Pacific Hwy (NR1) as it enters the town of Barranganyatti, July 2013. Image © Paul Rands
	Entering Urunga: Pacific Hwy (NR1) as it enters the Urunga town centre, July 2013. Image © Paul Rands		Divided Road 1km Ahead: Pacific Hwy (NR1) at Eungai Rail approaching the divided section of highway, July 2013. Image © Paul Rands
	Kalang River: AD sign approaching Bellinger St & Ferry St and Kalang River at Urunga, July 2013. Image © Paul Rands		Eungai Creek Road: Corner of Pacific Hwy (NR1) and Eungai Creek Rd at Eungai Creek, July 2013. Image © Paul Rands
	Bellinger Street & Ferry Street: Corner of Pacific Hwy (NR1), Bellinger St and Ferry St in Urunga, November 2010. Image © Rob Tilley		Reassurance Directional Sign: Tourism based distance sign at Eungai Creek, July 2013. Image © Paul Rands
	Advance Directional Sign: AD sign approaching Pilot St, Urunga, July 2013. Image © Paul Rands		Advance Directional Sign: AD sign at Eungai Creek for Paddys Rest Rest Area, July 2013. Image © Paul Rands
	Reassurance Directional Sign: Rest area distance sing near Pilot St, Urunga, November 2010. Image © Rob Tilley		Advance Directional Sign: AD sign at Eungai Creek for Paddys Rest Rest Area, July 2013. Image © Paul Rands
	Pilot Street: ID sign assembly at the junction with Pilot St, Urunga, November 2010. Image © Rob Tilley		Reassurance Directional Sign: Rest area distance sign at Eungai Ck, July 2013. Image © Paul Rands
	Crash Zone: Crash zone signage at Urunga, July 2013. Image © Paul Rands		End Divided Road: Approaching end of divided highway conditions at Eungai Creek, July 2013. Image © Paul Rands
	Advance Direcitonal Sign: AD sign at Urunga approaching Hungry Head Rd, November 2010. Image © Rob Tilley		End Divided Road: Northern extremity of divided road at Eungai Creek, July 2013. Image © Paul Rands
	Hungry Head Road: Corner of Pacific Hwy (NR1) and Hungry Head Rd at Urunga, November 2010. Image © Rob Tilley		Entering Warrell Creek: Pacific Hwy (NR1) as it enters Warrell Creek, July 2013. Image © Paul Rands
	Advance Directional Sign : AD sign at Valla Beach, approaching Valla Beach Rd, November 2010. Image © Rob Tilley		Mill Lane: Corner of Pacific Hwy (NR1) and Mill Ln at Warrell Creek, July 2013. Image © Paul Rands
	Valla Beach Road : Corner of Pacific Hwy (NR1) and Valla Beach Rd at Valla Beach, November 2010. Image © Rob Tilley		Advance Directional sign: AD sign at Donnellyville, approaching Albert Dr, July 2013. Image © Paul Rands
	Deep Creek Road : Corner of Pacific Hwy (NR1) and Deep Creek Rd at Valla Beach, July 2013. Image © Paul Rands		Albert Drive: Corner of Pacific Hwy (NR1) and Albert Dr at Donnellyville, July 2013. Image © Paul Rands
	Reassurance Directional Sign: Distance sign at Valla, November 2010. Image © Rob Tilley		Advance Directional Sign: AD sign at Donnellyville, approaching Scotts Head Rd (TD14), July 2013. Image © Paul Rands
	Advance Directional Sign: AD sign at Valla, approaching Valla Rd, November 2010. Image © Rob Tilley		Scotts Head Road: Corner of Pacific Hwy (NR1) and Scotts Head Rd (TD14) at Donnellyville, July 2013. Image © Paul Rands
	Valla Road: Corner of Pacific Hwy (NR1) and Valla Rd at Valla, November 2010. Image © Rob Tilley		Entering Macksville: Pacific Hwy (NR1) as it enters the town of Macksville, July 2013. Image © Paul Rands
	Bypassed Town Sign: Bypassed town sign at Nambucca Heads, approaching Link Rd, November 2010. Image © Rob Tilley		Advance Directional Sign: AD sign approaching Boundary St, Macksville, July 2013. Image © Paul Rands
	Entering Nambucca Heads: Pacific Hwy (NR1) as it enters the town of Nambucca Heads, July 2013. Image © Paul Rands		Advance Directional Sign: AD sign on River St in Macksville, approaching Pacific Hwy (NR1), June 2005. Image © Paul Rands
	Advance Directional Sign: AD sign at Nambucca Heads, approaching Link Rd, November 2010. Image © Rob Tilley		Nambucca River: Pacific Hwy (NR1) as it crosses Nambucca River at North Macksville, July 2013. Image © Paul Rands
	Link Road: Corner of Pacific Hwy (NR1) and Link Rd at Nambucca Heads, July 2013. Image © Paul Rands		Ferry Street: Corner of Ferry St and Pacific Hwy (NR1) at North Macksville, July 2013. Image © Paul Rands
	Riverside Drive: Corner of Pacific Hwy (NR1) and Riverside Dr at Nambucca Heads, November 2010. Image © Rob Tilley		Reassurance Directional Sign: Distance sign at North Macksville, July 2013. Click here for a photo by Paul Rands of this location from June 2005. Image © Paul Rands
	Riverside Drive: Corner of Pacific Hwy (NR1) and Riverside Dr at Nambucca Heads, November 2010. Image © Rob Tilley		Old Coast road: Corner of Pacific Hwy (NR1) and Old Coast Rd at North Macksville, July 2013. Image © Paul Rands
	Bellwood Road: Corner of Pacific Hwy (NR1) and Belwood Rd at Nambucca Heads, July 2013. Click here for a close up photo by Rob Tilley of the sign from November 2010. Image © Paul Rands		Divided Road Ahead: Approaching the divided section of highway at Nambucca Heads, July 2013.This section of highway had Brifen fencing added to separate oncoming traffic. Image © Paul Rands
	Reassurance Directional Sign: Distance sign at Nambucca Heads, July 2013. Click here for photo by Rob Tilley of this location from November 2010. Image © Paul Rands		Divided Road: The divided section of highway at Nambucca Heads, July 2013.This section of highway had Brifen fencing added to separate oncoming traffic. Image © Paul Rands
	Old Coast road: Corner of Pacific Hwy (NR1) and Old Coast Rd at North Macksville, November 2010. Image © Rob Tilley		Entering Nambucca Heads: Pacific Hwy (NR1) as it enters the town of Nambucca Heads, July 2013. Image © Paul Rands
	Entering Macksville: Pacific Hwy (NR1) as it enters the town of Macksville, July 2013. Image © Paul Rands		Bellwood Road: Corner of Pacific Hwy (NR1) and Belwood Rd at Nambucca Heads, July 2013. Image © Paul Rands
	Advance Directional Sign: AD sign approaching Ferry St, North Macksville, November 2010. Image © Rob Tilley		Riverside Drive: Corner of Pacific Hwy (NR1) and Riverside Dr at Nambucca Heads, July 2013. Image © Paul Rands
	Ferry Street: Corner of Ferry St and Pacific Hwy (NR1) at North Macksville, June 2005. Image © Paul Rands		Riverside Drive: Corner of Pacific Hwy (NR1) and Riverside Dr at Nambucca Heads, July 2013. Image © Paul Rands
	Advance Directional Sign: AD sign at North Macksville approaching Wallace St and Partridge St, November 2010. Click here for a photo by Paul Rands of this location from March 2006. Image © Rob Tilley		Link Road: Corner of Pacific Hwy (NR1) and Link Rd at Nambucca Heads, July 2013. Image © Paul Rands
	Nambucca River: Pacific Hwy (NR1) as it crosses Nambucca River at North Macksville, July 2013. Click here for a photo by Rob Tilley of this location from November 2010. Click here for a photo by Paul Rands of this location from March 2006. Image © Paul Rands		Reassurance Directional Sign: Distance sign at Nambucca Heads, July 2013. Image © Paul Rands
	Bridge Plaque: Main Roads Board bridge plaque at Macksville, June 2005. Image © Paul Rands		Advance Directional Sign: AD sign at Valla Beach, approaching Valla Rd, July 2013. Image © Paul Rands
	Nambucca River: Pacific Hwy (NR1) as it crosses Nambucca River at Macksville, June 2005. Image © Paul Rands		Deep Creek Road: Corner of Pacific Hwy (NR1) and Deep Creek Rd at Valla Beach, July 2013. Image © Paul Rands
	Macksville Town Centre: Pacific Hwy (NR1) as it passes through Macksville, November 2010. Image © Rob Tilley		Advance Directional Sign: AD sign at Valla Beach, approaching Valla Beach Rd, July 2013. Image © Paul Randsr
	Advance Directional Sign: AD sign approaching Boundary St, Macksville, July 2013. Image © Paul Rands		Valla Beach Road: Corner of Pacific Hwy (NR1) and Valla Beach Rd at Valla Beach, July 2013. Image © Paul Rands
	Boundary Street: Corner of Pacific Hwy (NR1) and Boundary St, Macksville, November 2010. Click here for a photo by Paul Rands of this location from March 2006. Image © Rob Tilley		Valla Beach: Pacific Hwy (NR1) as it passes through Valla Beach, July 2013. Image © Paul Rands
	Reassurance Directional Sign: Distance sign at Macksville, March 2006. Click here for a close up photo by Rob Tilley of the sign from November 2010. Image © Paul Rands		Crash Zone: Crash zone signage at Valla, July 2013. Image © Paul Rands
	Advance Directional Sign: AD sign at Macksville approaching Upper Warrell Ck Rd, July 2013. Image © Paul Rands		Crash Zone: Crash zone signage at Urunga, July 2013. Image © Paul Rands
	Intersection Directional Sign: ID sign at the corner of Pacific Hwy (NR1) and Upper Warrell Ck Rd at Macksville, November 2010. Image © Rob Tilley		Advance Direcitonal Sign: AD sign at Urunga approaching Hungry Head Rd, July 2013. Image © Paul Rands
	Advance Directional Sign: AD sign at Way Way, approaching Scotts Head Rd (TD14), November 2010. Image © Rob Tilley		Services Sign: Services sign at Urunga, July 2013. Image © Paul Rands
	Supplemental Advance Directional Sign: Supplemental AD sign at Donnellyville, approaching Scotts Head Rd (TD14), November 2010. Image © Rob Tilley		Entering Urunga: Pacific Hwy (NR1) as it enters the Urunga town centre, July 2013. Image © Paul Rands
	Supplemental Advance Directional Sign: Supplemental AD sign at Donnellyville, approaching Scotts Head Rd (TD14), November 2010. Image © Rob Tilley
	Scotts Head Road: Corner of Pacific Hwy (NR1) and Scotts Head Rd (TD14) at Donnellyville, November 2010. Image © Rob Tilley
	Mill Lane: Corner of Pacific Hwy (NR1) and Mill Ln at Warrell Creek, July 2013. Image © Paul Rands
	Entering Warrell Creek: Pacific Hwy (NR1) as it enters Warrell Creek, July 2013. Image © Paul Rands
	Divided Road 1km Ahead: Pacific Hwy (NR1) at Eungai Creek approaching the divided section of highway, July 2013. Image © Paul Rands
	Divided Road Next 8km: At Eungai Creek, the Pacific Hwy becomes divided for 8 km, July 2013. Image © Paul Rands
	Advance Directional Sign: AD sign at Eungai Creek for Paddys Rest Rest Area, July 2013. Image © Paul Rands
	Advance Directional Sign: AD sign at Eungai Creek for Paddys Rest Rest Area, July 2013. Image © Paul Rands
	Advance Directional Sign: AD sign at Eungai Creek approaching Eungai Creek Rd (former Pacific Hwy alignment), November 2010. Image © Rob Tilley
	Reassurance Directional Sign: Rest area distance sign at Eungai Ck, July 2013. Image © Paul Rands
	Eungai Creek Road: Corner of Pacific Hwy (NR1) and Eungai Ck Rd at Eungai Creek, July 2013. Image © Paul Rands
	Reassurance Directional Sign: Tourism based distance sign at Eungai Creek, November 2010. Image © Rob Tilley
	Advance Directional Sign: AD sign at Eungai Creek, approaching Old Pacific Hwy, November 2010. Image © Rob Tilley
	Advance Directional Sign: AD sign at the end of the divided section of highway at Eungai Rail, approaching Station St, November 2010. Image © Rob Tilley
	Station Street: Corner of Pacific Hwy (NR1) and Station St at Eungai Rail, November 2010. Image © Rob Tilley
	Entering Barraganyatti: Pacific Hwy (NR1) as it enters the town of Barranganyatti, July 2013. Image © Paul Rands
	Supplemental Advance Directional Sign: Supplemental AD sign at Barraganyatti, approaching Stuarts Point Rd (TD14) and Blackbutt Shute Rd, July 2013. Image © Paul Rands
	Advance Directional Sign: AD sign at Barraganyatti, approaching Stuarts Point Rd (TD14) and Blackbutt Shute Rd, November 2010. Image © Rob Tilley
	Stuarts Point Road & Blackbutt Shute Road: Corner of Pacific Hwy (NR1), Stuarts Point Rd (TD14) and Blackbutt Shute Rd at Barraganyatti, July 2013. Image © Paul Rands
	Stuarts Point Road & Blackbutt Shute Road: Corner of Pacific Hwy (NR1), Stuarts Point Rd (TD14) and Blackbutt Shute Rd at Barraganyatti, November 2010. Image © Rob Tilley
	Entering Clybucca: Pacific Hwy (NR1) as it enters the town of Clybucca, November 2010. Image © Rob Tilley
	Supplemental Advance Directional Sign: Supplemental AD sign at Clybucca, approaching Plummers Ln (TD12), July 2013. Click here for a photo by Rob Tilley of this location from November 2010. Click here for a photo by Paul Rands of this location from March 2006. Image © Paul Rands
	Supplemental Advance Directional Sign: Supplemental AD sign at Clybucca, approaching Plummers Ln (TD12), November 2010. Image © Rob Tilley
	Advance Directional Sign: AD sign at Clybucca, approaching Plummers Ln (TD12), July 2013. Click here for a photo by Rob Tilley of this location from November 2010. Image © Paul Rands
	Plummers Lane: Corner of Pacific Hwy (NR1) and Plummers Ln (TD12) at Clybucca, November 2010. Note the incorrect shield colour on the ID sign. Image © Rob Tilley
	Advance Directional Sign: AD sign approaching the Clybucca Bus Crash Memorial at Clybucca, July 2013. The fatal crash occurred 22 December 1989, that and another bus crash a few months prior, prompted an accelerated upgrade program for the Pacific Hwy. 16 Image © Paul Rands
Click here for the continuation of National Route 1 between Clybucca and Port Macquarie Click here for the continuation of National Route 1 between South Grafton and Urunga

1 Roads and Traffic Authority, Schedule of Classified Roads and State & Regional Roads, 31 January 2011
2 RTA Thematic History, 2nd Edition, 2006
3 Main Roads Board, Annual Report, 1930-31
4 Main Roads Board Annual Report, 1932
5 Department of Main Roads, Annual Report, 1934-35
6 Department of Main Roads, Annual Report, 1958-59
7 Department of Main Roads, Annual Report, 1964-65
8 Department of Main Roads, Annual Report, 1970-71
9 Department of Main Roads, Annual Report, 1971-72
10 Department of Main Roads, Annual Report, 1972-73
11 Department of Main Roads, Annual Report, 1973-74
12 Department of Main Roads, Annual Report, 1974-75
13 Department of Main Roads, Annual Report, 1976-77
14 Roads and Maritime Services, Projects, Pacific Highway Upgrade, Port Macquarie to Coffs Harbour, Completed Projects, Eungai Deviation
15 Roads and Maritime Services, Projects, Pacific Highway upgrade,Port Macquarie to Coffs Harbour, Frederickton to Eungai
16 Port Macquarie News, Clybucca: December 22, 1989, 20 Dec 2009

Last updated: 30-Aug-2017 06:28

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