Road Photos & Information: New South Wales: Great Western Highway, Mitchell Highway & Barrier Highway (National Route 32)

Road Photos & Information: New South Wales

Great Western Highway, Mitchell Highway & Barrier Highway (National Route 32) - Lithgow to Katoomba (Decommissioned)

Statistics:

Length: 1146 km (Lithgow to Katoomba: 37 km)
Western Terminus: NSW-SA Border at Cockburn
Eastern Terminus: Western Fwy (Metroad 4) and Governors Dr at Glenbrook
Miscellaneous: Continues as A32 (Barrier Hwy) in South Australia
Suburbs, Towns & Localities Along The Route: Medlow Bath, Blackheath, Mt Victoria, Hartley, Bowenfels and Lithgow

Route Numbering:

Former:
Road Authority Internal Classification: HW5 (Glenbrook to Bathurst) 1
Decommissioned: 2013

General Information:

National Route 32 is the main route linking the New South Wales state capital, Sydney, with the west of the state. The road varies from arterial road conditions, rural expressway and rural highway.

Great Western Highway:

The highway is signposted as National Route 32 from Glenbrook in Sydney's west, to its terminus at Bathurst. Great Western Hwy is signposted as SR44 in the sydney area.

The Great Western Highway is regarded as one of the oldest roads in Australia. Starting as George Street in the Sydney CBD, and following Parramatta Road, it heads west across metropolitan Sydney to Penrith, where it crosses the Nepean River. It then crosses the Blue Mountains and the Great Dividing Range to Bathurst.

The road across the Blue Mountains was built by William Cox in the 1800s shortly after a viable route across the mountains was discovered. An obelisk at Macquarie Place in Sydney records the construction of the road during the rule of Governor Lachlan Macquarie.

In the 90s, the highway was terminated at Emu Plains with the closure of the Knapsack Gully Viaduct. An extension to the Western Mwy (Metroad 4) at Emu Plains was constructed, which rejoined with the highway at Glenbrook. The upper portion of the Great Western Highway from Russell Street is now only used by residents and cars coming from Blaxland via Mitchells Pass. Mitchells Pass is section of the former main road over the Blue Mountains.

History:

May 1813: Successful crossing of the Blue Mountains by Gregory Blaxland, William Charles Wentworth and Lieutennant William Lawson. 2
18 July 1814: Work commences from Emu Plains (Emu Ford) on what eventually becomes Great Western Road. The Chief Magistrate at Windsor, William Cox supervised the construction of what was the first road over the Blue Mountains. 2
7 November 1814: Construction of mountain pass at Mt York. 2
6 December 1814: Work begins on 1 bridge over the Lett River and another over the Cox River. the were completed in 6 days. 2
15 December 1814: Completion of the mountain pass at Mt York. 2
14 January 1815: Completion of a 12 feet wide 101 mile track to Bathurst. 2
1829: Work begins on Victoria Pass. 2
23 October 1832: Victoria Pass is opened by Governor Bourke. 2
June 1858: The Main Roads Management Act appoints Captain BH Martindale as the person responsible for the management of 3 main roads in the colony including the Great Western Road, from Sydney via Parramatta, Penrith, Hartley and Bathurst to Wellington. 2
7 June 1926: A board meeting resolved to set aside funding from the Commonwealth's road funding scheme for road development to be used on some of NSW 'great trunk routes', which included the Great Western Road. 2
1938: Installation of warning signs, roadmarkings and guide posts along a 60 mile stretch between Parramatta and Mt Victoria. These were implemented for testing, for a possible statewide rollout. 2
1939: After successful testing of warning signs, roadmarkings and guide posts, the system was implemented statewide. Also completion of pavement along the Great Western Road. 2
1950s: The Forty Bends section of the highway near Lithgow was also eliminated. 2
June 2002: Improved alignment and overtaking lane constructed on Great Western Hwy at Soldiers Pinch at Mount Victoria. 3
December 2003: Improved alignment, replacement bridge and new signalised intersection on Great Western Hwy at Medlow Bath. 3
8 June 2010: Installation begins of pedestrian signals on Great Western Hwy at Blackheath. 4

Katoomba to Lithgow		Lithgow to Katoomba
Preview:	Description:	Preview:	Description:
	Entering Medlow Bath: Great Western Hwy (NR32) entering the town of Medlow Bath, November 2011. Click here for a photo from November 2010 by Rob Tilley of the previous sign. Image © Paul Rands		Entering Lithgow : Great Western Hwy (NR32) as it enters the town of Lithgow, April 2012. Image © Paul Rands
	Advance Directional Sign: AD sign approaching Evans Lookout Rd, Blackheath, December 2012. Click here for a photo of this location from November 2011. Image © Paul Rands		Advance Directional Sign : AD sign approaching Main St (Bells Line of Road) (SR40) and Caroline Av, Lithgow, April 2012. Image © Paul Rands
	Evans Lookout Road: Great Western Hwy (NR32) at Evans Lookout Rd, Blackheath, December 2012. Click here for a photo of this location from November 2011. Image © Paul Rands		Main Street & Caroline Avenue : ID sign assembly at the junction with Main St (Bells Line of Road) (SR40) and Caroline Av, Lithgow, April 2012. Image © Paul Rands
	Entering Blackheath: Great Western Hwy (NR32) entering the town of Blackheath, November 2011. Click here for a photo from November 2010 by Rob Tilley of the previous sign. Image © Paul Rands		SR40 / NR32 Junction: Main Street (SR40) at the junction with Great Western Highway (NR32) and Caroline Avenue, Lithgow, December 2005. Image © Paul Rands
	Advance Directional Sign: AD sign at Blackheath approaching Bundarra St and Govetts Leap Rd, December 2012. Image © Paul Rands		Distance Sign: RD sign near Bayonet Street Lithgow. April 2012. Image © Paul Rands
	Supplemental Advance Directional Sign: Supplemental AD sign approaching Bundarra St & Govetts Leap Rd, Blackheath, December 2012. Click here for a photo by Rob Tilley of this location from November 2010. Image © Paul Rands		AD Sign: Advance directional sign, southbound at Lithgow approaching the Col Drewe Dr intersection. April 2012. Image © Paul Rands
	Advance Directional Sign: AD sign approaching Bundarra St & Govetts Leap Rd, Blackheath, November 2011. Image © Paul Rands		Distance Sign: RD sign near First Street Lithgow. April 2012. Image © Paul Rands
	Bundarra Street & Govetts Leap Road: ID sign assembly at the junction with Bundarra St & Govetts Leap Rd in Blackheath, December 2012. Click here for a photo of this location from November 2011. Image © Paul Rands		Warning Sign for Old Bathurst Road: Southbound at Hassan Walls. December 2005. Image © Paul Rands
	Bundarra Street & Govetts Leap Road: ID sign assembly at the junction with Bundarra St & Govetts Leap Rd in Blackheath, November 2011. Image © Paul Rands		River Lett Hill & Distance Sign : Great Western Hwy (NR32) as it begins the descent of River Lett Hill at Hartley, April 2012. Image © Paul Rands
	Hat Hill Road: Great Western Hwy (NR32) at Hat Hill Road, Blackheath, December 2012. Click here for a photo by Rob Tilley of this location from November 2011. Image © Paul Rands		River Lett Hill / Hartley Bends: This section of road has been very tight and windy for a number of years even after improvments during the 1980s. April 2012. Image © Paul Rands
	Advance Directional Sign: AD sign approaching the Heavy Vehicle checking station at Blackheath, November 2011. Image © Paul Rands		Truck & Bus Speed Limit : Truck and bus speed limit on River Lett Hill at Hartley, April 2012. Image © Paul Rands
	Advance Directional Sign: AD sign approaching the Heavy Vehicle checking station at Blackheath, November 2011. Image © Paul Rands		River Lett Hill / Hartley Bends: This section of road has been very tight and windy for a number of years even after improvments during the 1980s. April 2012. Image © Paul Rands
	Supplemental Advance Directional Sign: Supplemental AD sign approaching the Heavy Vehicle checking station at Blackheath, November 2011. Image © Paul Rands		River Lett Hill / Hartley Bends: This section of road has been very tight and windy for a number of years even after improvments during the 1980s. April 2012. Click here for a photo of this location by Paul Rands, from December 2005. Image © Paul Rands
	Heavy Vehicle Checking Station: The heavy vehicle checking station at Blackheath, November 2011. Image © Paul Rands		River Lett Hill / Hartley Bends: This section of road has been very tight and windy for a number of years even after improvments during the 1980s. April 2012. Click here for a photo of this location by Paul Rands, from December 2005. Image © Paul Rands
	Heavy Vehicle Checking Station: The heavy vehicle checking station at Blackheath, November 2011. Image © Paul Rands		Advance Directional Sign: AD sign approaching Jenolan Caves Rd and Blackmans Ck Rd at Hartley, April 2012. Image © Paul Rands
	Heavy Vehicle Checking Station: The heavy vehicle checking station at Blackheath, November 2011. Image © Paul Rands		Jenolan Caves Road & Blackmans Creek Road Intersection: Eastbound through Hartley. April 2012. Image © Paul Rands
	Heavy Vehicle Checking Station: The heavy vehicle checking station at Blackheath, November 2011. Image © Paul Rands		AD Sign for Hartley: Directional sign for Old Great Western Hwy in the historical town of Hartley, which was bypassed in the 1980s. April 2012. Image © Paul Rands
	Entering Mount Victoria: Great Western Hwy (NR32) entering the town of Mt Victoria, November 2011. Image © Paul Rands		Entering Hartley : Great Western Hwy (NR32) as it enters the town of Hartley, April 2012. Image © Paul Rands
	Advance Directional Sign: AD sign approaching Station St, Mt Victoria, November 2011. Image © Paul Rands		Lett River : Great Western Hwy (NR32) as it crosses Lett River at Hartley, April 2012. Image © Paul Rands
	Station Street: Great Western Hwy (NR32) at Station St in Mt Victoria, November 2011. Image © Paul Rands		Reassurance Directional Sign: Distance sign at Hartley, eastbound. April 2012. Image © Paul Rands
	Distance Sign: Reassurance directional sign at Mt Victoria, November 2011. Click here for a photo from November 2010 by Rob Tilley of the previous sign. Image © Paul Rands		Old Great Western Highway : Corner of Great Western Hwy (NR32) and Old Great Western Hwy at Hartley, April 2012. Image © Paul Rands
	Steep Descent Sign: Steep descent sign for Victoria Pass at Mt Victoria, November 2011. Image © Paul Rands		Browns Gap Road Intersection: Looking southwest at Little Hartley. April 2012. Image © Paul Rands
	Victoria Pass Grade Information Sign: Sign at Mt Victoria explaining the steep grades and length of them along Victoria Pass, December 2012. Image © Paul Rands		Entering Little Hartley : Great Western Hwy (NR32) as it enters the village of Little Hartley. April 2012. Image © Paul RandsTE
	Steep Descent Sign: Steep descent sign for Victoria Pass at Mt Victoria, November 2011. Image © Paul Rands		Victoria Pass: Little Hartley at the base of Victoria Pass which was built in the 1800s. April 2012. Image © Paul Rands
	Victoria Pass: Great Western Hwy (NR32) at Mt Victoria, making its way down Victoria Pass, November 2011. Image © Paul Rands		Steep Climb : Warnings for steep climb and winding road on Victoria Pass, Little Hartley, April 2012. Image © Paul Rands
	Safety Ramp Sign: Sign indicating safety ramp ahead for runaway vehicles, Victoria Pass, Mt Victoria, November 2011. Image © Paul Rands		Victoria Pass: Looking east near the safety ramp. Victoria Pass is 1 in 8 grade steepness. April 2012. Image © Paul Rands
	Victoria Pass: Great Western Hwy (NR32) at Mt Victoria, making its way down Victoria Pass, November 2011. Image © Paul Rands		Victoria Pass Sydney Bound: Looking east near Mitchell's Ridge Lookout. Victoria Pass is 1 in 8 grade steepness. December 2005. Note the convict built safety fence on the left of shot. Image © Paul Rands
	Safety Ramp Sign: Sign indicating safety ramp ahead for runaway vehicles, Victoria Pass, Little Hartley, November 2011. Image © Paul Rands		Mount Victoria: Easterly as you enter the town of Mount Victoria. April 2012. Click here for a photo of this location by Paul Rands, from December 2005. Image © Paul Rands
	Safety Ramp: Safety ramp and associated signs at Little Hartley, November 2011. Image © Paul Rands		Mt York Road : Corner of Great Western Hwy (NR32) and Mt York Rd at Mt Victoria, April 2012. Image © Paul Rands
	Safety Ramp: Safety ramp and associated signs at Little Hartley, November 2011. Image © Paul Rands		Advance Directional Sign : Heading southeast towards the Station Street Intersection at Mt Victoria. April 2012. Click here for a photo of this location by Paul Rands, from December 2005. Image © Paul Rands
	Safety Ramp Sign: Sign indicating safety ramp ahead for runaway vehicles, Victoria Pass, Little Hartley, November 2011. Image © Paul Rands		Station Street : ID sign assembly at the junction with Station St at Mt Victoria, April 2012. Image © Paul Rands
	Safety Ramp Sign: Sign indicating safety ramp ahead for runaway vehicles, Victoria Pass, Little Hartley, November 2011. Image © Paul Rands		Distance Sign: RD Sign as you leave Mtr Victoria town centre. April 2012. Click here for a photo of this location by Paul Rands, from December 2005. Image © Paul Rands
	Safety Ramp: Safety ramp and associated signs at Little Hartley, November 2011. Image © Paul Rands		Fog Sign: Fog sign at Soldiers Pinch, Blackheath, April 2012. Image © Paul Rands
	End Low Gear Area: Sign indicating low gear area for heavy vehicles, Little Hartley, November 2011. Image © Paul Rands		Soldiers Pinch Area: Looking through the Soldiers Pinch area at Blackheath. This area was the subject of a multi-million dollar upgrade project a few years ago. December 2005. Image © Paul Rands
	Entering Hartley: Great Western Hwy (NR32) entering the town of Hartley, November 2011. Image © Paul Rands		Safe-T-Cam Sign: Sign approaching the Safe-T-Cam heavy vehicle monitoring site at Blackheath, April 2012. Image © Paul Rands
	Browns Gap Road: Great Western Hwy (NR32) at Browns Gap Rd in Hartley, November 2011. Image © Paul Rands		Advance Directional Sign: AD sign approaching the heavy vehicle inspection station at Blackheath, April 2012. Image © Paul Rands
	Supplemental Advance Directional Sign: Supplemental AD sign for Jenolan Caves Rd (TD1) at Hartley, November 2011. Image © Paul Rands		Approaching Mount Boyce: Looking southwest as you pass over Mount Boyce at Blackheath. April 2012. Click here for a photo of this location by Paul Rands, from December 2005. Image © Paul Rands
	Advance Directional Sign: AD sign approaching Old Great Western Hwy at Hartley, December 2012. Click here for a photo of this location from November 2011. Image © Paul Rands		Start Variable Speed Zone: Beginning of a short variable speed zone near the heavy vehicle inspection station at Blackheath, April 2012. Image © Paul Rands
	Old Bathurst Road: Corner of Great Western Hwy (NR32) and Old Bathurst Rd at Hartley, December 2012. Image © Paul Rands		Advance Directional Sign: AD sign approaching the heavy vehicle inspection station at Blackheath, April 2012. Image © Paul Rands
	Old Bathurst Road: Corner of Great Western Hwy (NR32) and Old Bathurst Rd at Hartley, December 2012. Image © Paul Rands		Heavy Vehicle Checking Station Entrance: Flashing warning sign and ID sign at the entrance to the heavy vehicle checking station at Blackheath, April 2012. Image © Paul Rands
	Supplemental Advance Directional Sign: Supplemental AD sign for Jenolan Caves Rd (TD1) at Hartley, November 2011. Image © Paul Rands		Mount Boyce Heavy Vehicle Checking Station: Weighbridge and checking station at Blackheath. April 2012. Click here for a photo of this location by Paul Rands, from December 2005. Image © Paul Rands
	River Lett: The Great Western Hwy (NR32) as it crosses River Lett at Hartley, December 2012. Image © Paul Rands		Cameras and Checking Station Lanes: Various cameras etc as you pass through the Mount Boyce area past the Weighbridge and Checking Station. December 2005. Image © Paul Rands
	River Lett Hill: Great Western Hwy (NR32) at River Lett Hill in Hartley, November 2011. Image © Paul Rands		End Variable Speed Zone: End of a short variable speed zone near the heavy vehicle inspection station at Blackheath, April 2012. Image © Paul Rands
	Advance Directional Sign: AD sign for Jenolan Caves Rd (TD1) at Hartley, December 2012. Click here for a photo of this location from November 2011. Image © Paul Rands		Entering Blackheath: Great Western Hwy (NR32) as it enters the town of Blackheath, April 2012. Image © Paul Rands
	Jenolan Caves Road: Great Western Hwy (NR32) at Jenolan Caves Rd (TD1), Harley, November 2011. Image © Paul Rands		Blackheath: Southbound near Ridgewell Road. April 2012. Image © Paul Rands
	Steep Climb & Winding Sign: Steep climb and winding road signs on River Lett Hill in Hartley, November 2011. Image © Paul Rands		AD Sign: Directional signage for Govetts Leap Road and Bundarra Street Blackheath. April 2012. Image © Paul Rands
	Distance Sign: RD sign on River Lett Hill in Hartley, November 2011. Image © Paul Rands		Southbound near Leichhardt Street: Blackheath near the Montessori and Public Schools. December 2005. Image © Paul Rands
	Services Sign: Advance directional services sign approaching River Lett Hill Rest Area, Hartley, November 2011. Image © Paul Rands		Services Sign: Rest Area signage near Whitley Park. The rest area itself is part of Sutton Park and features BBQs, toilets and a playground. December 2005. Image © Paul Rands
	Entering Old Bowenfels: Great Western Hwy (NR32) at the McKanes Falls Rd junction at Old Bowenfels, November 2011. Image © Paul Rands		Directional Sign for Sutton Park: ID sign for Sutton Park at Blackheath. April 2012. Image © Paul Rands
	Advance Directional Sign: Tourism based AD sign at Old Bowenfels approaching Magpie Hollow Rd, November 2011. Image © Paul Rands		Advance Directional Sign: AD sign at Blackheath approaching Evans Lookout Rd, April 2012. Image © Paul Rands
	Magpie Hollow Road: Corner of Great Western Hwy (NR32) at the junction with Magpie Hollow Rd at South Bowenfels, December 2012. Image © Paul Rands		Evans lookout Road: Corner of Great Western Hwy (NR32) and Evans Lookout Rd at Blackheath, April 2012. Image © Paul Rands
	Entering Greater Lithgow: Great Western Hwy (NR32) as it enters South Bowenfels, a suburb of Lithgow, November 2011. Image © Paul Rands		Entering Meadlow Bath: Signage for the Meadlow Bath area highway upgrade. April 2012. Click here for a photo of this location by Paul Rands, from December 2005. Image © Paul Rands
	Advance Directional Sign: AD sign approaching Col Drewe Dr, South Bowenfels, November 2011. Image © Paul Rands		Approaching the Railway Parade Intersection: Looking southeast at Medlow Bath. December 2005. Image © Paul Rands
	Advance Directional Sign: AD sign as you approach Main Street, Lithgow, November 2011. Click here for a photo from November 2010 by Rob Tilley of the previous sign. Image © Paul Rands		Outside the Hydro Majestic: Southeast bound as you pass by the expansive Hydro Majestic Hotel / Resort and also the railway station at Medlow Bath. April 2012. Image © Paul Rands
	Main Street Intersection: Junction with Main Street, Lithgow, westbound, November 2011. Image © Paul Rands
	Main Street Intersection: Junction with Main Street, Lithgow, westbound, November 2011. Image © Paul Rands
	Distance Sign: Westbound RD sign after the Main Street intersection in Lithgow, November 2011. Image © Paul Rands
Click here for the continuation of NR32 between Katoomba and Springwood Click here for the continuation of NR32 between Bathurst and Lithgow

1 Roads and Traffic Authority, Schedule of Classified Roads (and unclassified Regional Roads), 25 February 2008
2 Department of Main Roads. The Roadmakers, A History of Main Roads in New South Wales, ISBN 0 7240 0439 4
3 Roads & Traffic Authority, Projects, Great Western Highway, Completed projects.
4 Roads & Traffic Authority, Projects, Great Western Highway, Installation of mid-block pedestrian lights – Great Western Highway, Blackheath

Last updated: 03-Nov-2018 9:43

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