Road Photos & Information: South Australia

Main North Road & Barrier Highway (A32)

Statistics:

• Length: 420 km (Barrier Hwy total in NSW (NR32) and SA (A32): 1007 km)
• Northern Terminus: NSW border in Cockburn
• Southern Terminus: Interchange with Gawler Bypass (Sturt Highway) (A20) and Main North Road, Gawler
• Miscellaneous: Continues into New South Wales as NR32, where it eventually continues as the Mid Western Highway, then Great Western Highway, before terminating at Lapstone, with Metroad 4 in Sydney
• Suburbs, Towns & Localities along route: Gawler, Riverton, Saddleworth, Burra, Oodla Wirra, Yunta, Mannahill, Olary and Cockburn

Route Numbering:

• Current:
• Former:

General Information:

Main North Road is a major arterial route bearing several route numbers as it passes through suburban Adelaide and evenutally northwards through the Flinders Ranges to the Port Augusta area.

The Barrier Highway heads north into the mid-north of South Australia. The highway also passes through the Nackara Range, and heads north-easterly direction eventually reaching Cockburn, which is located on both the SA/NSW border - split in half by the actual border. The highway is named after the Barrier Ranges which are located near Broken Hill.

Click here for an excellent page on the Barrier Highway by Tourism SA.

History:

• 7 November 1968: The official opening of the Barrier Highway in South Australia by the Minister of Roads and Transport, Mr Murray Hill, MLC - The ceremony marked the completion of bituminous sealing for 320 miles (515 km) between Adelaide and Broken Hill, and the last stretch of road completed between Terowie and Cockburn. The roadwork had commenced in 1961 and included 19 bridges. Commissioners of all six State Road Authorities including the South Australian Highways Commissioner, John Yeates, attended the opening ceremony. At Yunta a two tonne stone with a bronze plaque commemorates the opening of the Barrier Highway.