New South Wales Road Photo Gallery: National Highway 31 (Hume Highway) (Mittagong to Goulburn)

New South Wales

Photo Gallery

New South Wales Road Photo Gallery:
National Highway 31 (Hume Highway) (Mittagong to Goulburn)

The Hume Highway (also known as the Hume Freeway in Victoria) is one of the most important roads in Australia, the shortest route linking the country's two largest cities - Sydney and Melbourne.

At the Sydney end of the Hume Highway, the last 10 km of road is also known as Liverpool Road, before it terminates at an intersection with Parramatta Road, in Summer Hill. At the Melbourne end, about 27 km north of Melbourne at the suburb of Craigieburn, the Craigieburn Bypass diverts the Hume Freeway (and the M31 designation) off to the east of the original highway to terminate with the Western and Metropolitan Ring Roads (M80) roughly 15 km north of Melbourne, which allows traffic to travel from Geelong, Pakenham or suburban Melbourne non-stop to Albury. The original alignment of the Hume Highway is Sydney Road, which runs straight south into the heart of Melbourne's CBD, bearing metropolitan route 55.

The Hume Highway travels through the states of New South Wales and Victoria and got its name in the 1920s during a nationwide highway naming scheme. Before this, the road was known as the "Great Southern Road" in New South Wales and "Sydney Road" in Victoria. In 1914 the highway was declared a main road. The road was named in 1929 after Hamilton Hume, a famous explorer in the early 19th century who in conjunction with William Hovell first found an overland route between Sydney and the infant colonial outpost of Port Phillip, the original name of Melbourne.

Over 80% is dual carriageway or motorway standard. The principal towns through which it passes are Liverpool, Campbelltown, Camden, Picton, Mittagong, Goulburn, Yass, Gundagai, Holbrook and Albury in New South Wales; and Wodonga, Wangaratta, Glenrowan, Benalla, Euroa, Seymour and Wallan in Victoria.

The route forms the Remembrance Driveway which honours war veterans, click here for the Remembrance Driveway web site.

Click here for the former alignment between Mittagong and Berrima.
Click here for the former alignment at Wingello
Click here for the former alignment at Marulan.
Click here for the former alignment at Goulburn.

Length (NSW):	567 km
Length (VIC):	291 km
Route Numbers:	formerly

Northbound at Welby / Woodlands
Climbing lane as you head up the hill before the Nattai River gorge. April 2006.

Image © Paul Rands

Northbound at Welby
Sign indicating a low speed lane ahead, there is a handful of these signs between Mittagong and Goulburn as the highway traverses some steep hills, April 2006.

Image © Paul Rands

Northbound at Welby
Old Hume Highway interchange, the freeway once ended here to go through to Mittagong's town centre before coming out at what is now the Aylmerton interchange. April 2006.

Image © Paul Rands

Services Sign
Northbound sign indicating services available at Mittagong. April 2006 at Welby.

Image © Paul Rands

Guide Sign
Sign indicating other destinations accessible from the SR89 / Mittagong exit. Welby, April 2006.

Image © Paul Rands

Advance Exit Sign
Northbound signage for the Mittagong exit, Bowral, April 2006.

Image © Paul Rands

Advance Exit Sign
This sign is a direct remake of an older sign that omitted the through destination, as was common practice on unfinished motorways at the time. Northbound at Bowral, April 2006.

Image © Paul Rands

Passing Over Old Hume Highway
Northbound at Bowral as you drive over the Old Hume Highway, April 2006. Note the old weathered sign to the left of the bridge.

Image © Paul Rands

Typical Conditions
Northbound in the Bowral area, April 2006.

Image © Paul Rands

Crossing Greenhills Road
Northbound bridge over Greenhills Road at Berrima, April 2006.

Image © Paul Rands

Wingecarribee River
Northbound as you pass over the the Wingecarribee River at Berrima, April 2006.

Image © Paul Rands

Freeway Green Distance Sign
Northbound RD sign just after the Old Hume Highway interchange at Berrima. This sign dates back to about 1985 or 86, when the interchange was constructed. Through traffic used to exit off and travel through the town centre of the historic town of Berrima. Image taken April 2006.

Image © Paul Rands

Berrima Interchange
Northbound, April 2006.

Image © Paul Rands

Start Freeway Sign
Old freeway green sign denoting the beginning of freeway conditions at the Berrima interchange. The highway from here to the south is not all grade separated and has at-grade junctions with local roads and farms, and therefore can't be classed as a fully fledged motorway. Northbound, April 2006.

Image © Paul Rands

Freeway Green Exit Signage
Northbound at the Berrima interchange with the Old Hume Highway, April 2006.

Image © Paul Rands

Freeway Green Distance Sign
Southbound RD sign from mid 1980s when the interchange for the Old Hume Highway through Berrima was built. July 2006

Image © Paul Rands

By-Passed Town Sign
Typical signage indicating access to a by-passed town, this time Berrima, April 2006.

Image © Paul Rands

Freeway Green Advance Exit Sign
Another nice 1980s freeway green sign, northbound at Berrima. April 2006. This colour of signage was phased out in 1989.

Image © Paul Rands

Services & Historic Town Sign
Combined sign indicating Berrima's historical status and also services available. April 2006, northbound at Berrima, about 1.5 km from the interchange.

Image © Paul Rands

Freeway Green Advance Exit Sign
Another nice 1980s freeway green sign, northbound at Berrima. April 2006. This colour of signage was phased out in 1989.

Image © Paul Rands

Distance Sign
Northbound RD sign after the Illawarra Highway (NR48) interchange at Sutton Forest, April 2006.

Image © Paul Rands

Illawarra Highway Interchange
Westbound at Sutton Forest on the Illawarra Highway, April 2006.

Image © Paul Rands

Illawarra Highway Interchange
Westbound at Sutton Forest on the Illawarra Highway, April 2006.

Image © Paul Rands

Illawarra Highway Interchange
Eastbound at Sutton Forest on the Illawarra Highway, April 2006.

Image © Paul Rands

Illawarra Highway Interchange
Eastbound at Sutton Forest on the Illawarra Highway, April 2006.

Image © Paul Rands

Black Advance Directional Sign
Eastbound just before the Illawarra Highway interchange is this very nice relic in great condition. It's the pictogram AD sign on Canyonleigh Road.

Image © Paul Rands

Southbound RD Sign
Distance sign after the NR48 / Illawarra Hwy Interchange at Sutton Forest, April 2006.

Image © Paul Rands

Northbound at Sutton Forest
Looking at the Illawarra Hwy Interchange, April 2006.

Image © Paul Rands

By-Passed Town Signage
Another sign indicating access to a by-passed town. This time it's Bowral, which can be accessed via the Illawarra Highway, travelling through Moss Vale. April 2006, northbounr at Sutton Forest.

Image © Paul Rands

Tourist Sign
Dodgy tourist sign at Sutton Forest. It's the usual brown colour with a green patch for Canyonleigh. Note the ugly non-standard font. Northbound, April 2006.

Image © Paul Rands

Advance Exit Sign
Signage warning of the upcoming service centre located at Sutton Forest, along with Sally's Corner Road. Southbound, April 2006.

Image © Paul Rands

Advance Exit Sign
Northbound signage for the Illawarra Hwy interchange at Sutton Forest, April 2006.

Image © Paul Rands

Advance Exit Sign
Southbound AD sign for the exit with Sally's Corner Road (service centre) at Sutton Forest, April 2006.

Image © Paul Rands

Advance Exit Sign
Northbound signage for the Illawarra Hwy interchange at Sutton Forest, April 2006.

Image © Paul Rands

Advance Exit Sign
Signage warning of the upcoming service centre located at Sutton Forest, along with Sally's Corner Road. Southbound, April 2006. Next services mentioned is the service centre located just south of the Marulan town centre.

Image © Paul Rands

Exeter & Bundanoon Exit
Southbound at the Service Centre and Sally's Corner Road interchange at Sutton Forest, April 2006.

Image © Paul Rands

Exeter & Bundanoon Exit
Northbound at the Service Centre and Sally's Corner Road interchange at Sutton Forest, April 2006.

Image © Paul Rands

Advance Exit Sign
Northbound AD sign for the exit with Sally's Corner Road (service centre) at Sutton Forest, April 2006.

Image © Paul Rands

Northbound at Wingello
Nice long straight showing typical conditions of the area. April 2006.

Image © Paul Rands

Hanging Rock Road
Southbound at Wingello is this quaintly named road, which used to the an alignment of the Hume Highway. April 2006.

Image © Paul Rands

Northbound Crossing Paddy's River
At Wingello, April 2006. This is the southern edge of the Southern Highlands.

Image © Paul Rands

Hanging Rock Road (Sth) Junction
Intersection with the southern end of Hanging Rock Road (former highway alignment) at Wingello, July 2006.

Image © Paul Rands

Black Kilometre Post
Old 1970s or 80s distance post, northbound at Wingello. The 'S' stands for Sydney. April 2006.

Image © Paul Rands

Southbound at Wingello
The at-grade junction with Murrimba Road, April 2006. This road is the direct connection to the town of Wingello from the highway.

Image © Paul Rands

Uringalla Creek
Southbound as you enter Marulan and leave Wingello. April 2006. Note the sign in the distance for the local AM commercial radio station, 2GN.

Image © Paul Rands

Sugarloaf Hill
Crossing the northwestern edge of Sugarloaf Hill at Marulan, April 2006. This is one of the steeper sections in this area.

Image © Paul Rands

Welcome to Goulgurn LGA
Sign indicating you're entering the Goulburn-Mulwaree Shire Council area. Southbound at Marulan, April 2006.

Image © Paul Rands

Stop Revive Sign
Sign used to get motorists to stop at the town of Marulan or at the very least at the service centre on the highway. Marulan is about 2 hours south of Sydney, and the RTA recommends that drivers should stop every 2 hours on their trip.

Image © Paul Rands

By-Passed Town Signage
More signage indicating a by-passed town, this time Marulan, which was by-passed in about 1985.

Image © Paul Rands

Heavy Vehicle Inspection Station Sign
Sign indicating that the Marulan truck inspection station is not far away. All heavy vehicles over a certain weight are required to enter the station. April 2006.

Image © Paul Rands

Services & Historic Town Sign
Southbound sign indicating that Marulan is an historic town and that there's a number of services available. April 2006.

Image © Paul Rands

Advance Exit Sign
Southbound sign indicating the exit for Marulan, April 2006.

Image © Paul Rands

Tourist Drive AD Sign
Signage showing access to Old Argyle Road and the town of Wingello, April 2006. The Old Argyle Road was once part of the Great South Road, the predecessor of the Hume Highway.

Image © Paul Rands

Marulan Exit Sign
Sign marking the Marulan Exit, southbound, April 2006. Note the northbound heavy vehicle checking station in the distance.

Image © Paul Rands

Safe-T-Cam Sign
Sign indicating the use of the Safe-T-Cam system, which monitors the driving habits of heavy vehicle drivers. Southbound at Marulan, April 2006.

Image © Paul Rands

Safe-T-Cam
Here's an image of the Safe-T-Cam on the Marulan exit, which is also the entrance ramp to the southbound heavy vehicle inspection station. April 2006.

Image © Paul Rands

Black Directional Signs
Original black ID signs from when the by-pass was constructed in 1985. These face southbound traffic leaving the heavy vehicle inspection station. April 2006.

Image © Paul Rands

Heavy Vehicle Checking Station
View of the northbound heavy vehicle checking station and Safe-T-Cam. April 2006.

Image © Paul Rands

Special Truck Speed Limit
Northbound at Marulan is this special speed limit sign for heavy vehicles, that enter the inspection station. April 2006.

Image © Paul Rands

Directional Fingerboard
Facing west at the at-grade intersection with the Old Hume Highway at Marulan and also northbound service centre traffic is this nice fingerboard denoting access to Sydney via the northbound carriageway of the highway. April 2006. The name placard is much older than the fingerboard itself, probably dating back to the construction of either the by-pass or the service centres.

Image © Paul Rands

Directional Fingerboard
Facing west at the at-grade intersection with the Old Hume Highway at Marulan and also northbound service centre traffic is this nice fingerboard denoting access to Goulburn via the southbound carriageway of the highway. April 2006. The name placard is much older than the fingerboard itself, probably dating back to the construction of either the by-pass or the service centres.

Image © Paul Rands

Advance Directional Sign
Simple and easy to understand AD sign on the northbound carriageway at the southern end of the Marulan By-Pass indicating access to Marulan's town centre via George Street (the old Hume Highway). April 2006.

Image © Paul Rands

Service Centre Exit Sign
Northbound sign denoting access to the Marulan service centre. April 2006.

Image © Paul Rands

RD Sign
Southbound distance sign after the Marulan service centre, April 2006.

Image © Paul Rands

Marulan South Road Approach
Southbound approaching the turn-off to Marulan South, April 2006.

Image © Paul Rands

Marulan South Road
Looking at the intersection with Marulan South Road. Southbound, April 2006.

Image © Paul Rands

Northbound Advance Exit Sign
Signage as you head north at Marulan South, April 2006.

Service Centre Sign
Sign indicating the approaching service centre, northbound Marulan South, April 2006.

Southbound at Marulan South
Typical highway conditions south of the Marulan services. Note the old highway alignment in the left of shot. April 2006.

Narambulla Creek
Southbound as you leave Marulan South, April 2006.

Northbound at Murray's Flats
Southbound in the Murray's Flats region, showing typical road conditions and both carriageways, April 2006.

Rest Area Sign
Typical Remembrance Driveway rest area signage along the highway. This one is for Derrick VC, at Murray's Flats, April 2006, southbound.

Rest Area Sign
Typical Remembrance Driveway rest area signage along the highway. This one is for Chowne VC, at Murray's Flats, April 2006, northbound.

Carrick Road Turn-off
Southbound at Towrang (with Mt Towrong on the left of the highway, out of shot). April 2006. This section of the highway had the wire rope barriers installed after 1995.

Towrang Road Junction
Intersection with Towrang Road, southbound, April 2006.

Remembrance Driveway Signage
Northbound sign near Goulburn indicating the Remembrance Drive, April 2006.

Southbound Signage
Exit signs north of the North Goulburn interchange, April 2006.

Northbound at Towrang
Typical highway conditions near Goulburn at the town of Towrang, April 2006.

Tourist Drives Sign
Southbound sign for local Goulburn district tourist drives, April 2006 at Towrang.

Services Sign
Sign indicating distance to next available services after Goulburn, Southbound at Towrang, April 2006.

Advance Exit Sign
This sign at Towrang on the southbound carriageway is not quite correct. Only NH31 continues after the interchange, NH25 does not share the highway at all, but it's shown for those wishing to access Canberra or the southern snowfields. April 2006.

Access Signage
Signage showing access to various other towns from the upcoming interchange, April 2006 at Towrang, southbound.

Bypassed Town Signage
More signage showing a by-passed town, this time it's Goulburn, southbound at Towrang, April 2006.

Northbound RD Sign
Looking north after the northern Goulburn interchange at Towrang, April 2006.

Goulburn Exit (Northern)
Southbound at Towrang. This used to be where the highway would travel into Goulburn. Now that section of roadway forms part of the interchange and the access road to the CBD

Goulburn Interchange (North)
Looking at the ramp that travels towards Goulburn, April 2006.

Goulburn Interchange (North)
Looking at the ramp that travels towards Goulburn, April 2006. Governors Hill is where this cuts through to and then the old highway travels down the hill into the CBD.

Goulburn Interchange (North)
Looking at the ramp that travels towards Goulburn from the northbound carriageway at Towrang, April 2006.

Exit Sign
Sign denoting the North Goulburn interchange for northbound travellers, April 2006.

Northbound Advance Exit Sign
Signage for the northern Goulburn interchange, and Gundary, east of Goulburn, April 2006.

Mulwaree River
Northbound at Goulburn, April 2006.

View of the highway
Full dual carriageway from of the Hume Highway, east of the Goulburn surburban area. Northbound, April 2006.

Advance Directional Sign
Southbound AD sign on the old Hume Highway at South Goulburn, approaching the Volleyball Interchange with the highway. April 2006.

Diagrammatic Sign
Directional sign on the roundabout itself with the highway at South Goulburn, April 2006. The top leg goes to the Woolscour Abbatoirs.

ID Sign
Intersection directional sign on the northbound ramp to Sydney from the South Goulburn interchange, April 2006. The NH31 sheild is on a coverplate over an alphanumeric A31 sheild.