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Photo Gallery
New South Wales Road Photo Gallery:
National Route 1 (Pacific Highway) (Hexham to Bulahdelah)
The Pacific Highway, one of Australia’s busiest and most important road links, passes through the heart of residential, farming and retail areas of many towns along the New South Wales coast between Hexham, northwest of the industrial city of Newcastle, to the NSW-QLD Border at Tweed Heads, about 90 minutes south of Brisbane, the capital of Queensland.
The route's southern terminus is located at the junction of the Pacific Highway (SR111) and the New England Highway (NH1) at Hexham, 16 km northwest of Newcastle, which is north of Sydney. The northern terminus is at the New South Wales / Queensland border, just west of the town centre of Tweed Heads. The route itself is a mix of freeway, arterial and rural highway standards. The highway has been progressively upgraded over the years, however since the late 1980s, an accelerated upgrade program has been undertaken. Despite the acceleration program, only approximately 40% of the highway is of dual carriageway.
Towns and localities along or near the route between Hexham and Bulahdelah include Hexham, Raymond Terrace, Twelve Mile Creek, Karuah, Nerong and Bulahdelah. Major routes branching off this section include Tomago Road (former SR122) and The Bucketts Way (former Pacific Highway alignment between 1928 and 1952).
Hexham to Bulahdelah History:
- 1940s: construction of lift span of bridge over Hunter River at Hexham (completed 1952)
- 1952: realignment of highway current Bucketts Way alignment to approximate track of current highway.
- December 1998: Raymond Terrace Bypass
- December 2000: Raymond Terrace to Karuah Dual Carriageways
- 19 September 2004: Karuah Bypass
- 2007: Karuah to Bulahdelah Section 1
Click here for photos of the construction of the Karuah Bypass.
Click here for photos of the construction of the Karuah to Bulahdelah upgrade, sections 2 & 3.
| Length (NR1): |
679 km |
| Length (Hexham to Bulahdelah): |
82 km |
| Internal RTA Classification: |
State Highway 10 |
| Route Number: |
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| Forthcoming Alphanumerics: |
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| Information courtesy of the NSW Roads and Traffic Authority, DMR's "The Roadmakers" book, and Sam Laybutt (OzRoads) |
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| Northbound (Hexham to Bulahdelah) |
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| Southbound (Bulahdelah to Hexham) |
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Eastbound at Hexham
Heading east on the New England Highway as you approach the interchange with the Pacific Highway (NR1), May 2007.
Image © Paul Rands |
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Hexham Interchange
The Hexham Interchange, located in Hexham,
16km north-west of Newcastle, is the junction of the
Pacific and New England Highways. State Route 111
also terminates here, entering the interchange from
the south-west on the Pacific Hwy. January 2005.
Image © David Whiteman
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Hexham Bridge
The original bridge is with the lift span
and was built in 1952, the bridge in the foreground
of the shot was opened to traffic in April 1987 to
alleviate the bottleneck caused by the old bridge
at heavy traffic times. January 2005.
Image © David Whiteman
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Tomago Road Intersection
Northbound through the Tomago Road junction
at Hexham. This section of road was duplication after
the duplication of the Hexham Bridge and opened to
traffic in 1990. January 2005.
Image © David Whiteman
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Raymond Terrace By-Pass
Northern section of the Raymond Terrace By-Pass,
after the town of Raymond Terrace as you head towards
Karuah, January 2005. (Opened to traffic in December
1998).
Image © David Whiteman
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Distance Sign
Northbound RD sign not far from the Bucketts
Way intersection just south of Karuah at Twelve Mile
Creek. Bucketts Way was once the Pacific Highway. Photo
from January 2005.
Image © David Whiteman
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Bypassed Town Sign
Signage for the bypassed town of Karuah, March 2007.
Image © David Whiteman |
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Advance Directional Sign
Exit sign as you approach the Old Pacific Highway at Karuah, March 2007.
Image © David Whiteman |
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Old Pacific Highway Interchange
Exit signage and interchange at Karuah, March 2007.
Image © David Whiteman |
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Old Pacific Highway
Passing under the bridge for the Old Pacific Hwy interchange at Karuah, March 2007.
Image © David Whiteman |
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Distance Sign
RD sign after the Old Pacific Hwy interchange, March 2007.
Image © David Whiteman |
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Scotts Road
Scotts Road bridge over the Karuah Bypass, March 2007.
Image © David Whiteman |
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Mines Hill Trail
Bridge over the Karuah Bypass for Mines Hill Trail, March 2007.
Image © David Whiteman |
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Karuah River
Bridge over Karuah River and Horse Island at Karuah, March 2007.
Image © David Whiteman |
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Karuah River
Bridge over Karuah River and Horse Island at Karuah, March 2007.
Image © David Whiteman |
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Karuah Bypas
The bypass as it makes its way north after the Karuah River, March 2007.
Image © David Whiteman |
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Karuah Bypas
The bypass as it makes its way north after the Karuah River, March 2007.
Image © David Whiteman |
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RD Sign
Distance Sign near Karuah, March 2007.
Image © David Whiteman |
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Advance Directional Sign
Northbound on the Karuah by-pass approaching Gooreengi Road, March 2007.
Image © David Whiteman |
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Distance Sign
Northbound RD sign at Karuah after Gooreengi Road (southern end), March 2007.
Image © David Whiteman |
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Crossing Bulga Creek
Northbound at Karuah on the Karuah by-pass, March 2007.
Image © David Whiteman |
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Advance Directional Sign
Northbound on the Karuah by-pass approaching Gooreengi Road, March 2007.
Image © David Whiteman |
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Advance Exit Sign
Signage for the Mooney Mooney interchange located on the approach to the Hawkesbury River at Brooklyn, March 2007.
Image © David Whiteman |
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Distance Sign
Northbound RD sign at Karuah after Gooreengi Road (northern end), March 2007.
Image © David Whiteman |
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Rest Area Sign
AD sign for the Station Creek Rest Area near Tea Gardens, March 2007.
Image © David Whiteman |
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Tea Gardens Northbound
Passing The Rock Roadhouse which was built in the 1980s by the Leyland Brothers
, March 2007.
Image © David Whiteman |
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Approaching Myall Way
Northbound approaching the Myall Way junction, March 2007. Note the portable speed checker display.
Image © David Whiteman |
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Myall Way
Northbound at the Myall Way junction, March 2007.
Image © David Whiteman |
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Distance Sign
Northbound RD sign after the Myall Way intersection at Tea Gardens, March 2007.
Image © David Whiteman |
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Station Creek Rest Area
Entrance to the rest area at Tea Gardens, March 2007.
Image © David Whiteman |
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Northbound at Tea Gardens
Looking over both carriageways, March 2007.
Image © David Whiteman |
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Rest Stops RD Sign
Sign indicating distances to the next 3 rest areas at Tea Gardens, just before the end of the dual carriageways, March 2007.
Image © David Whiteman |
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End dual carriageways
End of divided highway conditions at Tea Gardens for the drive into Buladelah, March 2007.
Image © David Whiteman |
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Approaching Nerong Road
Back to old style rural highway at Nerong. Image from March 2007.
Image © David Whiteman |
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Southbound Entering Bulahdelah
Entering town past one of the several motels that dot the highway through Bulahdelah. Vidcap from 2005.
Image © David Whiteman |
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North Street Intersection
Southbound at Bulahdelah, Vidcap from 2005.
Image © David Whiteman |
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Southbound through Bulahdelah
The northern part of town near Boolambayte Street and Stuart Street. This is the other set of traffic signals along the highway at Bulahdelah. Vidcap from 2005.
Image © David Whiteman |
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Approaching Blanch Street
Southbound as you approach the junction with Blanch Street at Bulahdelah, Vidcap from 2005.
Image © David Whiteman |
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Pedestrian Signals
One of the two sets of traffic signals installed along the highway at Bulahdelah, southbound, Vidcap from 2005.
Image © David Whiteman |
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Bulahdelah Southbound
Travelling towards Newcastle at Bulahdelah, between Blanch & Meade Streets, Vidcap from 2005.
Image © David Whiteman |
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Bulahdelah Southbound
Hard turn near Meade Street. Over the years several accidents have occured in this area, hence the jersey barrier to separate opposing traffic. Vidcap from 2005.
Image © David Whiteman |
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Southbound near Bulahdelah
Southbound on the Myall & Crawford River floodplain. Vidcap from 2005.
Image © David Whiteman |
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Typical Conditions
Average road conditions, south of Bulahdelah, Vidcap from 2005.
Image © David Whiteman |
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Karuah Area
The highway as it heads towards Newcastle at Karuah. March 2007.
Image © David Whiteman |
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Rest Area Sign
Signage for the Twelve Mile Creek Rest area, Twelve Mile Creek, just north of Bucketts Way. March 2007.
Image © David Whiteman |
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Advance Directional Sign
AD sign approaching the Bucketts Way intersection at Twelve Mile Creek, March 2007.
Image © David Whiteman |
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Bucketts Way
The seagull intersection for Bucketts Way, March 2007.
Image © David Whiteman |
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Weigh Station Signage
Looking southbound approaching the Twelve Mile Creek heavy vehicle inspection station, March 2007.
Image © David Whiteman |
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Heavy Vehicle Inspection Station
Looking through the inspection station near Twelve Mile Creek, March 2007.
Image © David Whiteman |
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Advance Directional Sign
AD sign at Balickera approaching Medowie Road, March 2007.
Image © David Whiteman |
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Medowie Road Intersection
Traveling through the Medowie Road junction at Balickera, March 2007.
Image © David Whiteman |
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Advance Exit Sign
AD sign at Raymond Terrace East approaching Richardson Road, March 2007.
Image © David Whiteman |
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Approaching Richardson Road
Raymond Terrace Bypass, March 2007.
Image © David Whiteman |
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Richardson Road Interchange
Looking through the Richardson Road interchange at Raymond Terrace East, March 2007.
Image © David Whiteman |
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Distance Sign
RD sign located near Mount Hall Road at Raymond Terrace East, March 2007.
Image © David Whiteman |
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Masonite Road Approach
Speed reduction warning lines across the road as you approach the Masonite Road roundabout at Raymond Terrace, March 2007.
You can see by the design of the approaches land in the central reservation has been set aside for an overpass when traffic volumes warrant it.
Image © David Whiteman |
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Advance Directional Sign
AD signage for the Masonite Road at Heatherbrae, March 2007.
Image © David Whiteman |
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Masonite Road Intersection
Southbound thru the Masonite Road roundabout at Heatherbrae, March 2007.
Image © David Whiteman |
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ID Signs
Intersection directional signage for through traffic on the Masonite Road roundabout at Heatherbrae, March 2007.
Image © David Whiteman
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Heatherbrae
Traveling past the ribbon development located on both sides of the highway at Heatherbrae, March 2007.
With the exception of the dual carriageway, this has been the scene here since the 1970s.
Image © David Whiteman |
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Variable Message Sign
VMS sign located at Motto Farm near the fish shop, March 2007.
Image © David Whiteman |
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Supplemental AD Sign
Signage denoting upcoming lane arrangements at Hexham for the New England Hwy / Pacific Hwy intersection, March 2007.
Image © David Whiteman |
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Advance Directional Sign
AD sign approaching Tomago Road at Hexham, March 2007.
Image © David Whiteman |
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Tomago Road
Looking through the Tomago Road intersection at Hexham, March 2007.
Image © David Whiteman |
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Opening Bridge Warning Signs
Flashing light warning signs for the Hexham Bridge over the Hunter River, March 2007.
Image © David Whiteman |
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End National Highway 1
Overhead gantries on the approach to the Hexham Bridge southbound at Hexham, March 2007.
Image © David Whiteman |
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Hexham Bridge Deck
Approaching the lift span of the Hexham Bridge, March 2007.
Image © David Whiteman |
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Directional Sign
AD sign for the Pacific Hwy (SR111) through the Newcastle region. Hexham, March 2007.
Image © David Whiteman |
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New England Highway Junction
ID signage at Hexham, March 2007.
Image © David Whiteman |
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Intersection Directional Sign
ID sign facing Pacific Highway traffic at Hexham, March 2007.
Image © David Whiteman |
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| For continuation of the Pacific Highway between Bulahdelah and Taree, click here. |
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