Length:

59 km (Robertson to Albion Park: 26 km)

Termini:

Eastern: Princes Mwy (M1), Albion Park

Western: Hume Hwy (M31) and Canyonleigh Rd (Hoddles Cross Roads), Sutton Forest

Suburbs, Towns & Localities Along Route:

Albion Park, Tullimbar, Tongarra, Macquarie Pass, Mount Murray and Robertson

Current: A48

Multiplexed with: 8 15

Former: 48

Road Authority Internal Classification: ¹

HW25

General Information:

The Illawarra Highway is a key link in the state's road network, connecting the Illawarra with the Southern Highlands, the Hume Highway and via the Hume Highway: Melbourne and southwestern New South Wales.

Consisting mostly of single carriageway undivided road, the route traverses Macquarie Pass, which is a narrow and windy section of road built to climb the Illawarra Escarpment. The route primarily services small rural and semi-rural communities.

Tourist Drive 8, for 27 km, between Albion Park and Robertson.

Tourist Drive 15, for 22 km, between Robertson and and Moss Vale.

4 July 1898: Macquarie Pass opens to traffic.

1936: Shellharbour Council sought the co-operation of neighbouring shires and municipalities, and the Illawarra tourist zone, to have the then Macquarie Pass road taken over by the Main Roads Board. ²

2009: RTA undertook extensive safety work on Macquarie Pass including the installation of 'Beware Trucks on Curve' signs. ³

July 2012: Installation of vehicle activated signs on Macquarie Pass, with the aim to improve road safety by advising motorists of speed and wet weather hazards. ⁴

November 2015: 60 km/h zone extended to Yellow Rock Rd Tullimbar. ⁵

July 2017: Slope stabilisation, widening of road shoulders, installing guardrail and replacing drains underneath the road on Macquarie Pass. ⁶

May 2018: At Robertson and Burrawang, shoulders widened and guard rail installed, plus 2 vehicle activated signs installed at this location, the road shoulders were widened and a widened painted median installed. ⁷ Repairs carried out to the bridge, guard rails and embankments at the Hume Hwy (Hoddles Crossroads) interchange. ⁸

2021: A48 truncated between Albion Park Rail and Albion Park, with the opening of Princes Mwy (M1) (Albion Park Rail Bypass).

Click or tap here for the former alignment of A48 between Albion Park and Albion Park Rail.

Robertson to Albion Park

Pearsons Lane:

Corner of Illawarra Hwy (A48) and Pearsons Ln in Robertson, November 2013.

Image © Paul Rands

UPDATED Distance Sign:

Reassurance directional sign at Robertson, May 2017. Click or tap here for a photo of this location by Paul Rands from November 2013.

Image © Paul Rands

Approaching Level Crossing:

Approaching the level crossing at Robertson, November 2013.

Image © Paul Rands

Level Crossing:

Illawarra Hwy (A48) at the level crossing at Robertson, November 2013.

Image © Paul Rands

UPDATED Advance Directional Sign:

AD sign approaching Caalong St (Kangaloon Rd) (TD15) in Robertson, May 2017. The TD15 duplex ends at this junction. Click or tap here for a photo of this location by Paul Rands from November 2013.

Image © Paul Rands

UPDATED Caalong Street Intersection:

Corner of Illawarra Hwy (A48) and Caalong St (Kangaloon Rd) (TD15) in Robertson, May 2017. Click or tap here for a photo of this location by Paul Rands from November 2013.

Image © Paul Rands

UPDATED Advance Directional Sign:

AD sign approaching Meryla St at Robertson, May 2017. Click or tap here for a photo of this location by Paul Rands from November 2013.

Image © Paul Rands

Intersection Directional Sign:

ID sign at the Meryla St junction in Robertson, November 2013.

Image © Paul Rands

UPDATED Distance Sign:

Reassurance directional sign at Robertson, May 2017. Click or tap here for a photo of this location by Paul Rands from November 2013.

Image © Paul Rands

UPDATED Advance Directional Sign:

AD sign approaching Jamberoo Mountain Rd (TD9) in Robertson, May 2017. Click or tap here for a photo of this location by Paul Rands from November 2013.

Image © Paul Rands

Supplemental Advance Directional Sign:

Supplemental AD sign approaching Jamberoo Mountain Rd (TD9) in Robertson, November 2013.

Image © Paul Rands

Supplemental Advance Directional Sign:

Supplemental AD sign approaching Jamberoo Mountain Rd (TD9) in Robertson, November 2013.

Image © Paul Rands

Prohibition Sign:

Prohibition sign approaching Jamberoo Mountain Rd (TD9) at Robertson, November 2013.

Image © Paul Rands

Jamberoo Mountain Road:

Corner of Illawarra Hwy (A48) and Jamberoo Mtn Rd (TD9) at Robertson, November 2013.

Image © Paul Rands

Jamberoo Mountain Road:

Corner of Illawarra Hwy (A48) and Jamberoo Mtn Rd (TD9) at Robertson, November 2013.

Image © Paul Rands

Distance Sign:

Reassurance directional sign at Robertson, November 2013.

Image © Paul Rands

Macquarie Rivulet:

Illawarra Hwy (A48) as it crosses Macquarie Rivulet at Robertson, November 2013.

Image © Paul Rands

Flashing Warning Sign:

Flashing warning sign as the Illawarra Hwy (A48) leaves Robertson, November 2013.

Image © Paul Rands

Macquarie Pass:

Illawarra Hwy (A48) at Mt Murray as it starts its descent down the Illawarra Escarpment via Macquarie Pass, November 2013.

Image © Paul Rands

Macquarie Pass:

Approaching one of a couple of the tightest bends on the Illawarra Hwy at Mt Murray, November 2013.

Image © Paul Rands

Macquarie Pass:

Approaching one of a couple of the tightest bends on the Illawarra Hwy at Mt Murray, November 2013.

Image © Paul Rands

Road Widens Ahead:

Old Road Widens Ahead sign at Mt Murray, November 2013.

Image © Paul Rands

Tourism Distance Sign:

Tourism based RD sign on Macquarie Pass, November 2013.

Image © Paul Rands

Trucks Must Remain In Low Gear:

Sign for heavy vehicles along Macquarie Pass, November 2013.

Image © Paul Rands

Slow Vehicle Turnout:

A slow vehicle turnout on Illawarra Hwy (A48) along Macquarie Pass, November 2013.

Image © Paul Rands

Macquarie Pass:

The Illawarra Hwy as it descends Macquarie Pass, November 2013.

Image © Paul Rands

End Trucks Must Use Low Gear:

Sign for heavy vehicles at Tongarra, November 2013.

Image © Paul Rands

Macquarie Rivulet:

Illawarra Hwy (A48) as it crosses Macquarie Rivulet at Tongarra, November 2013.

Image © Paul Rands

Entering Albion Park:

Illawarra Hwy (A48) as it enters the town of Albion Park, November 2013.

Image © Paul Rands

Advance Directional Sign:

AD sign approaching Russell St in Albion Park, November 2013.

Image © Paul Rands

Advance Directional Sign:

AD sign approaching Tongarra Rd and Terry St in Albion Park, November 2013.

Image © Paul Rands

Tongarra Road & Terry Street:

Corner of Illawarra Hwy (A48), Tongarra Rd and Terry St in Albion Park, November 2013. A48 turns left at this junction.

Image © Paul Rands

Reassurance Directional Sign:

Distance sign at Albion Park, November 2013. This sign has since been removed.

Image © Paul Rands

Albion Park to Robertson

Intersection Directional Sign:

ID sign at the junction with Tongarra Rd (TD8) and Terry St at Albion Park, December 2013. A48 turns right at this junction.

Intersection Directional Sign:

ID sign at the junction with Tongarra Rd (TD8) and Terry St at Albion Park, December 2013. A48 turns right at this junction.

Distance Sign:

RD sign at Albion Park, December 2013.

Macquarie Rivulet:

Illawarra Hwy (A48) as it crosses Macquarie Rivulet at Tongarra, December 2013.

8 km Winding Road:

Illawarra Highway (A48) approaching Macquarie Pass at Tongarra, December 2013.

Macquarie Pass:

Illawarra Hwy (A48) at the start of Macquarie Pass at Tongarra, December 2013.

Intersection Directional Sign:

ID sign at the Meryla St junction in Robertson, February 2013.

Image © Paul Rands

Distance Sign:

Reassurance directional sign at Robertson, December 2013.