Expressway - The Australian Highway Site: Road Photos & Information: NSW: Decommissioned NR1 (Batemans Bay to Bodalla)

Road Photos & Information: New South Wales

Pacific Highway, New England Highway, John Renshaw Drive, Southern Freeway, Mount Ousley Road and Princes Highway (National Route 1) (Decommissioned)

Batemans Bay to Bodalla

Statistics:

Length:: 1161 km (Batemans Bay to Bodalla: 53 km)
Termini:: Northern: Gold Coast Hwy (SR2) and Pacific Mwy (Tugun Bypass) (M1) at Tweed Heads West; Southern: NSW / VIC Border
Miscellaneous:: Continues Princes Hwy (A1) in Victoria and as Pacific Mwy (M1) at Tweed Heads West
Suburbs, Towns & Localities Along Route:: Runnyford, Mogo, Jeremadra, Broulee, Moruya, Bergalia, Coila, Turlinjah and Bodalla

Route Numbering:

Current: A1
Former: 1
Road Authority Internal Classification: ¹: HW1 (Yallah to NSW-VIC Border)

General Information:

National Route 1 formed part of the main coastal route between Victoria and Queensland. The route features a mix of rural highway, arterial and freeway design standards. The route forms part of what is collectively known as Highway 1. It is Australia's coastal highway joining all mainland's state capitals and coastal towns circumnavigating the entire Australian continent. At the time it was also the longest numbered highway in the world, covering more than 14 500 km.

In New South Wales, National Route 1 was truncated by National Highway 1 between Beresfield and Wahroonga, by Metroad 1 between Wahroonga and Waterfall and later by M1 at Tweed Heads West, as a result the route was split into 2 sections.

When National Route 1 was initially established, the Pacific Highway section began at the Tweed Heads town centre at the NSW-QLD border. It meandered south, mostly following the coast to Newcastle, then passed through Gosford, Brooklyn, Hornsby, Wahroonga, Chatswood, Artarmon, and North Sydney, concluding at Milsons Point. Subsequently, NR1 transitioned into the Bradfield Hwy, traversed the Sydney Harbour Bridge, weaved through the Sydney CBD via several streets, and finally journeyed south through Wollongong, the NSW South Coast, and towards the Victorian border along the Princes Highway. Since the 1950s, the route has been continually modified and redirected in response to evolving road conditions and changing traffic demands. By the time National Route 1 was decommissioned, substantial segments of the route had been significantly diverted from their original alignments or had undergone major transformations, bearing minimal resemblance to their initial configurations.

Pacific Highway:

At the time of decommissioning, the National Route 1 section of the Pacific Hwy ran between Tweed Heads West and Hexham (west of Newcastle). The route was a mix of undivided rural highway standard, motorway or dual carriageway highway conditions. During the 1980s, 1990s and 2000s, the route was altered significantly to bypass towns, tortuous mountain passes and sub-standard alignments.

The highway traces its origins back to an early settler, George Peat, who owned the land between the Hawkesbury River and Mooney Mooney Creek. To provide access to his property, Peat began a ferry service across the Hawkesbury River in 1844 and surveyed, then constructed a road between Hornsby and Kariong in 1854. After his death in 1870, the ferry service was abandoned and the road fell into disrepair, finally closing to all traffic in 1899, following the completion of the Sydney-Newcastle railway.

Demand for a route between Sydney and Newcastle dates back to the early 20th century. When the only access was via the sea or via a long route through the town of Wiseman's Ferry. In the 1920s, the then Main Roads Board undertook a series of surveys to form an easier and more reliable route north from Sydney. In 1928 construction began on upgrading the old road and converting it to a modern standard, plus creating a new route north, utilising some of the abandoned Peat's Ferry Rd, while improving the horizontal and vertical alignments. In May 1930 the ferry service across the Hawkesbury River was re-established to service the new road until such times that a bridge became necessary. June 1930 marked the completion of the concrete surfacing.

During the time of the Hornsby to Gosford construction, improvements were made to roads between Gosford to Newcastle as part of the link. On May 17 in 1929, the route was named as the Great Northern Highway. The work from Hornsby to Gosford cost almost £1 million, however it was money well spent, reducing the trip from Sydney to Newcastle from 9 hours to 4 ½ hours.

History:

Princes Highway:: 1900: Construction of a bridge over the Moruya River. ²; 7 June 1926: the Princes Highway comes under a federal and state government £ for £ funding scheme, thus recognising the importance of the highway as major route.; 1932: A short deviation (2150 feet long) was constructed at Palwambra Mountain, between Mogo and Moruya. The former road was very narrow, and had steep grades and poor alignment. Minor widening between Bateman's Bay and Mogo. ³; 1933: Sections of gravel pavement were surfaced with tar through Mogo and Bodalla. Nearly a mile of road was reconstructed in extension of the deviation constructed in 1932 at Pollwombra Mountain. ⁴; 1937: Planting and landscaping program started along Princes Highway. ⁵; 1939: by the middle of the year, 300 miles (or 50% of the then highway) had been paved with bituminous surface.; 1947: Completion of Princes Hwy upgrade covering 5.25 miles between Batemans Bay and Mogo. ⁶; 1948: Work commenced on upgrading the Princes Highway between Mogo and Moruya, which included a 6 mile deviation. ⁷; 1949: Completion of the reconstruction of Princes Highway between Batemans Bay and Moruya. Work begins on upgrading the Princes Highway between Moruya and Bodalla. ⁸; 1951: Construction started on a concrete bridge over Jerramadra Creek near Batemans Bay. ⁹; 1955: Opening of steel girder and concrete bridge over Jerramadra Creek near Batemans Bay.; 1956: Bitumen surfacing on Princes Hwy between Sydney and Eden totalling 305 miles out of 321 miles. ¹⁰; 1957: Construction of a deviation 2.25 miles long, which included the approaches to the new bridge over the Tuross River near Bodalla. Completion of steel and concrete bridge over the Tuross River at Bodalla. Length 630 feet. ²⁵; 1964: Work was commenced on the construction of a steel and reinforced concrete bridge over Moruya River at Moruya. The structure was 892 feet long and replaced a timber bridge subject to flooding. Curve advisory speed signs installed on Princes Highway between Nowra and the Victorian Border. ¹¹; 1966: In conjunction with the construction of a new bridge over the Moruya River at Moruya a two-mile section of the highway was reconstructed. ¹²; 1967: The pavement was widened from 20 to 22 feet from Bateman's Bay to Moruya. ¹³; June 2013: Construction of roundabout at the junction of Princes Hwy and South Head Rd at Moruya. ¹⁴; 2013: NR1 decommissioned with the introduction of alphanumeric route numbering.

Click or tap here for historic photos between Batemans Bay and Bodalla

Batemans Bay to Bodalla

Advance Directional Sign:

AD sign at Mogo approaching Deep Creek Dam Rd, November 2009.

Image © Paul Rands

Deep Creek Road:

Corner of Princes Hwy (NR1) and Deep Ck Rd at Mogo, October 2010.

Image © Paul Rands

Entering Mogo:

Princes Hwy (NR1) as it enters the town of Mogo, October 2010.

Image © Paul Rands

Advance Directional Sign:

AD sign at Mogo approaching Tomakin Rd, November 2009.

Image © Paul Rands

Mogo:

Princes Hwy (NR1) as it passes through the town of Mogo, November 2009.

Image © Paul Rands

Tomakin Road:

Corner of Princes Hwy and Tomakin Rd at Mogo, October 2010. Click or tap here for a photo of this location by Paul Rands from November 2009.

Image © Paul Rands

Advance Directional Sign:

AD sign at Broulee approaching Broulee Rd, October 2010.

Image © Paul Rands

Broulee Road:

Corner of Princes Hwy (NR1) and Broulee Rd at Broulee, November 2009.

Image © Paul Rands

Shelley Road:

Corner of Princes Hwy (NR1) and Shelley Rd at North Moruya, October 2010.

Image © Paul Rands

Larrys Mountain Road:

Corner of Princes Hwy (NR1) and Larrys Mtn Rd, October 2010.

Image © Paul Rands

Entering Moruya:

Princes Hwy (NR1) as it enters the town of Moruya, November 2009.

Image © Paul Rands

Advance Directional Sign:

AD sign at Moruya approaching George Bass Dr (TD7), November 2009.

Image © Paul Rands

George Bass Drive:

Corner of Princes Hwy (NR1) and George Bass Dr (TD7) at Moruya, October 2010.

Image © Paul Rands

Moruya River:

Princes Hwy (NR1) crossing Moruya River at Moruya, October 2010.

Image © Paul Rands

Moruya:

Princes Hwy (NR1) (Vulcan St) as it passes through the town of Moruya, October 2010. Click or tap here for a photo of this location by Michael Greenslade from March 2003.

Image © Paul Rands

Advance Directional Sign:

AD sign on Princes Hwy (NR1) at Moruya, approaching Campbell St and Vulcan St, November 2010. NR1 turns left at this junction

Image © Paul Rands

Intersection Directional Sign:

ID sign at the corner of Princes Hwy (NR1), Campbell St and Vulcan St in Moruya, November 2009. NR1 turns left at this location.

Image © Paul Rands

Advance Directional Sign:

AD sign at Moruya approaching Ford St, November 2009.

Image © Paul Rands

Intersection Directional Sign:

ID sign on the roundabout with Ford St in Moruya, November 2010.

Image © Paul Rands

Advance Directional Sign:

AD sign at Moruya approaching South Head Rd, November 2009.

Image © Paul Rands

South Head Road:

Corner of Princes Hwy (NR1) and South Head Rd at Moruya, November 2009.

Image © Paul Rands

Reassurance Directional Sign:

Distance sign at Moruya, November 2009. This sign used to be located closer to South Head Rd. Click or tap here for a photo of this sign by Michael Greenslade from March 2003.

Image © Paul Rands

Beashels Lane:

Corner of Princes Hwy (NR1) and Beashels Ln at Bergalia, October 2010.

Image © Paul Rands

Intersection Directional Sign:

ID sign at the junction with Bingi Rd at Bergalia, October 2010.

Image © Paul Rands

Supplemental Advance Directional Sign:

Supplemental AD sign at Coila approaching Hector McWilliam Dr, November 2009.

Image © Paul Rands

Advance Directional Sign:

AD sign at Coila approaching Hector McWilliam Dr, November 2009.

Image © Paul Rands

Hector McWilliam Drive:

Corner of Princes Hwy (NR1) and Hector McWilliam Dr at Coila, November 2010.

Image © Paul Rands

Reassurance Directional Sign:

Distance sign at Turlinjah, November 2009.

Image © Paul Rands

Advance Directional sign:

AD sign approaching Cantlay St Turlinjah, November 2010.

Image © Paul Rands

Cantlay Street:

Corner of Princes Hwy (NR1) and Cantlay St, Turlinjah, October 2010.

Image © Paul Rands

Tuross River:

Princes Hwy (NR1) as it crosses Tuross River at Bodalla, October 2010.

Image © Paul Rands

Entering Bodalla:

Princes Hwy (NR1) as it enters the town of Bodalla, October 2010.

Image © Paul Rands

Bodalla:

Princes Hwy (NR1) as passes through the town of Bodalla, October 2010.

Image © Paul Rands

Eurobodalla Road:

Corner of Princes Hwy (NR1) and Eurobodalla Rd at Bodalla, October 2010.

Image © Paul Rands

Intersection Directional Sign:

ID sign at the junction with Potato Point Rd at Bodalla, October 2010.

Image © Paul Rands

Brou Lake Road:

Corner of Princes Hwy (NR1) and Brou Lake Rd at Bodalla, October 2010.

Image © Paul Rands

Bodalla to Batemans Bay

Entering Bodalla:

Princes Hwy (NR1) as it enters the town of Bodalla, September 2009.

Image © Paul Rands

Bodalla Town Centre:

Princes Hwy (NR1) as it passes through the town of Bodalla, September 2009.

Image © Paul Rands

Potato Point Road:

Corner of Princes Hwy (NR1) and Potato Point Rd, Bodalla, September 2009.

Image © Paul Rands

Eurobodalla Road:

Corner of Princes Hwy (NR1) and Eurobodalla Rd at Bodalla, September 2009.

Image © Paul Rands

Tuross River:

Princes Hwy (NR1) as it crosses Tuross River at Bodalla, September 2009.

Image © Paul Rands

Supplemental Advance Directional Sign:

Supplemental AD sign at Turlinjah, approaching Hector McWilliam Dr, September 2009.

Image © Paul Rands

Advance Directional Sign:

AD sign at Turlinjah, approaching Hector McWilliam Dr, September 2009.

Image © Paul Rands

Intersection Directional Sign:

ID sign assembly at the corner of Princes Hwy (NR1) and Hector McWilliam Dr at Turlinjah, September 2009.

Image © Paul Rands

Reassurance Directional Sign:

Distance sign at Turlinjah, September 2009.

Bingie Road:

Corner of Princes Hwy (NR1) and Bingie Rd, Bergalia, September 2009.

Beashels Lane:

Corner of Princes Hwy (NR1) and Beashels Ln, Bergalia, September 2009.

Entering Moruya:

Princes Hwy (NR1) as it enters the town of Moruya, September 2009. Moruya provided natural resources used in the construction of the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

Supplemental Advance Directional Sign:

Supplemental AD sign at Moruya, approaching South Head Rd, September 2009.

Intersection Directional Sign:

ID sign assembly at the corner of Princes Hwy (NR1) and South Head Rd at Moruya, September 2009.

Advance Directional Sign:

AD sign approaching Forde St, Moruya, September 2009.

Advance Directional Sign:

AD sign on Princes Hwy (NR1) at Moruya, approaching Campbell St and Vulcan St, September 2009. NR1 turns right at this junction

Intersection Directional Sign:

ID sign on the corner of Princes Hwy (NR1) Campbell St and Vulcan St at Moruya, September 2009. NR1 turns right at this junction, September 2009.

Moruya Town Centre:

Princes Hwy (NR1) (Vulcan St) as it passes through Moruya, September 2009.

Moruya River:

Princes Hwy (NR1) as it crosses Moruya River at Moruya, March 2003.

Moruya River:

Princes Hwy (NR1) as it crosses Moruya River at Moruya, September 2009.

Moruya River:

Princes Hwy (NR1) as it crosses Moruya River at Moruya, September 2009.

North Head Road:

Corner of Princes Hwy (NR1) and North Head Rd (TD7) at Moruya, September 2009.

Reassurance Directional Sign:

Distance sign at Moruya, September 2009.

Larrys Mountain Road:

Corner of Princes Hwy (NR1) and Larrys Mtn Rd, Moruya, September 2009.

Reassurance Directional Sign:

Reast area distance sign at Moruya, September 2009.

Advance Directional Sign:

AD sign at Broulee, approaching Broulee Rd, September 2009.

Broulee Road:

Corner of Princes Hwy (NR1) and Broulee Rd at Broulee, September 2009.

Entering Mogo

Princes Hwy (NR1) as it enters the village of Mogo, approaching Tomakin Rd, September 2009.

Tomakin Road:

Corner of Princes Hwy (NR1) and Tomakin Rd at Mogo, September 2009.

Mogo Town Centre:

Princes Hwy (NR1) as it passes through Mogo, September 2009.

Click or tap here for the continuation of NR1 between Bodalla and Cobargo
Click or tap here for the continuation of NR1 between Ulladulla and Batemans Bay

¹ NSW Government, Roads and Traffic Authority, Schedule of Classified Roads and State & Regional Roads, 31 January 2011.
² NSW Government, Department of Main Roads, Annual Report, 1944-45.
³ NSW Government, Main Roads Board Annual Report, 1932.
⁴ NSW Government, Department of Main Roads, Annual Report, 1932-33.
⁵ NSW Government, Department of Main Roads, Annual Report, 1936-37.
⁶ NSW Government, Department of Main Roads, Annual Report, 1946-47.
⁷ NSW Government, Department of Main Roads, Annual Report, 1947-48.
⁸ NSW Government, Department of Main Roads, Annual Report, 1948-49.
⁹ NSW Government, Department of Main Roads, Annual Report, 1951-52.
¹⁰ NSW Government, Department of Main Roads, Annual Report, 1955-56.
¹¹ NSW Government, Department of Main Roads, Annual Report, 1956-57.
¹² NSW Government, Department of Main Roads, Annual Report, 1963-64.
¹³ NSW Government, Department of Main Roads, Annual Report, 1965-66.
¹⁴ NSW Government, Department of Main Roads, Annual Report, 1966-67.
¹⁵ NSW Government, Roads and Maritime Services, Projects, Princes Highway upgrade, South Head Road.