Length:

565 km (Kyneton to Sunbury: 46 km)

Termini:

Northern: NSW Border, Yelta.

Southern: Tullamarine Fwy (M2), Airport West

Miscellaneous:

Continues as Calder Hwy (unnumbered) in NSW, and meets Silver City Hwy (B79) in Curlwaa. B79 in NSW terminates at Sturt Hwy (A20), Buronga. Presumably, the B79 routing allows through traffic to avoid using the single-lane Abbotsford Bridge over the Murray River.

Suburbs, Towns & Localities Along Route:

Kyneton, Woodend, Macedon, Gisborne and Gisbourne South

Current: M79

Former: 79

Road Authority Internal Classification: ¹

1530 (Ravenswood to Airport West)

General Information:

The M79 / A79 corridor is a major route in Victoria's road system, and consists of urban arterial, undivided rural highway, divided highway and freeway conditions. The Calder Highway and Freeway form a strategic link in Victoria's road network and carries a high volume of commuter, freight, business and tourist traffic between Melbourne, Bendigo and Mildura. ²

1925: North Western Highway (which later became Calder Highway) declared. ²

1928: North Western Highway renamed Calder Highway. ²

1997: Conversion from NR79 to M79 / A79 as part of VicRoads alphanumeric route numbering scheme.

2005: Commencement of the construction of 43 km of four lane divided highway from Kyneton to Ravenswood commenced. New sections that have been completed and opened in stages include duplication of the existing highway north of Kyneton and at Ravenswood, and construction of new freeway lanes bypassing Malmsbury, Taradale and Elphinstone. ²

24 January 2005: Opening of upgrade works to the Calder Fwy at Kyneton North. ²

Kyneton to Sunbury

Cobb & Co Road:

Southbound at Kyneton on Calder Fwy (M79) with a view of the old Calder Hwy, now known as Cobb & Co Road. The bridges cross Campaspe River. October 2006.

Image © Rob Tilley

Distance Sign:

Southbound RD sign as you leave Kyneton. October 2006.

Image © Rob Tilley

Advance Directional Sign:

AD sign for the Springvale Road interchange at Carlsruhe, October 2006.

Image © Rob Tilley

Approaching Springvale Road Interchange:

Southbound advance directional sign for the Springvale Road interchange at Carlsruhe, October 2006.

Image © Rob Tilley

Springvale Road Interchange:

Southbound at Carlsruhe as the Calder Freeway passes through the Springvale Road interchange. October 2006.

Image © Rob Tilley

Distance Sign & Advance Directional Sign:

Southbound RD signage after the Springvale Road interchange at Carlsruhe, plus AD sign for the Old Calder Highway (C792) interchange which is located at Woodend North, October 2006.

Image © Rob Tilley

Advance Directional Sign:

AD sign for the Avenue of Honour (Old Calder Hwy) (C792) interchange at Woodend North, October 2006.

Image © Rob Tilley

Bypassed Town Sign:

Southbound bypassed town sign at Woodend North approaching the Avenue of Honour (Old Calder Hwy) interchange , October 2006.

Image © Rob Tilley

Avenue of Honour (Old Calder Hwy) Interchange:

Southbound carriageway of the Calder Fwy (M79) as it passes through the interchange with Avenue of Honour (Old Calder Hwy) at Woodend North, October 2006.

Image © Rob Tilley

Distance Sign:

Southbound RD sign after the Avenue of Honour (Old Calder Hwy) interchange at Woodend North, October 2006.

Image © Rob Tilley

AD Sign:

Southbound advance directional sign for Romsey Road (C324) at Woodend, October 2006.

Image © Rob Tilley

Advance Directional Sign:

Southbound advance directional sign for Romsey Road (C324) at Woodend, October 2006.

Image © Rob Tilley

Romsey Road Interchange:

Looking southbound through the Romsey Road (C324) interchange at Woodend. October 2006.

Image © Rob Tilley

Advance Directional Sign:

AD sign on the southbound off-ramp on the Romsey Road interchange at Woodend. October 2006.

Image © Rob Tilley

Distance Sign:

Southbound reassurance directional sign after the Romsey Road (C324) interchange, with the Mt Macedon Road overpass in the distance. October 2006.

Image © Rob Tilley

Advance Directional Sign:

AD sign for the Black Forest Dr / Macedon-Woodend Rd (former Calder Hwy) (C792) interchange at Macedon, October 2006.

Image © Rob Tilley

Advance Directional Sign:

AD sign for the Black Forest Dr / Macedon-Woodend Rd (former Calder Hwy) (C792) interchange at Macedon, October 2006.

Image © Rob Tilley

Reassurance Directional Sign:

Distance sign after the Black Forest Dr / Macedon-Woodend Rd (former Calder Hwy) (C792) interchange at Macedon, October 2006.

Image © Rob Tilley

Reassurance Directional Sign:

Distance sign after the Mt Macedon Rd (C322) interchange at Macedon, October 2006.

Image © Rob Tilley

Advance Directional Sign:

AD sign for the Station Rd (C708 & C791) interchange at Gisborne, October 2006.

Image © Rob Tilley

Station Road Interchange:

Southbound at the Station Rd (C708 & C791) interchange at Gisborne, October 2006.

Image © Rob Tilley

Station Road Interchange:

Southbound off-ramp of the Station Rd (C708 & C791) interchange at Gisborne, October 2006.

Image © Rob Tilley

Advance Directional Sign:

Southbound AD sign attached to the Kilmore Rd overpass at Gisborne, for the Melbourne Rd (C791) interchange, October 2006.

Image © Rob Tilley

Melbourne Road Interchange:

Southbound through the Melbourne Road (C791) interchange at Gisborne, October 2006.

Image © Rob Tilley

Distance Sign:

RD sign located after the Melbourne Rd interchange, as you leave Gisborne. October 2006.

Image © Rob Tilley

Click or tap here for the continuation of M79 between Sunbury and Airport West
Click or tap here for the continuation of M79 between Bendigo and Kyneton