New England Highway

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National Highway 15 follows New England Highway is just off Newcastle and continues through Cunningham Highway in Queensland to Brisbane

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National Route 42

See also: New England Interstate Highways, a system of numbered highways in New England, USA, from 1922 to 1927.

The New England Highway is a highway in Australia. It traverses the New England region of New South Wales and also extends into southern Queensland. The New England Highway is part of the National Highway network, which means that the federal government, not the New South Wales state government, pays for their maintenance and development.

Contents

1 Introduction

2 Track

3 Towns

3.1 Singleton
3.2 Muswellbrook
3.3 Scone
3.4 Tamworth
3.5 Armidale
3.6 Glen Innes
3.7 Tenterfield
3.8 Stanthorpe
3.9 Warwick

4 See also

Introduction

The 1047 km Sydney–Brisbane National Highway route follows the Sydney–Newcastle Freeway (National Highway 1) and the New England and Cunningham highways (both part of National Highway 15). This interstate corridor serves the Central Coast, Newcastle and Hunter regions.

Further north, the highway serves the New England Region, including the cities of Tamworth and Armidale, and the Southern Downs Region near the New South Wales–Queensland border.

Track

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From Brisbane, National Highway 15 (green) follows the Cunningham Highway until Warwick where it then follows southwards, the New England Highway ...

The New England Highway travesrses the Hunter Valley, the New England region and the Darling Downs; linking Newcastle and Toowoomba. It follows the trail which was blazed by the explorer and botanist, Allan Cunningham, who explored the regions in 1827-29. The National Highway roughly follows his path from to Newcastle to Wallangara and through the Cunningham's Gap (path of the highway which today bears his name), to Brisbane. As these rich farm and pastorial lands are settled earlier than the NSW's North Coast, the New England Highway provides an all weather sealed highway link between NSW and Queensland by the first half of the 20th century. Hence, it serves as an important interstate freight link between NSW and Victoria to Queensland and was included as a part of the National Highway network in 1974.

The Pacific Highway was then flood prone and had many winding and dangerous sections. Explosive growth of population and tourism along the North Coast in the 1970s and 1980s led to the states' (NSW and Queensland) funded reconstruction of Pacific Highway to freeway standards in the 1990s . With progressive completion of the roadworks, the traffic shifts away from New England Highway and it became the only National Highway with a lower intercapital traffic volume as compared to an alternative National Route.

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... through Armidale, Tamworth and just before Newcastle where it joins with Sydney-Newcastle Freeway (National Highway 1) southwards to Sydney

Towns

The New England Highway commences at its junction with the Pacific Highway at Hexham, a few kilometers inland from Newcastle. It connects the following towns:

In Queensland (as National Highway 15)

From Warwick to Toowoomba the route number changes to National Route 42, which is the Cunningham Highway's route number between Warwick and Goondiwindi.

From Toowoomba to Hampton is has state route number 85. From Hampton through to Yarraman it has state route number 61. The highway terminates at Yarraman.

Below is a short description of some of the towns.

Singleton

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Approximate distances in kilometres from Newcastle

A major centre for the Hunter Valley dotted with many vineyards. It actually grew the past 2 decades unlike many other country towns as its economic base diversifies. In addition to viticulture, it is also a major tourist centre. A major army base is located here. The pretty and historic Putty Road (State Highway 69) connects it with Sydney's western suburbs.

Muswellbrook

A quiet country town with wide streets set amongst the wide sweeping pastoral landscape.

Scone

A town renowned for its thoroughbred stud farms.

Tamworth

The largest city in Northern NSW and is the centre of a rich agricultural district. It is also a thriving industrial and commercial centre. Famous as the 'Country Music Capital' of Australia.

Armidale

Located in the northern tablelands, Armidale has 4 pronounced seasons. Snow often falls around here. It is also the hub of a thriving pastoral area famous for its high quality wool.University of New England, the main seat of learning and a major employer is located here. The student population makes up a significant proportion of the town's inhabitants. Features beautiful landscapes, parks and historic buildings.

Glen Innes

A Celtic-flavoured town that owes much to the Scottish settlers who came to the district in pioneering days. A monument commemorates the part they played. This area is still high and snowed occasionally.

Tenterfield

A town more known by its deeds rather than its attractions. The place of the Tenterfield Oration and hometown of the crooner Peter Allen. The closest NSW town to the Queensland border.

The New England Highway crosses the State border into Queensland at Wallangarra, and continues to Stanthorpe, Warwick and Toowoomba in Queensland. The Warwick - Toowomba stretch is designated as National Route 42. Traffic proceeding to Brisbane turns onto the Cunningham Highway (National Highway 15) north of Warwick.

Stanthorpe

Located on the Cunningham Highway, famous for its vineyards and orchards. It also has a fine national park with plenty of bush walking trails.

Warwick

Last major town before Brisbane (Ipswich can be regarded more as a Brisbane's commuter city). A major city set in rolling hills on the banks of the Condamine River. Famous for its rodeo and its rose gardens.