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Highway One |
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 (18 Mar 2010).jpg)
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The buttons on the left are arranged in south to north order. The towns in each state's page are also arranged in the order you encounter them when driving south to north. For fun, I've added some extra buttons to collect groups of related photos together e.g. the pubs,
giants, the food etc.
What is Highway One? Highway One grew out of a highly variable collection of local, regional and State roads. As the motoring and road transport needs of the country grew over time, so roads that were originally tracks were linked up, sealed, widened and improved to meet those needs. The growing need for a rational system for the construction and maintenance of efficient and safe arterial highways across State borders led to increasing Federal Government involvement and funding of key road systems. Highway One was born in 1955 out of this already-existing network of State roads and became National Route 1 in the then-new National Route and later, National Highway, systems. |
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The Towns & People Like pearls on a necklace, the length of Highway One is studded with pretty and uniquely Australian small towns brimming with history and charm. After being bypassed, however, once well-known towns are often only seen as names on a freeway exit, while others, further off the bypass road, aren't mentioned at all any more. Sadly, these towns and their stories are fading in the national consciousness as we have less direct contact with them. The towns themselves may often also fade as their traveller lifeblood dries up. One of the important side benefits of exploring Highway One is the opportunity to visit and help keep these small heartland towns alive by enjoying their attractions and patronising their businesses. As an added bonus, we get to meet the people of Highway One. They're the best source of that precious commodity; local knowledge. Visitors Information Centres are dotted all along our route and provide useful maps, tourist information and advice. Many towns feature historical museums staffed by long-term friendly locals. Most of the pubs, motels, eateries and other businesses we'll deal with are owner run and managed, particularly on Old Highway One. The people are open and helpful, so don't be afraid to ask questions, or better still, stop and chat for a while. |
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 - Molteno Rd (old H1) end of road (11 Mar 2010).jpg)
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What are Orphans & Old Highway One? Orphans are sections of road that were once part of Highway One but have now been cut off, abandoned or bypassed, usually due to upgrading, realignment of the road, etc. Taken together, the thousands of kilometres of orphans comprise "Old Highway One". Ghosts, traces & fragments are abandoned orphan sections of the old road which, while they can still be made out and visited, are returning to nature.
Giants & Icons Those things along Highway One that we love, those that make us go "Hmmm" and the things that touch us; these are the Highway One Icons. A visit to all the icons guarantees a great trip and a real connection to our motoring past.
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About this Project I've always been interested in small towns, great architecture, highways and history. After driving USA's famous Route 66 in 2009 I was inspired by the experience and the many similarities between USA's Route 66 and the hidden gem that is Australia's Highway One. As a result I drove east coast Highway One several times and wrote my book "Highway One Travel Companion" which covered Highway One east from Melbourne VIC all the way to Tweed Heads NSW (about 2,000kms). This was converted into a series of e-books which have expanded to include an introductory volume and 8 section books to cover Highway One from temperate Melbourne VIC right up to tropical Cairns QLD. More volumes will be added as I am able to travel new sections and existing volumes are being regularly reviewed.
The e-books
Click the links below to read more or download: |
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