Great North Road

This road was built between 1826 and 1836 to connect early Sydney to the rapidly developing Hunter Valley region. It is over 240 kilometers long and was constructed by convict labour under the supervision of colonial engineers. Lieutenant Percy Simpson was responsible for the Devines Hill section.

It illustrates efforts to apply methods emerging from the road building revolution in Europe to the harsh environment of the new colony. The Great North Road was part of Governor Darling's vision of a fine, permanent and all-encompassing road system. It is a superb example of the quality of the work performed by convicts, and is part of the nomination to UNESCO of ‘Australian Convict Sites’, which was inscribed on the World Heritage list in 2010.

The Great North Road.

Cutting on the Great North Road.

Retaining wall on the Great North Road.

The Engineers Australia plaque zixed to a cutting wall on the Great North Road.

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Great North Road location map.

Engineering Heritage Recognition Program

Marker Type	National Engineering Landmark (NEL)
Award Date	October 2001
Heritage Significance	It illustrates efforts to apply methods emerging from the road building revolution in Europe to the harsh environment of the new colony.
Nomination Document	Available here.
Ceremony Booklet	Not Available.
Interpretation Panel	None Installed.