Thunderbolts Way New South Wales
Monument commemorating the opening of a section of Thunderbolts Way
General information
Type	Road
Length	290 km (180 mi)
Major junctions
NNW end	16 km (10 mi) south of Gwydir Highway, Inverell, New South Wales
SSE end	Bucketts Way, Gloucester, New South Wales
Location(s)
Major suburbs	Uralla, Walcha, Rookhurst, Barrington

View from Carson's Lookout, Thunderbolt's Way, Gloucester, NSW

Warning sign on Thunderbolts Way

Thunderbolts Way is a 290-kilometre (180 mi) New South Wales country road linking Gloucester to Walcha (where it crosses the Oxley Highway), Uralla, where it very briefly joins the New England Highway and, to Copes Creek, 16 km (10 mi) south of the Gwydir Highway intersection at Inverell.^[1][2] The road is fully sealed and passes through thickly forested mountain areas with many nearby national parks and nature reserves.It is named after a local bushranger, Frederick Ward alias Captain Thunderbolt, who roamed these parts in the 19th century.

History[edit]

Eric Carson (1913–99), a Gloucester sawmiller and road builder, carved the first road through the ranges to bring out the magnificent hardwood from the forests on the Great Divide. After Carson spent many years trying to persuade local politicians that a road should be built across the Divide from Gloucester to Nowendoc, he went ahead and built it. Carving the 32 km (20 mi) route out of some of the steepest and most rugged countryside in the state was fraught with danger, but by 1961 it was complete.^[3] Carson’s Lookout, which commemorates his work is between Gloucester and Nowendoc, is a good stop off point for the enjoyment of panoramic views.

The route[edit]

At a total length of about 290 km (180 mi) (from Gloucester to Inverell), it is very hilly and winding as it passes through the Great Dividing Range. It is very popular with tourists, including motorcyclists, as it offers many pristine picnic and fishing spots. Riverside camping spots are available at Gloryvale Reserve and Bretti Reserve. There is also a picnic area, with toilets, near the Barrington River bridge.

Occasionally a dingo, koala or wombat may be among the animals to be spotted on this route. Bellbirds are frequently heard shortly after beginning the ascent up the mountain.

The only villages between Gloucester and Walcha are Barrington and Nowendoc, which is slightly north of this road. There is a public school and church at the hamlet of Rookhurst. After passing through Walcha, Dangar’s Lagoon is situated close to Uralla where a statue of Captain Thunderbolt on horseback is located on the intersection of the New England Highway and Thunderbolts Way.

After passing Uralla the Mount Yarrowyck Nature Reserve is near the junction of the Armidale Road and Thunderbolts Way. This site protects an Aboriginal cave painting site and much of the natural environment of Mount Yarrowyck.

A low level bridge crosses the Gwydir River shortly before reaching the Kingstown Road intersection and then the village of Bundarra. Once again the Gwydir River is crossed, this time by the Bundarra bridge, a five-span iron lattice truss bridge, that was constructed in 1881. This bridge is 204 metres (669 ft) long and 5.6 m (18.4 ft) wide between kerbs. It has been listed on the Register of the National Estate, being of state significance due to its design, historical value and aesthetic appearance.^[4] The next village encountered is Gilgai which is situated about 10 km (6 mi) south of Inverell.

See also[edit]

• Highways in Australia
• List of highways in New South Wales

References[edit]

External links[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Thunderbolts Way

• Gary Evans (17 January 2007). "Short cut is long on appeal". news.com.au. Retrieved 18 August 2009. 
• "Map of Thunderbolts Way" (PDF). Cartoscope Pty Limited. Retrieved 14 November 2012. 

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