Statistics:

• Length: 810 km (Former Alignment: 1 km)
• Eastern Terminus: Pacific Hwy (A1) at South Grafton
• Western Terminus: Mitchell Hwy (B71) at Bourke
• Suburbs, Towns & Localities Along Route: South Grafton, Ramornie, Jackadgery, Glen Elgin, Shannon Vale, Glen Innes, Matheson, Elsmore, Inverell, Little Plain, Delungra, Warialda, Gravesend, Biniguy, Pallamallawa, Moree, Bullarah, Collarenebri, Walgett, Brewarrina and Bourke

Route Numbering:

• Current: None
• Former: B76

• Multiplexes: A39
• Road Authority Internal Classification: HW12 (Grafton to Walgett) and HW29 (Walgett to Bourke) 1

General Information:

B76 is a rural highway in northern and western New South Wales, which connects the north coast with outback NSW. For the most part it's undivided, except in a handful of spots.

A section of the route runs parallel with the Gwydir River, and is named after Lord Gwydir by Alan Cunningham who crossed the river at Gravesend in 1827. The section between Walgett and Bourke is named after the Kamilaroi Aboriginal people of north western NSW. 2

During construction of the Moree Bypass, a number of environmental concerns had to be overcome before the section between Alice St (the then Gwydir Hwy) and Amaroo Dr could be completed. The bypass route ran north-south through former fuel storage facilities and the clean up of the location meant that only the northern section of the bypass (Alice St (Gwydir Hwy) to Carnavon Hwy (now Gwydir Hwy)) initially opened to traffic, with the western section of B76 following the existing highway.

Multiplexes along the route include:

• A39, for 450 m at Moree

History:

• 1858: The section between Moree and Warialda was marked on a Post Office Department Map. 3
• 1895: Most of the route, between Moree and Grafton was marked on a map of Railway and Coaching Routes. 3
• July 1928: The route was proclaimed the Gwydir Highway. 3
• 13 February 1999: The Kamilaroi Highway was officially proclaimed by the Minister for Roads. 4
• December 1999: Final stage of Kamilaroi Highway upgrade completed to provide a continuous, dependable all weather road to the north west portion of New South Wales. 5

This page concentrates on the former alignment in the Moree area

Grafton To Bourke			Bourke to Grafton
Preview:	Description:		Preview:	Description:
	Intersection Directional Sign: ID sign at the corner of Gwydir Hwy (B76) and Newell Hwy (A39) at Moree, May 2011. When this photo was taken, B76 continued straight. Image © Rob Tilley			Advance Directional Sign: AD sign on Gwydir Hwy (B76) approaching the roundabout with Newell Hwy (A39) and Alice St in Moree, September 2013. Note the remnant NH39 coverplates. Image © Peter Renshaw
	Intersection Directional Sign: ID sign at the Alice St, Newell Hwy (A39) and Gwydir Hwy (B76) roundabout at Moree. May 2011. Image © Rob Tilley			Advance Directional Sign: AD sign approaching Newell Hwy (A39) at Moree. May 2011. The A39 duplex ended at this junction. Image © Rob Tilley
				Intersection Directional Sign: ID sign at the corner of Gwydir Hwy (B76) and Newell Hwy (A39) at Moree, May 2011. When this photo was taken, B76 continued straight. Image © Rob Tilley
				Advance Directional Sign: AD sign on Newell Hwy (A39) approaching Gwydir Hwy (B76) at Moree. May 2011. Image © Rob Tilley
				Intersection Directional Sign: ID sign at the corner of Gwydir Hwy (B76) and Newell Hwy (A39) at Moree, May 2011. Image © Rob Tilley

1 Roads & Maritime Services, Schedule of Classified Roads and Unclassified Regional Roads, August 2013
2 Roads & Traffic Authority, Heritage and Conservation Register, Brewarrina Bridge over Barwon River
3 Department of Main Roads, The Roadmakers, A History of Main Roads in New South Wales, ISBN 0 7240 0439 4
4 Roads & Traffic Authority, Annual Report 2002
5 National Library of Australia, Catalogue, Construction of Jackadgery Bridge, New South Wales, 1959 / Thiess Bros. Pty Ltd.

Last updated: 23-Dec-2019 10:56

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