Road Photos & Information: New South Wales: Pacific Highway, New England Highway, John Renshaw Drive, Southern Freeway, Mount Ousley Road & Princes Highway (National Route 1) (Decommissioned)

Road Photos & Information: New South Wales

Pacific Highway, New England Highway, John Renshaw Drive, Southern Freeway, Mount Ousley Road & Princes Highway (National Route 1) (Decommissioned) - Yallah To Gerringong

Statistics:

Length: 1149 km
- Southern section: 481 km (Yallah to Gerringong: 29 km)
Northern Terminus:
- Southern section: Princes Highway (Metroad 1) at Waterfall
Southern Terminus:
- Southern section: Princes Highway (A1) at New South Wales / Victoria border
Miscellaneous: Continues as Princes Highway (A1) in Victoria
Suburbs, Towns & Localities Along The Route:
- Southern section: Albion Park Rail, Oak Flats, Dunmore, Bombo, Kiama, Kiama Heights and South Kiama

Route Numbering:

Former:
Multiplexes:
Road Authority Internal Classification: SH1 (Yallah to NSW-Vic Border) 1
Decommissioned: 2013

General Information:

National Route 1 forms part of the main coastal route between Victoria and Queensland. The route features a mix of rural highway, arterial and freeway design standards. The route forms part of what is collectively known as Highway 1. It is Australia's coastal highway joining all mainland's state capitals and coastal towns circumnavigating the entire Australian continent. It is also the longest numbered highway in the world, covering more than 14 500 km.

In New South Wales, National Route 1 was truncated by National Highway 1 between Beresfield and Wahroonga, by Metroad 1 between Wahroonga and Waterfall and by M1 at Tweed Heads West.

Southern Section:

The southern section of National Route 1 is formed by 2 separate sections of the Southern Freeway, linked by dual carriageway Mt Ousley Road. At the end of southern segment of the Southern Freeway, National Route continues as Princes Highway. The route from Kiama to Sydney is a mix of divided road and freeway, the majority of the route from Gerringong to the Victorian border is undivided rural highway standard and undivided urban arterial within some towns, with some dual carriageway sections sporadically placed between Bomaderry and tourist areas immediately south of Nowra.

Princes Highway:

The Princes Highway was formed from a string of roads linking Sydney to the Illawarra, which later was renumbered from National Route 1 to Metroad 1 in the Sydney area during the 1990s.

The Princes Highway section of NR1 formed a coastal route from Yallah, in Wollongong's southern suburbs to Melbourne and into South Australia. The route is a mix of urban arterial road, dual carriageway and also rural highway.

Multiplexes along the route include:

State Route 157, for 2 kilometres between Oak Flats (from New Lake Entrance Road interchange) and Albion Park (Tongarra Road intersection)

History:

Princes Highway:

1858: First bridge over Macquarie Rivulet at Albion Park Rail.
1872: First bridge over Minnamurra River at Dunmore.
1920s The Princes Highway between Oak Flats and Dunmore was constructed. 2
7 June 1926: the Princes Highway comes under a federal and state government £ for £ funding scheme, thus recognizing the importance of the highway as major route.
1931: Deviation of Princes Highway between Oak Flats and Shellharbour (Dunmore). 3
1932: Construction of concrete bridge over Spring Creek at Kiama. 4
1934: Realignment of a 3 mile section of Princes Highway in the Dumnore / Minnamurra area. 5
October 1936: Completion of a deviation between Kiama and Berry, known as the Broughton Creek and Butchers Hill Deviation. 6
1937: Planting and landscaping program started along Princes Highway. 6
1939: by the middle of the year, 300 miles (or 50% of the then highway) had been paved with bitumous surface.
1953: Major repair works made to bridge over Minnamurra River at Minnamurra near Kiama, which included replacement of piles, girders, cross beams, decking and several truss members. 7
1957: Reconstruction began on a narrow and steep section of the Princes Highway immediately north of the town of Kiama, to provide a wider bitumen surfaced pavement and a climbing lane for slow moving vehicles. 25 f channelisation works at the junction of Princes Highway, Bulli Pass and Lawrence Hargrave Drive at Bulli. 30
1963: Climbing lanes were constructed on the Princes Highway at Bombo Hil. 8
1965: Completion of a five-span reinforced concrete bridge, 371 feet long, over the Minnamurra River north of Kiama. The new bridge replaced an old single-lane timber-truss bridge. 9
1966: A commencement was made on providing a climbing lane on Mt Pleasant south of Kiama. Work was in progress on widening of the carriageway and replacement of an arch culvert near Farmer Street, in Kiama. 10
1967: Completion of a climbing lane for slow-moving vehicles on the southern side of Mount Pleasant, south of Kiama. Widening of the carriageway and replacement of a narrow arch culvert with a 3-cell 5 feet diameter reinforced concrete pipe culvert near Farmer Street, Kiama, completed. 11
1968: Reconstruction and bitumen surfacing on improved alignment near Oak Flats railway station, including improvement of the intersection with Tongarra Road. 12
1970: Work started on a five-span reinforced and prestressed concrete bridge over Macquarie Rivulet at Albion Park Rail. The bridge is 375 feet long and provided two traffic lanes. 13
1971: Work commenced on approaches to the new bridge at Macquarie Rivulet including improvement to the junction with Illawarra Highway. 14
November 2003: Construction begins on North Kiama Bypass
26 November 2005: The $179 million, 7.6 kilometre North Kiama Bypass (Princes Highway) from Dunmore to Bombo opened to traffic, eliminating a winding section of the highway at Minnamurra as well as removing through traffic from residential streets in Bombo, Kiama Downs and Minnamurra. 15
October 2008: Northbound on-ramp from South Kiama Drive (former Princes Highway) to current alignment of Princes Highway (Kiama Bypass) opened to traffic. 16
February 2009: Southbound off-ramp to South Kiama Drive (former Princes Highway) from the current alignment of Princes Highway (Kiama Bypass) opened to traffic. 16
21 October 2009: The $108 million Oak Flats to Dunmore upgrade of the Princes Highway was opened to traffic. The roadway provides four lanes divided carriageway, two lanes in each direction with a grade separated interchange linked to Shellharbour Road. The realignment of the highway between Oak Flats and Dunmore links to the North Kiama Bypass. 17

Click here for construction photos between Yallah and Gerringong

Gerringong to Yallah		Yallah to Gerringong
Preview:	Description:	Preview:	Description:
	Kiama Heights: Princes Hwy (NR1) as it winds its way through the Kiama Heights area, September 2009. Image © Paul Rands		Advance Directional Sign: AD sign on Princes Hwy (NR1) at Yallah approaching Haywards Bay Dr, November 2009. Image © Paul Rands
	Services Sign: Services sign at Kiama Heights, September 2009. Image © Paul Rands		Advance Directional Sign: AD sign on Princes Hwy (NR1) at Yallah approaching Haywards Bay Dr, December 2012. Image © Paul Rands
	Advance Directional Sign: AD sign approaching South Kiama Dr (former Princes Hwy) at Kiama Heights, September 2009. Image © Paul Rands		Haywards Bay Drive: Princes Hwy (NR1) at Yallah at the Haywards Bay Dr interchange, November 2009. Image © Paul Rands
	Trailblazer: Grand Pacific Drive trailblazer approaching South Kiama Dr at Kiama Heights, September 2009. Image © Paul Rands		Haywards Bay Drive: Princes Hwy (NR1) at Yallah at the Haywards Bay Dr interchange, December 2012. Image © Paul Rands
	Weir Street: Princes Hwy (NR1) passing under Weir St, South Kiama, September 2009. Image © Paul Rands		Advance Directional Sign: AD sign within the Haywards Bay Dr interchange at Haywards Bay, November 2010. Image © Paul Rands
	Saddleback Mountain Road: Princes Hwy (NR1) passing under Saddleback Mountain Rd at South Kiama, September 2009. Image © Paul Rands		Advance Directional Sign: AD sign approaching Macquarie Rivulet and Illawarra Hwy (NR48) at Haywards Bay, December 2012. Click here for a photo of this location by Paul Rands from April 2006. Image © Paul Rands
	Advance Directional Sign: AD sign at Kiama, approaching Riverside Dr, September 2009. Image © Paul Rands		Entering Albion Park Rail: Princes Hwy (NR1) as enters the town of Albion Park Rail, December 2007. Image © Paul Rands
	Entering Kiama: Princes Hwy (NR1) passing through Kiama, September 2009. Image © Paul Rands		Intersection Directional Sign: ID sign on the roundabout at the junction of Princes Hwy (NR1) and Illawarra Hwy (NR48) at Albion Park Rail, November 2009. Click here for a photo of this location by Paul Rands from December 2007 Image © Paul Rands
	Advance Directional Sign: AD sign approaching Spring Creek Dr (SR80 / TD9) at Kiama, September 2009. Image © Paul Rands		Illawarra Highway: Roundabout (prior to part-time signalisation) at the junction of Princes Hwy (NR1) and Illawarra Hwy (NR48) at Albion Park Rail, November 2009. Click here for a photo of this location by Paul Rands from April 2006. Image © Paul Rands
	Spring Creek Drive: Corner of Princes Hwy (NR1) and Spring Ck Dr (SR80 / TD9) at Kiama, September 2009. Image © Paul Rands		Intersection Directional Sign: ID sign on the roundabout at the junction of Princes Hwy (NR1) and Illawarra Hwy (NR48) at Albion Park Rail, April 2006. Image © Paul Rands
	Advance Directional Sign: AD sign at Kiama, approaching Kiama Cemetery, Panama St and Riverside Dr, June 2006. Image © Paul Rands		Part-Time Signals: Part time signals on the roundabout at the junction of Princes Hwy (NR1) and Illawarra Hwy (NR48) at Albion Park Rail, April 2006. Image © Paul Rands
	Panama Street & Riverside Drive: Princes Hwy (NR1) at the Panama St and Riverside Dr interchange, Bombo, September 2009. Image © Paul Rands		Reassurance Directional Sign: Distance sign at Albion Park Rail after Illawarra Hwy (NR48) roundabout, November 2009. Image © Paul Rands
	Panama Street & Riverside Drive: Princes Hwy (NR1) at the Panama St and Riverside Dr interchange, Bombo, September 2009. Image © Paul Rands		Advance Directional Sign: AD sign approaching Airport Rd at Albion Park Rail, November 2009. Image © Paul Rands
	Panama Street & Riverside Drive: Princes Hwy (NR1) at the Panama St and Riverside Dr interchange, Bombo, September 2009. Image © Paul Rands		Airport Road: Corner of Princes Hwy (NR1) and Airport Rd, Albion Park Rail, November 2009. Image © Paul Rands
	Reassurance Directional Sign: Distance sign at Kiama Downs, September 2009. Image © Paul Rands		Advance Directional Sign: AD sign approaching Station Rd, Albion Park Rail, November 2009. Image © Paul Rands
	Supplemental Advance Directional Sign: Supplemental AD sign at Dunmore, approaching Tabbita Rd, September 2009. Image © Paul Rands		Advance Directional Sign: AD sign at Albion Park Rail approaching Tongarra Rd (SR157 / TD8), November 2009. Image © Paul Rands
	Tabbita Road: Princes Hwy (NR1) at the Tabbita Rd interchange, September 2009. Image © Paul Rands		Supplemental Advance Directional Sign: Supplemental AD sign at Albion Park Rail approaching Tongarra Rd (SR157 / TD8), November 2009. Image © Paul Rands
	Advance Directional Sign: AD sign at Dunmore approaching Shellharbour Rd (SR151) interchange, November 2010. Note the partially missing coverplate over the alphanumeric route number. Prior to the roll out of alphanumeric route numbering, signs had a coverplate with a shielded route number on it that was placed over the alphanumeric route number. Image © Paul Rands		Intersection Directional Sign: ID sign at Albion Park Rail at the junction with Tongarra Rd (SR157 / TD8), June 2010. Image © Paul Rands
	Supplemental Advance Directional Sign: Supplemental AD sign at Dunmore approaching Shellharbour Rd (SR151) interchange, November 2010. Image © Paul Rands		Advance Directional Sign: AD sign approaching New Lake Entrance Rd (SR157) at Albion Park Rail, November 2009. Image © Paul Rands
	Shellharbour Road Interchange: Princes Hwy (NR1) at the Shellharbour Rd (SR151) interchange at Dunmore, November 2010. Image © Paul Rands		Reassurance Directional Sign: Distance sign at Albion Park Rail, November 2009. Image © Paul Rands
	Advance Directional Sign: AD sign on the off ramp to Shellharbour Rd (SR151) and Lindsays Ln at Dunmore, November 2010. Image © Paul Rands		Advance Directional Sign: AD sign approaching New Lake Entrance Rd (SR157) at Oak Flats, November 2009. Image © Paul Rands
	Supplemental Advance Directional Sign: Supplemental AD sign on the off ramp to Shellharbour Rd (SR151) and Lindsays Ln at Dunmore, November 2010. Image © Paul Rands		Supplemental Advance Directional Sign: Supplemental AD sign approaching New Lake Entrance Rd (SR157) at Oak Flats, November 2009. Image © Paul Rands
	Intersection Directional Sign: ID sign at the end of the off ramp to Shellharbour Rd (SR151) and Lindsays Ln at Dunmore, November 2010. Image © Paul Rands		New Lake Entrance Road: Princes Hwy (NR1) at the New Lake Entrance Rd (SR157) interchange at Oak Flats, November 2009. Image © Paul Rands
	Advance Directional Sign: AD sign within the interchange with Shellharbour Rd (SR151) at Dunmore, November 2010. Image © Paul Rands		New Lake Entrance Road: Princes Hwy (NR1) at the New Lake Entrance Rd (SR157) interchange at Oak Flats, November 2009. Image © Paul Rands
	Advance Directional Sign: AD sign at Albion Park Rail, approaching Tongarra Rd (SR157 / TD8), June 2013. Image © Paul Rands		Advance Directional Sign: AD sign at Blackbutt approaching Shellharbour Rd (SR151), November 2009. Image © Paul Rands
	Tongarra Road: Corner of Princes Hwy (NR1) and Tongarra Rd (SR157 / TD8) at Albion Park Rail, June 2013. Click here for a photo of this location by Paul Rands from June 2006. Image © Paul Rands		Advance Directional Sign: AD sign at Blackbutt approaching Shellharbour Rd (SR151), November 2009. Image © Paul Rands
	Intersection Directional Sign: ID sign on the roundabout with Illawarra Hwy (NR48) at Albion Park Rail, December 2012. Image © Paul Rands		Supplemental Advance Directional Sign: Supplemental AD sign at Dunmore approaching Shellharbour Rd (SR151) interchange, November 2010. Image © Paul Rands
	Intersection Directional Sign: ID sign on the roundabout with Illawarra Hwy (NR48) at Albion Park Rail, December 2012. Image © Paul Rands		Shellharbour Road: Princes Hwy (NR1) at Shellharbour Rd (SR151) interchange at Blackbutt, November 2009. Image © Paul Rands
	Advance Directional Sign: AD sign near Macquarie Rivulet at Albion Park Rail, approaching Yallah Rd & Haywards Bay Rd interchange, December 2012. This sign has since been removed and was only in place for a few months. Image © Paul Rands		Shellharbour Road: Advance directional sign on the off ramp to Shellharbour Rd (SR151) at Blackbutt, November 2009. Image © Paul Rands
			Shellharbour Road: Princes Hwy (NR1) at Shellharbour Rd (SR151) interchange at Blackbutt, November 2009. Image © Paul Rands
			Advance Directional Sign: AD sign at Dunmore, approaching Tabbita Rd, November 2010. Image © Paul Rands
			Tabbita Road: Princes Hwy (NR1) at the Tabbita Rd interchange, November 2010. Image © Paul Rands
			Advance Directional Sign: AD sign at Dunmore approaching Riverside Dr (former Princes Hwy), November 2009. Image © Paul Rands
			Riverside Drive: Princes Hwy (NR1) at the Riverside Dr interchange, Dunmore, November 2009. Image © Paul Rands
			Reassurance Directional Sign: Distance sign at Minnamurra, November 2009. Image © Paul Rands
			Changeable Sign: Changeable sign at Minnamurra approaching the truck parking bay / heavy vehicle inspection bay, November 2009. Image © Paul Rands
			Changeable Sign: Changeable sign at Minnamurra approaching the truck parking bay / heavy vehicle inspection bay, November 2009. Image © Paul Rands
			Changeable Sign: Changeable sign at Minnamurra approaching the truck parking bay / heavy vehicle inspection bay, November 2009. Image © Paul Rands
			Changeable Sign: Changeable sign at Minnamurra approaching the truck parking bay / heavy vehicle inspection bay, November 2009. Image © Paul Rands
			Changeable Sign: Changeable sign at Minnamurra at the ramp to the truck parking bay / heavy vehicle inspection bay, November 2009. Image © Paul Rands
			Advance Drectional Sign: AD sign at Minnamurra approaching Riverside Dr, November 2009. Image © Paul Rands
			High Wind Area: High wind area warning sign approaching the bridge over Minnamurra River at Minnamurra, November 2009. Image © Paul Rands
			Minnamurra River: Princes Hwy (NR1) as it crosses Minnamurra River at Minnamurra, November 2009. Image © Paul Rands
			Minnamurra River: Princes Hwy (NR1) as it crosses Minnamurra River at Minnamurra, November 2009. Image © Paul Rands
			Kiama Downs: Princes Hwy (NR1) at Kiama Downs, November 2009. Image © Paul Rands
			Advance Directional Sign: AD sign at Kiama Downs approaching Riverside Dr, November 2009. Image © Paul Rands
			Riverside Drive: Princes Hwy (NR1) at Riverside Dr interchange, Kiama Downs, November 2009. Image © Paul Rands
			Riverside Drive: Princes Hwy (NR1) at Riverside Dr interchange, Kiama Downs, November 2009. Image © Paul Rands
			Riverside Drive: Princes Hwy (NR1) at Riverside Dr interchange, Kiama Downs, November 2009. Image © Paul Rands
			Supplemental Advance Directional Sign: Supplemental AD sign at Bombo approaching Gipps St, November 2009. Image © Paul Rands
			Advance Directional Sign: AD sign at Bombo approaching Gipps St, November 2009. Image © Paul Rands
			Advance Directional Sign: AD sign at Bombo approaching Gipps St, November 2009. Image © Paul Rands
			Supplemental Advance Directional Sign: Supplemental AD sign on Princes Hwy (NR1) at Bombo approaching Gipps St, December 2006. Image © Paul Rands
			Gipps Street: Princes Hwy (NR1) at the Gipps St exit at Bombo, November 2009. Image © Paul Rands
			Reassurance Directional Sign: Distance sign at Kiama, November 2009. Image © Paul Rands
			Advance Directional Sign: AD sign at Kiama approaching South Kiama Dr (former Princes Hwy), November 2009. Image © Paul Rands
			Princes Highway: Southbound on Princes Hwy (NR1) at Kiama, November 2009. Image © Paul Rands
			Advance Directional Sign: AD sign at Kiama approaching South Kiama Dr (former Princes Hwy), November 2009. The bridge is Saddleback Mountain Rd. Image © Paul Rands
			South Kiama Drive: Princes Hwy (NR1) at the South Kiama Dr interchange, Kiama, November 2009. Image © Paul Rands
			South Kiama Drive: Princes Hwy (NR1) at the South Kiama Dr interchange, Kiama, November 2009. Image © Paul Rands
			Weir Street: Princes Hwy (NR1) as it passes under Weir St, Kiama Heights, November 2009. Image © Paul Rands
			Reasurance Directional Sign: Distance sign in the Kiama Bends at Kiama Heights, November 2009. Image © Paul Rands
			Kiama Bends: Kiama Bends at Kiama Heights, November 2009. Image © Paul Rands
Click here for the continution of National Route 1 between Yallah and Gerringong Click here for the continuation of National Route 1 between Gwynneville and Yallah

1 Roads and Traffic Authority, Schedule of Classified Roads and State & Regional Roads, 31 January 2011
2 Roads and Maritime Services, Projects, Princes Highway Upgrade, Completed Projects, Oak Flats to Dunmore - Realignment of the Princes Highway, Recent Project History
3 Main Roads Board, Annual Report, 1930-31
4 Main Roads Board Annual Report, 1932
5 Department of Main Roads, Annual Report, 1933-34
6 Department of Main Roads, Annual Report, 1936-37
7 Department of Main Roads, Annual Report, 1953-54
8 Department of Main Roads, Annual Report, 1962-63
9 Department of Main Roads, Annual Report, 1964-65
10 Department of Main Roads, Annual Report, 1965-66
11 Department of Main Roads, Annual Report, 1966-67
12 Department of Main Roads, Annual Report, 1967-68
13 Department of Main Roads, Annual Report, 1969-70
14 Department of Main Roads, Annual Report, 1970-71
15 Roads and Maritime Services, Projects, Princes Highway Upgrade, Completed Projects, North Kiama Bypass
16 Roads and Maritime Services, Projects, Princes Highway Upgrade, Completed Projects, Kiama Bypass Access Ramps
17 Roads and Maritime Services, Projects, Princes Highway Upgrade, Completed Projects, Oak Flats to Dunmore - Realignment of the Princes Highway

Last updated: 13-Aug-2020 15:00

This site © Paul Rands. All rights reserved. Some portions © (copyright) by their respective and credited owners. Permission must be obtained before using any images from this site. For details, please email by clicking here.