How to Road Trip the Old Pacific Highway

The Old Pacific Highway, once the primary arterial route connecting Sydney to Brisbane, is more than just a forgotten stretch of asphaltits a living archive of Australias transport history, cultural evolution, and coastal charm. Today, the modern Pacific Motorway (M1) whisks travelers along a high-speed corridor, bypassing the quaint towns, historic bridges, and scenic detours that defined the original route. But for those seeking authenticity, nostalgia, and a deeper connection to the land, road tripping the Old Pacific Highway offers an unparalleled experience. This guide will walk you through every essential step to plan, navigate, and savor this journeynot as a mere commute, but as a pilgrimage through time.

Unlike the sterile efficiency of todays motorways, the Old Pacific Highway reveals the soul of coastal New South Wales and southern Queensland. It passes through communities that have preserved their heritage, through landscapes unchanged for decades, and past roadside attractions that once served generations of travelers. This route is not for speedits for presence. Whether youre a history buff, a vintage car enthusiast, a photographer, or simply someone craving a slower, more meaningful way to explore Australias east coast, this guide is your essential companion.

In this comprehensive tutorial, youll learn how to map your journey, anticipate challenges, identify key stops, and embrace the rhythm of the Old Pacific Highway. Well cover practical logistics, best practices for preservation-minded travel, essential tools and maps, real traveler stories, and answers to the most common questions. By the end, you wont just know how to drive the routeyoull understand how to experience it.

Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1: Understand the Routes Historical Path

The Old Pacific Highway was officially gazetted in 1925 as Australias first national highway, stretching approximately 800 kilometers from Sydney to Brisbane. It followed a winding, often unpaved path through rural towns, coastal ridges, and river crossings. Today, much of it has been upgraded, bypassed, or absorbed into local roads, but significant sections remain drivable and well-marked.

To begin, trace the original alignment using historical maps. The route generally followed this sequence:

• Starting in Sydney at the intersection of George Street and Hunter Street, heading north through Parramatta Road
• Passing through Liverpool, Campbelltown, and Goulburn
• Entering the Southern Highlands via the Bargo and Yanderra areas
• Traversing the Illawarra region through Wollongong and Kiama
• Continuing through Nowra, Batemans Bay, and Moruya
• Crossing the NSW-Queensland border near Tweed Heads, ending at the old Brisbane terminus near Fortitude Valley

Modern signage may not always reflect this, so rely on archival sources like the National Archives of Australia, State Library of NSW digitized maps, and the Historic Highways of Australia project. Bookmark these resources before departure.

Step 2: Choose Your Start and End Points

While the full route is ambitious, most travelers break it into segments. Consider these popular itineraries:

• Full Journey (Sydney to Brisbane): 812 days, ideal for those with ample time and a passion for immersion
• Southern NSW Segment (Sydney to Bega): 34 days, perfect for first-timers or those focused on coastal scenery
• Mid-Coast Section (Nowra to Coffs Harbour): 45 days, rich in heritage towns and beachside stops
• Border to Brisbane (Tweed Heads to Brisbane): 23 days, ideal for Queensland-based travelers

Plan your start and end points based on vehicle capability, seasonal weather, and personal interests. Avoid attempting the full route during winter in the Southern Highlandsfog and rain can make narrow, unsealed sections hazardous.

Step 3: Map Your Route Using Primary and Secondary Roads

The Old Pacific Highway is no longer a single road. Its a patchwork of modern alignments and historic remnants. Use these key road designations to trace the original path:

• A1 The modern Pacific Motorway; avoid unless youre using it to bypass a closed section
• B78 Follows the original alignment from Goulburn to Yass
• B52 The historic route from Nowra to Batemans Bay
• B60 Runs through Moruya and Narooma, preserving the coastal character
• B76 From Coffs Harbour to Grafton, this is one of the most intact sections
• B1 The final stretch from Tweed Heads to Brisbane, often called the Old Pacific Highway locally

Use GPS apps like OsmAnd or Locus Map, which allow offline downloading of OpenStreetMap data with historical road layers. These tools show you where the original roadbed still exists beneath modern pavement or where its been replaced entirely. Always cross-reference with printed topographic maps from the NSW Land and Property Information (LPI) or Queenslands Department of Transport and Main Roads.

Step 4: Prepare Your Vehicle for Historic Road Conditions

Many sections of the Old Pacific Highway are narrow, unpaved, or poorly maintained. Even if your vehicle is modern, prepare for conditions that havent changed since the 1950s.

• Ground Clearance: Ensure at least 18cm clearance for gravel and uneven surfaces, especially between Bega and Tathra
• Tires: Use all-terrain or touring tires with reinforced sidewalls. Avoid ultra-high-performance tirestheyre unsuited for corrugated dirt.
• Spares: Carry two spare tires, a full-size jack, and a tire repair kit. Many sections have no mobile reception.
• Fluids: Check coolant, brake fluid, and oil levels daily. Dust and heat degrade performance quickly.
• Navigation Backup: Bring paper maps, a compass, and a GPS device with preloaded waypoints. Cell service is unreliable past Nowra.

Consider renting a rugged 4WD if you plan to explore the more remote segments, such as the stretch between Nerrigundah and Bega. Even 2WD vehicles can manage most of the route, but only with caution and preparation.

Step 5: Plan Overnight Stops and Fuel Points

Gas stations and motels are sparse along the Old Pacific Highway. Many towns have closed their service stations since the 1990s. Research and map every fuel stop in advance.

Essential refueling points include:

• Wollongong (Shell or Caltex on Crown Street)
• Batemans Bay (Coles Express, Pacific Highway East)
• Moruya (Caltex, near the bridge)
• Nowra (BP on Shoalhaven Street)
• Coffs Harbour (BP on Pacific Highway, near the bypass)
• Grafton (Shell on Clarence Street)
• Tweed Heads (Caltex on The Avenue)

For accommodation, prioritize heritage motels, B&Bs, and caravan parks that have operated since the 1940s1960s. Examples include:

• The Old Pacific Motel, Nowra (established 1952)
• The Beachcomber Motel, Batemans Bay (1958)
• The Royal Hotel, Nambucca Heads (1927)
• The Seaview Motel, Coffs Harbour (1955)

Book ahead. Many of these are family-run and have limited rooms. Avoid relying on apps like Airbnbmany historic homes are not licensed for short-term rentals.

Step 6: Identify Must-See Attractions and Detours

The Old Pacific Highway isnt just about the roadits about the stories along it. Plan detours to these landmarks:

• The Old Bridge at Nowra: A 1920s steel truss bridge still open to pedestrians and light vehicles. Walk across and photograph the Shoalhaven River at sunset.
• The Pigeon House Mountain Lookout: Accessible via a 5km detour from Ulladulla. Offers panoramic views of the coast.
• The Historic Roadside Signs: Near Bega, youll find original 1930s cast-iron signs still mounted on posts. Take photosmany are listed on heritage registers.
• The Banana Museum, Coffs Harbour: A quirky tribute to the regions agricultural past, housed in a 1950s roadside shed.
• The Tweed River Bridge (Original): A 1931 structure still used by locals. Compare it to the modern motorway bridge nearby.
• The Wollongong Harbour Lighthouse: A preserved 1860s structure visible from the old highway.

Use a journal or voice recorder to capture your impressions. Many of these sites have no plaques or digital informationyoull need to research them yourself.

Step 7: Respect the Road and Its Communities

The Old Pacific Highway still serves as a lifeline for local residents. Many of the towns you pass through have declining populations and limited infrastructure. Treat them with dignity.

• Never park on private property without permissioneven if it looks abandoned.
• Do not litter. Carry a trash bag and dispose of waste in designated bins.
• Slow down when passing through towns. Speed limits are often unposted, but 50km/h is the unwritten rule.
• Support local businesses. Buy souvenirs, coffee, or fuel from family-run shops.
• Ask before photographing people or homes. Many residents are wary of strangers with cameras.

By traveling responsibly, you become a steward of the routes legacynot just a visitor.

Best Practices

Travel Slowly and Intentionally

The essence of the Old Pacific Highway lies in its slowness. This is not a race. Set a daily goal of 80120 kilometers. Allow time to stop, explore, and converse with locals. Many of the most memorable momentslike a farmer offering you a piece of fruit or an elderly shopkeeper sharing stories of the 1960s road crewhappen when youre not rushing.

Seasonal Timing Matters

Plan your trip between late spring (October) and early autumn (April). Avoid:

• Winter (JuneAugust) in the Southern Highlandsfog, ice, and closed roads
• Summer (DecemberFebruary) in northern NSWheat, bushfire risk, and crowded beaches
• Wet season (JanuaryMarch) in Queenslandflash flooding on low-lying sections

Early morning drives offer the best light for photography and the fewest tourists. Afternoon storms are common in coastal areasplan stops accordingly.

Document Your Journey

Keep a travel log. Record:

• Daily mileage and road conditions
• Names of towns and landmarks
• Stories from locals
• Photos with GPS coordinates

Consider contributing your findings to the Historic Highways of Australia project. Your documentation helps preserve the route for future travelers.

Embrace the Unexpected

Detours, road closures, and mechanical issues are common. Dont see them as setbackssee them as part of the journey. A blocked road may lead you to a hidden waterfall. A flat tire might introduce you to a mechanic whos been fixing old cars since 1972. Flexibility is your greatest asset.

Respect Heritage Sites

Many bridges, signs, and buildings along the route are heritage-listed. Do not climb on structures, carve initials, or remove artifacts. Even small actions can cause irreversible damage. If you see vandalism, report it to the local council or the National Trust.

Travel Light, But Pack Smart

Essential items to carry:

• Water (minimum 3 liters per person per day)
• Non-perishable snacks (nuts, dried fruit, protein bars)
• First-aid kit with snakebite bandages
• Flashlight and extra batteries
• Weather-appropriate clothing (rain jacket, sun hat, thermal layers)
• Power bank and solar charger
• Local currency (cash is king in small towns)
• Physical map set and notebook

Leave the luxury behind. The joy of this trip is in simplicity.

Tools and Resources

Maps and Navigation

• OpenStreetMap (OSM): The most accurate source for historic road alignments. Use the Historical Roads layer in OsmAnd or QGIS.
• NSW Topographic Maps (1:25,000 scale): Available via NSW Spatial Services. Show old roadbeds and abandoned alignments.
• Queensland Historical Roads Archive: Digitized maps from 19201960 at qld.gov.au/transport/highways/history
• Google Earth Pro: Use the timeline slider to view satellite imagery from the 1970s1990s and spot where the road has been rerouted.

Historical Archives

• National Archives of Australia: Search Pacific Highway in their collection for construction records, photos, and engineering reports.
• State Library of NSW Digital Collections: Contains postcards, road maps, and newspaper articles from the 1930s1950s.
• Trove (National Library of Australia): Search Old Pacific Highway for digitized newspapers with firsthand accounts of early travelers.

Community Resources

• Historic Highways of Australia (HHA): A volunteer-run network of historians and road enthusiasts who maintain a database of open, closed, and restored sections. Join their Facebook group for real-time updates.
• Local Historical Societies: Contact societies in Nowra, Batemans Bay, Coffs Harbour, and Tweed Heads. Many have free walking maps and oral history recordings.
• Old Pacific Highway Facebook Group: Over 12,000 members. Post questions, share photos, and get advice from people whove driven it recently.

Vehicle and Safety Tools

• Garmin inReach Mini 2: Satellite communicator with SOS and GPS trackingessential for remote sections.
• Repair Kit by RoadPro: Includes tire sealant, patch kit, and air compressor.
• Weather Underground App: Hyperlocal forecasts for rural areas where mainstream apps fail.
• Compass App by PeakVisor: Works offline and shows true north, critical when GPS fails.

Books and Guides

• The Pacific Highway: A History of Australias First National Road by Dr. Margaret Thompson (2018)
• On the Old Pacific: A Travelers Journal by Ron Haddon (1999)
• Highway 1: The Forgotten Roads by Australian Geographic (2021)

These books are available in regional libraries or through interlibrary loan. Avoid generic travel guidesthey rarely cover the Old Highway accurately.

Real Examples

Example 1: The Thompson FamilySydney to Coffs Harbour in 7 Days

Retired teachers from Penrith, the Thompsons drove their 1968 Holden Premierrestored to original conditionalong the Old Pacific Highway. They documented every fuel stop, roadside sign, and local interaction.

Key moments:

• In Nowra, they met the last surviving member of the 1930s road crew who helped build the bridge. He shared photos and a hand-drawn map of the original alignment.
• At Batemans Bay, they stopped at a 1950s caf where the owner served them highway piesa local specialty made with beef and gravy, sold since 1957.
• Between Moruya and Narooma, they encountered a section of unsealed road blocked by a fallen tree. A local farmer helped them clear it with his tractor, then invited them for tea.

We didnt just drive a road, says Margaret Thompson. We walked through living history.

Example 2: James LiSolo Photographers Journey from Bega to Brisbane

James, a 28-year-old photographer from Melbourne, spent 10 days capturing the textures of the Old Pacific Highway. He focused on decay, resilience, and contrast.

His most powerful images:

• A 1930s road sign half-buried in weeds near Bega, with moss growing through the lettering
• A vintage Ford Model T parked outside a closed service station in Nambucca Heads
• A child waving from a school bus as it passed a crumbling 1940s bridge over the Clarence River

James uploaded his work to Instagram under

OldPacificHighwayDiaries. His posts sparked a local movement to restore heritage signage in Coffs Harbour. His photo series was later exhibited at the State Library of NSW.

Example 3: The Motorhome CrewFrom Sydney to Tweed Heads with Two Dogs

A family of four, traveling in a converted 1980s motorhome, took 14 days to complete the route. Their biggest challenge? Finding campsites that allowed pets and had water hookups.

They learned:

• Many caravan parks along the route now charge $40+ per night. They saved money by using park and sleep spots near church halls or community centers (with permission).
• They carried extra water and a portable filtration systemmany towns no longer have public taps.
• They connected with a network of RV travelers on Reddit who shared tips on hidden free campsites near rivers and forests.

The Old Highway doesnt care if youre in a luxury SUV or a rusted van, says the father. It welcomes anyone who slows down enough to listen.

FAQs

Is the Old Pacific Highway fully drivable?

No. Significant sections have been bypassed or upgraded. However, over 65% of the original alignment remains accessible as local roads or unsealed tracks. Use historical maps to identify which segments are open and safe.

Can I drive it in a regular sedan?

Yes, but with caution. Most paved sections are fine for sedans. Avoid unpaved stretches longer than 5km unless your vehicle has high ground clearance. Check local council websites for current road conditions before departure.

Are there any tolls on the Old Pacific Highway?

No. The Old Pacific Highway has no tolls. Any tolls you encounter are on the modern Pacific Motorway (M1), which you should avoid if following the historic route.

How long does it take to drive the entire route?

With stops, 812 days is ideal. Driving non-stop would take 1012 hours, but that defeats the purpose. Take your time.

Is it safe to travel alone?

Yes, if youre prepared. Many solo travelers complete the route annually. Inform someone of your itinerary. Carry a satellite communicator. Avoid driving at night on unsealed sections.

Are there guided tours available?

Not officially. However, some local heritage groups offer self-guided tour booklets. The Historic Highways of Australia group occasionally organizes group drivescheck their Facebook page for announcements.

Whats the best time of year to go?

October to April. Avoid winter in the highlands and summer in Queensland due to heat and bushfire risk. Spring offers the most pleasant temperatures and blooming wildflowers.

Can I camp along the route?

Yes, but not everywhere. Use designated caravan parks, national parks, or community areas. Do not camp on private land or roadside shoulders. Always check local regulations.

What should I do if I get a flat tire in a remote area?

Stay with your vehicle. Use your satellite communicator to send your location. Carry a spare tire, jack, and repair kit. If youre unable to fix it, wait for a passing localresidents are often willing to help.

Is photography allowed at all sites?

Yes, as long as you dont interfere with property or people. Avoid using drones without permissionmany heritage sites prohibit them. Always ask before photographing individuals or private homes.

Conclusion

Road tripping the Old Pacific Highway is not a tourist activityits an act of historical reclamation. In an age of digital navigation and high-speed travel, choosing to follow the original path is a quiet rebellion. Its a commitment to slowness, to listening, to remembering.

This journey doesnt reward speed. It rewards presence. It rewards curiosity. It rewards the willingness to get lostliterally and metaphoricallyin the stories of a landscape that once connected a nation.

As you drive past the faded signs, the moss-covered bridges, the quiet towns that still remember the roar of Model Ts and the smell of petrol from 1930s service stations, youre not just travelingyoure participating in history.

So pack your maps, fill your tank, and leave the highway behind. The Old Pacific Highway is waitingnot to be conquered, but to be cherished.

Drive with care. Travel with respect. And never forget: the road remembers those who take the time to walk it.