Oxley Highway

Oxley Highway

The Oxley Highway provides one of the many east-west links in northern NSW, joining the mid north coast with the Central West regions. The highway starts in Nevertire, a small town in north-west NSW on the Mitchell Highway. From there the road heads east, through cotton and sheep farming areas of Warren and Gilgandra. Joining the Newell Highway at Gilgandra, the road winds its way through the Warrambungle Ranges into Coonabarabran. From there it slowly ascends into the Great Dividing Range passing through Gunnedah and Tamworth, then winds its way east through the Oxley Wild Rivers National Park, and finally descending into Wauchope, crossing the Pacific Highway (interchange) and ending at Port Macquarie.

State: New South Wales
Name Origin: The Oxley Highway is named after explorer, John Oxley who undertook several journeys through the region the highway now encompasses.
Start: Mitchell Highway (Nevertire)
Principal Towns: Warren, Gilgandra, Coonabarabran, Gunnedah, Tamworth, Walcha, Wauchope, Port Macquarie
Finish: Port Macquarie
Length: 662km
Road Standard: Bitumen.
Road Quality: Good - occasional overtaking lanes throughout entire length. Bumpy surface at times between Coonabarabran and Tamworth. Windy road between Walcha and Wauchope - expect longer travel times between these two centres.
Speed Limit (outside built up areas): 110km/hr Nevertire-Tooraweenah turnoff, 100km/hr elsewhere (likely drops between Walcha and Wauchope)
Road Continuation: Click here for the Mitchell Highway, Click here for the Newell Highway, Click here for the New England Highway, Click here for the Pacific Highway

Photos from the Oxley Highway (Click on thumbnail for full sized image):

First distance sign on the Oxley Highway - heading east from Nevertire (2003).

The Oxley Highway, heading west from Warren (2003).

Approaching the Oxley Highway from the Coonamble-Warren Road (2003).

Heading north approaching the Newell & Oxley Highway junction, Gilgandra (2002).

Distance sign heading east between Gilgandra and Coonabarabran - note the incorrect Route 34 marker (2004).

On the Oxley/Newell Highway, heading south-west between Coonabarabran and Gilgandra (2003).

The Oxley/Newell Highway, heading east in Coonabarabran (2004).

Heading east on the Oxley Highway from the Oxley/Newell Hwy junction at Coonabarabran. Thanks to Jamie Scuglia for this pic! (2004).

Heading west on one of the longest straight sections of road in NSW on the Oxley Highway, near Gunnedah (2002).

Distance sign as the Oxley Highway departs Gunnedah, heading west. Thanks again to Jamie Scuglia for this photo! (2004).

Confusing signs!! Marius Street (Oxley Hwy) in Tamworth. Thanks again to Jamie Scuglia for this photo! (2004).

On the New England Highway approaching the Oxley/New England Hwy junction. The sign should also show Route 34 heading towards Tamworth. Thanks again to Jamie Scuglia for this pic! (2004).

Distance sign heading east from the New England/Oxley Hwy junction at Bendemeer. Photo again taken by Jamie Scuglia (2004).

Looking west on the Oxley Hwy as it departs Wauchope (2005).

Looking south on the Pacific Hwy as it approaches the Oxley Hwy interchange (2005).

Looking east on the Oxley Hwy as it approaches Pt Macquarie (2005).

Heading south-west on the Oxley Hwy approaching the Widderson St roundabout, Pt Macquarie (2005).

Gordon Street (Oxley Hwy), looking west from Horton St in Port Macquarie (2005).

Gordon Street, heading west approaching Horton Street and the Oxley Hwy, Port Macquarie (2005).

	First distance sign on the Oxley Highway - heading east from Nevertire (2003).
	The Oxley Highway, heading west from Warren (2003).
	Approaching the Oxley Highway from the Coonamble-Warren Road (2003).
	Heading north approaching the Newell & Oxley Highway junction, Gilgandra (2002).
	Distance sign heading east between Gilgandra and Coonabarabran - note the incorrect Route 34 marker (2004).
	On the Oxley/Newell Highway, heading south-west between Coonabarabran and Gilgandra (2003).
	The Oxley/Newell Highway, heading east in Coonabarabran (2004).
	Heading east on the Oxley Highway from the Oxley/Newell Hwy junction at Coonabarabran. Thanks to Jamie Scuglia for this pic! (2004).
	Heading west on one of the longest straight sections of road in NSW on the Oxley Highway, near Gunnedah (2002).
	Distance sign as the Oxley Highway departs Gunnedah, heading west. Thanks again to Jamie Scuglia for this photo! (2004).
	Confusing signs!! Marius Street (Oxley Hwy) in Tamworth. Thanks again to Jamie Scuglia for this photo! (2004).
	On the New England Highway approaching the Oxley/New England Hwy junction. The sign should also show Route 34 heading towards Tamworth. Thanks again to Jamie Scuglia for this pic! (2004).
	Distance sign heading east from the New England/Oxley Hwy junction at Bendemeer. Photo again taken by Jamie Scuglia (2004).
	Looking west on the Oxley Hwy as it departs Wauchope (2005).
	Looking south on the Pacific Hwy as it approaches the Oxley Hwy interchange (2005).
	Looking east on the Oxley Hwy as it approaches Pt Macquarie (2005).
	Heading south-west on the Oxley Hwy approaching the Widderson St roundabout, Pt Macquarie (2005).
	Gordon Street (Oxley Hwy), looking west from Horton St in Port Macquarie (2005).
	Gordon Street, heading west approaching Horton Street and the Oxley Hwy, Port Macquarie (2005).