Australian Towns, Cities & Highways: Pacific Highway (NSW: Hexham

Pacific Highway (NSW: Hexham - Tweed Heads)

The Pacific Highway, one of Australia's premier coastal routes links the capital cities of Sydney and Brisbane. This section of the Pacific Highway (NSW) concentrates on the northern link from the junction town of Hexham north to Tweed Heads and the QLD border. The southern section from Sydney to Hexham through Newcastle can be viewed here.

From the junction with the New England Highway (and just north of the termination of the Sydney-Newcastle Freeway), 16km north-west of Newcastle at Hexham, the Pacific Highway, now as National Route 1 (shown above) heads north-east bypassing Raymond Terrace & Karuah to enter the Great Lakes district and the township of Bulahdelah. Continuing north, the Pacific Highway passes through countryside varying from rugged state forests to rich dairy farmland, bypassing the key centre of Taree and through the Camden Haven region to reach the Oxley Hwy junction near Port Macquarie. The highway continues north across the wide Hastings River, through the large town of Kempsey before entering the tourist region of Nambucca Heads and eventually to the large centre of Coffs Harbour. From Coffs Harbour, the highway heads in a north-westerly direction, inland to the river city of Grafton before again returning near to the coast as it reaches Ballina. Continuing north, the highway enters the tropical north, bypassing the popular tourist centre of Byron Bay and traverses some spectacular scenery as it reaches the Queensland border near Tweed Heads. Motorists continuing north into QLD immediately enter the Gold Coast before reaching Brisbane.

Due to the increased popularity of many of the towns and cities along (or just near) the highway's route, the Pacific Highway endures significant traffic, especially in the summer months. As a result, the massive project of duplicating the entire highway's length was commenced during the early 1990's with roadwork set to continue perhaps for a further 20 years before completion. In its current form, the highway is a mix of single and dual carriageway with the trend for upgrades concentrated around original black spot areas and bypasses around the main population centres. From south to north, some of the significant alteration to the original highway alignment include (with approximate completion dates):

Raymond Terrace bypass (1998)
Karuah bypass and re-alignment (2005)
Bulahdelah to Nabiac re-alignment (2001)
Taree bypass (1999)
Taree to Coopernock re-alignment (under construction)
Kew to the Oxley Hwy junction upgrade (1997)
Nambucca Heads bypass (1970's)
Raleigh - Coffs Harbour upgrade (1998)
Maclean bypass (1960's)
Bangalow bypass (1980's)
Ewingsdale - Brunswick Heads upgrade & Brunswick Heads bypass (1999-2000)
Brunswick Heads - Yelgun upgrade (under construction)
Yelgun-Chinderah & Murwillumbah bypass - major upgrade & re-alignment (2002)
Tweed Heads bypass (early 1990's)

Driving the entire length is highly recommended, not only for the popular tourist and holiday destinations along (and just off) the route, but for the impressive scenery that motorists will encounter along the journey. Various scenic loops to and from the Pacific Highway also provide worthwhile alternatives to the direct route as many offer great coastal scenery although are more time consuming - the more popular drives include:

Bulahdelah - Taree (via Forster & Tuncurry via The Lakes Way - adds 25km)
Kew - Oxley Hwy junction (via Laurieton, North Haven, Bonny Hills & Port Macquarie - adds 20km)
Ballina - Ewingsdale (via Lennox Head & Byron Bay - adds 10km)
Mooball - Chinderah (via Pottsville & Kingscliff - adds 5km)
Mooball - Chinderah (via Murwillumbah - old Pacific Hwy - adds 20km)

State: New South Wales
Name Origin: Named from the South Pacific Ocean as the highway approximates the coastline for its entirety.
Pronunciation: Pa-sif-ik Highway
Start: Hexham (New England Highway junction - 16km north-west of Newcastle)
Principal Towns: Newcastle, Raymond Terrace *, Bulahdelah, Taree *, Kew, Kempsey, Macksville, Nambucca Heads *, Urunga, Sawtell *, Coffs Harbour, Woolgoolga, Grafton, Ulmarra, Maclean *, Woodburn, Ballina, Bangalow *, Mullumbimby *, Brunswick Heads *, Murwillumbah *, Tweed Heads *
Finish: NSW/QLD border (Tweed Heads)
Length: 710km (874km - total Sydney-QLD border)
Road Standard: All bitumen with sections of concrete dual carriageway
Road Quality: Generally good - highway is subject to isolated roadworks due to the duplication upgrade. Dual carriageway: Hexham - Karuah, Bulahdelah - Nabiac, Rainbow Flat - North Taree, Kew - Oxley Highway junction, Urunga - Coffs Harbour, Bangalow - Brunswick Heads, Yelgun - Tweed Heads. Otherwise single carriageway with several overtaking lanes.
Road Continuation: Click here for the Pacific Highway (Sydney-Hexham), Click here for the Sydney-Newcastle Freeway, Click here for the New England Highway, Click here for the Oxley Highway, Click here for the Pacific Motorway in QLD
Speed Limit (outside built up areas): 100km/hr (dual carriageway sections are usually 110km/hr)
* - denotes that the Pacific Highway bypasses this town/city

Photos from the Pacific Highway (Hexham-Tweed Heads) (Click on thumbnail for full sized image):

Heading north-west along the Pacific Highway as it approaches the New England Hwy junction, Hexham (2005).

Looking south along the Pacific Hwy as it approaches the Hunter River bridge, Hexham. The Pacific Hwy continues towards Newcastle as State Route 111 (as shown) (2005).

Distance sign, heading south on the Pacific Hwy from Raymond Terrace (2005).

The Old Pacific Hwy, looking south as it crosses the Karuah River, Karuah - this section of highway is now bypassed further to the west (2005).

Looking north along the Pacific Hwy between Raymond Terrace and Bulahdelah (2005).

Distance sign on the Pacific Hwy, heading south-west from the Lakes Way junction near Bulahdelah (2005).

Heading south-west on the Pacific Hwy as it approaches The Lakes Way junction, Bulahdelah (2005).

Distance sign, heading north on the Pacific Highway, just north of The Lakes Way junction, Bulahdelah (2002).

Great view over the Pacific Hwy and surrounding countryside as it heads north-east between Bulahdelah and Taree (2005).

Directional sign on Failford Road as it approaches the Pacific Hwy near Nabiac (2005).

View north-east over the Pacific Hwy from the northern Taree interchange bridge (2005).

Looking south along the Pacific Hwy as it approaches the Oxley Hwy junction (2005).

Distance sign, heading south on the Pacific Hwy from Kempsey (2005).

Old directional sign, looking south along Rudder Street as it approaches the Pacific Hwy, Kempsey (2005).

The Pacific Hwy, heading south in Kempsey CBD (2005).

Heading south along the Pacific Hwy as it approaches the South West Rocks turnoff (2005).

Looking south along the Pacific Hwy between Kempsey and Macksville with signage indicating upcoming alternative tourist drive (2005).

Looking north along the Pacific Hwy as it heads through Macksville (2005).

Heading north along the Pacific Hwy from Macksville (2005).

Looking south along the Pacific Hwy from Nambucca Heads (2005).

Directional sign, heading south along the Pacific Hwy as it approaches Nambucca Heads (2005).

Distance sign, heading north along the Pacific Hwy from Nambucca Heads (2005).

Kilometre sign, heading south along the Pacific Hwy between Urunga and Nambucca Heads (2005).

View north over the Pacific Hwy and surrounding countryside from the Waterfall Way overpass, Raleigh (2005).

Looking east along Combine Street with another old directional sign indicating the upcoming junction with the Pacific Hwy, Coffs Harbour (2005).

View north-east along Grafton St (Pacific Hwy) as it passes through Coffs Harbour (2005).

And again, this time as it approaches the railway bridge, Coffs Harbour (2005).

Looking south-west along the Pacific Hwy between Woolgoolga and Coffs Harbour (2005).

View south along the Pacific Hwy from Woolgoolga (2005).

Directional sign, heading south-east along the Pacific Hwy between Grafton and Woolgoolga (2005).

Looking north along the Pacific Hwy as it approaches the southern Maclean turnoff (2005).

Distance sign, heading south on the Pacific Hwy from Woodburn (2004).

Distance sign again, this time heading north from Woodburn (2004).

Heading south-west along the Pacific Hwy as it approaches the Bruxner Hwy junction, Ballina (2004).

Directional sign southbound along the Pacific Hwy as it departs Ballina (2004).

Looking east along Bangalow Road (Pacific Hwy) in Ballina (2004).

The Pacific Hwy, looking south outside the Macadamia Castle, Knockrow (2006).

View south along the Pacific Hwy as it approaches the Ewingsdale interchange near Byron Bay (2004).

Looking south along the Pacific Hwy as it approaches the northern Brunswick Heads turnoff - this intersection is currently receiving an upgrade (2004).

Looking south along the Pacific Hwy at Yelgun where the dual carriageway ends - construction for the extension of dual carraigeway has commenced south from here (2004).

Looking south along the Pacific Hwy between Chinderah and Brunswick Heads (2004).

Looking south along the Pacific Hwy as it approaches the twin tunnels that were constructed as part of the Yelgun-Chinderah upgrade (2004).

Distance sign, heading south along the Pacific Hwy from Chinderah (2004).

Looking north over the northern Pacific Hwy/Tweed Valley Way interchange, just south of Chinderah (2003).

Heading north along the Pacific Hwy as it approaches Tweed Heads and Coolangatta from Banora Point (2004).

Looking south along Minjungbal Drive with the directional sign indicating the former alignment of the Pacific Hwy (Tweed Heads bypass is 3km west), Tweed Heads (2004).

Looking east along Kennedy Drive again indicating the former alignment of the Pacific Hwy through Tweed Heads (2004).

Distance sign, heading south on the Pacific Hwy from Coolangatta as it approaches the NSW/QLD border (2004).

	Heading north-west along the Pacific Highway as it approaches the New England Hwy junction, Hexham (2005).
	Looking south along the Pacific Hwy as it approaches the Hunter River bridge, Hexham. The Pacific Hwy continues towards Newcastle as State Route 111 (as shown) (2005).
	Distance sign, heading south on the Pacific Hwy from Raymond Terrace (2005).
	The Old Pacific Hwy, looking south as it crosses the Karuah River, Karuah - this section of highway is now bypassed further to the west (2005).
	Looking north along the Pacific Hwy between Raymond Terrace and Bulahdelah (2005).
	Distance sign on the Pacific Hwy, heading south-west from the Lakes Way junction near Bulahdelah (2005).
	Heading south-west on the Pacific Hwy as it approaches The Lakes Way junction, Bulahdelah (2005).
	Distance sign, heading north on the Pacific Highway, just north of The Lakes Way junction, Bulahdelah (2002).
	Great view over the Pacific Hwy and surrounding countryside as it heads north-east between Bulahdelah and Taree (2005).
	Directional sign on Failford Road as it approaches the Pacific Hwy near Nabiac (2005).
	View north-east over the Pacific Hwy from the northern Taree interchange bridge (2005).
	Looking south along the Pacific Hwy as it approaches the Oxley Hwy junction (2005).
	Distance sign, heading south on the Pacific Hwy from Kempsey (2005).
	Old directional sign, looking south along Rudder Street as it approaches the Pacific Hwy, Kempsey (2005).
	The Pacific Hwy, heading south in Kempsey CBD (2005).
	Heading south along the Pacific Hwy as it approaches the South West Rocks turnoff (2005).
	Looking south along the Pacific Hwy between Kempsey and Macksville with signage indicating upcoming alternative tourist drive (2005).
	Looking north along the Pacific Hwy as it heads through Macksville (2005).
	Heading north along the Pacific Hwy from Macksville (2005).
	Looking south along the Pacific Hwy from Nambucca Heads (2005).
	Directional sign, heading south along the Pacific Hwy as it approaches Nambucca Heads (2005).
	Distance sign, heading north along the Pacific Hwy from Nambucca Heads (2005).
	Kilometre sign, heading south along the Pacific Hwy between Urunga and Nambucca Heads (2005).
	View north over the Pacific Hwy and surrounding countryside from the Waterfall Way overpass, Raleigh (2005).
	Looking east along Combine Street with another old directional sign indicating the upcoming junction with the Pacific Hwy, Coffs Harbour (2005).
	View north-east along Grafton St (Pacific Hwy) as it passes through Coffs Harbour (2005).
	And again, this time as it approaches the railway bridge, Coffs Harbour (2005).
	Looking south-west along the Pacific Hwy between Woolgoolga and Coffs Harbour (2005).
	View south along the Pacific Hwy from Woolgoolga (2005).
	Directional sign, heading south-east along the Pacific Hwy between Grafton and Woolgoolga (2005).
	Looking north along the Pacific Hwy as it approaches the southern Maclean turnoff (2005).
	Distance sign, heading south on the Pacific Hwy from Woodburn (2004).
	Distance sign again, this time heading north from Woodburn (2004).
	Heading south-west along the Pacific Hwy as it approaches the Bruxner Hwy junction, Ballina (2004).
	Directional sign southbound along the Pacific Hwy as it departs Ballina (2004).
	Looking east along Bangalow Road (Pacific Hwy) in Ballina (2004).
	The Pacific Hwy, looking south outside the Macadamia Castle, Knockrow (2006).
	View south along the Pacific Hwy as it approaches the Ewingsdale interchange near Byron Bay (2004).
	Looking south along the Pacific Hwy as it approaches the northern Brunswick Heads turnoff - this intersection is currently receiving an upgrade (2004).
	Looking south along the Pacific Hwy at Yelgun where the dual carriageway ends - construction for the extension of dual carraigeway has commenced south from here (2004).
	Looking south along the Pacific Hwy between Chinderah and Brunswick Heads (2004).
	Looking south along the Pacific Hwy as it approaches the twin tunnels that were constructed as part of the Yelgun-Chinderah upgrade (2004).
	Distance sign, heading south along the Pacific Hwy from Chinderah (2004).
	Looking north over the northern Pacific Hwy/Tweed Valley Way interchange, just south of Chinderah (2003).
	Heading north along the Pacific Hwy as it approaches Tweed Heads and Coolangatta from Banora Point (2004).
	Looking south along Minjungbal Drive with the directional sign indicating the former alignment of the Pacific Hwy (Tweed Heads bypass is 3km west), Tweed Heads (2004).
	Looking east along Kennedy Drive again indicating the former alignment of the Pacific Hwy through Tweed Heads (2004).
	Distance sign, heading south on the Pacific Hwy from Coolangatta as it approaches the NSW/QLD border (2004).