Australian Towns, Cities & Highways: Calder Highway

Calder Highway (incl Calder Freeway)

The Calder Highway is the principal thoroughfare for linking Melbourne with Victoria's central west and north-western mallee farming areas. The highway begins in the outskirts of Melbourne, heading north-west through rich countryside, essentially remaining at freeway standard to Kyneton, brushing the northern and eastern edges of the Victorian goldfields region, before reaching the large centre of Bendigo. The countryside dramatically changes as the highway continues north-west from Bendigo, becoming flatter with cattle and sheep farming more prominent. Mallee countryside is entered upon reaching Sea Lake and Ouyen with many salt lakes evident. From Ouyen, the highway continues in a more northerly direction entering the Sunraysia region, Mildura and finishing at the NSW border at Curlwaa (near Wentworth). The highway continues north as the Silver City Highway for motorists travelling to Broken Hill.

State: Victoria
Name Origin: The Calder Highway is named after the Calder Park Raceway, located just off the highway on the north-western outskirts of Melbourne.
Start: Melbourne
Principal Towns: Melbourne, Sunbury *, Gisborne *, Macedon *, Woodend *, Kyneton *, Harcourt, Bendigo, Inglewood, Wedderburn, Charlton, Wycheproof, Sea Lake, Ouyen, Red Cliffs, Mildura *, Merbein, Wentworth (NSW)
Finish: NSW/VIC border (Curlwaa)
Length: 553km
Road Standard: All bitumen.
Road Quality: Excellent. Freeway from Melbourne - Woodend with nearby Kyneton additionally bypassed. Numerous overtaking lanes between Kyneton to Bendigo. Mildly undulating conditions from Melbourne to Bendigo with traffic quantities quite high. Flatter country encountered north-west of Bendigo with some long sections of straight road - traffic levels quite low with plenty of overtaking oppurtunities.
Speed Limit (outside built up areas): 100km/hr - possibly some 110km/hr sections in north-west Victoria and on freeways nearer to Melbourne (to be confirmed).
Road Continuation: Click here for the Silver City Highway in NSW
* refers to towns/cities bypassed by the Calder Highway/Freeway

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

On the Calder Fwy, just west of the Western Ring Road, overlooking Keilor (2002).

Calder Highway, heading south from Elphinstone (2002).

The Calder Highway, heading south between Ouyen and Sea Lake approaching the Sunraysia Hwy (B220) turnoff. Thanks to Jamie Scuglia for this photo! (2003)

The Calder Highway, heading south through Ouyen approaching the Mallee Highway junction - thanks again to Jamie Scuglia for this photo! (2003)

Distance sign, heading south from Red Cliffs on the Calder Hwy - thanks again to Jamie Scuglia for this photo! (2003)

Heading east on the Sturt/Calder Highways approaching the Calder Hwy turnoff, Mildura (2004).

Looking west along the Sturt/Calder Highway from Mildura (2004).

Heading north on the Calder Hwy from the Sturt Hwy junction. Thanks to Jamie Scuglia for this photo! (2003)

Heading north on the Calder Hwy through Merbein (2004).

	On the Calder Fwy, just west of the Western Ring Road, overlooking Keilor (2002).
	Calder Highway, heading south from Elphinstone (2002).
	The Calder Highway, heading south between Ouyen and Sea Lake approaching the Sunraysia Hwy (B220) turnoff. Thanks to Jamie Scuglia for this photo! (2003)
	The Calder Highway, heading south through Ouyen approaching the Mallee Highway junction - thanks again to Jamie Scuglia for this photo! (2003)
	Distance sign, heading south from Red Cliffs on the Calder Hwy - thanks again to Jamie Scuglia for this photo! (2003)
	Heading east on the Sturt/Calder Highways approaching the Calder Hwy turnoff, Mildura (2004).
	Looking west along the Sturt/Calder Highway from Mildura (2004).
	Heading north on the Calder Hwy from the Sturt Hwy junction. Thanks to Jamie Scuglia for this photo! (2003)
	Heading north on the Calder Hwy through Merbein (2004).