Built between 1826 and 1834 by convict labour the Great North Road was one of the first great projects undertaken by the colony of New South Wales. It was built to connect Sydney with Newcastle and the Upper Hunter Valley. Some of the stonework for culverts, buttresses and bridges can still be seen today.
Getting To the Great North Road
We drove down part of the northern section from Singleton as far as the Circuit Flat Walking Track Bridge. The total driving time, one way was about 90 minutes, but took much longer with stops to examine remnants of the road.
As well as the road, the scenery is great, and you drive through some historic towns, such as Wollombi.
Thompson’s Bridge
Flanked by a stone retaining wall, Thompson’s Bridge is about 15 km south of Laguna. The stone walls on each side are course rubble work which is not like the other stonework in this area, which is mostly close fitting dry stone construction. This has led to debate as to whether this is original or later work.
Thonpson’s Bridge Embankment 
Thonpson’s Bridge
Murray’s Run Culvert
Murray’s Run Culvert is one kilometre south of Thompson’s Bridge. This culvert has an elaborate decorative arch that supports the retaining wall above. A sign post helps you find this culvert, but the obvious old road off to the side is easy to spot.
Murray’s Run Culvert
Fernances Culvert
Fernances Crossing culvert is just beside the present road and located about seven kilometres north of the original Buckety intersection. We found it to be well sign posted and easy to find. Parking off the road is available. Constructed in 1830 by Road Party 27 it consists of a curved stone retaining wall with a rectangular culvert that carried the road across a small gully.
The Fernances Crossing Culvert
Buckety Precinct
The Buckety Precinct was the largest of the Great North Road relics that we visited. Situated at the intersection of the Great North Road and George Downes Drive, the area is approximately 400m long. The Buckety Wall is a very nice preserved section of dry stone retaining wall and is the first thing you see when entering the area. Walking up hill from here, is a large section of the original road surface, as constructed by the convicts.
Buckety Wall Precinct 
Original Pavement
St. Alban’s Road Ramp
This large retaining wall was the tallest that we saw on our trip. Still used to support the current roadway the road ramp is worth the stop to admire. There is a signpost marking the spot, but the wall is on the opposite side of the road, over the embankment.
St Alban’s Road Ramp
Circuit Flat Bridge
The turn-off to get to Circuit Flat Bridge is sign posted as Mt Manning Intersection. If you follow this track for about 3 kilometers in your car, you will arrive at the remains of the bridge. We chose to drive further down Wollombi Road to the Mogo Camp Ground. From here there is a nice three kilometer walk to the bridge, which took us about 45 minutes, with a further 30 minutes to walk back via the road.
Circuit Flat Bridge 
Mt Manning Marker
Wollombi
We stopped at Wollombi on our way home for afternoon tea. There are several cafes and restaurants in the village as well as the famous Wollomi Tavern.
After a refuelling stop, we walked around the village and admired the old buildings, notably St Michael’s Church and the buildings along the main street.
Wollombi 
St Michael’s Church Wollombi 
Old Wollombi Police Station 
Wollombi Tavern 
Wollombi
Sights Along the Road
As you drive along there are some great sights on the side of the road. One of the best was this rhinoceros sculpture just outside Wollombi.
Rhino Sculpture Outside Wollombi
We really enjoyed our day out along the Great North Road, following the Convict Trail. As well as doing some bush walking and learning some convict history, we were able to see some historical buildings all in a very picturesque setting.
To see what else there is to do in New South Wales, please see some of our other stories.
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