Macquarie Pass
Macquarie Pass is an eight-kilometre-long section of the Illawarra Highway passing through Macquarie Pass National Park. It was opened in 1898, though had been used by the Wodi Wodi tribe.[1]
Macquarie Pass links the
This section of roadway is very steep, and contains many
After heavy rain, the Macquarie Pass can be closed due to flooding on the top half of the pass. Cars and motorcycle riders may opt to use Jamberoo Mountain Road between
The road is very popular with motorcyclists on weekends and public holidays. The Shellharbour and Wingecarribee Councils and Transport for NSW have therefore published a safety brochure entitled 'Motorcycling Macquarie Pass.'[2]
Caloola Pass proposal
During the 1980s, construction of an alternative roadway was proposed[3] —ascending the Illawarra Escarpment from Albion Park to Robertson (adjacent to Yellow Rock). The proposal was not proceeded with.
Future of Macquarie Pass
While debate continues as to whether the road should be closed to trucks (diverting all trucks bound for the Highlands and Canberra north to Mount Ousley), there is pressure from private developers for a new multi-lane highway over the escarpment to connect Shellharbour to the Highlands. However, residents of the Southern Highlands are strongly opposed to this, and neither state nor federal government has acted on the proposal.
See also
References
- ^ "Robertson". The Sydney Morning Herald. 10 April 2008. Archived from the original on 3 July 2013. Retrieved 6 May 2013.
- ^ "Motorcycling Macquarie Pass" (PDF). Shellharbour City Council. 2006. Archived from the original (PDF) on 21 March 2012. Retrieved 6 May 2013.
- ^ "2238—Caloola Pass Road". Parliament of New South Wales. 17 November 1993. Archived from the original on 6 July 2011. Retrieved 1 March 2008.
34°34′S 150°40′E / 34.567°S 150.667°E