Great North Road, Between Mt Manning and Wollombi

Item details


Name of item:	Great North Road, Between Mt Manning and Wollombi
Other name/s:	St Albans Road Ramp, Bucketty, Mt McQuoid, Ramsays Leap, Mt Simpson, Fernances Crossing, Murrays Run, Thompsons Bridge, Laguna
Type of item:	Built
Group/Collection:	Transport - Land
Category:	Road
Location:	Lat: -33.0230509188 Long: 151.1321498230
Primary address:	between, Wollombi, NSW 2325
Local govt. area:	Hawkesbury

Boundary:

Refer to Heritage Council Plan 2238.

All addresses

Street Address	Suburb/town	LGA	Type
between	Wollombi	Hawkesbury	Primary Address
	Wollombi	Cessnock	Alternate Address
	Gosford	Central Coast	Alternate Address

Statement of significance:


	The Great North Road is an item of national heritage significance. It meets all State Heritage Register criteria and does so at a number of levels. Historically, the Great North Road is of state significance as the first made road north of the Hawkesbury. It was constructed by convict gangs between 1826 and 1836. The road has historic associations with several notable colonial figures including Governor Darling and Surveyor-General Thomas Mitchell. The Great North Road is also evidence of the development of the colony at Sydney and of the policies during this period of using convict gangs to construct major public works. The Great North Road constitutes a material record of convict labour. Many surviving structures and precincts bespeak the quality of work achieved by convict artisans. Some precincts of the road remain in relatively unspoilt areas, evocative of the frontier environment of the 1830s. Other sections remain in use as a transport corridor and have thus carried European traffic continuously since the 1830s. The section of the Great north Road between Mount Manning and Wollombi contains a variety of features that provide tangible physical evidence of convict road engineering and construction. The section also contains a number of individually significant structures, including unique examples of culvert and flume construction as well as cuttings, side drains and pavements. Parts of this section of the road remain in use. It presents excellent interpretive opportunities.
	Date significance updated: 02 Jun 09
	Note: The State Heritage Inventory provides information about heritage items listed by local and State government agencies. The State Heritage Inventory is continually being updated by local and State agencies as new information becomes available. Read the Department of Premier and Cabinet copyright and disclaimer.

Description


Designer/Maker:	Heneage Finch (1830 - 1831), L V Dulhunty (1831 - 1834)
Builder/Maker:	Convict road gangs
Construction years:	1830-1832
Physical description:	This section of the Great North Road begins at its junction with the road from St Albans (MR 181). The nothern limit of this listing is the southern abutment of Cleghorns Bridge over Wollombi Brook. The road surface is unsealed for 5 km. After its intersection with George Downes Drive at the Bucketty junction, the road is sealed. This 30 km section of the road retains several individually valuable and unique structures (see below). It passes and links surviving historic and archaeological sites and early depots, rural homesteads and land grants. Several structures have been isolated by road realignments. This has assisted their potential long term preservation. Community groups have carried out repairs to some structures. The Convict Trail project has placed interpretive signs and plaques at several locations. Major items: Descent of Mt Manning: The descent was a major work where the hillside was cut down to form part of the road surface, the remainder being constructed on fill behind retaining walls. These walls are now mostly hidden under overfill, but the cuttings and side drains and one large culvert still exist. At the top is a small quarry site and most of the rock cutting along the road side is pick dressed. Quarry site & ramp on St Albans Road: The ramp or embanked causeway on the St Albans Road is formed by two battered (sloped) masonry retaining walls which support each side of the roadway where it traverses a deep hollow. The retaining walls for the ramp are approximately 9 metres apart and reach a maximum height of 3.5 to 4 metres at the centre. The walls are constructed of fairly regular, squared stone blocks. The masonry is dry-laid with a well prepared bed (horizontal) joints, a plain worked face and roughly prepared perpends (vertical joints). Course heights are generally in the vicinity of 250 to 300 mm with stone lengths generally in the range of 250 to 400 mm. ; the top course ranged from 75mm to 300mmThe southeast wall extrends approximately 65 m. The wall increases in height until it reaches its maximum of 12 courses in the centre. The northwest wall is approximately 44 m long with a maximum height of 14 courses. There is a quarry site on the hill southwest of the ramp structure. Road from St Albans Road Ramp to Bucketty: Much of this road still lies on the original road surface with original cuttings and drains (damaged by modern road maintenance) Under the current road surface is the original surface cut into the bedrock in parts filled with knapped stone. Stone culverts and bridge (abandoned section at Bucketty): The abandoned loop at Mt. McQuoid/Bucketty comprises a section about 400 metres long which was cut off by the reconstruction of the nearby intersection immediately east of the earlier alignment. This short section includes a diverse range of features which illustrate the nature of the road construction utilised on the Great North Road. At the southern end is a stone culvert flanked by the remains of wing walls. The culvert was reconstructed in 2003. Immediately north of the culvert is a macadam type pavement of compacted broken stone about 7m wide. About 75m north of the wing-wall culvert is an extensive ashlar masonry retaining wall. The wall curves to cross a gully where a former bridge was located. The span of the bridge has now been infilled with a large diameter concrete pipe surrounded by cement mortared stone blocks probably deriving from nearby structures such as the wing-walled culvert. North of the former bridge the road alignment rises up to a rock cutting with the road pavement cut into the bedrock, and an associated rock-cut side drain. This then changes to a macadam type pavement. There is also a well preserved sandstone masonry box-culvert within this northern pavement/road section of the Mt. McQuoid precinct. From Bucketty Private Road number 3 to the ascent of Mt Simpson: Here the current road lies on the same line as the original road, in part cut below the original road leaving evidence of the original road and drain in the side cutting. In other parts the bitumen had been laid on the original road surface and evidence of the original road can been seen in the cuttings; the drains and at the edges of bitumen. Ramsays Leap - retaining wall and flume near Mt Simpson: The Ramsays Leap curved retaining wall is a major structure built into a steep gully which slopes away to the west. The wall is curved and battered (sloped) and is about 100 metres long and up to 4.5 metres high. The batter is 1 horizontal to 4 vertical. The masonry is ashlar work, dry laid, and generally in sound condition with well prepared stones and tight joints. The coursing is consistently level. A square culvert is set in the centre of the curve, three courses below the top of the wall and running perpendicular to the road. The inlet has a drop entry with an inclined, rounded race. At the outlet a shaped slab sill projects from the wall throwing water about 3m down onto a short horizontal race and thence to a final spillway approximately 3.5m from the toe of the wall. The spillway is about 4m high and has a batter of 1:4. On the uphill side, there is a continuous cutting beside the road with jumper marks, carved initials, bench marks, and other historic features. Part of the earlier work has been removed by subsequent widening activities. There is also a small "well" or drinking trough about 30cm wide and 20cm deep. This may be a "convict drinking well" (as reputed) or may relate to a later period in the use of the road. The road remains in use here with a sealed bitumen/aggregate pavement. Stone causeway: A section of earlier road, about 150m in length situated east of the modern day road alignment just north of the base of Mt. Simpson. About 75m of the earlier alignment is paved with a hand-knapped, closely packed stones forming a pavement surface. Stones are of various shapes and sizes, the largest about 20cm across. In the central part of the paved section, the stones are broken up into smaller pieces, possibly caused by weathering and erosion from water flow in peak periods. At the southern end, where there is also a side cutting, the hand-placed pavement is substantially intact. The road is built up above the surrounding flat to a height of approximately 60cm and the formation is approximately 3m wide. Stone culvert at Fernances Crossing: A curved stone retaining wall with a central rectangular culvert was constructed to carry the road formation across a small east facing gully. The retaining wall to the embankment is 3m high at the highest point. It is battered at a slope of 1:7. The stone blocks are laid random with broken courses, some snecking and an uneven arrangement of perpends. The stones have rough, uneven margins. Course heights range from 20 to 75cm with blocks up to 100cm in length and 80cm in depth. The lintel at the outlet is carved into a semi-circle, which extends for only half the depth of an otherwise typical rectangular slab lintel. This detailing is decorative, not functional. The inlet end of the culvert has been modified by placement of a modern concrete drop-inlet/gully pit. Apart from the wall and culvert, the Fernances Crossing precinct includes some other interesting elements. These include evidence of older quarrying in the rock cutting south of the wall and also near the modern gully pit inlet as well as some sections of older crushed sandstone road pavement visible in the area above the wall. Stone arched culvert & retaining wall at Murrays Run: A curved stone retaining wall with a central culvert was constructed to carry the road formation across a small east facing gully. The retaining wall to the embankment is 10 courses/4m high at the highest point. The stone blocks are laid random with irregular, uneven courses, and some snecking. The culvert is rectangular in cross-section with sides 2 courses high and cover slabs spanning the full width of the internal channel. At the outlet an arch of shaped voussoir stones supports the retaining wall above. This detailing is extremely elaborate and decorative, no other examples are known. The inlet end of the culvert has been modified by placement of a modern concrete drop-inlet/gully pit. Thompsons Bridge (stone, still in use): This timber bridge incorporates stone abutments of rough rubble walling on the downhill side. The two-span timber trestle structure between the abutments is recent. It has recent round longitudinal stringers and planked decking. The stone walls on each side are coursed rubble work uncharacteristic of the other work in this area but similar to more modest work south of Mt. Manning. Coursing is uneven and unlevel. A batter is achieved recessing each course back by approximately 5cm. The northern abutment curves with the alignment of the road around the corner. Abandoned loop at Laguna shop: An unsealed section of earlier road, about 250m in length situated west of the modern day sealed road alignment. Few construction features are evident. The older alignment appears to pass below a recently erected community "hall" structure then re-emerges passing in front of the general store/wine bar, before rejoining the current road-line. Abandoned loop near Milsons Arm Road: An unsealed section of earlier road, about 250m in length situated east and west of the present sealed road alignment in the area north and south of the Milsons Arm Road intersection. Construction features evident in the southernmost loop, include small areas of side cutting and remnant timber guard posts, which indicate the older road formation was at a lower level beside the Wollombi Brook. The northern loop (west of the current road) provides access to the "Potter's Gallery" property, where there is evidence of old quarrying on a large sandstone outcrop beside the older road formation.
Physical condition and/or Archaeological potential:	The majority of this section of the Great North Road is intact with instances of localised distortion due to tree growth and erosion. At the St Albans Ramp there has been some theft of sandstone blocks.
	Date condition updated:28 Dec 07
Further information:	The recommended curtilage for the listing, generally comprises the existing road reserve, as illustrated in the curtilage plan. In cases where adjacent associated items or workings lie partially or wholly outside the road reserve, the listing curtilage will extend to include them. Such items and workings may include: the quarry site and ramp at St Alban’s Road, the stone culverts and bridge of the abandoned section at Bucketty, Ramsay’s Leap retaining wall and flume near Mount Simpson, the stone culvert at Fernance’s Crossing, the stone arched culvert and retaining wall at Murray’s Farm and Thompson’s Bridge.


Current use:	Mostly public road, some sections abandoned
Former use:	Public road: the first connecting the Cumberland Plain with the Hunter Valley

History

Historical notes:

Much of the section of the Great North Road north of Mt Manning was constructed under the supervision of Heneage Finch who had been the Assistant Surveyor responsible for the selection of the original line of road in 1825. in 1830, Finch replaced lt Percy Simpson as supervisor of the area north of Mt Manning up to the Hunter Valley. After a dispute, Finch was abruptly dismissed in 1831. Finch's successors were L V Dulhunty (1831 - 1834) and Peter Ogilvie (1835 - 1836). Finch had aimed to complete a road equal in excellence of construction to the existing section between Wisemans Ferry and Mt Manning. Similar construction techniques were used, including cut and fill methods that resulted in extensive blasting and quarrying combined with the use of massive embankments and retaining walls as well as culverts and bridges over the numerous small creeks between Mt Manning and Wollombi.

Major items:
Quarry site & ramp on St Albans road
The ramp structure or embanked causeway that now forms part of the St Albans Road was probably completed by the No. 9 Iron Gang, under Percy Simpson's supervision, between May and December, 1830, as the gang is recorded as being "stationed near Mt Manning" during this period. The style and workmanship of the ramp are also similar to that of other structures completed by the same gang, such as the retaining walls south of Wisemans Ferry and on the ascent of Mt Baxter.

Stone culverts and bridge (abandoned section at Bucketty)
The great North Road in the vicinity of Mt McQuoid was constructed during 1830 and 1831 by No. 29 Road Party who also probably built former bridge (Bridge 7) here during this period.

Ramsays Leap - retaining wall and flume near Mt Simpson
Several gangs were employed during 1830-32 at Mt Simpson building the extensive descent to the valley floor. These included the No. 27 Road Party (April - December, 1830), No. 29 Road Party (March - April, 1830) and No. 42 Road Party (January, 1831 - September, 1832). The latter party probably built the massive curved retaining wall with its buttressing flume at Ramsays Leap. It is likely that the remainder of the descent, winding precariously along the steep contours of the mountainside, was originally supported by a continuous retaining wall of equal standard, but of which, as a result of road widening, only a fragment near the base remains.

Stone causeway
A section of earlier road, about 150m in length situated east of the modern day road alignment just north of the base of Mt. Simpson.

Stone culvert at Fernances Crossing and stone arched culvert & retaining wall at Murrays Run
The area near Mt Finch, also known as "Murray's valley" or the "back of Murray's Farm", posed a major obstacle to road construction as a swamp, several creeks and steep climbs required much arduous labour. Heneage finch stationed No. 27 Road Party there not long after his arrival and it remained there during 1830 and 1831. No. 29 Road Party and No. 7 Iron Gang also spent short periods there. These two large stone culverts survrve in this area.

Thompsons Bridge
The bridge now known as Thompsons bridge has a recent deck atop coursed rubble abutments and wing walls. It is difficult to ascertain whether it was part of the original construction of the road. If so, it may have been built by No.7 Iron Gang between July and September, 1830, although, unlike the stream, it does not appear on White's 1831 map. The stonework contrasts in size, dressing and quality with other structures in the area, suggesting that it may be a later construction. It is possible that later additions were built on the site of a pre-existing bridge, perhaps using the stones from the earlier structure. [Another interpretation suggests it may have been a culvert (like those at Murrays Run and Fernances Crossing) that collapsed at some stage and was replaced with a bridge that decreased the bend. At this stage part of the wall was rebuilt on a different alignment. There is a distinct bend in the stonework that changes quality at the bend, that closest to the bridge being of lesser quality. At the edge of the bitumen leading to where a culvert would have been can be seen original knapped stone paving].

Abandoned loops at Laguna Shop and Milsons Arm
The road through the valley here was mainly constructed by No. 7 Iron Gang and No. 42 Road Party during 1830, and completed in 1832 by Nos. 27 and 42 Road Parties.

Historic themes

Australian theme (abbrev)	New South Wales theme	Local theme
2. Peopling-Peopling the continent	Convict-Activities relating to incarceration, transport, reform, accommodation and working during the convict period in NSW (1788-1850) - does not include activities associated with the conviction of persons in NSW that are unrelated to the imperial 'convict system': use the theme of Law & Order for such activities	Convict labour-
2. Peopling-Peopling the continent	Convict-Activities relating to incarceration, transport, reform, accommodation and working during the convict period in NSW (1788-1850) - does not include activities associated with the conviction of persons in NSW that are unrelated to the imperial 'convict system': use the theme of Law & Order for such activities	Administering the convict system-
2. Peopling-Peopling the continent	Convict-Activities relating to incarceration, transport, reform, accommodation and working during the convict period in NSW (1788-1850) - does not include activities associated with the conviction of persons in NSW that are unrelated to the imperial 'convict system': use the theme of Law & Order for such activities	Demonstrating convicts' experiences and activities-
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies	Commerce-Activities relating to buying, selling and exchanging goods and services	Transport-
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies	Environment - cultural landscape-Activities associated with the interactions between humans, human societies and the shaping of their physical surroundings	Sydney and Australian Landmark-
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies	Environment - cultural landscape-Activities associated with the interactions between humans, human societies and the shaping of their physical surroundings	Significant Places How are significant places marked in the landscape by, or for, different groups-Monuments and Sites
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies	Environment - cultural landscape-Activities associated with the interactions between humans, human societies and the shaping of their physical surroundings	Developing local, regional and national economies-National Theme 3
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies	Environment - cultural landscape-Activities associated with the interactions between humans, human societies and the shaping of their physical surroundings	Landscapes of urban and rural interaction-
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies	Environment - cultural landscape-Activities associated with the interactions between humans, human societies and the shaping of their physical surroundings	Landscapes of cultural and natural interaction-
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies	Transport-Activities associated with the moving of people and goods from one place to another, and systems for the provision of such movements	Building and maintaining public roads-
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies	Transport-Activities associated with the moving of people and goods from one place to another, and systems for the provision of such movements	Building and maintaining public roads-
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies	Transport-Activities associated with the moving of people and goods from one place to another, and systems for the provision of such movements	Bridge - road-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities	Land tenure-Activities and processes for identifying forms of ownership and occupancy of land and water, both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal	Changing land uses - from rural to tourist-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities	Land tenure-Activities and processes for identifying forms of ownership and occupancy of land and water, both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal	Resuming private lands for public purposes-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities	Land tenure-Activities and processes for identifying forms of ownership and occupancy of land and water, both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal	Naming places (toponymy)-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities	Towns, suburbs and villages-Activities associated with creating, planning and managing urban functions, landscapes and lifestyles in towns, suburbs and villages	Creating landmark structures and places in regional settings-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities	Towns, suburbs and villages-Activities associated with creating, planning and managing urban functions, landscapes and lifestyles in towns, suburbs and villages	Shaping inland settlements-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities	Towns, suburbs and villages-Activities associated with creating, planning and managing urban functions, landscapes and lifestyles in towns, suburbs and villages	19th Century Infrastructure-
5. Working-Working	Labour-Activities associated with work practises and organised and unorganised labour	Working at enforced labour-
7. Governing-Governing	Government and Administration-Activities associated with the governance of local areas, regions, the State and the nation, and the administration of public programs - includes both principled and corrupt activities.	Colonial government-
7. Governing-Governing	Government and Administration-Activities associated with the governance of local areas, regions, the State and the nation, and the administration of public programs - includes both principled and corrupt activities.	Developing roles for government - managing the convict system-
7. Governing-Governing	Government and Administration-Activities associated with the governance of local areas, regions, the State and the nation, and the administration of public programs - includes both principled and corrupt activities.	Public works-
7. Governing-Governing	Government and Administration-Activities associated with the governance of local areas, regions, the State and the nation, and the administration of public programs - includes both principled and corrupt activities.	Developing roles for government - administering public roads and bridges-
7. Governing-Governing	Government and Administration-Activities associated with the governance of local areas, regions, the State and the nation, and the administration of public programs - includes both principled and corrupt activities.	Developing roles for government - building and operating public infrastructure-
7. Governing-Governing	Law and order-Activities associated with maintaining, promoting and implementing criminal and civil law and legal processes	Establishing law and order in the Hunter Valley-

Assessment of significance


SHR Criteria a) [Historical significance]	Historically, the Great North Road is of state significance as the first made road north of the Hawkesbury. It was constructed by convict gangs between 1826 and 1836. The Old Great North Road is also evidence of the development of the colony at Sydney and of the policies during this period of using convict gangs to construct major public works.
SHR Criteria b) [Associative significance]	The road has historic associations with several notable colonial figures including Governor Darling and Surveyor-General Thomas Mitchell.
SHR Criteria c) [Aesthetic significance]	The Great North Road constitutes a material record of convict labour. Many surviving structures and precincts bespeak the quality of work achieved by convict artisans. Some precincts of the road remain in relatively unspoilt areas, evocative of the frontier environment of the 1830s.The section of the Old Great North Road between Mount Manning and Wollombi contains a variety of features that provide tangible physical evidence of convict road engineering and construction. The section also contains a number of individually significant structures, including unique examples of culvert and flume construction as well as cuttings side drains and pavements.
SHR Criteria d) [Social significance]	The Great North Road constitutes a material record of convict labour. The road generally and its individual items in particular are held in high esteem by members of the communities through which it passes. Additionally, a community group, the Convict Trail Project, has been instrumental in researching, promoting, conserving, interpreting and monitoring the condition of the road, its items and its associated workings.
SHR Criteria e) [Research potential]	Further study of the Great North Road and its associated workings has the potential to reveal further information about the structure itself and about the lives and circumstances of the convicts builders, their supervisors and the explorers and surveyors of the period. The section of road between mt Manning and Wollombi, because of its numerous individual items is likely to be particularly rich in evidence of this kind.
SHR Criteria f) [Rarity]	The Great North Road, as a whole, represents a unique engineering achievement, including, for example the oldest known stone bridges on the Australian mainland. The section between Mt Manning and Wollombi comprises many individual elements with unique properties of design and workmanship.
SHR Criteria g) [Representativeness]	The Great North Road is representative of public works built using convict labour. The section between Mt Manning and Wollombi particularly represents the high degree of technical and aesthetic achievement that characterise such works.
Integrity/Intactness:	The majority of this section of the Great North Road is intact with instances of localised distortion due to tree growth and erosion. At the St Albans Ramp there has been some theft of sandstone blocks.
Assessment criteria:	Items are assessed against the State Heritage Register (SHR) Criteria to determine the level of significance. Refer to the Listings below for the level of statutory protection.

Procedures /Exemptions

Section of act	Description	Title	Comments	Action date
57(2)	Exemption to allow work	Standard Exemptions	HERITAGE ACT 1977 ORDER UNDER SECTION 57(2) TO GRANT STANDARD EXEMPTIONS FROM APPROVAL I, Penny Sharpe, the Minister for Heritage, on the recommendation of the Heritage Council of New South Wales and under section 57(2) of the Heritage Act 1977: revoke the order made on 2 June 2022 and published in the Government Gazette Number 262 of 17 June 2022; and grant an exemption from section 57(1) of the Act in respect of the engaging in or carrying out the class of activities described in clause 2 Schedule A in such circumstances specified by the relevant standards in clause 2 Schedule A and General Conditions in clause 3 Schedule A. This Order takes effect on the date it is published in the NSW Government Gazette. Dated this 29th day of October 2025 The Hon Penny Sharpe MLC Minister for Heritage For more information on standard exemptions click on the link below.	Nov 7 2025

Standard exemptions for engaging in or carrying out activities / works otherwise prohibited by section 57(1) of the Heritage Act 1977

Listings

Heritage Listing	Listing Title	Listing Number	Gazette Date	Gazette Number	Gazette Page
Heritage Act - State Heritage Register		01789	02 Jun 09	82	2547

References, internet links & images

Type	Author	Year	Title	Internet Links
Written		2005	Cultural Heritage Survey of Great North Road Bridges (article)
Written		2004	Bucketty Culvert Reconstruction Report
Written	Abad, Sarah (producer)	2020	Old Great North Road (video)	View detail
Written	Austral Archaeology P/L; Convict Trail Project Inc.	2005	Great North Road Bridges: assessment of historic cultural landscape values
Written	Convict Trail Project Inc.	2009	Pick of the Great North Road: the journal of the Convict Trail Project Inc.
Tourism	Convict Trails Organisation	2009	Convict Trail	View detail
Tourism	DECC	2009	The Great North Road	View detail
Written	Lavelle, Siobhan & Karskens, Grace	1999	Stage 1 Conservation Management Plan for the Great North Road
Written	Nexus Archaeology & Heritage	2008	Sampson's Pass Great North road Bucketty, NSW : Surface investigation and recording report
Written	NSW National Parks & Wildlife Service; Federal Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Populations & Communities	2013	I Phone App on the Great North Road	View detail
Written	Roberts, Elizabeth	2004	Bucketty Culvert Reconstruction Report / Convict Trail Project Inc.
Tourism	TourismNSW		TourismNSW	View detail

Note: internet links may be to web pages, documents or images.

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Data source


The information for this entry comes from the following source:
Name:	Heritage NSW
Database number:	5060554

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