Thunderbolts Way

Infobox Australian Road
road_name = Thunderbolts Way
route_

route_

route_

photo = Carsons Lookout 2.jpg
caption = Monument commemorating the opening of a section of Thunderbolts Way
length = 143
direction = Northwest-Southeast
start = "'
finish = Bucketts Way, Gloucester, New South Wales
est =
through = Rookhurst, Barrington
route =
exits = "', who roamed these parts in the 19th century.

It is fully sealed and passes through thickly forested mountain areas with many nearby national parks and nature reserves. At a total length of about 315 kilometres, it is very hilly and winding as it passes through the very scenic Great Dividing Range cutting the distance between Newcastle and Brisbane by about 70 kilometres (together with Bucketts Way from Raymond Terrace to Gloucester). It is also very popular with tourists as it offers many pristine picnic and fishing spots. Riverside camping spots are available at Gloryvale Reserve and Bretti Reserve. There is also a picnic area, with toilets, near the Barrington River bridge.

Occasionally a dingo, koala or wombat may be among the animals to be spotted on this route. Bellbirds are frequently heard shortly after beginning the ascent up the mountain. The only villages between Gloucester and Walcha are Barrington and Nowendoc, which is slightly north of this road. There is a public school and church at the hamlet of Rookhurst. Carson’s Lookout, between Gloucester and Nowendoc is the perfect stop off point for a break and the enjoyment of panoramic views. After passing through Walcha, Dangar’s Lagoon is situated close to Uralla where a statue of Captain Thunderbolt on horseback is located on the intersection of the New England Highway and Thunderbolts Way.

After passing Uralla the Mount Yarrowyck Nature Reserve is near the junction of the Armidale Road and Thunderbolts Way. This site protects an Aboriginal cave painting site and much of the natural environment of Mount Yarrowyck.

A low level bridge crosses the Gwydir River shortly before reaching the Kingstown Road intersection and then the village of Bundarra. Once again the Gwydir River is crossed, this time by the Bundarra bridge, a five-span iron lattice truss bridge, that was constructed in 1881. The next village encountered is Gilgai which is situated about 10km south of Inverell, New South Wales.

References

"Thunderbolts Way" map by Cartoscope

ee also

*Highways in Australia
*List of highways in New South Wales

External links

*http://www.thunderboltsway.com.au