Thunderbolts Way

Thunderbolts Way New South Wales
Warning sign on Thunderbolts Way
Type	Road
Length	290 km (180 mi)
NNW end	16 km (10 mi) south of Gwydir Highway (B76), Inverell, New South Wales
SSE end	Bucketts Way, Gloucester, New South Wales
Major suburbs	Uralla, Walcha, Rookhurst, Barrington

The Thunderbolts Way is a 290-kilometre (180 mi) country road located in the Northern Tablelands region of New South Wales, Australia. The road links Gloucester to Walcha (where it crosses the Oxley Highway), Uralla, where it very briefly joins the New England Highway and, to Copes Creek, 16 km (10 mi) south of the Gwydir Highway intersection at Inverell. The road is fully sealed and passes through thickly forested mountain areas with many nearby national parks and nature reserves.

It is named after a local bushranger, Frederick Ward, alias Captain Thunderbolt, who roamed these parts in the 19th century.

Eric Carson (1913–99), a Gloucester sawmiller and road builder, carved the first road through the ranges to bring out the magnificent hardwood from the forests on the Great Divide. After Carson spent many years trying to persuade local politicians that a road should be built across the Divide from Gloucester to Nowendoc, he went ahead and built it. Carving the 32 km (20 mi) route out of some of the steepest and most rugged countryside in the state was fraught with danger, but by 1961 it was complete. Carson's Lookout, which commemorates his work is between Gloucester and Nowendoc, is a stop off point for the enjoyment of panoramic views.

At a total length of about 290 kilometres (180 mi) (from Gloucester to Inverell), it is very hilly and winding as it passes across the Great Dividing Range. It is very popular with tourists, including motorcyclists, 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.

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Wikipedia