THE SECRET RIVER AND BEYOND
WE’RE HEADING INTO the land of “The Secret River” – if you’re familiar with the highly acclaimed novel of that name by Australian author Kate Grenville. You might have caught up with the story through the stage play or TV mini-series adapted from the novel.
It’s a land of motorcycling that’s both exciting and visually stunning; as well as a land rich in historic landmarks, notably linked to World Heritage-listed remnants of convict-built structures: The Convict Trail.
You have likely read in earlier editions of Australian Motorcyclist about the great motorcycling roads through the Hawkesbury-Hunter Ranges, with the Putty Road and the Wisemans Ferry/ Wollombi Road high on the list. This article includes the latter but there is so much more with alternative and complementary routes through the ranges and beyond. I’ve also highlighted the unique attractions that can be enjoyed along the way.
THE GREAT NORTH ROAD
Once the Sydney colony spread to the Hunter area (centred on Newcastle) north of Sydney, road access became a necessity. With the early expansion of the colony into the food bowl of the Hawkesbury area and the subsequent need for better transport to it, this became an inevitable stopover for the link between Sydney and the Hunter. Thus was devised the concept of the Great North Road.
Most of the Sydney end of the road has been lost to city development but there’s still a stretch at its original beginning in Five Dock that preserves the name. It’s more readily identifiable from Baulkham Hills to Wisemans Ferry but is called the Old Northern Road. Motorcycling Nirvana kicks in with a vengeance soon after
