Great North Road
In the 1820s the penal settlement in Newcastle was relocated to Port Macquarie, meaning that the land around Newcastle - including the beautiful Hunter Valley - was now available to many.
Between 1826 and 1836 a road was constructed between Sydney and the Hunter Valley - The Great North Road - so that those in Sydney had a very real opportunity to see, explore and buy this land.
Read MoreBetween 1826 and 1836 a road was constructed between Sydney and the Hunter Valley - The Great North Road - so that those in Sydney had a very real opportunity to see, explore and buy this land.
Dharug National Park, NSW, Australia
Finchs Line - named after the colony's Assistant Surveyor, Heneage Finch - was the original ascent of the Great North Road. Surveyed by Finch in 1825, and partly constructed shortly after, it was abandoned when Governor Darling visited (with Major Mitchell, also a surveyor) in 1828 and stated that it was too steep, and the turns were too tight for carts.
Mitchell passed on the instruction to Finch who submitted two alternate lines, neither met the approval of Darling. Mitchell was instructed to have a look himself, and eventually found a route up what is now Devine's Hill.
AustraliaDharug National ParkGreat North RoadHeneage FinchNSWRalph DarlingThomas Mitchellgate
