Highways in Australia

The highways in Australia are listed here in alphabetical order, along with their number and the state in which they are located. Some of the highways also extend over several states.

history

Australia is a vast and sparsely populated country. The first highways were therefore built from the capitals on the coast in a spoke-shaped pattern inland to connect the first rural settlements with the capitals. At that time, transport between the capitals was mainly carried out by ship or rail.

Numbering system

National Route

National route sign

Road sign of a national highway

In 1955, the Australian National Route Numbering Scheme was introduced to simplify navigation through Australia. You can recognize a National Route by the signs with black letters on a white background. This marking occurs on signposts, distance information and on the markings along the route. Basically, with only a few exceptions, the even numbers are intended for highways that run in a north-south direction, the odd numbers for the east-west direction. National Route 1 makes an exception here, as this name has been assigned to an entire network of roads that stretches 15,000 miles along the entire coast of Australia.

The National Highway Scheme was introduced in the 1970s . These highways are federally funded and easily identified by their green signs with gold lettering.

State routes

Major urban and regional connections that were not covered by either the National Highway or National Route categories were given the State Route classification , identifiable by the blue signs. They were introduced in all states by the late 1980s. In some states, National Routes have also been reclassified to State Routes.

In New South Wales , State Route numbering was also introduced in the metropolitan areas of Wollongong and Newcastle , but here with three-digit numbers instead of the usual two-digit numbers. The blue state route numbering signs were replaced by the alphanumeric system in the states of Victoria and South Australia in the late 1990s. The system was introduced in Tasmania as early as 1979 .

In contrast to other countries, the highways in Australia have a name in addition to their numbering and the highways are usually better known by these names than by their respective number. Most of the time, the names are derived from regional peculiarities, cities on the street or well-known personalities, often Australian explorers of the 19th century.

Alphanumeric numbering system

Sign of a national highway after re-numbering

State route sign after re-numbering

In the 1990s there was a profound change in the previous numbering scheme. Victoria and South Australia have completely revised their old system and replaced it with a new one. The old system of National Routes and State Routes disappeared and, following the example of Tasmania in the late 1970s, a new alphanumeric system was installed.

With the new system, the numbers of the old system are retained - with a few exceptions - but a letter is added to indicate the classification. For example, the Western Freeway is shown as the M8 to Ballarat , and then continues as the Western Highway at number A8. However, the new system will not be applied in Victoria to the Melbourne metropolitan area , which will retain its own system.

New South Wales is slowly preparing for the introduction of the alphanumeric system. A number of traffic signs have already been set up bearing the new numbers, but mostly they are covered with the old designations. As of 2011, no date has yet been given for the official introduction of the new system.

There are no plans to introduce the system in Western Australia .

M routes

Top category roads, usually called motorways . These are built like a motorway, with separate lanes for each direction and two or more lanes. The entrances and exits are mostly free of intersections. They usually connect the capital cities, but also larger cities, with each other or serve as city highways. The M-Routes are able to accommodate large traffic flows and are often designed as bypass roads around towns and cities.

A routes

Single-lane roads that do not have separate lanes, but are of national importance, often across several states. Traffic is lower than the higher-level M-Routes, but there are plenty of overtaking opportunities and a paved shoulder . They can lead through and around city centers.

B routes

Secondary highways that connect larger cities on various A-routes, but also less important earlier national routes, fall into this category. In addition, B-Routes are former sections of A and M- Routes, which have now been replaced by bypasses. Important tourist routes also fall into this category. The asphalting and marking is of good quality; the shoulder can, but does not have to be, paved.

C routes

Branch lines that connect smaller settlements and cities with A , B or M routes. The quality of the road surface is medium to poor. The streets often have no banquet.

D routes

D routes are unpaved roads that connect small towns in remote regions. This term is currently only in use in South Australia and is generally used here for unpaved roads or unpaved continuations of B or C routes. A four-wheel drive vehicle is recommended for some routes. The D routes have another meaning in New South Wales: They are used here to mark diversions.

Metropolitan Routes

Shield of a metroad

In the 1990s, Sydney and Brisbane simplified their urban numbering scheme to the new Metroad system. The marking is done with easily recognizable, hexagonal signs and replaces the state and national route numbering. The Metroads mostly run radially from the city centers to the highways outside the city limits. Sometimes, however, ring roads within the urban areas are also marked as Metroads.

Australian highways

The national highways are listed below, followed by secondary highways, sorted by state and numbering.

National Highways

Canberra to Sydney

Route #	Surname	target	Distance (km)
	Federal Highway	Canberra to Goulburn	73
	Hume Highway	Goulburn to Sydney	187
260 kilometers

Canberra to Melbourne

Route #	Surname	target	Distance (km)
	Barton Highway	Canberra to Yass	52
	Hume Highway	Yass to Albury	294
	Hume Freeway	Wodonga to Melbourne (Thomastown)	290
	Western Ring Road	Melbourne	15th
651 kilometers

Sydney to Melbourne

Route #	Surname	target	Distance (km)
	Hume Highway	Sydney to Albury	539
	Hume Freeway	Wodonga to Melbourne (Thomastown)	290
	Western Ring Road	Melbourne	15th
844 kilometers

Sydney to Adelaide

Route #	Surname	target	Distance (km)
	Hume Highway	Sydney to Tarcutta	392
	Sturt Highway	Tarcutta to Buronga	597
	Sturt Highway	Mildura after Hewett	370
	Gawler bypass	Hewett to Willaston	3
	Northern Expressway	Willaston to Waterloo Corner	23
	Port Wakefield Road	Waterloo Corner to Adelaide	13
1403 kilometers

Sydney to Brisbane

Route #	Surname	target	Distance (km)
	Sydney-Newcastle Freeway	Sydney to Newcastle	127
	New England Highway	Newcastle to Wallangarra	581
	New England Highway	Wallangarra to Warwick	95
	Cunningham Highway	Warwick to Ipswich	127
	Ipswich Motorway	Ipswich to Brisbane	14th
944 kilometers

Melbourne to Brisbane

Route #	Surname	target	Distance (km)
	Western Ring Road	Melbourne	15th
	Hume Freeway	Melbourne (Thomastown) to Seymour	89
	Goulburn Valley Freeway	Seymour to Shepparton	45
	Goulburn Valley Highway	Shepparton to Tocumwal	110
	Newell Highway	Tocumwal to Goondiwindi	1062
	Leichhardt Highway	Goondiwindi to North Goondiwindi	21st
	Gore Highway	North Goondiwindi to Toowoomba	202
	Warrego Highway	Toowoomba to Ipswich	97
	Ipswich Motorway	Ipswich to Brisbane	14th
1655 kilometers

Melbourne to Adelaide

Route #	Surname	target	Distance (km)
	Western Ring Road	Melbourne	15th
	Western Freeway	Melbourne (Deer Park) to Ballarat	115
	Western Highway	Ballarat to the VIC / SA border	314
	Dukes Highway	VIC / SA border to Tailem Bend	189
	Princes Highway	Tailem Bend to Murray Bridge	25th
	South Eastern Freeway	Murray Bridge to Crafers	66
	Adelaide-Crafers Highway	Crafers to Adelaide	10
719 kilometers

Adelaide to Darwin

Route #	Surname	target	Distance (km)
	Main North Road	Adelaide to Gepps Cross	---
	Grand Junction Road	Gepps Cross to Regency Park	---
	South Road	Regency Park to Wingfield	---
	Salisbury Highway	Wingfield to Mawson Lakes	---
	Port Wakefield Road	Mawson Lakes to Snowtown	---
	Princes Highway	Snowtown to Port Augusta	---
	Stuart Highway	Port Augusta to the SA / NT border	---
	Stuart Highway	SA / NT border to Daly Waters	---
	Stuart Highway	Daly Waters to Darwin	---
3.035 kilometers

Perth to Adelaide

Route #	Surname	target	Distance (km)
	Great Eastern Highway	Perth to Redcliffe	---
	Great Eastern Highway Bypass	Redcliffe to Hazelmere	---
	Roe Highway	Hazelmere to Midvale	---
	Great Eastern Highway	Midvale to Coolgardie	---
	Coolgardie-Esperance Highway	Coolgardie to Norseman	---
	Eyre Highway	Norseman after Eucla	---
	Eyre Highway	Eucla to Port Augusta	---
	Princes Highway	Port Augusta to Snowtown	---
	Port Wakefield Road	Snowtown to Gepps Cross	---
	Main North Road	Gepps Cross to Adelaide	---
2700 kilometers

Perth to Darwin

Roe Highway Midvale (Perth) to Middle Swan (Perth)
Great Northern Highway Middle Swan (Perth) to Port Hedland

Great Northern Highway Port Hedland to Wyndham
Victoria Highway Wyndham to Katherine
Stuart Highway Katherine to Darwin

Brisbane to Darwin

Ipswich Motorway Brisbane to Ipswich

Warrego Highway Ipswich to Morven
Landsborough Highway Morven to Cloncurry
Barkly Highway Cloncurry to Camooweal

Barkly Highway Camooweal to Tennant Creek

Stuart Highway Tennant Creek to Daly Waters

Stuart Highway Daly Waters to Darwin

Brisbane to Cairns

Bruce Highway Brisbane to Cooroy

Bruce Highway Cooroy to Cairns

Hobart to Burnie

Brooker Highway Hobart to Granton
Midland Highway Granton to Launceston
Bass Highway Launceston to Burnie

State highways

- Gateway Motorway , Queensland
- Pacific Motorway , Queensland
- Monash Freeway , Victoria
- West Gate Freeway , Victoria
- Princes Freeway , Victoria
- CityLink , Victoria
Southern Expressway , South Australia
- Eastern Freeway , Victoria
- EastLink , Victoria
Princes Highway , South Australia; Victoria
Princes Highway , South Australia
- Brand Highway , Western Australia
- Canning Highway , Western Australia
- Carpentaria Highway , Northern Territory
- Captain Cook Highway , Queensland
- Coolgardie-Esperance Highway , Western Australia
- Great Eastern Highway , Western Australia
- Great Northern Highway , Western Australia
- Gulf Developmental Road , Queensland
- Kennedy Highway , Queensland
- Kwinana Freeway , Western Australia
- Leach Highway , Western Australia
- North West Coastal Highway , Western Australia
- Old Coast Road , Western Australia
- Pacific Highway , New South Wales; Queensland
- Princes Highway , New South Wales
- Savannah Way , Northern Territory; Queensland
- South Coast Highway , Western Australia
- South Western Highway , Western Australia
Bass Highway , Tasmania
Gold Coast Highway , Queensland
Tasman Highway , Tasmania
- Burnett Highway , Queensland
- D'Aguilar Highway , Queensland
- New England Highway , Queensland
- Reid Highway , Western Australia
- Roe Highway , Western Australia
Isis Highway , Queensland
Esk Highway , Tasmania
Capricorn Highway , Queensland
- Lasseter Highway , Northern Territory
- Tonkin Highway , Western Australia
- Anzac Highway , South Australia
- Lake Highway , Tasmania
Leichhardt Highway , Queensland
Stirling Highway , Western Australia
- Davey Street , Tasmania
- Macquarie Street , Tasmania
- Southern Outlet , Tasmania
- Huon Highway , Tasmania
Flinders Highway , Queensland
Canning Highway , Western Australia
West Tamar Highway , Tasmania
- Carnarvon Highway , Queensland
- Dawson Highway , Queensland
- Gregory Highway , Queensland
Leach Highway , Western Australia
East Tamar Highway , Tasmania
Port River Expressway , South Australia
Arthur Highway , Tasmania
- Lyell Highway , Tasmania
- Zeehan Highway , Tasmania
- Murchison Highway , Tasmania
- Brockman Highway , Western Australia
- Bussell Highway , Western Australia
- Vasse Highway , Western Australia
Tablelands Highway , Northern Territory
Mallee Highway , South Australia; Victoria
Plenty Highway , Northern Territory
Salisbury Highway , South Australia
- Mount Lindesay Highway , Queensland / New South Wales
- Mount Lindesay Road , New South Wales
Sandover Highway , Northern Territory
- Alpine Way , New South Wales
- Murray Valley Highway , New South Wales
- Brisbane Valley Highway , Queensland
- D'Aguilar Highway , Queensland
Barossa Valley Highway , South Australia
- Roper Highway , Northern Territory
- South Western Highway , Western Australia
Kakadu Highway , Northern Territory
Monaro Highway , Victoria
Monaro Highway , New South Wales
Mid-Western Highway , New South Wales
Palmerston Highway , Queensland
Albany Highway , Western Australia
- Barrier Highway , South Australia
- Main North Road , South Australia
- Barrier Highway , New South Wales
- Great Western Highway , New South Wales
- Mitchell Highway , New South Wales
Oxley Highway , New South Wales
Arnhem Highway , Northern Territory
Kamilaroi Highway , New South Wales
Gwydir Highway , New South Wales
Brookton Highway , Western Australia
Olympic Highway , New South Wales
Cunningham Highway , Queensland
Bruxner Highway , New South Wales
Captain Cook Highway , Queensland
Carnarvon Highway , New South Wales; Queensland
Illawarra Highway , New South Wales
- Balonne Highway , Queensland
- Bunya Highway , Queensland
- Moonie Highway , Queensland
- Wide Bay Highway , Queensland
Kings Highway , New South Wales
- Isis Highway , Queensland
- Gillies Highway , Queensland
Castlereagh Highway , Queensland
Castlereagh Highway , New South Wales
Riverina Highway , New South Wales
Dawson Highway , Queensland
Kennedy Highway , Queensland
Gregory Highway , Queensland
Riddoch Highway , South Australia
Peak Downs Highway , Queensland
Mitchell Highway , Queensland
Mitchell Highway , New South Wales
West Coast Highway , Western Australia
Northern Highway , Victoria
Cobb Highway , New South Wales
Calder Highway , Victoria
Silver City Highway , New South Wales
Buchanan Highway , Northern Territory
Mulligan Highway , Queensland
- Barwon Highway , Queensland
- Brisbane Valley Highway , Queensland
- D'Aguilar Highway , Queensland
- Esk-Hampton Road , Queensland
- Gore Highway , Queensland
- Leichhardt Highway , Queensland
- New England Highway , Queensland
Death Highway , South Australia
Birdseye Highway , South Australia
- Goldfields Highway , Western Australia
- Great Eastern Highway , Western Australia
- Buntine Highway , Northern Territory
- Delamere Road , Northern Territory
D'Aguilar Highway , Queensland
- Flinders Highway , South Australia
- Lincoln Highway , South Australia
Southern Ports Highway , South Australia
Muirs Highway , Western Australia
Vasse Highway , Western Australia
Great Southern Highway , Western Australia
Henty Highway , Victoria
Midland Highway , Victoria
- South Gippsland Freeway , Victoria
- South Gippsland Highway , Victoria
- Bass Highway , Victoria
Bass Highway , Victoria
South Gippsland Highway , Victoria
Westernport Highway , Victoria
Westernport Highway , Victoria

Main roads

- Main North Road , South Australia
- Fullarton Road , South Australia
- Glen Osmond Road , South Australia
Nepean Highway , Victoria
Cross Road , South Australia
Great Western Highway , New South Wales
Sir Donald Bradman Drive , South Australia
Port Road , South Australia
Pacific Highway , New South Wales
Adelaide-Mannum Road , South Australia
Boyer Road , Tasmania
Marlborough Highway , Tasmania
Moorooduc Highway , Victoria
Mole Creek Road , Tasmania
- South Road , South Australia
- Victor Harbor Road , South Australia
- Tapleys Hill Road , South Australia
- Marion Road, South Australia
Sheffield Road , Tasmania
Castra Road , Tasmania
Kindred Road , Tasmania
- Gawler Road , Tasmania
- Preston Road , Tasmania
- Gunns Plains Road , Tasmania
- South Riana Road , Tasmania
- Pine Road , Tasmania
- West Pine Road , Tasmania
Ridgley Highway , Tasmania
Forth Road , Tasmania
South Road , South Australia
Lyell Highway , Tasmania
- Zeehan Highway , Tasmania
- Henty Road , Tasmania
- Cambridge Road , Tasmania
- Richmond Road , Tasmania
- Colebrook Road , Tasmania
- Mud Walls Road , Tasmania
- Great Western Highway , New South Wales
- Liverpool Road , New South Wales
East Derwent Highway , Tasmania
South Arm Highway , Tasmania
Lake Leake Highway , Tasmania
Whitehorse Road , Victoria
Goodwood Road , Tasmania
Domain Highway , Tasmania
Bells Line of Road , New South Wales
Great Western Highway , New South Wales
- Poatina Road , Tasmania
- Cressy Road , Tasmania
Great Eastern Highway , Western Australia
Meander Valley Highway , Tasmania
Princes Highway , New South Wales
- Main North Road , South Australia
- Wilmington-Ucolta Road , South Australia
- Princes Highway , New South Wales
- Wanneroo Road (Perth-Lancelin Highway) , Western Australia
Gordon River Road , Tasmania
Glenora Road , Tasmania
Huon Road , Tasmania
- Sandy Bay Road , Tasmania
- Channel Highway , Tasmania
- Appin Road , New South Wales
- Putty Road , New South Wales
Frankford Road , Tasmania
Biralee Road , Tasmania
Batman Highway , Tasmania
Waterfall Way , New South Wales
Wilmington-Ucolta Road , South Australia
Lachlan Valley Way , New South Wales
Main North Road , South Australia
- Central Coast Highway , New South Wales
- Pacific Highway , New South Wales
Golden Highway , New South Wales
Copper Coast Highway , South Australia
Goldfields Way , New South Wales
Yorke Highway , South Australia
Castlereagh Highway , New South Wales
Kidman Way , New South Wales
St. Vincent Highway , South Australia
Picton Road , New South Wales
- Camden Valley Way , New South Wales
- Camden Bypass , New South Wales
- Remembrance Drive , New South Wales
Escort Way , New South Wales
Summerland Way , New South Wales
Burley Griffin Way , New South Wales
Fossickers Way , New South Wales
Surf Coast Highway , Victoria
- Bellarine Highway , Victoria
- Hollow Tree Road , Tasmania
- Nepean Highway , Victoria
Pacific Highway , New South Wales
Hopkins Highway , Victoria
Geraldton-Mount Magnet Road , Western Australia
Hamilton Highway , Victoria
Glenelg Highway , Victoria
Pyrenees Highway , Victoria
Henty Highway , Victoria
Sunraysia Highway , Victoria
Wimmera Highway , Victoria
Loddon Valley Highway , Victoria
McIvor Highway , Victoria
- Goulburn Valley Highway , Victoria
- Maroondah Highway , Victoria
- Melba Highway , Victoria
- Midland Highway , Victoria
Maroondah Highway , Victoria
- Goulburn Valley Highway , Victoria
- Maroondah Highway , Victoria
Maroondah Highway , Victoria
Warburton Highway , Victoria
- Bass Highway , Victoria
- Strzelecki Highway , Victoria