A major road closure is redirecting travellers – but the alternative route doubles as both solution and reward.
In a recent statement, the NSW Transport Commissioner revealed a significant stretch of the Great Western Highway will remain closed over the coming months. Whether you’re off on an autumn road trip or simply visiting family over Easter, the update is sure to throw a spanner in the works for those heading west.
But don’t cancel your plans just yet. Like most things in life, there’s a silver lining. Instead of scrapping your itinerary altogether, why not take the road less travelled instead?
From cosy mountain cideries and blink-and-you’ll-miss-it bakeries to hidden natural wonders and lookouts worth pulling over for, an alternative route is turning this frustrating diversion into a spontaneous detour.
The Great Western Highway closure: what’s happening and why
Acting as the gateway to NSW’s Central West, the Great Western Highway is one of the state’s most important roads. Connecting Sydney with regional towns like Orange and Bathurst, it draws steady traffic year-round – from truckies delivering essential goods to road trippers seeking country charm.
But as of 8 March, a vital part of the highway has been completely shut off, starting at Victoria Pass. The convict-built road was officially declared unsafe by Transport for NSW earlier this month, when active monitoring detected significant cracking and movement in its substructure.
Without immediate action, collapse was inevitable. And despite the mobilisation of over 90 staff, including specialist engineers and operational crews, the scale of the damage means repairs are expected to take up to three months.
“This is not a short-term repair job. We are dealing with a major geotechnical failure on a fragile and historic section of road, and it must be assessed and repaired properly," says NSW’s Minister for Roads and Regional Transport, Jenny Aitchison.
Specialist geotechnical testing and 3D imaging are currently being carried out across the site. In order to reveal the full extent of the damage, the procedure could take up to two weeks to complete. According to Transport for NSW, remediation work will then take at least a further two months – under the most optimistic scenario.
“I know this closure is causing real hardship for families, workers, school communities, freight operators and local businesses, and I am deeply sorry for that disruption. But there will be no shortcuts on safety – we will not risk lives," states Aitchison.
Since the closure, all traffic has been diverted along the Darling Causeway. The 9.8-kilometre stretch branches off the Great Western Highway at Mount Victoria, just 2.5 kilometres before Victoria Pass. But motorists are being warned of heavy delays.
The alternative route – and where to stop along the way
If there was ever a time to take the road less travelled, it’s now. While it may take a little longer, Bells Line of Road offers a clear run to the Central West, with plenty of pit-stops along the way. It begins in North Richmond, roughly an hour’s drive from Sydney’s CBD – the perfect place to grab a coffee and stock up on snacks before hitting the road.
As you make your way into the hills, you’ll find Bellbird Lookout. On a clear day, it’s worth pulling over for sweeping views across the Hawkesbury plains, with the city skyline in the distance.
Be sure to listen out for the distinctive call of yellow-tailed black cockatoos as well. A finalist for Australia’s 2025 Bird of the Year, the vulnerable species is often spotted here during autumn.
If you’ve got a designated driver, you simply must stop by Hillbilly Cider in Bilpin next. Listed among some of the top foodie experiences in the country, this rustic roadside venue is loved by locals for its small-batch brews and woodfired pizza.
