A Central Coast Heritage Tourist Drive 33: The Great North Road
There's a road running through the Central Coast hinterland that was hand-built by convict labour two hundred years ago, and large stretches of it are still there to see, drivable, walkable and, in places, barely changed. The Great North Road isn't a metaphor or a rebranded highway. It's an actual World Heritage site, and it happens to start close enough to our four towns that it's a realistic day trip rather than a bucket-list drive you never quite get around to.
This guide covers both sides of it: the genuine convict-era history if you want to go deeper, and the modern signposted drive, Tourist Drive 33, that most visitors actually do.
The Convict History
Construction began in 1825, when the colonial government set out to build a 264 kilometre inland route connecting Sydney to the Hunter Valley. Up to 720 convicts worked on it over the following eleven years, cutting sandstone by hand and building retaining walls, culverts and bridges that were still standing when the road was finished in 1836. It never really succeeded at its original job. The route had no reliable water sources and bypassed the towns that already existed, so coastal steamers ended up being the faster, more practical option, and the road fell out of regular use not long after it was finished.
Which is partly why so much of it survives. The section through Dharug National Park near Wisemans Ferry, including Devines Hill and Finchs Line, was added to the UNESCO World Heritage list in 2010 as part of Australia's Convict Sites listing. Devines Hill itself is a steep 1.8 kilometre climb with retaining walls up to 9 metres high and a drainage system that still works nearly two centuries later. Clares Bridge, built between January and September 1830 from locally quarried sandstone, is the second oldest bridge on mainland Australia. Circuit Flat Bridge, built around 1831, has lost its original timber decking but the stonework is still intact.
Worth Knowing
The Old Great North Road World Heritage Walk, a 9 kilometre loop through Devines Hill and Finchs Line, is graded medium difficulty with steep sections and takes most walkers three and a half to four and a half hours. Parking at the trailhead is limited, especially on weekends, and the more reliable option is to park at Wisemans Ferry and cross on the pedestrian ferry instead. This is a genuine bushwalk rather than a casual stroll, worth setting aside as its own day rather than squeezing into a shorter hinterland loop.
The Drive Today: Tourist Drive 33
For most visitors, the easier way to experience this history is Tourist Drive 33, the signposted scenic route that loosely follows the old road's path through the hinterland. Starting from around Mooney Mooney and Mount White, it runs through Somersby, Calga, Glenworth Valley, Peats Ridge, Mangrove Mountain, Kulnura and Yarramalong, and for anyone with more than a day, it keeps going through to Laguna, historic Wollombi and the wine country around Broke Fordwich, Lovedale and Branxton, right into Hunter Valley territory, which happens to be the other region HolidayCo. operates in. It's a genuine option for extending this into a longer trip, coast to hinterland to wine country, all through the one network.
The drive itself takes in sandstone gorges, ridgelines and stretches of road where the original convict stonework is still visible in the culverts and retaining walls. It's the kind of route that rewards stopping often rather than pushing straight through.
Mount White: The Stop Worth Planning Around
Saddles Mount White is the standout stop on this leg of the drive, a restaurant, bakehouse and event space set across 28 acres of bushland at 20 Ashbrookes Road, built around a paddock-to-plate menu using local, seasonal produce. It's open seven days, 8am to 4pm for dining (closed Good Friday, Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year's Day), and bookings are best made ahead, particularly on weekends. It's been recognised by Conde Nast as one of the more striking restaurant settings anywhere, which says something for a spot that started life as a working homestead.
Practical Tips
Mount White and the closer stretch of Tourist Drive 33 sit within about 30 to 40 minutes of any of our four towns, an easy day trip. The Devines Hill and Finchs Line section near Wisemans Ferry is further out, closer to an hour, and deserves its own dedicated day given the length of the walk. Whichever section you're doing, a car is essential, mobile reception is patchy once you're properly into the national park sections, so download an offline map or the Emergency Plus app before you set off.
Where to Stay on the Central Coast
The heritage drive is best done as a day trip out from the coast, and HolidayCo. manages accommodation across Killcare, Pearl Beach, Ettalong Beach and The Entrance, all within reach of Mount White and the closer stretch of Tourist Drive 33. Killcare and Pearl Beach are the shorter run to Mount White and Somersby, while Ettalong Beach and The Entrance both work well if you're planning to push further along the drive toward Kulnura and Yarramalong. This pairs naturally with the rest of our hinterland content too, see our guide to the Central Coast hinterland for the farms, wildlife and national park walks that sit alongside this drive, and browse available properties in whichever town suits your plans.
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Aloha Beach Retreat
3115646438117531130006Y
2026-04-02
Noraville-
4Bedrooms
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4Bathrooms
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9Sleeps
Season Club Member
From $ 630 per night 5 % discountNon Member
From $ 663 per night“Aloha” means welcome-and from the moment you arrive, you'll feel right at home in this luxury beachfront retreat.Free cancellation up to 30 days prior to arrival (terms apply)-
1Linen
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Picture Perfect On The Creekfront
3265239824284132430089X
2025-02-24
Patonga-
5Bedrooms
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1Bathrooms
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10Sleeps
Season Club Member
From $ 570 per night 5 % discountNon Member
From $ 600 per nightPicture Perfect is a beautifully renovated Patonga cottage that offers the ultimate blend of comfort, style, and relaxed waterfront living. Immaculately presented and thoughtfully updated…Free cancellation up to 30 days prior to arrival (terms apply)-
1Linen
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1Fireplace
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Splendour On Grandview
3115646438117531130003R
2025-02-24
Killcare-
5Bedrooms
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3Bathrooms
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10Sleeps
From $ 714 per nightOne of Killcare's finest Beach Houses with Linen, Wi-Fi & Air conditioning.Free cancellation up to 30 days prior to arrival (terms apply)-
1Linen
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Tourist Drive 33 FAQs
It's a 264 kilometre inland road built by convict labour between 1825 and 1836 to connect Sydney to the Hunter Valley. Large sections survive today, including a stretch through Dharug National Park near Wisemans Ferry that's World Heritage listed.
It's the modern signposted scenic route that loosely follows the historic Great North Road through the Central Coast hinterland, running from around Mount White through Somersby, Calga, Glenworth Valley, Peats Ridge, Mangrove Mountain, Kulnura and Yarramalong, and on toward Wollombi and the Hunter Valley for those continuing further.
Mount White and the closer stretch of Tourist Drive 33 are around 30 to 40 minutes from Killcare, Pearl Beach, Ettalong Beach or The Entrance. The Devines Hill and Finchs Line section near Wisemans Ferry is further out, closer to an hour.
Not really. It's graded medium difficulty with steep sections and rough track, and the full loop takes three and a half to four and a half hours, so it suits walkers with some bushwalking experience rather than a casual first outing.
Book ahead where you can, particularly on weekends, given its reputation and limited seating for a working restaurant set on 28 acres of bushland.
The closer stretch, from Mount White through to around Kulnura, is a comfortable single day trip from any of our four towns. Continuing on to Wollombi and the Hunter Valley wine country turns it into an overnight trip rather than a day out.
Parking is limited, especially on weekends. The more reliable option is to park at Wisemans Ferry and cross via the pedestrian ferry to reach the trailhead.
Devines Hill's retaining walls, up to 9 metres high, Clares Bridge, the second oldest bridge on mainland Australia, and Circuit Flat Bridge, which has lost its timber decking but retains its original stonework, are all still visible today.
Yes. Continuing past Kulnura and Yarramalong, the route runs through Laguna and Wollombi into the Hunter Valley wine region, which is also where HolidayCo. operates accommodation.
The Mount White and Somersby end of the drive suits families well, particularly with Saddles Mount White as a stop. The Devines Hill walk is a more serious undertaking better suited to older kids and adults with some bushwalking experience.
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