Esk-Hampton Road
Encyclopedia
The Esk-Hampton Road is a state highway
in Queensland
. It leaves the Brisbane Valley Highway
at Esk
and travels in a westerly direction for about 46 kilometres (29 mi) until it reaches the New England Highway
at Hampton
, where it ends. This road is part of State Route 85, which extends for over 570 kilometres (354 mi) from Bribie Island to Nindigully
, duplexing with the Brisbane Valley Highway
(National Route 17) from the D'Aguilar Highway
to Esk, the New England Highway
(State Route A3) from Hampton to Toowoomba, the Gore Highway
(National Route A39 - formerly 85) from Toowoomba to the Leichhardt Highway
, and the southern 19 kilometres (12 mi) section of the Leichhardt Highway (also National Route A39) to Goondiwindi.
, was developed along Redbank Creek to provide access to stands of timber, and to a sawmill that was located at Redbank Creek. Subsequently, it serviced farms that were established on land cleared of most old growth forest.
The western section, from Hampton to the end of a spur of the Great Dividing Range, was also developed to facilitate the harvesting of timber. Prior to European settlement the rich volcanic soil on the ridge supported a sub-tropical rainforest, which contained timbers that were in high demand, including red cedar
, tallowwood
and hoop pine. These timbers were used in some homes constructed in the area at the time. The road later provided access to cleared land that was used for dairying and beef cattle grazing. This section provides access to Ravensbourne National Park
, which preserves a remnant of the rainforest.
The central (mountain) section was developed later, to enable more direct travel between the two districts. The road is now a popular tourist drive, particularly as part of a round trip from the Brisbane
area to the Toowoomba district. It is rated as a "good ride" by motorcycling tourists.
Highway
A highway is any public road. In American English, the term is common and almost always designates major roads. In British English, the term designates any road open to the public. Any interconnected set of highways can be variously referred to as a "highway system", a "highway network", or a...
in Queensland
Queensland
Queensland is a state of Australia, occupying the north-eastern section of the mainland continent. It is bordered by the Northern Territory, South Australia and New South Wales to the west, south-west and south respectively. To the east, Queensland is bordered by the Coral Sea and Pacific Ocean...
. It leaves the Brisbane Valley Highway
Brisbane Valley Highway
The Brisbane Valley Highway is a state highway in Queensland. It leaves the Warrego Highway near Ipswich and travels in a northwesterly direction, following the Brisbane River until it reaches the D'Aguilar Highway about south-east of Moore, where it ends...
at Esk
Esk, Queensland
Esk is a town in the West Moreton region of South East Queensland, approximately 90 km northwest of Ipswich on the Brisbane Valley Highway. It was named after the River Esk in Scotland and England. It is the administrative centre of the Somerset Region...
and travels in a westerly direction for about 46 kilometres (29 mi) until it reaches the New England Highway
New England Highway
The New England Highway is a highway in Australia running from Hexham near Newcastle at its southern end to Yarraman near Toowoomba at its northern end. At its southern end it connects to the Pacific Highway and at its northern end it connects to the D'Aguilar Highway. It traverses the Hunter...
at Hampton
Hampton, Queensland
Hampton is a town located in the Darling Downs region of Queensland, Australia. The town is located west of the state capital, Brisbane At the 2006 census, Hampton and the surrounding area had a population of 477...
, where it ends. This road is part of State Route 85, which extends for over 570 kilometres (354 mi) from Bribie Island to Nindigully
Nindigully
Nindigully is a locality in south west Queensland, Australia. The locality is in the Shire of Balonne local government area and on the Moonie River, south-west of the state capital, Brisbane....
, duplexing with the Brisbane Valley Highway
Brisbane Valley Highway
The Brisbane Valley Highway is a state highway in Queensland. It leaves the Warrego Highway near Ipswich and travels in a northwesterly direction, following the Brisbane River until it reaches the D'Aguilar Highway about south-east of Moore, where it ends...
(National Route 17) from the D'Aguilar Highway
D'Aguilar Highway
The D'Aguilar Highway is a two-lane highway linking the Bruce Highway near Caboolture with Kingaroy in the state of Queensland, Australia. Major towns along the route include Woodford, Kilcoy, Yarraman, Nanango and Kingaroy...
to Esk, the New England Highway
New England Highway
The New England Highway is a highway in Australia running from Hexham near Newcastle at its southern end to Yarraman near Toowoomba at its northern end. At its southern end it connects to the Pacific Highway and at its northern end it connects to the D'Aguilar Highway. It traverses the Hunter...
(State Route A3) from Hampton to Toowoomba, the Gore Highway
Gore Highway
Gore Highway is a highway in Queensland running from Goondiwindi to Toowoomba. Together with Goulburn Valley Highway and Newell Highway, it is a part of the National Highway's Melbourne-Brisbane link. It is signed as ....
(National Route A39 - formerly 85) from Toowoomba to the Leichhardt Highway
Leichhardt Highway
The Leichhardt Highway is a major transport route in Queensland, Australia. It is a continuation northward from Goondiwindi of the Newell Highway....
, and the southern 19 kilometres (12 mi) section of the Leichhardt Highway (also National Route A39) to Goondiwindi.
History
From a historical perspective the Esk-Hampton Road consists of three sections of approximately equal length. The eastern section, from Esk to the foothills of the Great Dividing RangeGreat Dividing Range
The Great Dividing Range, or the Eastern Highlands, is Australia's most substantial mountain range and the third longest in the world. The range stretches more than 3,500 km from Dauan Island off the northeastern tip of Queensland, running the entire length of the eastern coastline through...
, was developed along Redbank Creek to provide access to stands of timber, and to a sawmill that was located at Redbank Creek. Subsequently, it serviced farms that were established on land cleared of most old growth forest.
The western section, from Hampton to the end of a spur of the Great Dividing Range, was also developed to facilitate the harvesting of timber. Prior to European settlement the rich volcanic soil on the ridge supported a sub-tropical rainforest, which contained timbers that were in high demand, including red cedar
Toona ciliata
Australian Red Cedar , Toona ciliata is a forest tree in the family Meliaceae which grows throughout southern Asia from Afghanistan to Papua New Guinea and Australia. In Australia its natural habitat is now extensively cleared subtropical rainforests of New South Wales and Queensland...
, tallowwood
Tallowwood
Tallowwood is a native Eucalypt species common in New South Wales and Queensland, Australia. It grows in forests near the coast on moderate to fertile soils in a protected, sunny position. Tallowwood is drought and frost tender....
and hoop pine. These timbers were used in some homes constructed in the area at the time. The road later provided access to cleared land that was used for dairying and beef cattle grazing. This section provides access to Ravensbourne National Park
Ravensbourne National Park
Ravensbourne is a national park in Queensland, Australia, 33 km west of Esk. It is a small scenic park on the Great Dividing Range overlooking the Lockyer Valley. Small remnants of the rainforest and wet eucalypt forest that once covered this part of the Great Dividing Range are preserved in...
, which preserves a remnant of the rainforest.
The central (mountain) section was developed later, to enable more direct travel between the two districts. The road is now a popular tourist drive, particularly as part of a round trip from the Brisbane
Brisbane
Brisbane is the capital and most populous city in the Australian state of Queensland and the third most populous city in Australia. Brisbane's metropolitan area has a population of over 2 million, and the South East Queensland urban conurbation, centred around Brisbane, encompasses a population of...
area to the Toowoomba district. It is rated as a "good ride" by motorcycling tourists.