Conservation Activities

In the 1960s it was possible to drive an ordinary car along the 42 km closed section north of Wisemans Ferry. Now it is impassable even in a 4WD, and vehicular traffic has been excluded to preserve the road. Until the early 1990s, when the Bucketty and Wollombi communities began to look after sites in their area, little had been done to preserve the Great North Road. Since the Convict Trail Project became active several years ago, much has been happening:

The Convict Trail Project has been looking after a number of sites along the road with the assistance of a team of prisoners who visit several times a year and undertake maintenance. The prisoners have helped with conservation activities at the St Albans Road Ramp, the Bucketty Precinct, Fernances Crossing causeway and culvert, the Circuit Flat bridge, at Sawyers Gully and on sections of the Old Great North Road. The Convict Trail Project, assisted by the team of prisoners worked with the NPWS and Gosford Council to restore a damaged section of the Circuit Flat bridge, and to prevent further erosion. The prisoners take a great interest and pride in their work, just like the convicts of 130 year ago.

The National Parks and Wildlife Service has rebuilt a collapsed wall at Clares Bridge, and installed drainage modifications. On Devines Hill a collapsed culvert has been reconstructed; the culverts have been cleaned out to ensure they are operational; a protective layer of crushed sandstone has been placed over the original road surface; a new entranceway has been constructed; and additional interpretation it has been installed. Trees growing on the road surface along Finchs Line have been felled and encroaching vegetation removed.

The RTA have investigated the convict gravesites at Forest Glen, to ensure road re-alignments do not disturb them.

Cessnock Council has provided assistance to community groups at Bucketty and Wollombi and to the Convict Trail Project to assist in looking after sites in the Cessnock LGA.