The Putty Road is a great option for those heading north who want to avoid the stress of Sydney’s motorways. Even though the recent fires raced through the area, it still offers a diverse road trip to the Upper Hunter Valley and the wine areas around Cessnock and Broke. As you drive through the area, you can appreciate the gritty determination and inspiring resilience of the small communities dotted along the road.
The 168km Putty Road has a fascinating history as well as having its fair share of tough construction challenges for early road builders. The road has had many names over the years including the Parson’s Road, the Bulga Road, Military Road, Singleton Road and the Road to Coal River. Even in the 1950s, the road was still being used as a travelling stock route by drovers.
The team at the Hawkesbury Visitor Centre have pulled together a new free brochure detailing the history of this remarkable ‘bush’ road. Copies of the brochure can be obtained by visiting the Hawkesbury Visitor Information Centre at 328 Hawkesbury Valley Way, Richmond or online at
