34-471: (The) Bucketts Way is a 151-kilometre (94 mi) rural road that links Gloucester to Taree and Raymond Terrace , in New South Wales , Australia. A former alignment of Pacific Highway , it was later named after the Bucketts Mountains, a prominent mountain range near Gloucester. The entire route is designated as Tourist Route 2. In the south, the Bucketts Way branches off to the west of Pacific Highway at Twelve Mile Creek, 14 km (9 mi) north of
68-596: A post office, a flour mill and a school. The Uralla Municipality was incorporated in 1882. In 1948, it became the administrative centre of the Uralla Shire after the municipality was merged with the former Gostwyck Shire. More gold was discovered and mined at Melrose in the Enmore area in about 1887. This discovery led to the erection of the Melrose public school and village, which was about 32 km east of Uralla. In 1927 this area
102-446: A report from Australian Property Monitors. Uralla has an oceanic climate ( Köppen : Cfb ), with warm, stormy summers and cool to cold winters with a few snowfalls and many frosts. According to the 2016 census , the population of Uralla was 2,421: Uralla has a number of heritage-listed sites, including: Three foundries account for a large amount of employment in the town, as do other metal manufacturing businesses. As Uralla
136-822: Is a town on the Northern Tablelands, New South Wales , Australia. It is located at the intersection of the New England Highway and Thunderbolts Way , 465 kilometres (289 mi) north of Sydney and about 23 kilometres (14 mi) south-west of the city of Armidale . At the 2016 census , the township of Uralla had a population of 2,388. According to the 2021 census , the population of Uralla had increased to 2,728. At more than 1,000 metres (3,300 ft) above sea level, Uralla's high altitude makes for cool to cold winters and mild summers. Uralla has maintained significant heritage characteristics, with more than 50 buildings and sites of heritage significance. During
170-467: Is also host to a thriving community of artists and potters, stimulated by proximity to the University of New England in nearby Armidale . The 2011 census found that the most common industries of all the employed people in the locality were: There are a number of environmental problems in the area, mainly caused by poor land management. Soil erosion, due to extensive logging and intensive farm practices
204-634: Is located in Mid-Coast Council , within the Barrington Coast hinterland of the lower Mid North Coast of the state of New South Wales , Australia. It is the closest town to world heritage Barrington Tops National Park . Gloucester is situated on the North Coast railway line and can be accessed from the southeast from Newcastle , located 145 kilometres (90 mi) via the Bucketts Way , or from
238-408: Is shown on some tourist maps. This would result in one continuously named road stretching from Pacific Highway near Raymond Terrace to New England Highway at Uralla and beyond. However, there was significant community opposition to a name change. Gloucester, New South Wales Gloucester ( / ˈ ɡ l ɒ s t ər / GLOST -ər ), a town in dairy and beef cattle country,
272-407: Is situated about halfway between Sydney and Brisbane, tourism contributes significantly to its economy, with a thriving village atmosphere and 20 National Parks within a two-hour drive. Due to Uralla's proximity to Armidale, larger shopping chains have avoided the small town and independent retailers remain. Examples include an antiquarian book store, numerous galleries, antique stores and cafes. It
306-570: Is still possible to pan for gold in the rivers around the town, including the Rocky River . Today, the area is used for raising Merino sheep and is renowned for its super-fine and ultra-fine wool for use in the fashion industry. A number of vineyards have also been established and produce a variety of cool-climate wines . It is also a good area for growing apples and other fruit which require colder weather. Lockheed Martin has erected an Australian satellite tracking station at Uralla. Uralla
340-647: The Avon River on the way. The North Coast railway line runs parallel with it from just north-east of Stroud Road to Gloucester. At Gloucester, Bucketts Way meets the southern terminus of Thunderbolts Way that leads to the Northern Tablelands and various other national parks and riverside camping reserves along the way. The Bucketts Way continues eastwards to Krambach , ending at the intersection with Manning River Drive in Purfleet just south of Taree , close to its interchange with Pacific Highway. It provides access to
374-777: The Barrington Tops National Park , and is used by tourists as a very scenic alternative to Pacific Highway. The Bucketts Way travels through two council areas : Port Stephens and Mid-Coast Council . The passing of the Main Roads Act of 1924 through the Parliament of New South Wales provided for the declaration of Main Roads, roads partially funded by the State government through the Main Roads Board (MRB). North Coast Highway
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#1733085357636408-617: The Roads Act of 1993 through the Parliament of New South Wales updated road classifications and the way they could be declared within New South Wales. Under this act, the northern end of Main Road 90 (formerly Trunk Road 90) was re-aligned from Krambach via Dyers Crossing to end at the intersection with Pacific Highway in Nabiac on 22 November 1996; the southern end of Main Road 192 was extended to cover
442-560: The squatters who first occupied the area. It refers to a ceremonial meeting place or camp. During the early 1960s, children at the Uralla Public School were taught that the name Uralla was an indigenous word which meant "chain of waterholes", which is an accurate description of the waterway which runs through the town. However, it is not known whether that has been verified by Indigenous linguistic studies. Samuel McCrossin, an Irishman, his wife, and seven children, first arrived in
476-504: The 1830s. The township of Gloucester was first established in 1855, primarily for sheep farming, however it became apparent that the land was not entirely suitable. The main industries of the Gloucester area are tourism, timber, and cattle farming. The timber industry has been prevalent in Gloucester since the late 19th century, and it and cattle farming (dairy and beef cattle) are still major industries in and around Gloucester. In 1876, gold
510-459: The 1980s and 1990s, the community bought and restored McCrossins Mill, and the complex now operates as a museum, gallery and function centre, run by volunteers. It is also the starting point for a heritage walk. Before European colonisation, the area including Uralla had been occupied for 35,000 years by the indigenous Anēwan people. The name "Uralla" was adopted from the language of the Anēwan by
544-575: The Gloucester district. The company employed surveyors in 1856-7 to undertake a trial survey for a railway between Port Stephens and Stroud and further north to the Manning River, passing what became Gloucester. At the time it was felt that with the "formidable obstructions" from ranges and rivers, a railway line would be impracticable and construction did not proceed, and coal mining was abandoned before it had commenced. In 1923, electricity came to Gloucester. The Gloucester Electric Supply Company Ltd
578-585: The Mid-Coast County Council did not exercise its right to acquire the company’s assets and take over the electricity undertaking till 1 July 1946. Fred was employed by the Council as its electrical engineer. He still persisted with rural line extensions and completed the Avon Valley line taking electricity to Stratford. He remained as council electrical engineer until he retired in 1951. At a farewell function
612-643: The Raymond Terrace bypass. Heading north, it crosses the Karuah River about 8.5 km (5.3 mi) south of Stroud and then roughly follows the course of the Karuah River upstream in a west-north-westerly direction for approximately 25 km (16 mi), crossing the Mammy Johnsons River . It then turns north-north-east and then north for 32 km (20 mi) until it reaches Gloucester, crossing
646-525: The Shire President, Cr. J.N. Channon, said, "We cannot let the opportunity pass without expressing our deep appreciation and gratitude to Mr Lowe for what he has done for Gloucester." In 1995, Gloucester Coal, originally Stratford Coal, began mining in Stratford , a small village 12 kilometres (7.5 mi) south of Gloucester. The Stratford mine is now owned by Yancoal and is the only operating coal mine in
680-608: The Uralla area in 1839 and camped on the creek. They went back to Morpeth but returned to Uralla in 1841, to finally settle there. In the 1830s and 40s, the land began to be occupied by squatters who had moved north, beyond the limit of location set by the government. The squatters were attracted by the prime sheep grazing land of the New England Tableland. Some of the squatting runs were Kentucky , Gostwyck, Balala, Yarrowyck , Mihi Creek, Terrible Vale and Salisbury Court. Some of
714-580: The depression. In the middle 1930s, the State Government was offering subsidies for the construction of rural lines. The first rural line along the Bucketts Road was opened on 9 September 1938. Fred Lowe designed and surveyed the line exercising his expertise in surveying which he acquired whilst working in New Zealand as a young man. In 1943 the company’s 20-year franchise ended. However it was wartime and
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#1733085357636748-484: The former alignment between Burrell Creek and Krambach (and continuing north via Wingham to Taree), with the road from Burrell Creek via Tinonee and Purfleet currently undeclared. Bucketts Way today, as parts of Main Roads 90 and 192, still retain these declarations. Some councillors of the former Gloucester Shire had proposed renaming the section of Bucketts Way south of Gloucester to Thunderbolts Way in December 2004, as
782-520: The main thoroughfare - Church Street: The Star (opposite Permewans , closed c. 1968), and the Majestic Theatre , that was built in the early 1920s. The Majestic permanently closed its doors c. 1980 and the building still stands, now redeveloped as a shopping arcade. The district's weekly newspaper is The Gloucester Advocate . Forster Buslines runs route 308 from Forster to Gloucester with one service in each direction on school days. Gloucester
816-574: The north via Thunderbolts Way . Gloucester River flows adjacent to the town, just above its junction with the Avon River . At the 2016 census , Gloucester had a population of 2,390 people. The Gloucester district was first visited by government surveyor Henry Dangar in January 1826 and then by Robert Dawson, Chief Agent for the Australian Agricultural Company later in the same year, accompanied by Henry Dangar. Settlement occurred in
850-785: The station buildings, including Balala and the Gostwyck Chapel, have now been placed on the Register of the National Estate. Some of the land occupied by the squatters was made available to farmers after the passing of the Robertson Land Acts in 1861. Uralla achieved town status in 1855, spurred by a gold rush in the Rocky River area three years earlier, swelling the town's population to over 5,000. In 1856, another, more considerable gold rush took place, but did not lead to any lasting development. By 1859, Uralla had three hotels, stores,
884-407: The town, and the locals are quite fond of the legend. In addition to an initially controversial statue in the main street, Uralla is host to a pub, motel, rock (from where Thunderbolt ambushed passing travellers) and roads, all bearing his name. On 25 May 1870, Thunderbolt was shot and killed near Uralla by Constable Alexander Walker during a highway robbery. However, a few Uralla locals claimed that it
918-624: The valley. Plans by mining company AGL to construct plans 330 coal seam gas wells in the Gloucestor Valley were cancelled in 2016 following a community campaign and blockade of exploration sites. In March 1972 the Governor of New South Wales , Sir Roden Cutler , VC and Lady Cutler toured the district and attended a formal Civic Reception at the Gloucester Bucketts Motel. For most of the twentieth century it boasted two cinemas in
952-530: Was declared (as Main Road No. 10) 8 August 1928 from Twelve Mile Creek to Purfleet (continuing southwards to Hexham, and northwards via Port Macquarie, Coffs Harbour, Ballina, Byron Bay and Murwillumbah to Tweed Heads. With the passing of the Main Roads (Amendment) Act of 1929 to provide for additional declarations of State Highways and Trunk Roads, this was amended to State Highway 10 on 8 April 1929. North Coast Highway
986-537: Was discovered in Copeland , a small town north-west of Gloucester. Copeland became a large town of over 3,000 inhabitants due to the gold discovery and the large number of red cedar trees. However, the population has since dwindled to a few hundred. The Australian Agricultural Company was originally awarded mineral rights to 500,000 acres (200,000 ha) between the Karuah River and the Manning River which covered
1020-471: Was formed by Fred Lowe, who was called to Gloucester by a syndicate (mainly of local graziers) to assist in the development of a Gloucester electric supply. He presented plans for a ‘turn key’ installation of the complete plant which was accepted by the syndicate. The shareholders in the new company were Fred and his brother Ernest, who jointly held the great majority of the shares, and a number of local people. There were many ups and downs, especially during 1929,
1054-412: Was his uncle, William (Harry) Ward - posing as Thunderbolt, who was killed at this time and not Fred Ward. The legend of Thunderbolt is exhibited at McCrossin's Mill Museum in Uralla and includes the series of 9 paintings by Phillip Pomroy of the events that led to Fred Ward's death. During 2008 Uralla recorded the state's highest rise in property values at 35 per cent over the last 12 months, according to
Bucketts Way - Misplaced Pages Continue
1088-409: Was renamed Pacific Highway (and extended south to North Sydney) on 26 May 1931. A new alignment of Pacific Highway was constructed between Twelve Mile Creek via Karuah, Bulahdelah and Nabiac to Purfleet; as a result, the former alignment via Stroud and Gloucester was re-declared as Trunk Road 90 on 30 July 1952. Trunk Road 90 was officially named The Bucketts Way on 18 October 1972. The passing of
1122-514: Was subdivided for soldier settlement, and ballots were held to determine the new settlers. In about 1889, gold was discovered at Groses Creek, which is 6 km south-west of Enmore, near the Mihi Falls on the eastern side of Uralla. The infamous bushranger Captain Thunderbolt (Frederick Ward) is buried in the old Uralla Cemetery (John Street). There are many references to Thunderbolt throughout
1156-572: Was the venue for the first Groovin' the Moo music festival held at the Gloucester Showground on 24 April 2005. The festival included well known musical acts such as Screaming Jets , Killing Heidi and Evermore . Although the festival has not returned to Gloucester, it has gone on to be an annual event held in regional areas across Australia. According to the 2016 census of Population, there were 2,390 people in Gloucester. Uralla Uralla
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