Cox's Road and Early Deviations - Mount York, Cox's Pass Precinct facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Cox's Road and Early Deviations - Mount York, Cox's Pass Precinct |
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| Location | Mount York Road (off), Mount Victoria, City of Blue Mountains, New South Wales, Australia |
| Built | 1814– |
| Architect | William Cox |
| Official name: Cox's Road and Early Deviations - Mount York, Cox's Pass Precinct; Old Bathurst Road; Bathurst Road; Historic Crossings Walking Track; Coxs Road | |
| Type | State heritage (complex / group) |
| Designated | 25 March 2015 |
| Reference no. | 1956 |
| Type | Road |
| Category | Transport - Land |
| Builders | William Cox; Convict Road Party |
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Cox's Road and Early Deviations - Mount York, Cox's Pass Precinct is a very old road in the Blue Mountains of New South Wales, Australia. Today, it's mostly a walking track. It was built by William Cox and a group of convicts starting in 1814. This road is also known by other names like Old Bathurst Road or Historic Crossings Walking Track. It's considered so important that it was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register in 2015.
Contents
Building a Road Across the Mountains
Why the Road Was Needed
In 1813, European explorers found new lands west of the Blue Mountains. Governor Lachlan Macquarie, who was in charge of the colony, wanted a road built. This road would connect the colony near Sydney to these new western lands. It was a huge project!
William Cox and His Team
The job of building this road was given to William Cox. He was a chief magistrate from Windsor. In July 1814, Governor Macquarie put him in charge. Cox had a team of workers, mostly convicts. These convicts were hoping to earn their freedom by working on this difficult project.
A Quick Build
The road was built incredibly fast. It stretched about 163 kilometres (101 miles) from Emu Ford to Bathurst. The team finished it in just six months, between 1814 and 1815. This was a huge achievement for the time.
Mount York's Challenge
One of the hardest parts of the road was at Mount York. This spot offers amazing views over the Hartley Valley. But it was also a very steep and rocky area. Building a road down Mount York was a massive challenge. William Cox and his team spent five weeks just on this section. They had to cut through rocks and clear thick bush.
Life on the Road
William Cox kept a journal about building the road. He wrote about the tough conditions. The men often worked in rain and fog. They had to blast away huge rocks using gunpowder. Sometimes, men got sick or hurt. But they also ate fresh kangaroo meat, which helped keep them strong. Cox noted how hard it was to make a good road down the "Herculean mountain."
- November 7, 1814: Cox started work on the mountain with 10 men. It was raining and foggy.
- November 9, 1814: The whole team moved to the end of the mountains. The rocks were so big they could sleep under them to stay dry.
- November 14, 1814: Many men were sick with colds due to the wet weather. They started building a bridge and blasting rocks.
- November 18, 1814: They worked hard on the rocks. One sailor used ropes and pulleys to move a huge rock. This saved a lot of gunpowder!
- November 22, 1814: They continued to clear many large rocks. They even blew up one.
- November 29, 1814: Men worked hard picking and digging out rocks to form the road.
Praised by the Governor
Governor Macquarie was very impressed with William Cox's work. In 1815, he officially named the difficult section of the road "Cox's Pass." He also named the mountain "Mount York" after the Duke of York. Macquarie praised Cox for his hard work and for completing the road without losing any lives.
The Road's Legacy
Cox's Road was a major step in opening up the western parts of New South Wales. It allowed more people to move there. Over time, newer and better roads were built, and parts of Cox's Road were changed or replaced. However, the section at Mount York remains one of the best-preserved parts of the original road. It's now a popular walking track.
What You Can See Today
The Mount York section of Cox's Road is a great place to see how early roads were built. A walking track starts from the public area at the end of Mount York Road.
Road Features
- Cuttings and Walls: You can see where the road was cut into the hillside. There are also low stone walls that helped support the road.
- Cox Gutter: One special feature is a clear "Cox gutter," which is a channel cut into the rock to help with drainage. It's about 60 centimetres (2 feet) high.
- Fence Sockets: Look for three rectangular holes cut into a large rock. These were likely used to hold wooden fence posts. Early drawings show fences along the road.
- Rock Overhangs: You'll see large rock overhangs. William Cox wrote that his men used these for shelter to stay dry.
- Bridge Site: There's a spot where a "land bridge" once stood. You can still see the rock-cut holes where wooden supports would have been placed. This bridge helped the road cross a difficult section.
- Inscriptions: You might spot the letters "WRP" cut into a rock. Some people think this stands for "Western Road Party," referring to the convict road builders.
The Road's Path
The walking track follows much of the original 1814 road. It goes through rocky areas and then descends steeply. At the bottom of the hill, the old road makes zig-zag turns. The modern walking track eventually joins up with another old road, Lockyer's Road, before reaching a picnic area.
Condition of the Road
The Mount York section of Cox's Road is still in very good condition. You can clearly see many features from the 1814 road, like cuttings, gutters, and places where bridges once stood. In 2013, new signs were put up to help visitors understand the history of the road.
Why This Road Is Important
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Cox's Road is very important for several reasons:
- First Road Across the Blue Mountains: It was the very first road built by Europeans across the Blue Mountains. This was a huge step in exploring and settling Australia.
- Opening Up the West: The road made it possible for people to travel to the lands west of the mountains. This led to new farms and towns being built.
- Convict Labor: The road shows the hard work of the convicts who built it. Many of them earned their freedom because of their efforts on this project.
- William Cox's Achievement: It highlights the amazing skill and leadership of William Cox. He managed to build this difficult road quickly and safely.
- Historical Significance: The road is a physical reminder of early colonial times in New South Wales. It shows how people lived and worked almost 200 years ago.
- Community Connection: Many people today, including descendants of William Cox, feel a strong connection to this road. It's a place for learning about history and celebrating important events.
This section of Cox's Road at Mount York is a rare example of early road building. It helps us understand how people used basic tools and skills to create something so important.
