The opening of the Pacific Highway bridge at Karuah in 1957 signalled the end for the road between Karuah and Tahlee. Traffic that once followed the northern shore of Port Stephens and crossed the ancient Yalimbah Creek Bridge in the process stopped and people began using the much longer but smoother Pacific Highway route to the north.

The old Australian Agricultural Company road to Tahlee had been in continuous use for 130 years when it was suddenly abandoned.

The road and bridge were built under the supervision of the first AA Company chief agent, Robert Dawson, by convict labour in 1827. Fortunately Dawson left a complete description of how the Yalimbah Creek Bridge was constructed and the communities at Karuah and Tahlee would now like a pedestrian bridge modelled on Dawson’s description, built to form a walking path between the two communities.

Karuah Progress Association has formed a sub-committee to put this plan into operation.

Chairperson of the sub-committee, David Benson has uncovered an 1845 map showing the route as it was then. He said the road is still in good condition for most of its length and still largely follows the original route.

“The road ought to be regarded as a heritage treasure,” he said.

“The good side of it having been forgotten is that it hasn’t been degraded.”

Karuah Progress Association is planning to conduct a Karuah to Tahlee walking day in October, to give members of the public the opportunity to be among the first in recent years to walk along this scenic piece of Australian history and ferried across Yalimbah Creek.

Karuah Progress Association president, Fred McInerney said that once completed, a restored Karuah to Tahlee Walking Trail will become a major tourist attraction at the southern entrance to Great Lakes.

“It will give unique access to the Tahlee, Carrington historic precinct.” Mr McInerney said.