Named for the bushranger who worked these hills, Thunderbolts Way climbs from Gloucester’s dairy valleys to the highest sealed country in NSW around Nowendoc — a big-sky drive of escarpment lookouts, empty high plains and river gorges that most coast-bound traffic never sees.
The route
Out of Gloucester the road rises fast; Carsons Lookout delivers the Manning Valley in one sweep. The high country runs cool and open through Nowendoc to Walcha (detour: Apsley Falls), finishing at Uralla beside Thunderbolt’s grave itself.
Need to know
- It’s cold up top — often 10°C below the coast; pack accordingly even in summer.
- Fuel at Gloucester, Nowendoc (limited) and Walcha.
- Combine with the Oxley Highway for the classic New England loop.
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