The Impossible Road - Woy Woy Road
Until 1923 there was no road connection between Woy Woy and the rest of the world!!
Residents and visitors having to travel either by rail or steamer. By 1915, a few vehicles were found on the Peninsula although they had been brought in via the railway or barge.
Most local residents believed that road access by car was impossible.
Driven by the need to expand the tourism industry, a few locals hatched a plan to explore a possible road connection from Kariong down the mountain trails into the back of Woy Woy.
The men involved were sworn to secrecy beforehand because “the venturesome three feared that they would be classed as lunatics if they were to fail”
The Gosford Times, 15th March, 1923 reports:
No preparatory work had been done in anticipation of the trip and the adventurers cleared the way as they went along, filled watercourses with timber which they had to cut down, many times overcoming obstacles which at first seemed impassable.
Eventually the Buick raced into Woy Woy with its “hooter” justifiably going at full blast.
After proving that road communications between Woy Woy and the outer world was a distinct possibility, Cr Staples was able to persuade the Erina Shire Council to vote £500 for the construction of a rough track. Within six months the “goat track” was made.
By early 1924, the Gosford Times reports, the council had worked on the “goat track” and it was now being used on a regular basis by private vehicles.
There were a number of panoramic views to be found on the mountain road, including the viewpoint which would become known as Staples Lookout. By 1934, the lookout was signposted with the elevation and distances to Sydney and Woy Woy, and in the 1950s Rotary replaced the signpost with a permanent cairn and viewing platform.
The “goat track” was steadily improved each year as funds permitted. Early in 1937 Brady and O'Mears contractors commenced work of reconstructing the route and laying down a tarred surface at the cost of £17,511. It is a complement to the pioneers that Woy Woy Road of today follows the same route as the “old goat track”.
In 1941, the waterfront route to Woy Woy was completed with the building of the road bridge and construction of a road running from Point Clare to north Woy Woy. It was called the Spooner Highway and named after Eric Spooner, the member for Robertson, although the name did not stick and it would eventually become part of Brisbane Water Drive.
By Robert Thompson
Sources: Gosford Times, “A History of Tourism on the NSW Central Coast” Peter Fisher.,
“Good Old Woy Woy” Charles Swancott.