On the Trail of the Great North Road

The Beginning – Governor Darling

Governor Darling emerges from Old Government House Parramatta talking about building the Great North Road.


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Phil Cunningham – Vinegar Hill Rebellion

​Setting Heritage Park Castle Hill. The spirit of Phillip Cunningham one of the leaders of the 1804 Vinegar Hill uprising that was organised by the convicts at the Castle Hill Farm is speaking about the uprising. Following the uprising the leaders were executed and the remaining sent to Newcastle to mine coal. 

James & Lydia – Roughley House

Setting the Pines 656 Old Northern Road Dural. The spirits of James and daughter Lydia Roughley stand on the veranda of their home built in 1856 on land taken up in 1830s. The Great North Road allowed produce to be transported to the markets in Sydney.

Old Telegraph Road – Culvert

Setting is Old Telegraph Road at Maroota. The spirits of three convicts talk about building the road and describe the process of road building.


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Jonathan Warner & his Wells

Jonathan Warner the first assistant surveyor in charge of building the road (1826-1828) discusses problems he had with Wiseman’s pigs in his attempts to obtain drinkable water for the convicts under his command. 

Reverend Sharpe Tobruk

The so called Mr Sharpes track runs from Tobruk Tourist resort on Old Northern Road to nearly to Walkers Beach on the Hawkesbury River upstream from Wisemans Ferry. There is debate as to whether this road was built for Mr Sharpe’s convenience or to collect fresh water.
Historic Note: A gang of 50 men need at a minimum 140 litres of water per day just for drinking only. The river was brackish to salt at Wisemans Ferry but fresh by Walkers beach. 

Freddie Hawkings – Hawkin’s Lookout

Hawkins Lookout above Wisemans Ferry is named for Freddy Hawkins a 1930s postman come bus driver with a run from Windsor to Wisemans Ferry who would stop here to let passengers look at the view and to probably cool the engine after the steep climb up from Wisemans Ferry.

Convict Stockade

 Place one of the two convict occupation sites above Wisemans Ferry. The spirits of three convicts meet at the stone remains of one of the occupation sites and discuss the various types of accommodation used by convict work gangs.
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Solomon Wiseman

Setting Wisemans Ferry Inn. The spirit of Solomon Wiseman visits the hotel in the building that was in part his house. He tells the same tall tales about himself he told in the 1830s, but admits his real crime was stealing timber as a barge man on the Thames. He reacts to modern things in the old building.

Jack Donohue – The Wild Colonial Boy

Setting Wisemans Ferry. The spirit of the bushranger “Bold” Jack Donohue holds up a modern female at Wisemans Ferry. He requests her valuables but is amazed when she hands him only her car key. He is frightened away by a modern police car. Historic Note: Jack Donahue born 1804 – shot September 1830 was part of the notorious "Wild Colonial Boys”. 

Police Magistrate Blackburn

The spirit of Solomon Wiseman is standing near the modern Ferry crossing reminiscing when the spirit of Magistrate Blackburn appears and challenges Wiseman to tell the truth about his recollections. Historic Note: In 1830 Wiseman had challenged the authority of the Magistrates over the proper operation of the Ferry.

Overseer Ashford – Thomas James Bridge

Place Thomas James Bridge. The Spirit of Overseer Thomas Ashford discusses Thomas James Bridge and complains there is nothing named after him.  A modern day NPWs ranger drives over the bridge and shakes her head as she thinks she sees a convict ghost.