NSW STATE ROUTE 87
Kidman Way


Northbound ID sign in Darlington Point, January 2005. (Vi Ong)

Length: 651km

Northern Terminus: Mitchell Highway, Bourke

Southern Terminus: Newell Highway, 15km N Jerilderie

Route Names: Kidman Way

Focal Points: Jerilderie, Darlington Point, Griffith, Hillston, Cobar, Bourke

RTA Internal Classification: Main Road 321 (Newell Hwy-Griffith), Main Road 80 (Griffith-Hillston), Main Road 501 (Hillston-Wallanthery), Main Road 410 (Wallanthery-Nymadgee Turnoff), Main Road 61 (Nymadgee Turnoff-Cobar), Main Road 421 (Cobar-Bourke)

Named: May 2001

Route Overview:

State Route 87, the Kidman Way, is a north-south through western NSW, connecting the Riverina, the Murrumbidgee and the outback. It was only fully sealed in May 2001, and it was at that time that the route was extended north to Bourke. Previously, since 1974, SR87 had only extended as far north as Hillston - being the only fully sealed section. Signage between Cobar and Bourke is yet to include the SR87 shield.

The road is generally of excellent quality - with a 110 speed limit between Bourke and Cobar. I havent travelled between Darlington Point and Cobar but i would expect a high quality road as it has just been upgraded and sealed.

Notable events in the history of the Kidman Way:

1886 - Punt established at Darlington Point across Murrumbidgee River
1905 - Old bridge across Murrumbidgee River at Darlington Point
December 1971 - Fully sealed south of Hillston, the last section being from Goolgowi to Hillston
1974 - SR87 signposted between Hillston & Jerilderie
December 1978 - New bridge over Murrumbidgee River at Darlington Point
May 2001- Fully sealed between Hillston and Bourke & named Kidman Way, SR87 extended north to Bourke

Photos of SR87 - Kidman Way
First mention of the Kidman Way on the Newell Hwy about 4km before the turnoff. I have no idea where they pulled a SR52 shield from as the Kidman is SR87 and Main Road No. 321. Jan 2005.
Northbound Newell Hwy at the Kidman Way turnoff. Jan 2005.
Southbound Newell Hwy at the Kidman Wat turnoff. Note the incorrect - not old - NR39 shield. Jan 2005.
The end of the Kidman Way at Newell Hwy. Jan 2005.
The first northbound RD sign on Kidman Way. Jan 2005.
Southbound distance sign from the Sturt Hwy at Waddi. Photo taken January 2004.
Sturt Hwy staggered T-intersections, Waddi. Photo taken January 2004.
Eastbound ID sign for southbound SR87, same intersection. Photo taken January 2004.
Diagrammatic AD sign showing the staggered T-intersections, Waddi. Photo taken January 2004.
Westbound ID sign for northbound SR87 traffic, same intersection. Photo taken January 2004.
Southbound SR87 approaching Sturt Hwy, Waddi. Photo taken January 2004.
Northbound distance sign from Waddi. Jan 2005. (Vi Ong)

Two views of the old Murrumbidgee River bridge at Darlington Point, 1978. Scanned from Department of Main Roads Journal.
Griffith 35km plate northbound in Darlington Point. Photo taken January 2004.
Heading south from Whitton Rd towards Darlington Pt. Photo taken January 2004.
Appraoching Whitton Rd intersection, Darlington Point. Jan 2005. (Vi Ong)
ID signs at Whitton Rd. Photo taken January 2004.
Southbound approaching Whitton Rd. Photo taken January 2004.
Northbound leaving Darlington Pt. It is strange to have only one focal point on such a long distance route, Hillston would not be out of place on this sign. Photo taken January 2004.
Distance sign heading south from Bridge Road, Griffith. Feb 2006.
Northbound on Kidman Way (Jondaryan Ave) approaching Burley Griffin Way (Banna Ave) in Griffith. Feb 2006.
Westbound on Burley Griffin Way approaching Kidman Way in Griffith. Feb 2006.
Eastbound on Kidman Way approaching the beginning of Burley Griffin Way in Griffith. Feb 2006.
Looking east along Banna Ave, the picturesque main street of Griffith. Unfortunately, its amenity is spoiled by the relentless traffic james that plague the main street all day. Feb 2006.
A westbound view of the westbound lanes of Banna Street. Note the large, tree-lined median that separates traffic flows and allows for ample parking. Feb 2006.
Black ID sign, possibly dating from when SR87 was first signed, at the corner of Benerembah St and Griffin Ave. Feb 2006.
Another black ID sign at the same intersection, this time facing eastbound traffic. Feb 2006.
Incorrect SR94 shield (should have the word "To" next to it, or be a SR87 shield) at the intersection of Kidman Way and Kookora St. Feb 2006.
Distance sign with a SR87 shield added as an afterthought, heading west from Griffith. Feb 2006.
Fingerboard sign at Lakes Rd, Tharbogang. Feb 2006.
Typical road quality across the flat, featureless plains between Griffith and Hillston. Feb 2006.
Fingerboard sign at Tabbita Lane, Tabbita - the access road to the major Tabbita Feedlot. The silos form an impressive backdrop to the Kidman Way at this location. Feb 2006.
Unusual design for this town services sign, northbound approaching Goolgowi. Feb 2006.
Distance sign heading south from Goolgowi. I am disappointed that other focal points, such as Darlington Point, Jerilderie or even Leeton (not on route, but on Main Road No. 80 - the Kidman Way's gazetted classification at this location) are not included on the sign. Feb 2006.
Mid Western Highway westbound approaching the junction with Kidman Way at Goolgowi. Feb 2006.
Mid Western Highway eastbound approaching the junction with Kidman Way at Goolgowi. Feb 2006.
Northbound distance sign leaving Goolgowi. I am disappointed that no focal points beyond Hillston are included - for a road that is marketed as a long distance tourism route it is not very well signed! Feb 2006.
I included this sign coz i thought it was very cheeky - only 110km to go till the next tree :p Jan 2005.
Looking north on the southern outskirts of Griffith. Jan 2005. (Vi Ong)
Looking east along Banna Ave, the main street of Griffith. Jan 2005. (Vi Ong)
Heading south from Cobar - note the lack of a SR87 shield. Jan 2005.
Barrier Hwy AD sign for Kidman Way - this sign outdates both the name and route marker. Jan 2005.
Barrier Hwy ID sign - note no mention of SR87 or Kidman Way. Jan 2005.
Heading south into Cobar on Kidman Way. Jan 2005.
The only reassurance you get heading north from Cobar. Jan 2005.
Typical road quality heading south about 30km north of Cobar. Jan 2005.
Fingerboard signage between Cobar and Bourke. Jan 2005.
Heading south from the Mitchell Hwy at Bourke. Jan 2005.
Approaching the end of Kidman Way at Mitchell Hwy. Jan 2005.
Beautiful old black painted AD sign on the Mitchell Hwy at the Kidman Way in Bourke. Jan 2005.
Mitchell Hwy southbound approaching the Kidman Way. Jan 2005.

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