Road Photos & Information: Queensland
Longlands Gap-Herberton Road, Atherton-Herberton Road, Kennedy Highway and Gillies Highway (State Route 52) (Far North Region)
Statistics:
- Length:
- 90 km
- Termini:
- Northern: Bruce Hwy (A1) and Riverstone Rd (unnumbered), Gordonvale
- Southern: Kennedy Hwy (NR1), Evelyn
- Suburbs, Towns & Localities Along Route:
- Evelyn, Wondecla, Kalunga, Herberton, Wongabel, Carrington, Atherton, East Barron, Yungaburra, Lake Barrine, Danbulla, Gadgarra, Little Mulgrave and Gordonvale
Route Numbering:
- Current: 52
- Multiplexed with: 1
- Road Authority Internal Classification:
- 32B (Atherton) 1
- 642 (Atherton to Gordonvale) 2
- 663 (Herberton to Atherton) 2
- 665 (Evelyn to Herberton) 2
General Information:
State Route 52 in Queensland's far north, is a single carriageway undivided route that winds its way through the mountains from the coast to the Atherton Tableland. The route passes through rainforest, semi-rural areas and small townships.
- National Route 1, for 500 m, Atherton.
- Great Tropical Drive, for 17 km, between Atherton and Herberton. 3
History:
- 1998: Construction of the new Barron River Bridge and road approaches on the Gillies Highway. 4
- 2010: Safety upgrade of Gillies Highway which included reflective line markings, added safety barriers and pull out bays for slow vehicles. 5
Evelyn to Gordonvale
Advance Directional Sign:
AD sign on Kennedy Hwy (NR1) at Atherton approaching Gillies Hwy (SR52), May 2005. The NR1 duplex ends at this junction.
Image © Rob Tilley
Distance Sign:
RD sign leaving Atherton, May 2005.
Image © Rob Tilley
Black Distance Sign:
Faded black RD sign as Gillies Hwy (SR52) leaves Yungaburra, May 2005.
Image © Rob Tilley
Gordonvale to Evelyn
Advance Directional Sign:
AD sign with incorrect NH52 shield at Yungaburra approaching Malanda-Lake Barrine Rd, May 2005.
Image © Rob Tilley
Distance Sign:
Reassurance directional sign with incorrect shield colour on Atherton-Herberton Rd (SR52) at Atherton, October 2013. Click or tap here for an image of the previous sign by Rob Tilley from May 2005.
Image © Terry Siva
2 QLD Government, Department of Transport and Main Roads, Queensland State Controlled Roads and Regions Maps, Far North Region, November 2022.
3 Great Tropical Drive - A New Discovery Around Every Corner brochure, 23 April 2009.
4 QLD Government, Media Releases, Work Begins on North Walsh Road Upgrade, 27 April 1998.
5 QLD Government, Media Statements, Safety boost for motorists and motorcyclists on the Gillies, 7 July 2010.