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Macquarie Pass: Illawarra Highway, Illawarra Escarpment, New South Wales
Photo: Vakrieger · CC BY-SA 4.0 · cropped

Drives New South Wales, Australia The Illawarra and South Coast

Macquarie Pass: Illawarra Highway

Illawarra Highway, A48 · Albion Park → Robertson

Intense13.8 mi30 min2,900 ft climbHigh point ≈ 2,600 ftOne way
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The drive

Macquarie Pass is the steepest way from the Illawarra coast to the Southern Highlands. This drive follows the Illawarra Highway for 22 km (14 mi) from Albion Park up the escarpment to Robertson, with the pass itself, an 8 km section through Macquarie Pass National Park, the climbing part. It opened in 1898.

The road is narrow, mostly two lanes, with no-overtaking lines and some single-lane sections. It is very steep and has many hairpin bends, and buses and trucks sometimes have to reverse. The rainforest cuttings close in on both sides as it climbs about 2,900 feet.

Motorcyclists favor it on weekends and public holidays, and councils and Transport for NSW have produced a safety brochure for riders. When heavy rain floods the upper pass, cars and motorcycles use Jamberoo Mountain Road instead.

Along the way

  1. Albion Park (Illawarra Highway)
  2. Robertson (Illawarra Highway)
Elevation
2,900 ft of climbing · high point ≈ 2,600 ft
Albion ParkRobertson
Curves
Mostly moderate, with two twisty stretches
Albion ParkRobertson
GentleHairpins

Good to know

  • The pass is very steep with many hairpins and is known for accidents; take the bends slowly.
  • Heavy rain can close the upper half of the pass.
  • Motorcyclists are common on weekends and public holidays.
  • Slope repairs have meant stop and slow traffic and overnight closures, so check before you go.

Open all year, weather permitting. Roads close for snow, fire, storms and repairs: before you set off, check Live Traffic NSW.

Questions about this drive

How long does Macquarie Pass take to drive?

Albion Park to Robertson on the Illawarra Highway over Macquarie Pass is 22 km (14 mi) and takes about 30 minutes.

Is Macquarie Pass dangerous?

The pass is narrow, very steep and has many hairpin bends, and it is known for accidents, so caution is advised.

What is the alternative to Macquarie Pass?

When heavy rain closes the upper pass, cars and motorcycles can use Jamberoo Mountain Road, and trucks are directed to Mount Ousley Road and Picton Road.

What you get in the app

Turn by turn, on this roadSpoken directions along the exact route. Carve never reroutes you onto a faster one.
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More drives near here

All 25 drives in New South Wales, Australia ›

Distance, time, elevation, curves and intensity are from Carve's route. Checked 2026-10-28.

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Map of Macquarie Pass: Illawarra Highway, from Albion Park to Robertson