Black Spur
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The Black Spur Black Spur Drive | |
|---|---|
| Mountain Ash (Eucalyptus regnans) along the Maroondah Highway on the Black Spur | |
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| General information | |
| Type | Road |
| Length | 30 km (19 mi) |
| Major junctions | |
| Southwest end | Healesville |
| Northeast end | Narbethong |
The Black Spur is a road between the towns of Healesville and Narbethong in Victoria, Australia. It is also known as Black Spur Drive, and is part of the Maroondah Highway.[1]
Statistics
- Length (km): 30
- Corner Ratio: 80%
- Corner Speeds: 60–120 km/h
- Legal Speed Limit: 80 km/h
- Traffic (cars/min): 2-5
- Bumpiness: Smooth
- Bitumen Grip: Very grippy
- Special Notes: Rainforest means often damp and bark on road in winter and firestorms in summer.
Location
The Black Spur is located about 60 km ENE from Melbourne on the Maroondah Hwy between Healesville and Marysville. To reach the Black Spur, travel along the Eastern Arterial to Ringwood Bypass. Turn left at Maroondah Hwy and follow until you arrive at Healesville. Alternatively travel through Cardinia Reservoir - Emerald - Yarra Junction - Warburton.
Etymology
The road, originally known as "The Blacks' Spur", gained its name from the route taken by displaced Aboriginal people from northern Victoria on their way to a mission settlement at Corranderrk near Healesville.[2]
Description of road
The road surface is excellent after the recent (as of August 2006) resurfacing with smooth hot-mix and recent (as of 2006) widening. It is twisty with a series of hairpin turns punctuated by short straights. A few corners are prone to dampness due to the ferny rainforest surroundings. Scenery is beautiful tall trees and ferns typical of temperate rainforest. Two thirds of the Black Spur was burnt from the Black Saturday firestorm.
Motorcycle safety
The Black Spur is a popular road for motorcyclists, it also has been reported to Victoria Police that the road attracts racers and as a result a number of incidents and deaths have been recorded.[3]
In March 2008, the Victorian state government has allocated $547,000 to improve motorcycle safety on the Black Spur. Stage 1 of the works has involved reducing the speed limit from 100 km/h to 80 km/h, effective Thursday 29 May 2008.[4]
See also
References
- ^ Visit Victoria. "Black Spur Drive". Tourism Victoria. Archived from the original on 19 October 2013. Retrieved 27 April 2014.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ http://www.parkweb.vic.gov.au/1park_display.cfm?park=223
- ^ "Police Launch Covert Motorcycle Operation". State Government of Victoria. Victoria Police. 7 February 2007. Retrieved 1 June 2008.
- ^ "Yarra Ranges' cops in camouflage". State Government of Victoria. Yarra Valley Leader. 31 March 2008. Retrieved 2 June 2008.
External links
- Motorcycle Sports Touring Club of Victoria Inc.
- Black Spur Drive - Official government tourism website
- Black Spur Motorbike Ride
- Black Spur at Google Maps.