View source for Fossickers Way

{{Short description|Highway in New South Wales}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2015}}
{{Use Australian English|date=March 2015}}
{{Infobox Australian road
| road_name    = Fossickers Way
| state        = nsw
| type         = rural road
| route_image  =
| image        = Namoi Bridge.JPG 
| caption      = Bridge over the [[Namoi River]] in [[Manilla, New South Wales|Manilla]]
| length       = 379
| length_ref   = <ref name="gmaps">{{google maps |url=https://www.google.com.au/maps/dir/Nundle+NSW/-29.7356467,151.7384742/@-30.5094286,150.8043335,9.14z/data=!4m19!4m18!1m15!1m1!1s0x6b0ac612767c4597:0x40609b49043c280!2m2!1d151.1279037!2d-31.4607738!3m4!1m2!1d150.9237914!2d-31.0841541!3s0x6b0a98ccbadb23d5:0x697f60b4e943f1ea!3m4!1m2!1d150.5365808!2d-29.7210764!3s0x6ba1782b718d6999:0xfefacfae622b4f31!1m0!3e0 |title=Fossickers Way |access-date=15 August 2022}}</reF>
| gazetted     = August 1928
| gazetted_ref = <ref name="nswgovgaz28">{{cite news |title=Main Roads Act, 1924-1927 |url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/219952359 |work=Government Gazette of the State of New South Wales |issue=110 |publisher=National Library of Australia |date=17 August 1928 |pages=3814–20 |access-date=1 August 2022 }}</ref>
| direction_a  = North
| direction_b  = South
| end_a        = {{AUshield|NSW|A15}} '''[[New England Highway]]'''<br />{{small|[[Glen Innes, New South Wales]]}}
| end_b        = '''River Road'''<br />{{small|[[Nundle, New South Wales]]}}
| est          =
| route        = {{plainlist|
*{{AUshield|NSW|B95}} B95 {{small|(2013–present)<br />(Tamworth–Warialda)}}
*{{AUshield|NSW|B76}} B76 {{small|(2013–present)<br />(Warialda–Glen Innes)}}
}}
| former       = {{AUshield|S|95}} State Route 95 {{small|(1974–2013)<br />(Tamworth–Warialda)}}
| exits       = {{plainlist|
*{{AUshield|NSW|B56}} [[Oxley Highway]]
*{{AUshield|NSW|B76}} [[Gwydir Highway]]}}
| through     = {{NSWcity|Tamworth|Bingara|Manilla|Inverell}}
}}

'''Fossickers Way''' is a series of country roads located in the [[Northern Tablelands]] region of [[New South Wales]], Australia that form a {{convert|379|km|adj=on}}<ref name="gmaps" /> scenic and tourist drive. The road's southern terminus is located in [[Nundle, New South Wales|Nundle]]<ref name="tourist drive">{{cite web |url=https://www.travelin.com.au/articles/Fossickers-Way-Scenic-Drive-02060 |title=Fossickers Way Scenic Drive |work=Travel In |publisher=Bauer Xcel Media |date=29 August 2015 |access-date=13 November 2016 }}</ref> with its northwest terminus in [[Warialda, New South Wales|Warialda]]; thereafter the road joins the [[Gwydir Highway]] and heads east to [[Inverell, New South Wales|Inverell]] before reaching its eastern terminus in [[Glen Innes, New South Wales|Glen Innes]];<ref name="tourist drive"/><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.newenglandnorthwest.com.au/content_common/pg-fossickers-way-sydney-brisbane-drive.seo |title=The Fossickers Way |work=New England North West |date=2013 |access-date=12 November 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161114010130/http://www.newenglandnorthwest.com.au/content_common/pg-fossickers-way-sydney-brisbane-drive.seo |archive-date=14 November 2016 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The name refers to a tourist route overlaid on existing roads, and is not an officially gazetted one. The majority of the Fossickers Way is designated route B95.

The scenic route draws its name of Fossickers Way due to the many deposits of gold and the variety of gemstones that have been found in the area (mostly by Europeans) since the early 1850s. Prior to this time, local Aboriginal tribes such as the Werawai people of Nundle and its surrounds were known to use local minerals and stones for the purpose of making tools, such as axe heads.

==Route==
Fossickers Way transverses the western slopes of the Northern Tablelands and passes through some of the world’s richest gem areas. In these parts, [[sapphire]]s, [[zircon]], [[jasper]], [[Chrysoprase|prase]], [[rhodonite]], crystals and even [[gold]] may be found. The highway passes through open wheat and grazing lands and deeply wooded slopes, through country towns rich in gold rush history.

Fossickers Way starts at the intersection of River and Nundle Roads in [[Nundle, New South Wales|Nundle]], and continues in a north-westerly course along Nundle Road via Dungowan to meet [[New England Highway]] at Nemingha, then travels northeast along New England Highway to [[Tamworth, New South Wales|Tamworth]]. It then proceeds in a northerly direction along Manilla Road via [[Manilla, New South Wales|Manilla]] to [[Barraba, New South Wales|Barraba]], continues north as Cobbadah Road via Cobbadah to [[Bingara, New South Wales|Bingara]], and continues north as Alan Cunningham Road to the intersection with [[Gwydir Highway]] just west of [[Warialda, New South Wales|Warialda]]. It then proceeds east along Gwydir Highway through Warialda via [[Inverell, New South Wales|Inverell]] to finish at [[Glen Innes, New South Wales|Glen Innes]]. As a scenic drive that incorporates seven shires in northern NSW,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://users.northnet.com.au/~moulds/intro.htm |title=The Fossickers Way |work=northnet.com.au |access-date=23 August 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110307173145/http://users.northnet.com.au/%7Emoulds/intro.htm |archive-date=7 March 2011 |url-status=dead }}{{self-published source|date=December 2013}}</ref> Fossickers Way acts as an alternate route between [[Sydney]] and [[Brisbane]].<ref>[http://www.openroad.com.au/travel_greatdrives_fossickersway.asp NSW Open Road Fossickers Ways] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101127094704/http://openroad.com.au/travel_greatdrives_fossickersway.asp |date=27 November 2010 }} Retrieved 2010-8-16</ref>

In this area, sapphires, zircon, jasper, prase, ridonite, crystals and even gold may be found along various quarries, rivers and creeks, such as Swamp Oak Creek, just out of the town of Nundle where gold was discovered in 1851 by a local squatter, Nathan Burrows  It has been reported that he made the discovery, then immediately informed folks in nearby Tamworth and the gold rush began thereafter. Gwydir Highway passes through open wheat and grazing lands and deeply wooded slopes through country towns, rich in gold rush history.

==History==
The passing of the ''Main Roads Act of 1924''<ref>[http://classic.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/nsw/num_act/mra1924n24133/ State of New South Wales, ''An Act to provide for the better construction, maintenance, and financing of main roads; to provide for developmental roads; to constitute a Main Roads Board''] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220811000905/http://classic.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/nsw/num_act/mra1924n24133/ |date=11 August 2022 }} 10 November 1924</ref> through the [[Parliament of New South Wales]] provided for the declaration of Main Roads, roads partially funded by the State government through the [[Main Roads Board]] (MRB). Main Road No. 63 was declared along this road from the intersection with Great Northern Highway (today [[New England Highway]]) at Tamworth, via Manilla and Bingara to Warialda (and continuing northwards via Yetman and Boggabilla eventually to the border with Queensland at [[Goondiwindi]]),<ref name="nswgovgaz28" /> and Main Road No. 105 from Nundle to the intersection with Great Northern Highway, today [[New England Highway]], at [[Tamworth, New South Wales|Tamworth]] (and continuing southwards via Glenrock to Scone) on the same day, on 8 August 1928.<ref name="nswgovgaz28" /> With the passing of the ''Main Roads (Amendment) Act of 1929''<ref>[https://legislation.nsw.gov.au/view/pdf/asmade/act-1929-15 State of New South Wales, ''An Act to amend the Main Roads Act, 1924-1927; to confer certain further powers upon the MRB; to amend the Local Government Act, 1919, and certain other Acts; to validate certain payments and other matters; and for purposes connected therewith.''] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220812065622/https://legislation.nsw.gov.au/view/pdf/asmade/act-1929-15 |date=12 August 2022 }} 8 April 1929</ref> to provide for additional declarations of State Highways and Trunk Roads, these were amended to Trunk Road 63 and Main Road 105 on 8 April 1929.

The [[Department of Main Roads (New South Wales)|Department of Main Roads]], which had succeeded the MRB in 1932, truncated the northern end of Trunk Road 63 to Yetman when State Highway 16 (later named [[Bruxner Highway]]) was declared on 16 March 1938, subsuming the former alignment from Yetman via Boggabilla to the state border with Queensland at Goondiwindi.<ref name="nswgovgaz38">{{cite news |title=Main Roads Act, 1924-1937 |url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/225071160 |work=Government Gazette of the State of New South Wales |issue=46 |publisher=National Library of Australia |date=25 March 1938 |pages=1222-3 |access-date=29 August 2022 |archive-date=29 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220829045230/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/225071160 |url-status=live }}</ref>

The passing of the ''Roads Act of 1993''<ref>[https://legislation.nsw.gov.au/view/html/inforce/current/act-1993-033 State of New South Wales, ''An Act to make provision with respect to the roads of New South Wales; to repeal the State Roads Act 1986, the Crown and Other Roads Act 1990 and certain other enactments; and for other purposes.''] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220811000905/http://classic.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/nsw/num_act/mra1924n24133/ |date=11 August 2022 }} 10 November 1924</ref> updated road classifications and the way they could be declared within New South Wales. Under this act, the route today retains its declaration as Main Roads 63 and 105, from Nundle to Nemingha, then from Tamworth to Warialda.<ref name="nswroadsched">{{cite web |url=https://roads-waterways.transport.nsw.gov.au/business-industry/partners-suppliers/lgr/documents/classified-roads-schedule.pdf |title=Schedule of Classified Roads and Unclassified Regional Roads |author=[[Transport for NSW]] |date=August 2022 |publisher=Government of New South Wales |access-date=1 August 2022 |archive-date=25 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220825104657/https://roads-waterways.transport.nsw.gov.au/business-industry/partners-suppliers/lgr/documents/classified-roads-schedule.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref>

Fossickers Way was signed State Route 95 between Tamworth and Warialda in 1974. With the conversion to the newer alphanumeric system in 2013, this was replaced with route B95.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.rms.nsw.gov.au/documents/projects/key-build-programs/alpha-numeric/nsw-factsheet.pdf |title=Road number and name changes in NSW |work=[[Roads & Maritime Services]] |publisher=Government of New South Wales |date=2012 |access-date=7 November 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160325194425/http://www.rms.nsw.gov.au/documents/projects/key-build-programs/alpha-numeric/nsw-factsheet.pdf# |archive-date=25 March 2016 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Tourism==
Many events occur along Fossickers Way throughout the year, including the annual [[Tamworth Country Music Festival]] in January. The  Fossicker's Way Treasure Hunt<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.fossickersway.com/index.cfm?page_parent_id%3D22%26page_id%3D22 |title=Archived copy |access-date=2010-08-20 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100520044712/http://www.fossickersway.com/index.cfm?page_parent_id=22&page_id=22 |archive-date=20 May 2010 |df=dmy }}</ref> is also an annual event which takes participants through all eight towns on the trail.

==Major junctions==
{{AUSinttop|length_ref=<ref name="gmaps"/> }}
{{NSWint
|LGA=[[Tamworth Regional Council|Tamworth]]
|LGAspan=
|location=Nundle
|km=0.0
|type=trans
|road=Jenkins Street (River Road)<br />Oakenville Street (Nundle Road)
|notes=4-way intersection; southern terminus of Fossickers Way<br />Fossickers Way continues west along Nundle Road<ref name="tourist drive"/>
}}
{{jctbridge
|river=[[Peel River (New South Wales)|Peel River]] 
|km=0.6
|bridge=Bridge over the river (Bridge name unknown) 
}}
{{jctbridge
|river=Peel River 
|km=12 
|bridge=Bridge over the river (Bridge name unknown) 
}}
{{NSWint
|LGA=Tamworth
|LGAspan=2
|location_special=Bowling Alley Point
|km=12
|road=River Road{{NSWcity|p=on|Nundle}}
|notes=[[Three-way junction|T-intersection]]
}}
{{NSWint
|location_special=Dungowan
|km=34
|road=Ogunbil Road{{NSWcity|p=on|Gloucester}}
|notes=Roundabout
}}
{{jctbridge
|river=[[Cockburn River]] 
|km=51 
|bridge=Bridge over the river (Bridge name unknown) 
}}
{{NSWint
|LGA=Tamworth
|LGAspan=3
|location=Nemingha
|km=51
|type=concur
|road={{AUshield|NSW|A15|NSW|B56}} [[New England Highway]]/[[Oxley Highway]] (A15/B56 east){{NSWcity|p=on|Tamworth|Armidale}}
|notes=4-way intersection; south-eastern [[concurrency (road)|concurrency]] terminus with routes A15/B56
}}
{{NSWint
|location=Tamworth
|lspan=2
|km=57
|uspan=
|type=concur
|road={{AUshield|NSW|A15}} Murray Street ([[New England Highway]]) (A15 west){{NSWcity|p=on|Muswellbrook|Singleton|Newcastle}}
|notes=North-western concurrency terminus with route A15 at [[roundabout]]
}}
{{NSWint
|km=58
|type=concur
|road={{AUshield|NSW|B56}} [[Oxley Highway]] (B56 west){{NSWcity|p=on|Gunnedah|Coonabarabran}}
|notes=North-western concurrency terminus with route B56; southern terminus of route B95 at T-intersection
}}
{{jctbridge
|river=[[Namoi River]] 
|km=104 
|bridge=Bridge over the river (Bridge name unknown) 
}}
{{jctbridge
|river=[[Manilla River]] 
|km=116
|bridge=Bridge over the river (Bridge name unknown) 
}}
{{jctbridge
|river=Manilla River 
|km=150
|bridge=Bridge over the river (Bridge name unknown) 
}}
{{NSWint
|LGA-S=Gwydir
|LGAspan=2
|location=Bingara
|lspan=2
|km=210
|uspan=2
|road=Finch Street (west){{NSWcity|p=on|Bingara}}<br />Maitland Street (north){{NSWcity|p=on|Bingara}}
|notes=4-way intersection
}}
{{NSWint
|km=none
|road=Link Street (south){{NSWcity|p=on|Bingara}}
|notes=T-intersection
}}
{{jctbridge
|river=[[Gwydir River]] 
|km=211
|bridge=Bridge over the river (Bridge name unknown) 
}}
{{jctbridge
|river=Myall Creek 
|km=218
|bridge=Bridge over the river (Bridge name unknown) 
}}
{{NSWint
|LGA-S=Gwydir
|LGAspan=2
|location=Warialda
|lspan=2
|km=248
|type=trans
|road={{AUshield|NSW|B76}} [[Gwydir Highway]] (B76){{NSWcity|p=on|Moree|Inverell}}
|notes=Northern terminus of route B95 at T-intersection
}}
{{NSWint
|km=251
|type=
|road=Warialda Road{{NSWcity|p=on|Yetman|Boggabilla}}
|notes=T-intersection
}}
{{jctbridge
|river=[[Macintyre River]] 
|km=311
|bridge=Bridge over the river (bridge name unknown)
}}
{{NSWint
|LGA-S=Inverell
|LGAspan=2
|location=Inverell
|lspan=2
|km=312
|road=Byron Street (northeast){{NSWcity|p=on|Inverell}}
|notes=Roundabout
}}
{{NSWint
|km=313
|road=Tinga Road, to [[Thunderbolts Way]]{{NSWcity|p=on|Uralla|Walcha|Gloucester}}
|notes=T-intersection
}}
{{NSWint
|LGA=[[Glen Innes Severn]]
|location=Glen Innes
|km=379
|type=trans
|road={{AUshield|NSW|A15}} Church Street ([[New England Highway]]) (A15){{NSWcity|p=on|Armidale|Tamworth}}, {{QLDcity|Stanthorpe|Warwick}} (QLD)
|notes=T-intersection; eastern terminus of Fossickers Way<br>{{AUshield|NSW|B76}} Gwydir Highway (B76) continues south along Church Street<ref name="tourist drive"/>
}}
{{jctbtm|keys=concur,trans}}

==See also==
{{stack|{{portal|Australian Roads|New South Wales}}}}
*[[List of highways in New South Wales]] 

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

{{Road infrastructure in New South Wales}}

[[Category:Highways in New South Wales]]