Historic roads that opened up the Blue Mountains nearly two centuries ago are being celebrated with the addition of Victoria Pass and Berghofers Pass to the NSW State Heritage Register.  

The two significant cultural heritage sites represent the ingenuity and evolution of transport in NSW.  

Victoria Pass, a roadway located on the western side of the Blue Mountains, stands as a testament to the innovation of early colonial engineering. 

Constructed in 1830s, the imposing stone retaining walls of Victoria Pass were meticulously built by hand using convict labour. Still in use over 190 years later, Victoria Pass is revered as one of Australia’s prime examples of 19th century engineering.    

Berghofers Pass at Mount Victoria was initially built as an alternative route for early motor vehicles that could not cope with the steep incline of Victoria Pass. 

Local councillor and the first president of Blaxland Shire, Johannes Wilhelm Berghofer, lobbied for its construction, with the road opening in 1912.  

As one of the last remaining roads in NSW to be built prior to the introduction of modern materials and mechanised techniques, Berghofers Pass is an extraordinary example of our pioneering heritage and early ingenuity. 

The State Heritage Register contains more than 1,750 items that tell the stories of our past, preserving our rich history and cultural heritage for future generations. 

Anyone can nominate an item for listing. For more information on Victoria Pass and Berghofers Pass and the nomination process visit https://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/topics/heritage/search-heritage-databases/state-heritage-inventory. 

Quote attributable to Minister for Heritage Penny Sharpe: 

“These two thoroughfares are a real and tangible link to our past that continue to hold relevance today. The listing paves the way for this chapter of history to be protected. 

“These historic roads opened up travel across the Blue Mountains nearly two centuries ago and represent the ingenuity and evolution of infrastructure and transport in NSW. 

“The stone walls show phases of expansion west from Sydney, but they’ve also proved popular for their aesthetic values, attracting many nineteenth-century painters, sketchers and photographers who saw it as an interaction between people and nature.” 

Quote attributable to Jenny Aitchison: 

“The government is continuing to work proactively with Transport for NSW and Heritage NSW to progress repair plans for the Great Western Highway at Victoria Pass. 

“The work we need to do to repair the road is complex and requires engagement of specialist contractors who have been in short supply due to the unprecedented natural disaster damage our roads have sustained and subsequent backlog." 

Quote attributable to Trish Doyle MP: 

“One of the great things about this new listing is that it allows us to trace the footsteps of those who came before. 

“Victoria Pass and Berghofers Pass opened up a whole new way of travel at the time, and their heritage listing paves the way for this chapter of history to be protected. 

“These routes are key cultural sites to the Blue Mountains community and now with this state recognition their stories will continue to travel”. 

Quote attributable to Heritage Council of NSW Chair Frank Howarth: 

"The Heritage Council of NSW takes great pride in listing Victoria Pass and Berghofers Pass.  

“These historic routes, now officially acknowledged, are a wonderful example of our rich cultural heritage preserved for generations to come.”