Historical information

Prior to the sealing of the Princes Highway west of Orbost, the road surface was anything but good, even by C1917 when cars started to use the road.
From Orbost the old road via Marlo to Sydenham was abandoned for the new location which traversed more rugged country via Cabbage Tree, Bell Bird and Club Terrace to Cann River, and the reason for this diversion was on account of settlements being established at Murrungowar and Club Terrace, at which latter place there was a temporary rush to obtain gold. This road was constructed by the Public Works department and a maximum grade of 1 in 19 was adopted, and as speed was not to be catered for the grade followed in and out round the spurs and gullies, resulting in a maze of turns and twists which required a good deal of skill on the part of the horse driver to negotiate." - Bairnsdale Advertiser, Friday, May 2, 1947.
(More information from Newsletter February 2010)

Significance

This is a pictorial record of an early road distance sign on a major highway through East Gippsland. The distances are indicated in miles, a measurement standard no longer in use.

Physical description

A black / white photograph postcard of the signpost at the Victorian - New South Wales border. It shows distances to Sydney and Eden on one arrow and distances to Melbourne and Genoa on another.

Inscriptions & markings

on front - Vic - NSW Border