Curio

State Library of New South Wales
Part of Cox's Pass, New South Wales

Part of Cox's Pass, New South Wales

after 1814
SV1B / Blu M / 21
Lithographic print

In 1814, just a year after the Blaxland, Wentworth and Lawson crossing, Governor Lachlan Macquarie commissioned the military officer and magistrate William Cox (1764-1837) to supervise the building of the first road across the Blue Mountains. Cox oversaw a team of 30 convicts, who took only six months to build 163 kilometres of road, which spanned from Emu Plains to the Macquarie River (near present day Bathurst.)

This lithograph was published in London in 1821, and depicts part of Cox’s road descending from Mount York to the Hartley Vale below. The artist, E. Purcell, based the scene on drawings originally done by John William Lewin. In 1815 the natural history artist travelled with Governor Macquarie on his inspection of Cox’s road and the western plains. Governor Macquarie was impressed with Cox’s work, and named this descent from Mount York, Cox’s Pass. Cox’s Pass is today a popular bushwalk.

Macquarie needs a road

Sydney Gazette July 16, 1814, p.1

It being the Intention of His Excellency the Governor to send in the course of a few Days a Working Party, of thirty Men, under the Protection of a Guard of eight Soldiers, to commence the Construction of a Cart Road from "Emu Plains" (hitherto erroneously called Emu Island) situate on the left Bank of the Nepean River, across the Blue Mountains to the extensive Tract of Champagne Country lately explored by Mr Evans; and William Cox, Esq. Of Clarendon Park, having in a very handsome and liberal Manner made a Tender of his personal Services in the Superintendance and Direction of the said very important Undertaking, His Excellency has accordingly accepted of his Proposal; and in Consequence has entrusted to his Care and Judgement the entire Execution of the said Work.

The Construction of this Road being considered an object of the first Importance to the future Prosperity of the Colony; and as it will be highly conducive to its being in the shortest practicable period, that the Persons now to be employed on it should not be interrupted unnecessarily by others out of an idle Curiosity proceeding thither during the Time required for its final Completion, His Excellency the Governor and Commander in Chief deems it expedient to order and direct, that no Person of whatever Description shall proceed to the said Road, or cross over the Nepean River to "Emu Plains", during the Time which shall be occupied in the Making of said Road (the Road makers, Government Stockmen, and others employed on the said Work only excepted), unless specially authorised to do so by a written Pass, signed by His Excellency the Governor.

Any Person who shall attempt to transgress this Order will be apprehended by the Military Guard which is to be stationed at Emu Plains, and sent a Prisoner to Sydney.

When the Road over the Blue Mountains shall be rendered passable for Carts or Carriages of any kind, the same will be made known to the Public by an official Communication through the Medium of the Sydney Gazette.