Grey nomads, truckies, and other motorists will soon have safer, more accessible places to stop on the Newell Highway in far northeast inland NSW after work was completed on the $12 million Tycannah rest areas’ upgrade.
The major upgrades to the northbound and southbound rest areas, about 17 kilometres south of Moree, have delivered flushable toilets and new amenities.
There is also heavy vehicle parking, dedicated caravan parking, better separation between heavy and light vehicles, and upgraded access lanes.
The two rest areas can now accommodate up to 30 heavy vehicles, giving truck drivers further opportunities to safely stop and manage fatigue on one of the state’s key freight routes.
The Tycannah rest areas now have much improved amenities. PIC: NSW Government
The completed upgrades at Tycannah are part of a broader program of improvements to important regional rest areas across NSW.
Motorists on the Sturt and Hume highways are already seeing benefits of rest area upgrades, with the $1 million Ravensworth Rest Areas at Maude now complete in both directions and the $2.4 million Kyeamba Gap East upgrade nearing the finish line.
There is also floodlighting and improved separation between heavy and light vehicles. PIC: NSW Government
This will deliver safer, more comfortable stops with new toilets, better lighting, accessible amenities, heavy vehicle parking and upgraded safety features.
The Tycannah rest area upgrade has been delivered through the Australian Government’s Heavy Vehicle Rest Area initiative under the Safer Local Roads Infrastructure Program.
Acting Minister for Regional Development, Local Government and Territories, Catherine King, said the investment in safer and better rest areas was vital.
“Tycannah is an important stop on one of Australia’s major interstate freight routes and these upgrades will give drivers modern facilities and more space to take the breaks they need,” she said. “From Tycannah to Kyeamba and Ravensworth, we are working with the Minns Labor Government to make journeys safer and more comfortable across regional NSW.”
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Legally you can only stay 24 hours. Some are really great and worth stopping longer, some are pretty awful and aren’t even good for a wee break.
Last time travelling out through NSW and the bottom end of Qld some of the rest stops used by the cattle trucks were dumping their shit tanks at the rest areas opposite the toilet facilities and picnic tables on 4 occasions in one trip
Unfortunately many of these upgraded areas have only a few spaces allocated for caravans often in the same area set aside for cars and we have often found cars parked on these spots even though there are spaces available for cars
We try and have a break after two hours driving and call in on those places.
Yes we stopped at the Granite Creek Rest Area north of Gin-Gin Qld on the Bruce Highway, it is EXCELENT, and we definitely need more throughout the Australian Major Highways. WE did not stay overnight, but enjoyed the Facilities, and enjoyed our Lunch and as I am the Only Driver of our Vehicle & Caravan, Rig I, welcomed, this great Rest Area which was evidently NEW & very Clean and WE are hoping it dies not get destroyed or defaced by the Idiots who delight in defacing public places.
It’s good that they have updated and made new rest stops for trucks and cars and caravan but Are they going to clean the toilet and collect the rubbish because all this means nothing if it’s going to be turned into a dump .
Why do authorities insist on spending millions on rest area with BBQS, shelters, tables, tourist info and other unnecessary luxuries. All that’s needed is a toilet, safe parking, and space.
If these basics were provided then many more could be built for the same cost.
We usually space our driving between rest stops, usually every two hours, recently stopped at the new one just off the highway at Curra, north of Gympie, very good, plenty of truck parking but a bit light on for van, has a 20 hour stay limit
We dropped in there to have a look recently. You are correct. I was very disappointed at the low number of caravan bays!
I use these facilities when travelling however some of them are really disgusting i cant imagine what peoples toilet in their homes look like STEP UP PEOPLE