Drivers AtlasThe world's best roads

Australia, New South Wales

Thunderbolts Way

An empty escarpment road climbing from cattle country onto the New England plateau.

Length

160 km

In miles

99.4 mi

Driving time

5 hr

Atlas rating

9.0 / 10

Driving quality9.0
Scenery8.9

The run

Gloucester to Walcha. Drive it in either direction, though the views usually favour the climb.

Season

Fog on the escarpment

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Checked by the Drivers Atlas desk

Scored and written by the Drivers Atlas editorial desk, drawing on driven routes across the UK and Europe, mapping data and member road reports. Every road in the library carries a driving and scenery score set by the same method. How we score roads.

Last reviewed 9 April 2026

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Drives and journeys that use this road