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| Henty Highway | |
|---|---|
| Name | Henty Highway |
| State | Victoria |
| Length | 278 km |
| Route | B160 |
| Former | State Route 107 |
| Direction a | North |
| End a | Casterton |
| Direction b | South |
| End b | Geelong |
Henty Highway The Henty Highway is a major sealed arterial road in southwestern Victoria, linking inland rural districts with the coastal city of Geelong and connecting to the Princes Highway and Western Freeway. It serves as a primary freight and regional access route for agricultural, dairy and horticultural industries around towns such as Hamilton, Colac and Casterton, and interfaces with rail corridors like the Port Fairy–Ballarat railway line and the Western standard gauge line. The highway bears the route designation B160 and is managed under Victorian road authorities including VicRoads and local shires such as the Shire of Glenelg and Corangamite Shire.
The highway commences near Casterton in the Coorong-adjacent pastoral district, proceeds northeast through rural localities and pastoral plains to Hamilton, passes through mixed cropping and grazing country to Colac, and continues southeast into the peri-urban corridors west of Geelong. Along its alignment the highway intersects with state routes and connects to regional centres including Meredith, Lismore, Camperdown, and links to highways such as the Western Highway at junctions near Ballarat-bound corridors, and the Princes Highway near Colac Bay environs. The road crosses significant waterways including the Gellibrand River, Merri River, and drainage systems feeding the Bellarine Peninsula catchment.
The corridor served early European explorers and pastoralists in the 19th century, following tracks used by overlanders and stockmen associated with settlement patterns around Port Fairy and Port Phillip District. Formal gazettal and sealing occurred progressively in the 20th century as part of state road improvements overseen by agencies such as the Country Roads Board and later VicRoads. The route received its alphanumeric designation during statewide route rationalisation alongside roads like the Loddon Valley Highway, Pyrenees Highway, and Glenelg Highway. Historical transport developments linking the highway include the expansion of branch railways to Warrnambool and the integration of freight movements with ports at Geelong and Port of Melbourne via the National Highway network.
Key intersections along the route include junctions with the Princes Highway corridor near Colac, the link to the Western Freeway and M80 Ring Road via arterial connectors serving Melbourne, the connection to the Lavers Hill Road toward the Great Ocean Road, and cross points with regional roads to Camperdown, Mortlake and Dunkeld. The highway interfaces with local arterial roads providing access to shires such as the Shire of Moyne, Golden Plains Shire, and transport nodes including Meredith Railway Station and Geelong Railway Station.
The highway carries mixed traffic including heavy vehicles servicing agricultural freight movements from dairy regions around Southwest Victoria to processing centres in Geelong and distribution hubs in Melbourne. Seasonal tourist traffic rises during holiday periods with links to attractions such as the Great Ocean Road, Grampians National Park, and coastal towns like Anglesea and Lorne. Traffic volumes vary, with freight-dominant sections near Hamilton and commuter-leaning segments approaching Geelong, intersecting with bus services operated by regional providers and linking to intercity coach routes to Melbourne and Warrnambool.
Responsibility for the route is shared between statewide authorities including VicRoads and local councils such as the Corangamite Shire and Glenelg Shire Council. Upgrades have targeted pavement strengthening, overtaking lanes, intersection safety improvements, and bridge renewals funded through state and federal programs like the Black Spot Program and regional infrastructure initiatives tied to freight efficiency and road safety. Recent projects have coordinated with rail freight planning by bodies such as the Australian Rail Track Corporation and transport planning documents produced by Regional Development Victoria.
Communities along or near the highway include Casterton, Henty-region influenced localities, Hamilton, Camperdown, Colac, and peri-urban localities near Geelong. Attractions accessible from the route include the Grampians National Park, the Great Ocean Road, historic homesteads and museums in Hamilton, volcanic lakes around Camperdown such as the Lakes and Craters region, coastal destinations like Port Campbell National Park and heritage sites in Colac and Casterton. The corridor also provides access to events and institutions including agricultural shows in Hamilton, motorsport at regional circuits, and cultural venues affiliated with Deakin University's regional campuses.