Road Photos & Information: Queensland
Cunningham Highway (National Route 42)
Former Alignment
Statistics:
- Length:
- 209 km
- Termini:
- Eastern: New England Hwy (A3) and Cunningham Hwy (NH15), Glengallan
- Western: Leichhardt Hwy (NH39) and Cunningham Hwy (NH39), Goondiwindi
- Suburbs, Towns & Localities Along Route:
- Goondiwindi, Yelarbon, Whetstone, Inglewood, Coolmunda, Gore, Karara, Thane, Cunningham, Wheatvale, Allan, Rosenthal Heights, Warwick, Womina, Willowvale and Glengallan
Route Numbering:
- Current: A3 A15
- Former: 42
General Information:
National Route 42 is a highway in the Darling Downs region in Queensland linking the border town of Goondiwindi with the town of Warwick. The route links 2 major highways: Leichhardt Hwy and New England Hwy.
Passing through mostly rural areas, the highway is named after the explorer and botanist Allan Cunningham who followed a route close to where the modern day highway runs.
History:
- 12 February 1992: Yarlarbon to Goondiwindi reconstruction opened by Minister for Transport David Hamill. 2
- July 2006: Widening of Cunningham Hwy, 6 km west of Inglewood.
- 2009: National Route 42 replaced by A3 from Glengallan to Toowoomba, and deleted between Warwick and Glengallan, where it was in duplex National Highway 15. 3
- 2010: Upgrade of railway level crossing at Yelarbon, with boom gates and flashing lights. 4
This page concentrates on the former alignment between Goondiwindi and Toowoomba
Goondiwindi to Toowoomba
Trailblazer:
NR42 trailblazer on Marshall St in Goondwindi, at the junction with McLean St, May 2011.
Image © Rob Tilley
Black Distance Sign:
Black reassurance directional sign on McLean St in Goondiwindi, October 2005.
Image © Paul Rands
Advance Directional Sign:
AD sign on McLean St in Goondiwindi approaching Sandhurst St and Old Cunningham Hwy, October 2005.
Image © Paul Rands
Intersection Directional Signs:
Collection of ID signs facing McLean St at the junction with Sandhurst St and Old Cunningham Hwy in Goondiwindi, October 2005.
Image © Paul Rands
Advance Directional Sign:
AD sign at Toowoomba, approaching Warrego Hwy (James St) (A2) and Ruthven St, July 2004.
Image © Michael Greenslade
Toowoomba to Goondiwindi
Reassurance Directional Sign:
Distance sign at Kearneys Spring, a suburb of Toowoomba, July 2004.
Image © Michael Greenslade
NEW Advance Directional Sign:
AD sign on Gatton-Clifton Rd (SR80) at Clifton, June 2025.
Image © Rob Tilley
Black Advance Directional Sign & Old Hazard Signs:
Black AD sign on Old Cunningham Hwy approaching McLean St and Sandhurst St in Goondiwindi, October 2005. Note the old hazard arrows, the background of these would've been yellow before fading.
Image © Paul Rands
Advance Directional Sign:
AD sign with erroneous SR39 shields on McLean St approaching Marshall St in Goondiwindi, October 2005.
Image © Paul Rands
2 Tyler Bullock.
3 QLD Government, Ministerial Media Statements, Upgrade work for Cunningham Highway, 3 July 2006.
4 QLD Government, Transport and Main Roads, Boom Gates For Rail Crossing Program.