Heritage, Truck events, Vintage

Retro rigs to retrace Old Pacific Highway in free event

This Saturday will see retro rigs, buses, and cars strutting their stuff along the Old Pacific Highway in the third annual Coasting the Coast event.  

A convoy of vehicles will set off from the Old Berowra Toll Area (Cowan Rest Area), driving through Gosford, Wyong and Charmhaven before finishing up in Swansea.  

Organiser Guy Ellis told Big Rigs that the event is a great way to celebrate part of road transport history.  

“We’re reliving yesteryear, when that route was the only way north along the coast,” he said.  

“We celebrate the heritage of the road as we go along, and marvel at the engineering feats that everyone takes for granted now, like the Mooney Mooney bridge.  

“We have other truck runs like Haulin’ the Hume, which is from Sydney to Yass, and Crawlin’ the Hume, which is from Melbourne to Aubrey.  

“This was like the missing link. It’s local, it’s not too long – it’s only 106km – and it’s a very scenic trip.”  

Trucks more than 25 years old are welcome to take part in the convoy. Image: Coasting the Coast

Ellis is expecting about 150 vehicles to take part in the event this year, and he’s hoping for increased participation from truck owners.  

“We had about 25 trucks last year and 75 years, so I would love to see more trucks this year,” he added.  

Vehicles must be over 25 years old to enter, and registration is free, with an optional lunch at Swansea Workers Club at participants’ own expense.  

This classic Ford took part in the event last year. Image: Coasting the Coast

Heavy vehicles will depart at 9am, with light vehicles following at 9.30am. 

“We encourage trucks to get there early, so they can park up and not get boxed in by cars,” he said.  

“When they arrive, they will have to give us a few details and they will be given a number. And that’s it!” 

For anyone hoping to get a look at the convoy, Ellis recommends heading to Gosford.  

“There are many vantage points, but the best ones are probably the main streets of Gosford, Wyong and Charmhaven because traffic slows right down through there and it ends up being more of a parade,” he said.  

For more information on the event see the Facebook page here or contact Guy Ellis on 0414 182 010.  

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