Last Friday the 140-kilometre stretch between Sandy Hollow and Ilford was named in the drive.com.au top ten Great Aussie Drives.

Rylstone Kandos Business & Tourism Inc member Terry O’Sullivan said not only was the road picturesque but it provided one of the best alternatives for people travelling north from the state’s south, avoiding Sydney congestion.

“The Muswellbrook Shire Council has been heavily promoting the Inland Adventure Trail which includes the Bylong Valley Way,” Mr O’Sullivan said.

“They’ve been promoting it Canberra, letting people know they can come from Goulburn or the Snowy, up through Oberon then on to Bathurst and Sofala before coming through Kandos and Rylstone and then Bylong.”

When Mr O’Sullivan arrived to the area about nine years ago, 40 kilometres of the road was still dirt.

He said now the road was sealed it also offered a quicker mode of travel for people in the Mid-Western region to access places such as the Central Coast or Hunter Valley.   

Sealing of the Bylong Valley Way from Growee Gulph to Cox’s Gap was completed in 2009. 

Since that time the road has become a key link from the Upper Hunter to the Central West as well as a favourite route for recreational motorcycle riders.

Bylong Valley Protection Alliance Secretary, Craig Shaw, said the accolade was wonderful recognition for Bylong and the region generally.

“We just hope this now means even more people come to know this beautiful part of the world before any of it is potentially buggered by mining development. And that’s a real issue, since the proposed Cockatoo-KEPCO exploration area covers most of the northern part of the Valley,” he said.

“Imagine if they were going to put open cut pits along the Great Ocean Road – there’d be an uproar.

“It’s all very well for mine proponents to talk about various benefits, but what about the other side of the equation? How will the negative effects on what’s now acknowledged as a remarkable tourism asset be assessed and calculated?”

The Bylong Valley Way was listed alongside other iconic routes such as the Great Ocean Road, the Birdsville Track and the Mereenie Loop-West MacDonnell Ranges.

Fairfax Media’s Matt Campbell, described Bylong as being situated “through which one of the best roads in NSW runs”.

“[It] has an engaging mix of stunning scenery and challenging driving roads – so whether you’re the driver or the passenger, you’re going to enjoy the ride,” Mr Campbell said.

“It’s a great combination of wide open stretches and twisty climbs, and the road can get a bit rough at times. Some challenging hairpins and tight bends will also keep you on your toes.”