View source for Forrest Highway

{{short description|Highway in Western Australia}}
{{redirect|Perth–Bunbury Highway|the inland route via Pinjarra|South Western Highway|the road known as Forrest Highway in the 1940s|Eyre Highway}}
{{distinguish|Forest Highway}}
{{featured article}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2025}}
{{Use Australian English|date=October 2011}}
{{Infobox Australian road
| type         = highway
| state        = wa
| road_name    = Forrest Highway
| location     = Forrest Highway route map.png
| location_alt      = Map
| loc_caption  = Map of Forrest Highway, highlighted in red, and surrounding road network between Perth and Bunbury
| history      = Old Coast Road opened 1842
| est          = 20 September 2009
| length       = 95.67
| length_ref   = <ref name="RIMS" />
| length_rnd   = 2
| route        = {{Plainlist|
* {{AUshield|S|2}} [[List of road routes in Western Australia#2|State Route 2]] <small>(Ravenswood – Lake Clifton)</small>
* {{AUshield|R|1}} [[List of road routes in Western Australia#R1|National Route 1]] <small>(Lake Clifton – East Bunbury)</small>
}}
| direction_a  = North
| end_a        = {{AUshield|S|2}} [[Kwinana Freeway]] <small>(State Route&nbsp;2), [[Ravenswood, Western Australia|Ravenswood]]</small>
| exits        = {{Plainlist|
* [[Pinjarra Road]]
* {{AUshield|R|1}} Old Coast Road <small>(National Route&nbsp;1), Lake Clifton</small>
* {{AUshield|S|101}} [[Wilman Wadandi Highway]] {{small|(State Route&nbsp;101), Australind}}
* {{AUshield|T|260}} Old Coast Road {{small|(Tourist Drive&nbsp;260), Pelican Point}}
}}
| direction_b  = South
| end_b        = {{AUshield|R|1|S|10}} [[Robertson Drive]] <small>(National Route&nbsp;1 / State Route&nbsp;10), [[East Bunbury, Western Australia|East Bunbury]]</small>
| through      = {{WAcity|South Yunderup|Lake Clifton|Myalup|Binningup}}, {{WAcity|Leschenault|Australind}}
}}

'''Forrest Highway''' is a {{convert|95|km|mi|adj=mid|-long}} [[highway]] in [[Western Australia]]'s [[Peel (Western Australia)|Peel]] and [[South West (Western Australia)|South West]] regions, extending [[Perth]]'s [[Kwinana Freeway]] from east of [[Mandurah]] down to [[Bunbury, Western Australia|Bunbury]]. '''Old Coast Road''' was the original Mandurah–Bunbury route, dating back to the 1840s. Part of that road, and the '''Australind Bypass''' around [[Australind, Western Australia|Australind]] and [[Eaton, Western Australia|Eaton]], were subsumed by Forrest Highway. The highway begins at Kwinana Freeway's southern terminus in [[Ravenswood, Western Australia|Ravenswood]], continues around the Peel Inlet to [[Lake Clifton, Western Australia|Lake Clifton]], and heads south to finish at Bunbury's Eelup Roundabout. There are a number of [[at-grade intersection]]s with minor roads in the shires of [[Shire of Murray|Murray]], [[Shire of Waroona|Waroona]], and [[Shire of Harvey|Harvey]] including Greenlands Road and Old Bunbury Road, both of which connect to [[South Western Highway]] near [[Pinjarra, Western Australia|Pinjarra]].

The settlement of Australind by the [[Western Australian Land Company]] in 1840–41 prompted the first real need for a good quality road to Perth. A coastal Australind–Mandurah route was completed by 2 November 1842. Though the road was rebuilt by convicts in the 1850s, its importance was already declining. With a new road via Pinjarra at the foothills of the [[Darling Scarp]] completed in 1876, and the opening of the Perth−Bunbury railway in 1893, few people travelled up the old coastal road. In the late 1930s there was a proposal to re-establish the road as a tourist route, which could also reduce traffic on the main road along the foothills, but it was put on hold due to World War II. Improvements to Old Coast Road started in the early 1950s, but with little progress made until 1954 when the [[Main Roads Western Australia|Main Roads Department]] approved [[Australian pound|£]]1000 worth of works. The name "Old Coast Road" was formally adopted on 27 January 1959, and a [[sealed road]] was completed in September 1969.

Since the 1980s, the state government has been upgrading the main Perth to Bunbury route, by extending Kwinana Freeway south from Perth, and constructing a [[dual carriageway]] on Old Coast Road north of Bunbury, including bypasses around Australind and [[Dawesville, Western Australia|Dawesville]]. A bypass was also planned around Mandurah, which underwent detailed environmental reviews and assessments in the 1990s and early 2000s. Construction of the New Perth Bunbury Highway project, which became Forrest Highway and the final Kwinana Freeway extension, began in December 2006, and the new highway was opened on 20 September 2009. In June 2014, Forrest Highway was extended south to Bunbury by renaming much of Old Coast Road as well as Australind Bypass as part of the highway.

Within one year of opening, the number of road accidents in the area had decreased significantly, but tourism and businesses in the towns on bypassed routes were also affected. There are few services alongside the highway, though a pair of [[Roadhouse (premises)|roadhouse]]s opened in 2017 south of Greenlands Road.<ref name=roadhouse2017/> The southern portion of the road going past Australind into Bunbury was later bypassed by the [[Wilman Wadandi Highway]] when that was opened in December 2024.

== Route description ==
[[File:Forrest Highway southbound in West Pinjarra.ogv|thumb|left|alt=Video from driver's perspective|View southbound on Forrest Highway in West Pinjarra]]
Forrest Highway is the southern section of [[List of road routes in Western Australia#2|State Route&nbsp;2]], continuing south from [[Kwinana Freeway]] at a [[folded diamond interchange]] with [[Pinjarra Road]]. All other intersections with the highway are [[At-grade intersection|at-grade]], with cross roads intersected via two closely spaced [[T&nbsp;junction]]s.<ref name=gmaps /> The highway, which is controlled and maintained by [[Main Roads Western Australia]],<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.mainroads.wa.gov.au/OurRoads/Facts/Pages/Regionalroads.aspx#bunbury |title=Regional Roads Controlled by Main Roads Western Australia |access-date=11 November 2013 |date=15 October 2013 |publisher=Government of Western Australia |last=Main Roads Western Australia |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131022051542/https://www.mainroads.wa.gov.au/OurRoads/Facts/Pages/Regionalroads.aspx#bunbury |archive-date=22 October 2013 |url-status=dead}} {{Cite web |url=https://www.mainroads.wa.gov.au/OurRoads/Facts/Pages/Regionalroads.aspx |title=Regional Roads – Main Roads Western Australia |access-date=11 November 2013 |archive-date=9 October 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141009013302/https://www.mainroads.wa.gov.au/OurRoads/Facts/Pages/Regionalroads.aspx |url-status=bot: unknown}}</ref> has two lanes in each direction separated by a wide median strip,<ref name=gmaps /> and a speed limit of {{convert|110|km/h|mph|round=5}}.<ref name="RIMS" /> The road travels south for {{convert|6|km|4 = 0|spell = in}}, over the [[Murray River (Western Australia)|Murray River]] and through rural farmland in and beyond [[South Yunderup, Western Australia|South Yunderup]]. The highway then veers south-west, meeting Greenlands Road at a pair of staggered T&nbsp;junctions,<ref name=gmaps /> and continues towards the [[Harvey Estuary, Western Australia|Harvey Estuary]] over a distance of {{convert|9|km|4 = 0|spell = in}} before intersecting Mills Road, at another pair of closely spaced T&nbsp;junctions. The road curves back to the south, reaching Old Bunbury Road after {{convert|10|km|spell = in}}. Forrest Highway meanders across the Spearwood dune system<ref>{{cite web |title=Shire of Waroona – Soil Landscape Systems |url=http://www.waroona.wa.gov.au/documents/draftlpschps4-5/file/at_download |work=Shire of Waroona Local Planning Strategy (draft for advertising) |publisher=Shire of Waroona |access-date=11 November 2013 |author=Statutory Mapping Section, Mapping and GeoSpatial Data Branch |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131111045253/http://www.waroona.wa.gov.au/documents/draftlpschps4-5/file/at_download#.pdf |archive-date=11 November 2013 |url-status=dead |page=22 |date=29 January 2008}}</ref> for {{convert|10+1/2|km|spell = in}}, through a series of large curves, before it reaches Old Coast Road at {{WAcity|Lake Clifton}}, an alternative coastal route to {{WAcity|Mandurah}}.<ref name=gmaps>{{Google maps|url=https://maps.google.com.au/maps?saddr=Forrest+Hwy%2FState+Route+2&daddr=Forrest+Hwy%2FState+Route+2+to:Forrest+Hwy%2FState+Route+2+to:Forrest+Hwy%2FState+Route+2+to:Forrest+Hwy%2FState+Route+2+to:Forrest+Hwy%2FState+Route+2+to:Forrest+Hwy%2FState+Route+2+to:Old+Coast+Rd%2FNational+Route+1&hl=en&ll=-32.740505,115.774612&spn=0.563119,0.837021&sll=-32.884511,115.713686&sspn=0.002205,0.00327&geocode=Fa0AD_4d-TDnBg%3BFXQiDv4dVjDnBg%3BFRjpDf4d-BXnBg%3BFVvODP4d1E_mBg%3BFbCsDP4d3jvmBg%3BFU9eDP4dxzHmBg%3BFeiBC_4d0SHmBg%3BFRw5Cv4dkKXlBg&t=h&mra=mi&mrsp=7&sz=19&z=11 |access-date=26 September 2013 |title=Forrest Highway – Ravenswood to Lake Clifton}}</ref>

[[File:Forrest Hwy north from Preston Beach Road (E37@WTW2013).ogv|thumb|right|alt=Video from driver's perspective|View northbound on Forrest Highway in Lake Clifton]]
Forrest Highway continues south for {{convert|25|km}}, to the west of Myalup State Forest and {{convert|2|to|3|km|spell = in}} east of Lake Preston. A further {{convert|12|km}} takes the highway to the northern edge of [[Leschenault, Western Australia|Leschenault]]. In these sections, the highway passes turnoffs to [[Preston Beach, Western Australia|Preston Beach]], [[Myalup, Western Australia|Myalup]] and [[Binningup, Western Australia|Binningup]].<ref name=gmaps2 /> The countryside for this part is mostly [[tuart]], [[jarrah]] and [[Corymbia calophylla|marri]] forest, with some wetland vegetation and some cleared farming land.<ref>{{Cite book |author1=Keighery, Bronwen |author2=Wildflower Society of Western Australia |title=Bushland Plant Survey: A Guide To Plant Community Survey for the Community |date=1994 |publisher=Wildflower Society of WA (Inc.) |isbn=978-0-9595443-9-8}}</ref> The highway then heads south-east, going inland to bypass the developed areas east of the [[Leschenault Inlet]]. After {{convert|spell=in|5+1/2|km}} Forrest Highway crosses the [[Brunswick River (Western Australia)|Brunswick River]], continues southwards towards the [[Collie River]] for another {{convert|spell=in|5+1/2|km}}. It crosses the river, then curves around [[Eaton, Western Australia|Eaton]] to head westward to the Eelup Roundabout, which it reaches after travelling for {{convert|spell=in|9|km}} and crossing the adjacent [[Preston River]].<ref name=gmaps2>{{Google maps |url=https://www.google.com.au/maps/dir/-32.8845812,115.7133834/-33.1060543,115.7232519/-33.2120543,115.7209288/-33.2533922,115.7485572/-33.2988604,115.7416533/-33.3364367,115.668114/@-33.0647806,115.7108979,10z/am=t/data=!4m8!4m7!1m0!1m0!1m0!1m0!1m0!1m0!3e0?hl=en |access-date=3 August 2014 |title=Forrest Highway – Lake Clifton to Bunbury |link=no}}</ref> The signalised roundabout provides access into [[Bunbury, Western Australia|Bunbury]], as well as to Robertson Road, a ring road that connects to [[South Western Highway]] and [[Bussell Highway]].<ref name=RIMS />

When the highway was first opened in 2009, the average daily weekday traffic volume north of Old Bunbury Road was 9,680. By April 2011, it had increased to 10,660 vehicles.<ref>{{cite hansard |jurisdiction=Western Australia |title=Kwinana Freeway and Forrest Highway – Traffic Counters |url=http://www.parliament.wa.gov.au/Hansard%5Chansard.nsf/0/a8493173f4d51f024825786c0018ef0e/$FILE/C38%20S1%2020110405%20p2253c-2253c.pdf |house=[[Western Australian Legislative Council|Legislative Council]] |date=5 April 2011 |page=2253 |speaker=[[Simon O'Brien (politician)|Simon O'Brien]] |position=Minister for Finance |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131109100826/http://www.parliament.wa.gov.au/parliament/pquest.nsf/a02db76382427ad84825718e0018e9c9/a766baaaa1c76b274825783f0023e130?OpenDocument |archive-date=9 November 2013 |url-status=live}} {{Cite web |url=http://www.parliament.wa.gov.au/Hansard%5Chansard.nsf/0/a8493173f4d51f024825786c0018ef0e/%24FILE/C38%20S1%2020110405%20p2253c-2253c.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=3 February 2017 |archive-date=15 January 2015 |archive-url=https://www.webcitation.org/6VaYfcIGm?url=http://www.parliament.wa.gov.au/Hansard%5Chansard.nsf/0/a8493173f4d51f024825786c0018ef0e/%24FILE/C38%20S1%2020110405%20p2253c-2253c.pdf |url-status=bot: unknown}}</ref> In 2012 up to 14,000 vehicles per day used the highway,<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Paikos |first1=Ashleigh |title=New Freeway Speed Trial |url=http://3degree.ecu.edu.au/articles/4305 |journal=3rd Degree |publisher=[[Edith Cowan University]] |access-date=6 June 2014 |date=23 March 2012 |volume=13 – Semester 1, 2012 |edition=1st |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140606023057/http://3degree.ecu.edu.au/articles/4305 |archive-date=6 June 2014 |url-status=dead}} {{Cite web |url=http://3degree.ecu.edu.au/articles/4305 |title=3rd Degree |access-date=6 June 2014 |archive-date=6 June 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140606023057/http://3degree.ecu.edu.au/articles/4305 |url-status=dead}}</ref> and 17,000 by 2014.<ref name="MCT Cowper leads">{{cite news |last1=Burgess |first1=Jill |title=Cowper Leads Push |url=http://www.inmycommunity.com.au/news-and-views/local-news/Cowper-leads-push/7655635/ |access-date=6 June 2014 |work=Mandurah Coastal Times |date=22 January 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140606014639/http://www.inmycommunity.com.au/news-and-views/local-news/Cowper-leads-push/7655635/ |archive-date=6 June 2014 |url-status=dead}}{{Cite web |url=http://www.inmycommunity.com.au/news-and-views/local-news/Cowper-leads-push/7655635/ |title=Cowper leads push – inMyCommunity – Perth, Western Australia |access-date=6 June 2014 |archive-date=15 December 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141215022414/http://www.inmycommunity.com.au/news-and-views/local-news/Cowper-leads-push/7655635/ |url-status=bot: unknown}}</ref>

== History ==

===Background===
Following the establishment of the [[Swan River Colony]], the earliest report of exploration of the district around what is now Bunbury is from Lieutenant {{thinspace|H.|W.}} Bunbury in December 1836. The route he – and later others – took was slow and hazardous, taking four days to cover around {{convert|80|mi|order=flip}}, and crossing four rivers. The route began with passage from [[Perth]] to [[Pinjarra, Western Australia|Pinjarra]], before turning south-west and passing through low, open scrubland, and a medium-timbered area with low marshes. The first river to cross was the [[Harvey River]], which could only be forded by horses at a single point, near the river mouth. Continuing south-westward, the northern tip of [[Leschenault Estuary]] was reached, and its shores followed before curving around into Bunbury. The last stretch of approximately {{convert|12|mi|order=flip}} was the most dangerous for many years, as it required precarious crossings at the Collie and Preston Rivers.<ref name=Perry>{{cite thesis |last1=Perry |first1=Nancy K. |title=History and Present Potentialities of the Old Coast Road from Mandurah to Bunbury |date=1956 |url=https://ecu.on.worldcat.org/detailed-record/961045224 |publisher=[[Claremont Teachers College]]}}</ref>{{rp|1–2}}

[[File:A view of Koombana Bay 1840.jpg|thumb|1840 depiction of Koombana Bay, Port Leschenault. Settlement around this area prompted the first real need for a good quality road.]]
In an initial attempt to settle the area, the government declared the land open for [[pastoral]] settlement by ordinary settlers, but little progress was made. By 1840, the population was just fifty-three, and most of those were in or near Bunbury (then known as Port Leschenault).<ref name=Perry />{{rp|2}} The settlement of Australind by the [[Western Australian Land Company]] in 1840–41 prompted the first real need for a good quality road to Perth.<ref name=Perry />{{rp|4}}<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article47847318 |title=Coast Road Becomes Ghost Road |newspaper=[[The West Australian]] |location=Perth, WA |date=13 May 1950 |access-date=30 July 2014 |page=20 |via=[[NLA Trove|Trove]] (National Library of Australia)}}</ref> Throughout much of 1842, there was much debate and discussion over providing a new route to Bunbury. A coastal route from Fremantle had been proposed, while an alternative proposal published on 11 May was a new route from Pinjarra to Bunbury, via an upstream crossing of the Harvey River, where a bridge could easily be built.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article65581825 |title=The Inquirer: Wednesday, May 11, 1842 |newspaper=[[The Inquirer (Perth)|The Inquirer]] |location=Perth, WA |date=11 May 1842 |access-date=30 July 2014 |pages=2–4 |via=Trove (National Library of Australia)}}</ref> The coastal route would have required a ferry to cross the Murray River's estuary,{{efn|Now known as the [[Peel Harvey Estuary]]}} and would not go through Pinjarra, a significant settlement in the area; however, it would be shorter, had more water along the route, and would go through the village of Mandurah, which had a population of twenty-nine people from six families.<ref name=Perry />{{rp|5–6}}

In a letter dated 12 June 1842 in the [[Colonial Secretary of Western Australia|Colonial Secretary]]'s Records, [[Marshall Waller Clifton]], Chief Commissioner of the Western Australian Land Company, wrote of the need for an improved Perth–Fremantle–Bunbury road. On a special trip he took in the previous October to look for a new route, two surveyors gave their approval to the proposed coastal route, with a ferry across the estuary. Governor [[John Hutt]] approved of the idea of a road, but thought a ferry would be impractical, at least during winter, and that the lack of public funds made it impossible. Clifton continued to write letters to the Colonial Secretary advocating the construction of a road.<ref name=Perry />{{rp|7–8}}

===19th century road===
During the winter of 1842, the existing route became impassable, and Clifton undertook the creation of the proposed coastal route. He sent his company's men to clear the path and make a road.<ref name=Perry />{{rp|8–9}} The first report of the new road was on 19 October, praising the new route but deriding the almost impassable obstacles presented by the large rivers en route.<ref name=Perry />{{rp|8–9}}<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article65581705 |title=To the Editor of the "Inquirer." |newspaper=The Inquirer |location=Perth, WA |date=19 October 1842 |access-date=30 July 2014 |page=5 |via=Trove (National Library of Australia)}}</ref> The Australind–Mandurah route was completed by 2 November,<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article65581651 |title=The Inquirer: Wednesday, November 2nd, 1842 |newspaper=The Inquirer |location=Perth, WA |date=2 November 1842 |access-date=30 July 2014 |page=2 |via=Trove (National Library of Australia)}}</ref> and the speed of the new route allowed almost daily communication. It could be travelled in 32 hours, with a ferry to cross the estuary at Mandurah. The ferry was operated, and later owned, by nearby resident Mrs Lyttleton, as the government was not interested at that time in owning or leasing out the ferry.<ref name=Perry />{{rp|10}} The government later appropriated the ferry on 2 February 1843, and imposed standardised tolls for passengers and livestock. Ten years later, the ferry service was made available to the public free of charge.<ref name=Perry />{{rp|11}}

[[File:Old Coast Road, The Now Notorious Ghost-Road, 1920.jpg|thumb|left|upright|The track of Old Coast Road in 1920]]
The road was rebuilt by convicts in the 1850s,<ref name=yalgorup /> but by that decade, the importance of the coast road was diminishing.<ref name=Perry />{{rp|15}} For most of its length, the road went through well-timbered, sandy limestone country of little value to agriculture, and settlers in the vicinity of the road were scarce.<ref name="yalgorup">{{cite web |url=http://www.naturebase.net/national_parks/previous_parks_month/yalgorup.html |title=Yalgorup National Park |author=Department of Conservation and Environment |access-date=10 October 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060918183947/http://www.naturebase.net/national_parks/previous_parks_month/yalgorup.html |archive-date=18 September 2006 |publisher=Government of Western Australia |website=Nature Base}} </ref> In contrast, settlements had spread and prospered in the foothills of the [[Darling Scarp]], and on 1 July 1853, Colonial Secretary [[Frederick Barlee]] announced a new proposal for a Perth–Pinjarra–Bunbury route along the foothills, with a {{convert|spell=in|1|chain}} width, mostly following the alignment of previous tracks. Between 1864 and 1876, two parties of convicts were involved in the making of the road.<ref name=Perry />{{rp|15}}

From 30 June 1868, the government discontinued the ferry's operation and the position of caretaker, leaving travellers to work the ferry themselves. The news was not well received, with newspaper letters complaining of the great inconvenience to the users of the shorter coastal route. As a result, the government reappointed a caretaker on 30 March 1869.<ref name=Perry />{{rp|15–16}} In 1894 the ferry was finally abandoned in favour of a {{convert|600|ft|m|adj=mid|-long}} wooden bridge adjacent to old ferry jetties, which was built by contract at a cost of £1700.<ref name=Perry />{{rp|16}} However, following the completion of the Perth–Bunbury railway in 1893, few people travelled up the coast road. While the adjacent land was still privately owned, it was uninhabited.<ref name=Perry />{{rp|19}}

=== Early 20th century ===
Within the first few years of the twentieth century, the road had become known as "the old coast road",<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article87140812 |title=Bunbury Hunt Club |newspaper=[[Bunbury Herald]] |location=Bunbury, WA |date=16 August 1905 |access-date=31 July 2014 |page=3 |via=Trove (National Library of Australia)}}</ref> or simply Old Coast Road.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article87126482 |title=Brunswick |newspaper=Bunbury Herald |location=WA |date=5 August 1903 |access-date=31 July 2014 |page=3 |via=Trove (National Library of Australia)}}</ref> In 1907, the road was described as being seldom used, except by tramps, runaway sailors, and [[swagmen]], with very few settlers in the area.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article25710765 |title=A Waroona Sensation |newspaper=The West Australian |location=Perth, WA |date=20 August 1907 |access-date=31 July 2014 |page=5 |via=Trove (National Library of Australia)}}</ref> For the next three decades, there was little interest in the road, other than maintaining it in a usable condition. By 1918 it had become almost impassable,<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article87171471 |title=Local and General |newspaper=Bunbury Herald |location=WA |date=10 July 1918 |access-date=31 July 2014 |page=2 |via=Trove (National Library of Australia)}}</ref> so the [[Shire of Harvey|Harvey Road Board]] decided to spend £300 to reconstruct a {{convert|30|chain|adj=on}} length.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article87173472 |title=Harvey Road Board |newspaper=Bunbury Herald |location=WA |date=13 July 1918 |access-date=31 July 2014 |page=3 |via=Trove (National Library of Australia)}}</ref> A few years later, in 1921, the section from Lake Clifton to Mandurah was reopened by Jack Ochiltree, so as to be suitable for motor vehicles,<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article57979033 |title=Motors and Motoring. |newspaper=[[The Sunday Times (Western Australia)|Sunday Times]] |location=Perth, WA |date=6 November 1921 |access-date=31 July 2014 |page=11 |via=Trove (National Library of Australia)}}</ref> and in 1926 the section from Bunbury to Lake Preston was similarly suitable.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article58239134 |title=Lake Preston |newspaper=Sunday Times |location=Perth, WA |date=4 April 1926 |access-date=31 July 2014 |page=7 Section: Third Section |via=Trove (National Library of Australia)}}</ref>
[[File:Paperbark arch on Old Coast Road, 1936.jpg|thumb|An arch of paperbarks over Old Coast Road in 1936]]
The establishment of a tourist route along the coastal road between Australind and Mandurah was proposed in the late 1930s by the Harvey Road Board. The [[Bunbury Road District|Bunbury Road Board]] supported the idea, with the beauty and pleasure of the route discussed at a meeting of the road board in January 1939; the lack of a proper [[road surface]] was seen as the only obstacle.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article148931034 |title=Coastal Road |newspaper=[[South Western Advertiser]] |location=Perth, WA |date=27 January 1939 |access-date=31 July 2014 |page=7 |via=Trove (National Library of Australia)}}</ref> Traffic was predicted to grow over the next five years to an extent that would justify a second route to Perth,<ref name="Bunbury's Requirements">{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article46408202 |title=Bunbury's Requirements |newspaper=The West Australian |location=Perth, WA |date=15 July 1939 |access-date=31 July 2014 |page=4 |via=Trove (National Library of Australia)}}</ref> particularly as the traffic volume on the existing inland road was already heavy and causing accidents.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article46378351 |title=South-West Tourist Traffic |newspaper=The West Australian |location=Perth, WA |date=30 March 1939 |access-date=31 July 2014 |page=18 |via=Trove (National Library of Australia)}}</ref> The Minister for Works, [[Harry Millington (politician)|Harry Millington]], considered the proposal in July 1939,<ref name="Bunbury's Requirements" /> and by early 1940 a number of rumours emerged regarding the imminent commencement of works; however, the [[Main Roads Western Australia|Main Roads Department]] had no intention to undertake them.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article149053889 |title=No Work on Coast Road |newspaper=South Western Advertiser |location=Perth, WA |date=2 February 1940 |access-date=31 July 2014 |page=1 |via=Trove (National Library of Australia)}}</ref> The Harvey Road Board decided to refrain from pursuing the matter until [[World War II]] had concluded.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article46722090 |title=Country News |newspaper=The West Australian |location=Perth, WA |date=20 June 1940 |access-date=31 July 2014 |page=13 |via=Trove (National Library of Australia)}}</ref> By 1943, vegetation was overgrowing the road, making it difficult to spot in places,<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article38552346 |title=The Old Coast Road |newspaper=[[Western Mail (Western Australia)|Western Mail]] |location=Perth, WA |date=30 December 1943 |access-date=31 July 2014 |page=28 |via=Trove (National Library of Australia)}}</ref> and in December 1946 about {{convert|200|yd}} was inundated by water {{convert|spell=in|1|ft|cm|adj=on}} deep.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article46249141 |title=Old Coast Road |newspaper=The West Australian |location=Perth, WA |date=18 December 1946 |access-date=31 July 2014 |page=6 |edition=Second |via=Trove (National Library of Australia)}}</ref> Negotiations between Main Roads and the road boards recommenced in 1947,<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article46269670 |title=The Old Coast Road |newspaper=The West Australian |location=Perth, WA |date=14 March 1947 |access-date=31 July 2014 |page=17 |edition=Second |via=Trove (National Library of Australia)}}</ref> and by October 1948 the provision of a suitable road was costed at £280,000. Given that a good quality road already linked Perth and Bunbury, and there was likely to be little immediate benefit, Main Roads did not consider the proposal to be warranted.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article149060986 |title=Mandurah–Bunbury Highway |newspaper=South Western Advertiser |location=Perth, WA |date=28 October 1948 |access-date=31 July 2014 |page=8 |via=Trove (National Library of Australia)}}</ref>

At a February 1949 conference of officials from [[Local government in Western Australia|local governments]] in the [[South West (Western Australia)|South West]] region it was decided to once more pursue the reopening of the coastal route, due to the amount of traffic on the existing Perth–Bunbury road.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article47646811 |title=News From The Country |newspaper=The West Australian |location=Perth, WA |date=22 February 1949 |access-date=31 July 2014 |page=8 |via=Trove (National Library of Australia)}}</ref> Over the next year the proposal was supported by the Bunbury Chamber of Commerce,<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article47740161 |title=Coast Route To Bunbury |newspaper=The West Australian |location=Perth, WA |date=3 August 1949 |access-date=31 July 2014 |page=2 |via=Trove (National Library of Australia)}}</ref> South West Zone Development Committee,<ref name=modernised>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article59512976 |title=Old Coast Road To Be Modernised? |newspaper=Sunday Times |location=Perth, WA |date=12 March 1950 |access-date=31 July 2014 |page=8 |via=Trove (National Library of Australia)}}</ref> and [[Bunbury Municipal Council]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article47835798 |title=Old Coast Road To Bunbury |newspaper=The West Australian |location=Perth, WA |date=17 March 1950 |access-date=31 July 2014 |page=13 |via=Trove (National Library of Australia)}}</ref> Reasons for supporting the proposal included "defence, land settlement, relieving the main highway, and tourist advantages".<ref name=modernised /> It was also a political issue leading up to the [[1950 Western Australian state election|1950 state election]],<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article47836733 |title=State Election Policies of Candidates |newspaper=The West Australian |location=Perth, WA |date=21 March 1950 |access-date=31 July 2014 |page=18 |via=Trove (National Library of Australia)}}</ref> as well as afterwards. The summer of 1950 had seen a shortage of milk in Perth, leading to the consideration of turning undeveloped land along Old Coast Road into pastures for dairy farming.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article47846136 |title=Wholemilk Supplies |newspaper=The West Australian |location=Perth, WA |date=8 May 1950 |access-date=31 July 2014 |page=3 |via=Trove (National Library of Australia)}}</ref> After inspecting the land on 17 May 1950, the Agriculture Minister advocated for Old Coast Road to be reopened, to develop the adjacent land which was well suited to milk production.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article47864046 |title=Coast-Road Hinterland "An Eye-Opener" |newspaper=The West Australian |location=Perth, WA |date=22 May 1950 |access-date=31 July 2014 |page=11 |via=Trove (National Library of Australia)}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article39103623 |title=The Passing Parade |author=Mulga |newspaper=Western Mail |location=Perth, WA |date=8 June 1950 |access-date=31 July 2014 |page=3 |department=Countryman's Magazine |via=Trove (National Library of Australia)}}</ref>

===New construction in the 1950s===
An official inspection in October 1950 reported that it would not be difficult to improve the old road into a reasonable track, which would then have a better chance of attracting assistance from Main Roads.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article47892005 |title=Move For Development of Old Coast Road |newspaper=The West Australian |location=Perth, WA |date=14 October 1950 |access-date=31 July 2014 |page=10 |via=Trove (National Library of Australia)}}</ref> The [[Mandurah Road Board]] spent £1200 on the road, while the Harvey Road Board requested a £500 grant from Main Roads for their portion of the road.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article47892815 |title=Grants For Roads |newspaper=The West Australian |location=Perth, WA |date=18 October 1950 |access-date=31 July 2014 |page=9 |via=Trove (National Library of Australia)}}</ref> Two years later little progress had been made, and Main Roads therefore refused to fund feeder roads to connect to Old Coast Road.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article148936342 |title=Road Grants Refused |newspaper=South Western Advertiser |location=Perth, WA |date=1 May 1952 |access-date=31 July 2014 |page=3 |via=Trove (National Library of Australia)}}</ref> By May 1952, works had halted as Main Roads believed that the existing, winding route around the estuary was too prone to flooding. Settlers in the area recalled it never flooding previously, and the Mandurah Road Board was concerned that should a new road be built, they would still have to maintain the old road for access to properties.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article148934670 |title=Premier To Make An Inspection of Old Coast Road |newspaper=South Western Advertiser |location=Perth, WA |date=8 May 1952 |access-date=31 July 2014 |page=1 |via=Trove (National Library of Australia)}}</ref> The road was inspected by the Premier, Deputy-Commissioner of Main Roads J. D. Leach, and the district engineer H. A. Smith. They indicated that a new road would likely closely follow the old road, but that a detailed survey would be needed. Nearby limestone deposits would be suitable for the road's foundation, with the cost estimated at £11 per chain.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article49062577 |title=Premier's Visit To Coast Road |newspaper=The West Australian |location=Perth, WA |date=8 November 1952 |access-date=31 July 2014 |page=6 |via=Trove (National Library of Australia)}}</ref>

[[File:OIC mandurah pinjarra road bridge info.jpg|thumb|left|alt=Plaque with words "This bridge was opened on April 17th 1953 by Hon. J. T. Tonkin M. L. A. Minister For Works"|Plaque commemorating the opening of the new Mandurah bridge]]
Mandurah had grown rapidly as a tourist destination in the post war period,<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article149768447 |title=Mandurah Wants £20,000 For Development |newspaper=South Western Advertiser |location=Perth, WA |date=13 May 1954 |access-date=31 July 2014 |page=1 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref> and on 17 April 1953 a new bridge connecting Old Coast Road to Mandurah was opened. Construction of the new bridge, adjacent to the old bridge, began in September 1951, and was designed with reinforced concrete piles. The old wooden bridge had rapidly deteriorated due to the presence of marine organisms, and needed considerable attention to maintain it in a usable condition. The opening ceremony was attended by the Chairman of the Mandurah Road Board, W. Anderson, Leader of the Opposition, Ross McLarty, Minister for Works, [[John Tonkin]]; Commissioner of Main Roads, Digby Leach; C. H. Henning, MLC; engineer in charges of bridges, Ernest Godfrey; local government representatives, and a number of schoolchildren who were given a half-day off school.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article149763984 |title=Importance of Bridge Is Stressed at Mandurah |newspaper=South Western Advertiser |location=Perth, WA |date=23 April 1953 |access-date=1 August 2014 |page=1 |via=Trove (National Library of Australia)}}</ref>

No further work had been done on Old Coast Road by 1954, as the road boards in the area had insufficient funds.<ref name=grants>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article149767212 |title=Grants For Old Coast Road |newspaper=South Western Advertiser |location=Perth, WA |date=28 January 1954 |access-date=31 July 2014 |page=2 |via=Trove (National Library of Australia)}}</ref> More pressure for a new road came from the Education Department, which saw the need for a school bus in the area, but could not provide the service due to the poor condition of Old Coast Road.<ref name="school bus">{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article149768843 |title=Old Coast Road & School Bus Service |newspaper=South Western Advertiser |location=Perth, WA |date=17 June 1954 |access-date=31 July 2014 |page=1 |via=Trove (National Library of Australia)}}</ref> Leach, who was by then the Commissioner, indicated that Main Roads would likely approve requests for grants to improve Old Coast road from the road boards in the area,<ref name=grants /> and that provision for funding had been made in the 1954–55 budget.<ref name="school bus" /> Work was finally cleared to commence in September 1954 with Main Roads approving the Mandurah Road Board's schedule of works, including £1000 for the following works on Old Coast Road:<ref name="schedule approved">{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article149769957 |title=Mandurah Road Bd. Schedule Approved |newspaper=South Western Advertiser |location=Perth, WA |date=16 September 1954 |access-date=31 July 2014 |page=2 |via=Trove (National Library of Australia)}}</ref> {{blockquote|"New construction {{convert|18|ft|m|disp=x| [|]|abbr=on}} wide southwards from Yeedong-rd, and new construction {{convert|12|ft|m|disp=x| [|]|abbr=on}} wide along the eastern boundary of Location 1130 from the end of the existing construction to the northern boundary of Reserve 2851."<ref name="schedule approved" />}}

The name "Old Coast Road" was formally adopted on 27 January 1959,<ref>{{Gazette WA |file=1448/58 |title=Naming of Old Coast Road |date=27 January 1959 |page=1959:313 |url=https://www.slp.wa.gov.au/gazette/gazette.nsf/searchgazette/FB7198AFEB117698C82576120002BEE1/$file/gg008.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140808044643/https://www.slp.wa.gov.au/gazette/gazette.nsf/searchgazette/FB7198AFEB117698C82576120002BEE1/$file/gg008.pdf |archive-date=8 August 2014 |url-status=live}}<!--Also archived at https://www.webcitation.org/6VaZM4Syh--></ref> and a [[sealed road]] was completed in September 1969.<ref>{{cite web |author=Main Roads Western Australia |title=South West Focus Conference: Linking the South West |url=http://www.southwestfocus.com.au/_content/documents/2007%20conference/Brett%20Belstead.pdf |publisher=Government of Western Australia |access-date=1 August 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110322170536/http://www.southwestfocus.com.au/_content/documents/2007%20conference/Brett%20Belstead.pdf |archive-date=22 March 2011 |page=3 |date=May 2007}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |author1=Main Roads Department |title=Main Roads Dept. of Western Australia: Collection of Ephemera Materials |year=1952 |publisher=[[State Library of Western Australia]] |url=http://catalogue.slwa.wa.gov.au/record=b1886857~S2 |at=Call No. PR8302/161}} Summarised in {{Cite web |title=Ephemera PR8302 |publisher=State Library of Western Australia |access-date=21 March 2015 |url=http://www.slwa.wa.gov.au/pdf/ephemera/pr8302.pdf |at=Call No. PR8302/161 |quote=An invitation to the official opening of the Old Coast Road and a map of the Old Coast Road. 19 September 1969 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140810041056/http://www.slwa.wa.gov.au/pdf/ephemera/pr8302.pdf |archive-date=10 August 2014 |url-status=live}}. {{Cite web |url=http://www.slwa.wa.gov.au/pdf/ephemera/pr8302.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=4 August 2014 |archive-date=10 August 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140810041056/http://www.slwa.wa.gov.au/pdf/ephemera/pr8302.pdf |url-status=bot: unknown}}</ref>

===Perth Bunbury Highway===
[[File:OIC old coast road pleasant grove.jpg|thumb|right|Dual carriageway section of Old Coast Road south of Mandurah]]
Since the 1980s, the state government has been committed to constructing and upgrading the Perth Bunbury Highway,{{refn|group=lower-alpha|Also known as Perth–Bunbury Highway<ref name="EPA Peel Deviation" /><ref name="DEH2006" />}} a route along coastal roads, including Old Coast Road south of Mandurah. The ultimate design is for a freeway or expressway-standard road, but with staged construction initially providing a dual carriageway.<ref name="Ecologia PER">{{Cite book |author1=Ecologia Environmental Consultants |author2=Main Roads Western Australia |title=Perth Bunbury Highway, Peel Deviation: Public Environmental Review |date=January 1997 |publisher=Environmental Protection Authority |location=Perth, WA |url=http://trove.nla.gov.au/work/22424972 |pages=iv, 1, 6, 7}}</ref>

====Australind Bypass====
The {{convert|20.5|km|mi|adj=mid|-long}} Australind Bypass was constructed in the 1980s to relieve pressure on Old Coast Road, and improve local amenity. The bypass travelled to the east and south of Australind and Eaton, to connect to Bunbury's Eelup Roundabout via an alignment previously part of Jubilee Road. There were slight deviations in the route to protect remnant [[paperbark]] trees, [[tuart]]s, [[acacia]], and aquatic plants, as well as a site of [[Aboriginal Australians|Aboriginal]] importance, identified by botanical and Aboriginal heritage surveys.<ref name="WR bypass" /> Australind Bypass was built in two stages by the Bunbury Division of Main Roads. The first stage opened on 11 December 1987, and was a {{convert|4.7|km|adj=on}} length from Eelup Roundabout to Eaton Drive, plus a {{convert|2|km|adj=on}} link from the bypass (north of the rail line) and the Collie River bridge on Old Coast Road. Stage two, the remaining {{convert|15.8|km}} to reconnect with Old Coast Road,{{refn|group=lower-alpha|Old Coast Road in Leschenault was previously routed along modern-day Cathedral Avenue<ref>{{cite web |author1=Shire of Harvey |title=Cathedral Avenue & Wetlands inc Paperbark Trees |url=http://inherit.stateheritage.wa.gov.au/Public/Inventory/Details/4fba0b55-d601-4fa1-b026-dbf1bb8596f7 |publisher=State Heritage Office, Government of Western Australia |access-date=1 August 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140801112317/http://inherit.stateheritage.wa.gov.au/Public/Inventory/Details/4fba0b55-d601-4fa1-b026-dbf1bb8596f7 |archive-date=1 August 2014 |url-status=live |date=13 September 2011}} {{webarchive |format=addlarchives |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150115213844/http://inherit.stateheritage.wa.gov.au/Public/Inventory/PrintSingleRecord/4fba0b55-d601-4fa1-b026-dbf1bb8596f7 |date=15 January 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=History |url=http://www.southwestattractions.com.au/history.html |website=South West Attractions |publisher=Harvey Visitor Centre |access-date=1 August 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140604141833/http://www.southwestattractions.com.au/history.html |archive-date=4 June 2014 |url-status=live}} {{webarchive |format=addlarchives |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150106044121/http://www.southwestattractions.com.au/history.html |date=6 January 2015}}</ref>}} was completed ahead of schedule in December 1988.<ref name="WR bypass">{{cite journal |title=Australind Bypass |journal=Western Roads |date=March 1989 |volume=14 |issue=1 |pages=1–2 |url=http://trove.nla.gov.au/work/24960516}}</ref>

Australind Bypass was opened on 16 December 1988<ref name="VL">{{cite book |first=Leigh |last=Edmonds |author-link=Leigh Edmonds |title=The Vital Link: A History of Main Roads Western Australia 1926–1996 |publisher=University of Western Australia Press |location=Nedlands, Western Australia |year=1997 |isbn=1-875560-87-4}}</ref>{{rp|359}} by Federal Transport Minister [[Bob Brown (Australian Labor politician)|Bob Brown]], who helped complete the final seal, together with the Mayor of Bunbury [[Ern Manea]].<ref name="WR bypass" /> State Transport Minister [[Bob Pearce]] planted a roadside tree to commemorate the opening of the bypass, which was also attended by the Commissioner of Main Roads Albert Tognolini, and Mitchell MLA [[David Smith (Western Australian politician)|David Smith]], Minister for the South West. Vintage cars led a procession from the on-site opening ceremony to a reception held in Bunbury.<ref name="WR bypass" /> The new road was designed to be easily made into a dual carriageway when required;<ref name="WR bypass" /> this was completed nine years later, with the Australind Bypass duplication project officially opened by Mitchell MLA [[Dan Sullivan (Australian politician)|Dan Sullivan]] on 18 December 1997.<ref>{{cite press release |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |title=Official Opening of Australind Bypass Duplication |url=http://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/pages/StatementDetails.aspx?listName=StatementsCourt&StatId=8123 |publisher=Government of Western Australia |date=18 December 1997 |access-date=29 July 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140729063050/http://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/pages/StatementDetails.aspx?listName=StatementsCourt&StatId=8123 |archive-date=29 July 2014 |url-status=dead}} {{Cite web |url=http://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/cabinet/mediast/dg97-51/chaaustr.html |title=Archived copy |access-date=26 November 2022 |archive-date=15 June 2004 |archive-url=https://webarchive.nla.gov.au/aest/20040615000000/http://pandora.nla.gov.au/pan/23604/20040615-0000/www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/cabinet/mediast/dg97-51/chaaustr.html |url-status=bot: unknown}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref>

====Dual carriageway sections====
In addition to the Australind Bypass, much of Old Coast Road was upgraded to a dual carriageway. A {{convert|7.2|km|mi|adj=mid|-long}} second carriageway through [[Halls Head, Western Australia|Halls Head]] and [[Falcon, Western Australia|Falcon]] was opened in 1989.<ref>{{cite journal |title=Perth to Busselton: Coastal Corridor to the South-West |journal=Western Roads |date=September 1994 |volume=18 |issue=3 |page=6}}</ref> Two further dual carriageway sections, from Harvey to Myalup, and around Glen Iris, opened on 17 June 1996.<ref name="network changes" /> The dual carriageway was extended up to Lake Clifton {{circa|December 2000}}.<ref name="hansard dawseville" /> Construction of the dual carriageway Dawesville Bypass around eastern [[Dawesville, Western Australia|Dawesville]], south of Mandurah, began in late 2000,<ref name="hansard dawseville">{{cite hansard |jurisdiction=Western Australia |title=Old Coast Road, Improvements to Ease Traffic Congestion |url=http://www.parliament.wa.gov.au/Hansard%5Chansard.nsf/0/e89e79e5b53563a2c82575700080a05c/$FILE/C35%20S4%2020001109%20p2692c-2692c.pdf |house=[[Western Australian Legislative Council|Legislative Council]] |date=9 November 2000 |speaker=[[Murray Criddle]] |position=Minister for Transport |archive-url=https://www.webcitation.org/6RUlhlnPb?url=http://www.parliament.wa.gov.au/Hansard%5Chansard.nsf/0/e89e79e5b53563a2c82575700080a05c/%24FILE/C35%20S4%2020001109%20p2692c-2692c.pdf |archive-date=1 August 2014 |url-status=live}} {{Cite web |url=http://www.parliament.wa.gov.au/Hansard%5Chansard.nsf/0/e89e79e5b53563a2c82575700080a05c/%24FILE/C35%20S4%2020001109%20p2692c-2692c.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=3 February 2017 |archive-date=15 January 2015 |archive-url=https://www.webcitation.org/6Vaas2oDd?url=http://www.parliament.wa.gov.au/Hansard%5Chansard.nsf/0/e89e79e5b53563a2c82575700080a05c/%24FILE/C35%20S4%2020001109%20p2692c-2692c.pdf |url-status=bot: unknown}}</ref> and was opened in July 2001.<ref name="network changes">{{cite web |author=Main Roads Western Australia |title=Network Changes: Rural |url=https://www.mainroads.wa.gov.au/Documents/Network%20Changes_Rural_upto%2030%20June%202012(2).RCN-D13%5E23105558.PDF |publisher=Government of Western Australia |date=19 March 2013 |access-date=1 August 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140801054954/https://www.mainroads.wa.gov.au/Documents/Network%20Changes_Rural_upto%2030%20June%202012%282%29.RCN-D13%5E23105558.PDF |archive-date=1 August 2014 |url-status=dead}} {{Cite web |url=https://www.mainroads.wa.gov.au/Documents/Network%20Changes_Rural_upto%2030%20June%202012(2).RCN-D13%5E23105558.PDF |title=Archived copy |access-date=4 August 2014 |archive-date=1 August 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140801054954/https://www.mainroads.wa.gov.au/Documents/Network%20Changes_Rural_upto%2030%20June%202012(2).RCN-D13%5E23105558.PDF |url-status=dead}}</ref>

=== New Perth Bunbury Highway===
While Old Coast Road's dual carriageway was advancing north from Bunbury, and Kwinana Freeway was progressively being extended south from Perth, the alignment through Mandurah was constrained by existing development. Keeping the existing alignment would result in a [[traffic bottleneck]] through Mandurah. To overcome this problem, Main Roads began planning for a new route east of the [[Peel Inlet]] in the 1980s.<ref name="Ecologia PER" />

[[File:Forrest Highway southbound from Pinjarra Road.ogv|thumb|left|alt=Video from driver's perspective|Entering the highway from the Pinjarra Road interchange, and travelling south over Pinjarra Road and the Murray River]]
The proposed Perth Bunbury Highway Peel deviation, part of which later became an extension to Kwinana Freeway, underwent a public environmental review in 1997,<ref name="Ecologia PER" /> and an environmental assessment by the [[Environmental Protection Authority of Western Australia|Environmental Protection Authority]] (EPA) in 2000. The relevant environment factors considered by the EPA were vegetation communities, declared rare and priority flora, wetlands, and traffic noise. Main Roads proposed management plans for each factor. Only clearing of vegetation critical for road construction would be undertaken, and more vegetation would be replaced than the amount impacted, using local native species. A survey for declared rare and priority flora found no rare species, and only one priority species, ''[[Lasiopetalum|Lasiopetalum membranaceum]]'', near the southern end of the project. Road construction would impact one conservation class wetland, but no protected wetlands. To minimise impact, road drainage would be designed to contain spills and prevent direct discharges into the surrounding environment. Noise levels would be contained to an acceptable limit in the road design, in accordance with the Main Roads traffic noise policy. The EPA concluded that the road could be designed and managed to an acceptable standard.<ref name="EPA Peel Deviation">{{cite book |title=Perth–Bunbury Highway (Peel Deviation): Report and Recommendations of the Environmental Protection Authority |date=September 2000 |publisher=Environmental Protection Authority |location=Perth, Western Australia |isbn=0-7307-6618-7 |pages=1, 2, 14, 15, 24–27 |url=http://epa.wa.gov.au/EPADocLib/957_B995.pdf |access-date=26 August 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131102004259/http://epa.wa.gov.au/EPADocLib/957_B995.pdf |archive-date=2 November 2013}} {{Cite web |url=http://epa.wa.gov.au/EPADocLib/957_B995.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=29 September 2013 |archive-date=4 April 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150404064937/http://epa.wa.gov.au/EPADocLib/957_B995.pdf |url-status=dead}}</ref> Main Roads' 2006 plan for environmental management of the project included numerous aspects, which for the northern segment of the project exceeded the environmental approval requirements. Specific plans were developed regarding fauna, topsoil management, construction, foreshores, and both Aboriginal and European heritage.<ref name="DEH2006">{{cite book |title=New Perth–Bunbury Highway (Kwinana Freeway Extension and Peel Deviation): DEH Referral Report |year=2006 |location=Perth, Western Australia |url=http://trove.nla.gov.au/work/34740320 |author=GHD (firm) |author-link=GHD Group |author2=Main Roads Western Australia |access-date=27 August 2013}}</ref>{{rp|23–24}}

Construction of the highway and freeway extension began in December 2006, with the whole project then called the New Perth Bunbury Highway. The work was undertaken by a partnership of Main Roads, [[Leighton Contractors]], WA Limestone and [[GHD Group|GHD]], known as the Southern Gateway Alliance.<ref name="SGA key facts">{{cite web |title=Key Facts |url=http://sgalliance.com.au/npbh/about_facts.html |work=New Perth Bunbury Highway |publisher=Southern Gateway Alliance |access-date=15 March 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091013001106/http://sgalliance.com.au/npbh/about_facts.html |archive-date=13 October 2009}}</ref> The project consisted of a {{convert|32|km|adj=on}} freeway-standard extension as far as South Yunderup Road in South Yunderup, and a {{convert|38|km|adj=on}} highway-standard dual carriageway to Old Coast Road at Lake Clifton. Taking traffic around the eastern side of the [[Peel-Harvey Estuary]] prior to joining the existing dual carriageway on Old Coast Road reduced the journey time from Perth to Bunbury.{{refn|group=lower-alpha|According to the Southern Gateway Alliance, the partnership between [[Main Roads Western Australia]], Leighton Contractors, WA Limestone and GHD that designed and constructed the New Perth Bunbury Highway project<ref>{{cite web |url=http://sgalliance.com.au/npbh/about_alliance.html |title=The Alliance |website=New Perth Bunbury Highway |publisher=Southern Gateway Alliance |access-date=1 December 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091013001122/http://sgalliance.com.au/npbh/about_alliance.html |archive-date=13 October 2009}}</ref>}}<ref>{{cite web |title=The Route |url=http://www.sgalliance.com.au/npbh/about.html |work=New Perth Bunbury Highway |publisher=Southern Gateway Alliance |access-date=15 March 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091214064328/http://www.sgalliance.com.au/npbh/about.html |archive-date=14 December 2009}}</ref> The final road names were not known until early 2009, when Transport Minister [[Simon O'Brien (politician)|Simon O'Brien]] revealed that the section south of Pinjarra Road would be known as Forrest Highway, with the section to the north to become part of Kwinana Freeway.<ref>{{cite web |title=Project Update – March 2009 |url=http://sgalliance.com.au/npbh/pdf/project_update_mar09.pdf |work=New Perth Bunbury Highway |publisher=Southern Gateway Alliance |access-date=15 March 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091016105214/http://sgalliance.com.au/npbh/pdf/project_update_mar09.pdf |archive-date=16 October 2009 |date=March 2009}} {{Cite web |url=http://sgalliance.com.au/npbh/pdf/project_update_mar09.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=20 August 2013 |archive-date=10 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210910185642/https://web.archive.org/web/20091016105214/http://sgalliance.com.au/npbh/pdf/project_update_mar09.pdf |url-status=bot: unknown}}</ref> The highway's name commemorates Sir [[John Forrest]], the state's first [[Premier of Western Australia|premier]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Pages/StatementDetails.aspx?StatId=738&listName=StatementsBarnett |title=Sir John Forrest Commemorated in Naming of New Highway |work=Ministerial Media Statements |date=15 March 2009 |publisher=Government of Western Australia |access-date=24 March 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120215113505/http://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Lists/Statements/DispForm.aspx?ID=131497 |archive-date=15 February 2012 |url-status=dead}}</ref> The Kwinana Freeway extension and Forrest Highway were opened on 20 September 2009, with a ceremony held at the interchange between the freeway, highway, and Pinjarra Road. The roads were officially opened by Premier [[Colin Barnett]], Senator [[Chris Evans (Australian politician)|Chris Evans]], Transport Minister Simon O'Brien, Member for Canning [[Don Randall (politician)|Don Randall]], and the former Planning and Infrastructure Minister [[Alannah MacTiernan]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Prior |first1=Flip |last2=Loney |first2=Georgia |title=Bunbury highway draws a crowd, Alannah takes long road to perform ribbon art |newspaper=The West Australian |date=21 September 2009 |location=Perth, WA |page=7}}</ref> The $705 million project (equivalent to ${{Inflation|AU-road|705|2009|r=0}} million in {{inflation-year|AU-road}}{{inflation-fn|AU-road}}) was jointly funded by the state and federal governments, which contributed $375 million and $330 million respectively (equivalent to ${{Inflation|AU-road|375|2009|r=0}} million and ${{Inflation|AU-road|330|2009|r=0}} million in {{inflation-year|AU-road}}<ref name="inflation-AU-road" />). At the time it opened, it was Western Australia's largest ever road infrastructure project.<ref>{{cite news |title=Premier Opens New Forrest Highway From Perth To Bunbury |url=http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/premier-opens-new-forrest-highway-from-perth-to-bunbury/story-e6frg6n6-1225777128857 |access-date=9 November 2013 |newspaper=The Australian |date=20 September 2009 |agency=[[Australian Associated Press]] |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240527051744/https://www.webcitation.org/6VactiAx9?url=http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/premier-opens-new-forrest-highway-from-perth-to-bunbury/story-e6frg6n6-1225777128857%3Fnk=f3cd81dd5cb1a8f21c7682c46156fd40 |archive-date=27 May 2024 |url-status=live}}</ref>

===Forrest Highway after opening===
{{external media
| width  = 300px
| topic  = Forrest Highway: One year after opening – interviews
| audio1 = [http://mpegmedia.abc.net.au/local/southwestwa/201009/r647483_4529023.mp3 Main Roads regional manager Brett Bellstead] (MP3) <!-- Archive urls: https://web.archive.org/web/20131109092651/http://mpegmedia.abc.net.au/local/southwestwa/201009/r647483_4529023.mp3  /  https://www.webcitation.org/6VcBLF5f4?url=http://mpegmedia.abc.net.au/local/southwestwa/201009/r647483_4529023.mp3 -->
| audio2 = [http://mpegmedia.abc.net.au/local/southwestwa/201009/r647490_4529120.mp3 Harvey Shire president Peter Monagle] (MP3) <!-- Archive urls: https://web.archive.org/web/20131109092809/http://mpegmedia.abc.net.au/local/southwestwa/201009/r647490_4529120.mp3  /  https://www.webcitation.org/6VcBQfbbX?url=http://mpegmedia.abc.net.au/local/southwestwa/201009/r647490_4529120.mp3 -->
| audio3 = [http://mpegmedia.abc.net.au/local/southwestwa/201009/r647493_4529156.mp3 Harvey cheese maker Robert St Duke] (MP3) <!-- Archive urls: https://web.archive.org/web/20131109092852/http://mpegmedia.abc.net.au/local/southwestwa/201009/r647493_4529156.mp3  /  https://www.webcitation.org/6VcBRwHDB?url=http://mpegmedia.abc.net.au/local/southwestwa/201009/r647493_4529156.mp3 --><br />
Radio interviews conducted by [[ABC South West WA]] presenter Ron Tait.<ref name="ABC SWWA 1 year" />
}}
One year after Forrest Highway opened, the number of road accidents on the main roads in the area had decreased by 60%. Traffic on South Western Highway had reduced by 50% north of Pinjarra, and by 20% to the south,<ref name="ABC SWWA 1 year">{{cite web |last=Kennedy |first=Jane |title=Forrest Highway Impacts Tourism |url=http://www.abc.net.au/local/stories/2010/09/29/3025207.htm |publisher=ABC South West WA |access-date=9 November 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110412102728/http://www.abc.net.au/local/stories/2010/09/29/3025207.htm |archive-date=12 April 2011 |url-status=live |date=29 September 2010}} {{Cite web |url=http://www.abc.net.au/local/stories/2010/09/29/3025207.htm |title=Forrest Highway Impacts Tourism – ABC South West WA – Australian Broadcasting Corporation |publisher=[[Australian Broadcasting Corporation]] |access-date=9 November 2013 |archive-date=14 November 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131114181217/http://www.abc.net.au/local/stories/2010/09/29/3025207.htm |url-status=bot: unknown}}</ref> and there was an 82% reduction along Old Coast Road within a month of the new highway opening.<ref name="ECU3D Mixed">{{cite journal |last1=Buck |first1=Hannah |title=Mixed Reactions to Forrest Highway |url=http://3degree.ecu.edu.au/articles/2878 |journal=3rd Degree |publisher=Edith Cowan University |access-date=13 June 2014 |date=16 October 2009 |volume=8 – Semester 2, 2009 |edition=8 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130428232732/http://3degree.ecu.edu.au/articles/2878 |archive-date=28 April 2013 |url-status=dead}} {{Cite web |url=http://3degree.ecu.edu.au/articles/2878 |title=3rd Degree |access-date=13 June 2014 |archive-date=4 April 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150404094752/http://3degree.ecu.edu.au/articles/2878 |url-status=bot: unknown}}</ref> However, tourism in towns along the former routes was affected by the reduced traffic flow, with businesses losing as much as 60% of their trade.<ref name="ABC SWWA 1 year" /><ref name="ECU3D Mixed" />

[[File:John Tognela Rest Stop, Forrest Highway - art walls and toilet block (E37@WTW2013).JPG|thumb|left|The John Tognela Rest Area]]
Forrest Highway has been criticised for the lack of roadside facilities. In January 2014, it was described as "the busiest, most unserviced, long stretch of highway in the nation" by MP [[Murray Cowper]], Member for [[Electoral district of Murray-Wellington|Murray-Wellington]].<ref name="TheWest MP pushes">{{cite news |last1=Acott |first1=Kent |title=MP Pushes for a Roadhouse |url=https://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/wa/a/20756456/mp-pushes-for-a-roadhouse/ |access-date=6 June 2014 |work=The West Australian |date=15 January 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140606012524/https://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/wa/a/20756456/mp-pushes-for-a-roadhouse/ |archive-date=6 June 2014 |url-status=dead}} {{Cite web |url=https://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/wa/a/20756456/mp-pushes-for-a-roadhouse/ |title=MP pushes for a roadhouse – the West Australian |access-date=6 June 2014 |archive-date=5 December 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141205184209/https://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/wa/a/20756456/mp-pushes-for-a-roadhouse/ |url-status=bot: unknown}}</ref> With public toilets initially only available at the John Tognela Rest Area near the southern end of the highway, travellers have reportedly stopped alongside the highway or side roads to urinate and change [[nappies]].<ref name="MCT Cowper leads" /><ref name="TheWest MP pushes" /> A farming family with property adjacent to the highway was willing to invest in a roadhouse near [[Herron Point, Western Australia|Herron Point]], but Main Roads required roadhouses to be built on both sides of the highway. According to Cowper, traffic volume would need to increase from 17,000 to 30,000 vehicles per day to justify such an investment.<ref name="MCT Cowper leads" />

A few months later, in April 2014, a Perth developer had begun constructing twin roadhouses {{convert|spell=in|5|km|0}} south of Greenlands Road, approximately halfway between Perth and Bunbury. The property was purchased in 2004, before construction began on the highway, with the intention of developing the site when there was a viable amount of traffic. The facilities, which consists of a national fuel retailer and food and beverage outlets along with other amenities located on both sides of the highway, were initially expected to be completed by the end of 2014,<ref>{{cite news |title=$20m Twin Roadhouses To Be Built on Forrest Highway |url=http://www.bunburymail.com.au/story/2207928/20m-twin-roadhouses-to-be-built-on-forrest-highway/ |access-date=6 June 2014 |work=Bunbury Mail |date=9 April 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140606021721/http://www.bunburymail.com.au/story/2207928/20m-twin-roadhouses-to-be-built-on-forrest-highway/ |archive-date=6 June 2014 |url-status=live}} {{Cite web |url=http://www.bunburymail.com.au/story/2207928/20m-twin-roadhouses-to-be-built-on-forrest-highway/ |title=$20m twin roadhouses to be built on Forrest Highway &#124; Bunbury Mail |access-date=6 June 2014 |archive-date=5 December 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141205034116/http://www.bunburymail.com.au/story/2207928/20m-twin-roadhouses-to-be-built-on-forrest-highway/ |url-status=bot: unknown}}</ref> but work was put on hold due to a legal dispute between the developer and landowner.<ref>{{cite news |title=Legal Stoush Fuels Delays to South-West Servo Plans |url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-10-01/legal-stoush-fuels-delays-to-south-west-servo-plans/5782134 |access-date=24 January 2015 |publisher=ABC News |location=Australia |date=1 October 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141002011528/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-10-01/legal-stoush-fuels-delays-to-south-west-servo-plans/5782134 |archive-date=2 October 2014 |url-status=live}} {{Cite web |url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-10-01/legal-stoush-fuels-delays-to-south-west-servo-plans/5782134 |title=Legal stoush fuels delays to south-west servo plans |publisher=ABC News |location=Australia |access-date=24 January 2015 |archive-date=15 February 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150215030413/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-10-01/legal-stoush-fuels-delays-to-south-west-servo-plans/5782134 |url-status=bot: unknown}}</ref> Development resumed in June 2015,<ref>{{cite news |last1=Bertelli |first1=Lincoln |title=Forrest Highway Roadhouses 'Ready by Easter' |url=https://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/regional/south-west/a/28499483/forrest-highway-roadhouses-ready-by-easter/ |access-date=19 June 2015 |work=South Western Times |via=The West Australian: Regional |issue=19 June 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150619050257/https://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/regional/south-west/a/28499483/forrest-highway-roadhouses-ready-by-easter/ |archive-date=19 June 2015 |url-status=dead}} {{Cite web |url=https://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/regional/south-west/a/28499483/forrest-highway-roadhouses-ready-by-easter/ |title=Forrest Highway roadhouses ready by Easter – the West Australian |access-date=19 June 2015 |archive-date=19 June 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150619091457/https://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/regional/south-west/a/28499483/forrest-highway-roadhouses-ready-by-easter/ |url-status=bot: unknown}}</ref> and the twin roadhouses opened in late 2017.<ref name=roadhouse2017>{{cite news |title=New Forrest Highway servos offer range of treats |url=https://www.swtimes.com.au/news/south-western-times/new-forrest-highway-servos-offer-range-of-treats-ng-b88595291z |access-date=1 February 2021 |work=South Western Times |date=12 September 2017}}</ref>

On 5 June 2014, the [[Committee for Geographical Names in Australasia|Geographic Names Committee]] renamed the roads that connect Forrest Highway to Bunbury – part of Old Coast Road as well as Australind Bypass – as part of the highway. The renaming had been proposed in 2013 due to public confusion over the three names used for the route to Bunbury: Forrest Highway to Lake Clifton, Old Coast Road from there to north of Australind, and then Australind Bypass. Emergency services had difficulty locating incidents due to the confusion.<ref name="SOD appendices">{{cite web |title=Appendices |work=Ordinary Meeting To Be Held Wednesday, 27 November 2013 |url=http://www.dardanup.wa.gov.au/files/2014/06/2013-11-27-ORDINARY-APPENDICES.pdf |publisher=Shire of Dardanup |access-date=2 August 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140308153238/http://www.dardanup.wa.gov.au/_content/Documents/Council/Ordinary%20Meeting/Ordinary%20Meeting%20Appendices%202013%2011%2027 |archive-date=8 March 2014 |url-status=dead |page=2}} {{Cite web |url=http://www.dardanup.wa.gov.au/files/2014/06/2013-11-27-ORDINARY-APPENDICES.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=16 January 2015 |archive-date=16 March 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150316081216/http://www.dardanup.wa.gov.au/files/2014/06/2013-11-27-ORDINARY-APPENDICES.pdf |url-status=dead}}</ref> The renaming followed similar changes to Main Roads' internal-use designations in May 2011, which deprecated Perth Bunbury Highway (Highway H2) in favour of Melville Mandurah Highway (Highway H2) for the portion north of Mandurah, Lakeland Lake Clifton Road (Main Road M74) for the Mandurah to Lake Clifton section together with [[Mandjoogoordap Drive]], and an extension of Forrest Highway (Highway H57) for the Lake Clifton to Bunbury portion.<ref name="network changes" /> Changes to the road signs were {{update after |2014|07 |reason=Did they complete? |text=expected to be completed by mid-July.}} The renaming was considered unusual, as it affected a significant length of a major road, which was the address of eleven residential properties.<ref name="rename">{{cite news |title=Highway Now Runs To Eelup Roundabout |url=https://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/regional/south-west/a/24255989/highway-now-runs-to-eelup-roundabout/ |access-date=29 June 2014 |work=Bunbury Herald |via=The West Australian |date=17 June 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140629023624/https://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/regional/south-west/a/24255989/highway-now-runs-to-eelup-roundabout/ |archive-date=29 June 2014}} {{Cite web |url=https://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/regional/south-west/a/24255989/highway-now-runs-to-eelup-roundabout/ |title=Highway now runs to Eelup roundabout - the West Australian |access-date=29 June 2014 |archive-date=13 January 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150113062823/https://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/regional/south-west/a/24255989/highway-now-runs-to-eelup-roundabout/ |url-status=bot: unknown}}</ref>

The southern section of Forrest Highway, from Paris Road in Australind to the Eelup Roundabout, was bypassed by the [[Wilman Wadandi Highway]] upon the latter's opening in 2024.  The Paris Road intersection was changed into a grade-separated junction between Forrest and [[Wilman Wadandi Highway]]s, Paris Road, and Clifton Road. The interchange split Forrest Highway into two sections, with the northern section of the highway continuing south as [[Wilman Wadandi Highway]] with traffic wanting to continue along the southern part of the highway into Bunbury having to take an looped exit ramp.<ref name="BORR " /> This aspect of the design was contentious, as the [[City of Bunbury]] wanted for Forrest Highway to be continuous so that more traffic would head into the centre of Bunbury.<ref name="The West Australian 31 December 2019">{{cite web |last1=Verhagen |first1=Shannon |title=More Bunbury Outer Ring Road changes 'needed' |url=https://thewest.com.au/news/bunbury-herald/more-bunbury-outer-ring-road-changes-needed-ng-b881416827z |website=The West Australian |agency=Bunbury Herald |access-date=26 December 2022 |date=31 December 2019}}</ref> Only the northbound entrance and southbound exit ramps will be built, with the southbound exit ramp being a loop ramp so that traffic heading towards Bunbury does not have to [[give way]] to traffic on Clifton Road.<ref name="BORR " />

== Major intersections ==
{{AUSinttop
|LGA_ref=<ref name="RIMS" /><ref name="MRWA southwest region">{{cite map |publisher=Main Roads Western Australia |title=South West Region Map |date=13 August 2013 |url=https://www.mainroads.wa.gov.au/Documents/REGION%20STATE%20ROAD%20CONDITION%20MAP%20138%20138%20SOUTH%20WEST.RCN-D13%5E233472.PDF |version=Version 1.0 |cartography=Main Roads Western Australia |type=PDF |access-date=26 September 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130928110116/https://www.mainroads.wa.gov.au/Documents/REGION%20STATE%20ROAD%20CONDITION%20MAP%20138%20138%20SOUTH%20WEST.RCN-D13%5E233472.PDF |archive-date=28 September 2013 |url-status=dead}} {{Cite web |url=https://www.mainroads.wa.gov.au/Documents/REGION%20STATE%20ROAD%20CONDITION%20MAP%20138%20138%20SOUTH%20WEST.RCN-D13%5E233472.PDF |title=Archived copy |access-date=26 September 2013 |archive-date=28 September 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130928110116/https://www.mainroads.wa.gov.au/Documents/REGION%20STATE%20ROAD%20CONDITION%20MAP%20138%20138%20SOUTH%20WEST.RCN-D13%5E233472.PDF |url-status=bot: unknown}}</ref>
|location_ref=<ref name="RIMS" /><ref name="landgate map">{{cite map |publisher=Western Australian Land Information Authority |title=Perth Metropolitan Region: Local Governments and Localities |year=2012 |url=http://www.landgate.wa.gov.au/docvault.nsf/web/PS_FREEMAP/$FILE/Arterial_Roads_LGA_&_Localities.pdf |cartography=Location Knowledge Services, Landgate |access-date=26 September 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130516140249/http://www.landgate.wa.gov.au/docvault.nsf/web/PS_FREEMAP/%24FILE/Arterial_Roads_LGA_%26_Localities.pdf |archive-date=16 May 2013 |url-status=dead}} {{Cite web |url=http://www.landgate.wa.gov.au/docvault.nsf/web/PS_FREEMAP/%24FILE/Arterial_Roads_LGA_%26_Localities.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=3 February 2017 |archive-date=29 October 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029192421/http://www.landgate.wa.gov.au/docvault.nsf/web/PS_FREEMAP/%24FILE/Arterial_Roads_LGA_%26_Localities.pdf |url-status=dead}}</ref>
|length_ref=<ref name="RIMS">{{cite web |author=Main Roads Western Australia |title=Road Information Mapping System |url=http://gis.mainroads.wa.gov.au/roadinformationmap/ |publisher=Government of Western Australia |access-date=29 June 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130928155909/https://gis.mainroads.wa.gov.au/roadinformationmap/ |archive-date=28 September 2013}}</ref>
|dest_ref=<ref name="RIMS" /><ref name="MRWA southwest region" />
|notes_ref=<ref name="RIMS" />
}}
{{AUS-WAint
|LGAS=Murray
|location_special={{WAcity|Ravenswood}}<wbr />–[[North Yunderup, Western Australia|North Yunderup]] boundary
|km=0.00
|road={{AUshield|S|2}} [[Kwinana Freeway]] (State Route&nbsp;2) north / Pinjarra Road{{WAcity|p=on|Perth|Mandurah|Pinjarra}}
|notes=Northern highway terminus; [[folded diamond interchange]]}}
{{Jctbridge
|river=[[Murray River (Western Australia)|Murray River]]
|km=0.00
|km2=0.27
|bridge=Windich Bridge<ref>{{cite map |publisher=Government of Western Australia |title=Boating Guide Mandurah |map=Mandurah Inland Waters |date=December 2013 |url=http://www.transport.wa.gov.au/mediaFiles/marine/MAC_G_Boating_Mandurah.pdf |scale=Scale not given |cartography=Department of Transport |page=4 |access-date=16 January 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140718220729/http://www.transport.wa.gov.au/mediaFiles/marine/MAC_G_Boating_Mandurah.pdf |archive-date=18 July 2014 |url-status=live}} {{Cite web |url=http://www.transport.wa.gov.au/mediaFiles/marine/MAC_G_Boating_Mandurah.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=25 June 2014 |archive-date=24 March 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150324014437/http://www.transport.wa.gov.au/mediaFiles/marine/MAC_G_Boating_Mandurah.pdf |url-status=bot: unknown}}</ref>}}
{{AUS-WAint
|LGA=Murray
|location=West Pinjarra
|km=7.92
|road=Greenlands Road east&nbsp;– Pinjarra
|notes=}}
{{AUS-WAint
|LGAS=Waroona
|LGAspan=3
|location=Waroona
|lspan=2
|km=27.05
|road=Old Bunbury Road east – Pinjarra}}
{{AUS-WAint
|km=28.78
|road=Old Bunbury Road west{{WAcity|p=on|Lake Clifton}}
|notes=}}
{{AUS-WAint
|type=trans
|location=Lake Clifton
|km=37.61
|road={{AUshield|R|1}} Old Coast Road (National Route&nbsp;1) northwest&nbsp;– Mandurah
|notes=Route transition: State Route&nbsp;2 southern terminus, National Route&nbsp;1 continues south along Forrest Highway}}
{{AUS-WAint
|LGAS=Harvey
|LGAspan=2
|location=Myalup
|km=58.19
|road=Forestry Road{{WAcity|p=on|Harvey}}
|notes=}}
{{AUS-WAint
|location=Leschenault
|km=76.84
|road={{AUshield|T|260}} Old Coast Road (Tourist Drive&nbsp;260) south{{WAcity|p=on|Australind}}
|notes=}}
{{Jctbridge
|river=[[Brunswick River (Western Australia)|Brunswick River]]
|km=79.91
|km2=79.96
|bridge=Bridge over river}}
{{AUS-WAint
|LGA=Harvey
|location_special=[[Australind, Western Australia|Australind]]–[[Brunswick, Western Australia|Brunswick]] boundary
|km=81.80
|type = incomplete
|road= {{AUshield|S|101}}[[Wilman Wadandi Highway]] south (State Route 101) / Paris Road west / Clifton Road east&nbsp;– Australind
|notes= Partial [[Roundabout interchange]] with northbound entry and exit ramps. Forrest Highway is free flowing southwards via a looped ramp.<ref name="BORR">{{cite web |title=Bunbury Outer Ring Road Stages 2 and 3 |url=https://www.mainroads.wa.gov.au/globalassets/projects-initiatives/projects/regional/bunbury-outer-ring-road/bunbury-outer-ring-road-project-fact-sheet.pdf?v=4a521c |website=Main Roads Western Australia |access-date=26 December 2022 |date=August 2022}}</ref>}}
{{Jctbridge
|river=[[Collie River]]
|km=85.37
|km2=85.50
|bridge=Bridge over river}}
{{AUS-WAint
|LGAC=Bunbury
|LGAspan=2
|location=Pelican Point
|km=91.32
|road={{AUshield|T|260}} Old Coast Road (Tourist Drive&nbsp;260) north{{WAcity|p=on|Eaton|Pelican Point}}, Australind
|notes=Traffic light intersection}}
{{AUS-WAint
|location_special=[[Glen Iris, Western Australia|Glen Iris]]–[[Vittoria, Western Australia|Vittoria]] boundary
|km=92.00
|road=Alyxia Road southeast / Thomson Road<ref name=RIMS /> northwest to Willinge Drive{{WAcity|p=on|Glen Iris|Vittoria|Picton}}
|notes=Traffic light intersection}}
{{Jctbridge
|river=[[Preston River]]
|km=94.13
|km2=94.18
|bridge=Bridge over river}}
{{AUS-WAint
|LGA=Bunbury
|location=East Bunbury
|km=95.67
|road={{AUshield|R|1|S|10}} [[Robertson Drive]] (National Route&nbsp;1 / State Route&nbsp;10) south / Sandridge Road west / Koombana Drive north{{WAcity|p=on|Bunbury|Donnybrook|Busselton}}
|notes=Eelup Roundabout (traffic light controlled); southern highway terminus}}
{{Jctbtm|keys=trans|conv=off}}

==Old Coast Road==
While much of Old Coast Road was renamed Forrest Highway in 2014, bypassed sections of the former Perth Bunbury Highway near Mandurah and Australind have retained the name Old Coast Road,<ref name="SOD appendices" /> and have significance as part of numbered [[Route number#Australia|road routes]].

===Mandurah – Lake Clifton===
{{Infobox road small
|country=AUS
|name=Old Coast Road
|location=[[Mandurah]] – [[Lake Clifton, Western Australia|Lake Clifton]]
|length_km=44.3
|length_ref=<ref name="gmaps OCR Mandurah" />
|route={{AUshield|R|1|size=x18px}} [[List of road routes in Western Australia#R1|National Route&nbsp;1]]
}}
Old Coast Road starts at the intersection of Mandurah Terrace and Pinjarra Road in Mandurah. It crosses the Mandurah estuary into [[Halls Head, Western Australia|Halls Head]] via the {{convert|184|m|ft|adj=mid|-long}} Mandurah Bridge.<ref name=RIMS /><ref>{{cite web |author1=City of Mandurah |title=Mandurah Bridge |url=http://inherit.stateheritage.wa.gov.au/Public/Inventory/Details/d41b6a5b-8cc9-4505-8271-614f69e15333 |publisher=State Heritage Office, Government of Western Australia |access-date=4 August 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140804071750/http://inherit.stateheritage.wa.gov.au/Public/Inventory/Details/d41b6a5b-8cc9-4505-8271-614f69e15333 |archive-date=4 August 2014 |url-status=live |date=11 May 2012}} {{Cite web |url=http://inherit.stateheritage.wa.gov.au/Public/Inventory/PrintSingleRecord/d41b6a5b-8cc9-4505-8271-614f69e15333 |title=Heritage Council of WA – Places Database |access-date=3 January 2017 |archive-date=2 April 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160402185709/http://inherit.stateheritage.wa.gov.au/Public/Inventory/PrintSingleRecord/d41b6a5b-8cc9-4505-8271-614f69e15333 |url-status=bot: unknown}}</ref> The road heads south-west as a [[two-lane road]] serving the canal estate in eastern Halls Head. After {{convert|1.7|km}} Old Coast Road intersects Mandurah Road at a T&nbsp;junction. Mandurah Road and Old Coast Road south-westbound form a continuous dual carriageway, and from here Old Coast Road is part of [[Highway 1 (Western Australia)|National Route&nbsp;1]]. The road then proceeds through Mandurah's southern suburbs of [[Falcon, Western Australia|Falcon]] and [[Wannanup]] for {{convert|8.7|km}} before bridging the [[Dawesville Channel]]. After {{convert|1.3|km}}, Old Coast Road turns south to run through eastern Dawesville as a single carriageway; about {{convert|500|m|mi}} to the west the dual carriageway also travels south as Dawesville Bypass. The two routes meet again after {{convert|spell=in|3+1/2|km}}. Old Coast Road is briefly a dual carriageway for {{convert|700|m|mi}} before reducing to a {{convert|28|km|mi|adj=mid|-long}} two-lane road through [[Bouvard, Western Australia|Bouvard]], [[Herron, Western Australia|Herron]] and Lake Clifton. The road terminates at a T junction with Forrest Highway.<ref name="gmaps OCR Mandurah">{{Google maps |url=https://www.google.com.au/maps/dir/-32.5348815,115.718835/-32.5364795,115.7150321/-32.5493835,115.7061523/-32.604693,115.6413619/-32.6073934,115.6392387/-32.6183275,115.6361199/-32.6473328,115.6392623/-32.6529141,115.6430436/-32.8843426,115.7130737/@-32.6866699,115.6774774,11z/am=t/data=!4m21!4m20!1m0!1m0!1m0!1m0!1m0!1m10!3m4!1m2!1d115.6394446!2d-32.6260709!3s0x2a2d87c2a0760523:0x1304f0b525f062d0!3m4!1m2!1d115.6387472!2d-32.6387162!3s0x2a2d88755152d74f:0xc1d6ff68449b0346!1m0!1m0!1m0!3e0?hl=en |access-date=3 August 2014 |title=Old Coast Road – Mandurah to Lake Clifton |link=no}}</ref>

===Leschenault – Pelican Point===
{{Infobox road small
|header_type=historic
|country=AUS
|name=Old Coast Road
|location=[[Leschenault, Western Australia|Leschenault]] – [[Pelican Point, Western Australia|Pelican Point]]
|length_km=11.7
|length_ref=<ref name="gmaps OCR Australind" />
|route={{AUshield|T|260|size=x18px}} [[List of road routes in Western Australia#260|Tourist Drive&nbsp;260]]
}}
While Forrest Highway bypasses Australind, there is a turn off for Old Coast Road and Tourist Drive&nbsp;260<ref>{{cite web |author1=Collie Visitor Centre |title=Discover the Collie River Valley |url=http://collie.wa.gov.au/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/discover_collie_tour1.pdf |publisher=Shire of Collie |access-date=3 August 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140226031402/http://collie.wa.gov.au/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/discover_collie_tour1.pdf |archive-date=26 February 2014 |url-status=dead}} {{Cite web |url=http://collie.wa.gov.au/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/discover_collie_tour1.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=4 August 2014 |archive-date=16 March 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150316061432/http://collie.wa.gov.au/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/discover_collie_tour1.pdf |url-status=dead}}</ref> at Leschenault. The road heads south through the residential suburb for {{convert|spell=in|3+1/2|km}} before going through a {{convert|1.4|km|mi|adj=mid|-long}} reverse curve. Now at the eastern edge of the Leschenault Inlet, Old Coast Road enters [[Australind, Western Australia|Australind]] and travels along the shoreline for {{convert|spell=in|9+1/2|km}}. The road crosses the Collie River, and {{convert|600|m|mi}} later there is a roundabout with Estuary Drive and Hamilton Road. The tourist drive follows Estuary Drive to Bunbury, while Old Coast Road continues south for {{convert|1.4|km}} to rejoin Forrest Highway at the south-eastern edge of [[Pelican Point, Western Australia|Pelican Point]].<ref name="gmaps OCR Australind">{{Google maps |url=https://www.google.com.au/maps/dir/-33.2316229,115.7284671/-33.2621505,115.7253408/-33.2711534,115.7153504/-33.3087193,115.6980612/-33.3097395,115.6971733/-33.3148389,115.6951257/-33.3272561,115.6969717/@-33.267971,115.7117844,12z/am=t/data=!4m9!4m8!1m0!1m0!1m0!1m0!1m0!1m0!1m0!3e0?hl=en |access-date=3 August 2014 |title=Old Coast Road – Leschenault to Glen Iris |link=no}}</ref>

==Notes==
{{reflist|group=lower-alpha}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

==Further reading==
{{cite web |title=New Perth–Bunbury Highway: Kwinana Freeway Extension and Peel Deviation: Safety Bay Road, Baldivis to Old Coast Road, Lake Clifton |work=AusLink Project Proposal Report: Perth–Bunbury National Corridor |url=http://www.parliament.wa.gov.au/Parliament/commit.nsf/(Evidence+Lookup+by+Com+ID)/337106316A3D452248257831003C11EF/$file/50326514.pdf |publisher=Government of Western Australia |author=Main Roads Western Australia |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110323044022/http://www.parliament.wa.gov.au/parliament/commit.nsf/%28Evidence%2BLookup%2Bby%2BCom%2BID%29/337106316A3D452248257831003C11EF/%24file/50326514.pdf |archive-date=23 March 2011 |url-status=live |date=May 2006}}

==External links==
{{maplink|display=title|raw={{Wikipedia:Map data/Main Roads Western Australia/Forrest Highway}}|text=Route map}}
{{mapbox raw data|data={{Wikipedia:Map data/Main Roads Western Australia/Forrest Highway}}|above='''[[Wikipedia:Map data/Main Roads Western Australia/Forrest Highway|GeoJSON file]]'''|text-left=yes}}
{{Attached KML|display=inline}}
{{Plainlist|
*{{Commons category-inline|Forrest Highway}}
*{{Commons category-inline|Old Coast Road}}
}}
*[https://www.mainroads.wa.gov.au/Documents/Forrest%20Highway%20Map%20-%20NPBH.u_2290457r_1n_D09%5E23100655.PDF Map of New Perth Bunbury Highway Project] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131111093458/https://www.mainroads.wa.gov.au/Documents/Forrest%20Highway%20Map%20-%20NPBH.u_2290457r_1n_D09%5E23100655.PDF |date=11 November 2013 }} (PDF). Aerial photography showing the locations of roads and other features.

{{Road infrastructure in Mandurah}}
{{Road infrastructure in Western Australia}}
{{WA road routes
|route=National Route 1
|shield={{AUshield|R|1}}
|roads={{WA road routes/R|R1}}
|route2=State Route 2
|shield2={{AUshield|S|2}}
|roads2={{WA road routes/R|2}}
}}
{{portal bar|Australian roads}}
[[Category:Highways in rural Western Australia]]
[[Category:Peel (Western Australia)]]
[[Category:Articles containing video clips]]
[[Category:South West (Western Australia)]]
[[Category:Highway 1 (Australia)]]
[[Category:Bypasses in Australia]]