The first trip to Comboyne via Koppin Yarratt was reported in the Manning River Times on 7 October 1899 when a party of 10 men walked on foot to Mt Bulli.
On 18 November 1899 the Manning River Times reported that the Department of Public Works (after receiving a letter from the Mayor) advised that when an officer is available, it is proposed to make a complete investigation as to the best route obtainable.
On 13 January 1904 the Manning River Times reported that a commencement was to be made on 25 January with the new track, working from both the Comboyne and Koppin Yarratt ends towards the centre. It would only be cleared 4ft in width for pack horses.
A meeting was again held in December 1904 wherein a Road Trust was formed consisting of Messrs John McLaughlin (Foreman of Works), A Fritz (Treasurer) and A Hadley (Secretary) (see Manning River Times article dated 7 December 1904).
In November 1908 the Lansdowne Progress Association reported that Mr R A Price, MLA has successfully obtained a grant of nearly £3000 for a road to the Comboyne.
In January 1910 tenders were received for the roadwork connecting the Comboyne with the Manning via Koppin Yarratt.
In December 1911 the first motor car was driven from Comboyne to Koppin Yarratt.
This road was desperately needed to enable the Comboyne farmers to transport their cream to the wharf at Lansdowne to be sent to the Croki Butter Factory. The completion of this road saw an increase of interaction between Comboyne and Upper Lansdowne for a time and timber was hauled from Comboyne to Schubert’s mill and other mills in the area.
Anyone driving to Comboyne from Upper Lansdowne via the Koppin Yarratt Road today would be staggered at the feat achieved by those determined, hardworking strong men who besides working on the road still had work waiting at home to support their families, with food crops to be grown to feed their usually large families. There was no knocking off and relaxing with feet up for these men. They justly deserve our admiration and gratitude for furthering the growth of our community.
This was a familiar sight in Upper Lansdowne, when this man (Mr Wallis) used to drive down the Koppin Yarratt road from Comboyne, through Upper Lansdowne to take the farmer’s cream to the Lansdowne wharf to be transported to the Butter Factory at Croki.
The Koppin Yarratt road above Monkey Ropes Quarry has now been closed for some years after a number of landslides.
Compiled by Gloria Crittenden – May 2024