Old Princes Highway (Victoria)

The Old Princes Highway refers to sections of the former alignment of the Princes Highway in Victoria, Australia. As the main arterial road connecting Melbourne to eastern Victoria and onward to New South Wales, the Princes Highway has been subject to numerous upgrades and realignments over the decades. Consequently, portions of the original highway have been bypassed and are now known as the Old Princes Highway.

These "Old Princes Highway" sections typically exist as parallel or nearby roads to the current Princes Highway, offering slower, often more scenic, routes through towns and rural areas. They are frequently still maintained as local roads and provide access to properties and communities that were once directly on the main route.

The specific locations and characteristics of the Old Princes Highway vary significantly depending on the area. Some stretches may be well-maintained and relatively straight, while others are winding, narrow, and in poorer condition, reflecting their age and lower traffic volume. Many towns and villages along the original Princes Highway route have retained their historical character due to the reduction in through traffic.

While there is no single continuous road officially designated as "The Old Princes Highway," the term generally refers to any bypassed section of the Princes Highway that predates a significant realignment or upgrade. Its use is often informal and dependent on local knowledge and signage. Identifying specific sections requires referencing historical road maps and documentation of the Princes Highway's evolution.