It was named to commemorate John Oxley, the first European to explore much of inland New South Wales in 1818.

About 45 kilometres of the Yarrowitch to Wauchope section is unfenced and livestock (cattle) may be encountered there, along with other wild animals on most of the highway.

Wool carried along this new route reduced the travelling time to 10 days, as opposed to 12–14 weeks for the trip to Maitland.

West of Walcha the road was only suitable for bullock teams and they too had difficulties, especially with the ranges.

[4] The steep range section from Yarras to Yarrowitch was in serious need of repair in 1925 when the Main Roads Board was formed.