Guide Posts
Enhance Road Safety with Delnorth GUIDE POSTS
Guide posts, also called delineator posts or guiding posts, are roadside posts fitted with reflective delineators that mark the edge and alignment of the road. They reflect vehicle headlights back to drivers so curves, intersections and road edges can be seen well ahead, especially at night and in poor weather. In Australia, posts on the left side of the road carry red delineators and posts on the right side of a two-way road carry white delineators.
Guide posts are a critical component of road infrastructure, providing clear and reliable roadside delineation across a wide range of road environments. Delnorth manufactures a comprehensive range of flexible, semi-rigid steel and PVC guide posts engineered for Australian conditions. From highways and regional roads to urban networks and industrial sites, Delnorth guide posts are trusted by road authorities, councils and contractors for their visibility, durability and long-term performance.
FIRST CHOICE FOR GLOBAL SAFETY
DELNORTH GUIDE POST BENEFITS
Innovative Design
Designed to withstand Australia’s harsh conditions and frequent and repeated impacts, with minimal damage to post or vehicle.
Economy
The proven durability of Delnorth guide posts offer long term cost benefits, reducing maintenance and replacement costs.
Quick & Easy Installation
With options and attachments to suit any application, Delnorth Guide Posts can be installed safely and efficiently.
DELNORTH Guide Post Options
built for Resilience and Performance
Built to last, Delnorth’s flexible steel guide posts are ideal for areas prone to frequent vehicle impacts, such as highways, regional and rural roads. Their advanced, flexible design allows them to return to their original position after impact, improving road user safety and reducing replacement and maintenance costs. The flexible range includes the Steel-Flex® guide post and the Flexi360 guide post.
BENEFITS OF FLEXIBLE GUIDEPOSTS
- Self-recover after impact for minimal maintenance
- UV-stabilised and corrosion-resistant
- Secure fixing options for quick, safe installation
- Made in Australia using recyclable materials
- Ideal for unsealed roads, highways, bends, and rural roads
robust strength with added Flexibility
Our semi-rigid steel guide posts offer robust, long-lasting delineation for both sealed and unsealed roads. The semi-rigid design balances strength and flexibility, and can be re-straightened many times after impacts, making them suitable for highways, regional roads, and industrial sites.
Benefits of Semi Rigid Guide Posts
- Superior corrosion resistance
- Rolled safety edge and straight edge profiles
- Can be re-straightened multiple times after impacts
- Made in Australia using recyclable materials
- Suitable for highways, regional roads, and industrial sites
Lightweight durability, Economical
PVC guide posts are designed for low-cost, rapid installation, outstanding visibility, and easy maintenance. Manufactured from high-quality, UV-stabilised polymers, these posts are lightweight yet durable, offering a cost-effective, sustainable solution for urban, regional, or temporary road projects. The PVC range is led by the Plas-Flex guide post.
Benefits of PVC Guideposts
- Lightweight and easy to handle
- UV-stabilised for long-term outdoor use
- Flexible and durable, resists splitting and cracking
- Fast installation, sustainable and economical
- Made in Australia using recyclable materials
- Perfect for rural and urban roads, temporary road delineation
Flexible vs Semi-Rigid vs PVC Guide Posts
| Flexible (Steel-Flex®, Flexi360) | Semi-rigid steel | PVC (Plas-Flex) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| After an impact | Self-recovers to its original position | Can be re-straightened multiple times | Flexible, resists splitting and cracking |
| Best for | Frequent-impact locations: highways, bends, regional, rural and unsealed roads | Highways, regional roads and industrial sites, sealed and unsealed | Rural and urban roads, regional networks and temporary delineation |
| Material | Flexible steel, UV-stabilised and corrosion-resistant | Steel with superior corrosion resistance, rolled safety edge or straight edge profile | UV-stabilised polymer, lightweight |
| Installation | Multiple fixing options by series and road surface, including surface mount | Driven into the ground with a manual or mechanical post driver, no boring or digging | Lightweight and fast to install |
| Main advantage | Reduces replacement and maintenance costs in high-impact areas | Strength and long life, with the option to re-straighten | Low cost, rapid installation, easy to handle |
| Delineation | High-reflectivity Class 1A delineation options, available in any colour | ||
| Sizes | 1 m to 2 m | ||
| Made in | Australia, using recyclable materials | ||
DELNORTH GUIDE POST FEATURES
CORROSION RESISTANCE
Anti-Corrosive protection complies with Salt Spray Standard (ASTM-B 117).
EXTENSIVE COLOUR RANGE
Available in any colour and delineation type (Class 1A delineation).
SUPERIOR VISIBILITY
High-reflectivity Class 1A delineation options maximise road user visibility and safety day and night.
VARIETY OF SIZES
Guide posts sizes range from 1m to 2m.
DESIGNED TO LAST
Setting the Standard for Road Safety in Australia.
Delnorth guide posts are backed by industry-leading guarantees and are proven to reduce maintenance costs, improve installation safety, and provide flexibility that lowers risk for installers and road users.
- Engineered for Australia: Delnorth guide posts are designed to withstand harsh Australian conditions and repeated impacts
- Superior Visibility: Class 1A delineation and reflectors enhance road user safety in all lighting conditions.
- Corrosion Resistant: Delnorth guide posts have high corrosion resistance and meet Salt Spray Standard (ASTM B117)
- Wide Range: Available in a wide range of colours with sizes from 1m to 2m
- Quick & Easy Installation: Multiple fixing options and installation equipment to suit every application.
- Sustainably Made in Australia: Delnorth guide posts are made in Australia using recyclable materials
- Trusted Nationwide: Preferred by road authorities, councils, and contractors. Delnorth guide posts are trusted globally.
Tested and Trusted on Major Infrastructure
Innovative Solution to Cairns Road Safety Issue
Cairns Regional Council needed a simple way to warn motorists of an open drain on Brown Street, where cars were parking and turning too close to the edge.
The team chose Delnorth Guide Posts with a surface-mount base to mark the hazard and create a clear roadside boundary. These road edge guide posts are reflective, visible and flexible to withstand accidental impacts, reducing maintenance and replacement costs.
Delnorth helped the Council with the right product for the job to keep the drain safe and installation quick for the drainage crew.
See how the Guide Posts performed on site and why they were chosen for this location. For a heavy-traffic example, see how Delnorth guide posts performed on the Capricorn Highway in Rockhampton.
Ready to find the perfect guide post for your project?
We’ve been supporting contractors, councils, and road authorities in picking the right guide posts for their projects since 1992, backed by Australian manufacturing and product guarantees of up to 10 years. No matter the road type, traffic load or installation method, our team can recommend a post that performs and lasts.
For tailored advice on your project, contact Delnorth on 1300 881 039 or get in touch online, and we’ll match the correct flexible, semi-rigid or PVC guide post to your site requirements.
Guide Posts FAQs
What are road guide posts used for?
Road guide posts provide visible roadside delineation that helps drivers identify the alignment and edge of the road. They are commonly installed along sealed and unsealed roads, highways, rural roads and other transport corridors to provide consistent visual guidance during both daytime and night-time driving.
What is the difference between a guide post and a delineator post?
The terms are often used interchangeably. A guide post or delineator post is typically a roadside post fitted with reflective delineation to indicate the road edge and alignment. In Australian road and infrastructure specifications, these products are commonly referred to as guide posts or delineation posts.
Are guide posts and guiding posts the same thing?
Yes. “Guiding posts” is sometimes used as an alternative term for roadside guide posts. Within Australian road and infrastructure projects, guide posts or delineation posts are the more commonly used terms.
What do the red and white reflectors on guide posts mean?
They show drivers which side of the road each post is on. Under Australian practice (AS 1742.2), guide posts on the left side of the road carry red delineators and guide posts on the right side of a two-way road carry white delineators. On one-way carriageways, such as divided highways, yellow delineators are used on the right side. Delnorth supplies guide posts with the delineator colours specified for the project.
How far apart should road guide posts be installed?
Guide post spacing is set out in AS 1742.2 and the relevant state road authority’s guidelines. Posts are spaced further apart on straights and closer together on curves, with the tightest curves needing the closest spacing. Extra posts are typically added at hazards such as floodways, intersections and changes in alignment. Installers should follow the applicable road authority drawings and specifications for the project rather than applying a single spacing across every road environment.
What types of guide posts does Delnorth manufacture?
Delnorth manufactures several types of Australian-made guide posts: flexible guide posts (Steel-Flex® and Flexi360), semi-rigid steel guide posts and PVC guide posts (Plas-Flex). Each type provides different performance characteristics, allowing the guide post to be selected according to the road environment, impact frequency, installation method and project requirements.
What is a flexible guide post?
A flexible guide post is designed to deflect when struck by a vehicle and recover towards its original position after impact. Flexible posts are particularly useful in locations where impacts occur regularly because they can reduce the number of damaged posts requiring replacement. Delnorth’s flexible range includes the Steel-Flex® and Flexi360 guide posts.
What is the difference between flexible and semi-rigid guide posts?
Flexible guide posts are designed to recover after vehicle impact, making them particularly suitable for locations where repeated impacts are likely. Semi-rigid steel guide posts provide greater rigidity while retaining enough flexibility to withstand roadside conditions. When impacted, many semi-rigid posts can be re-straightened rather than completely replaced. The best option depends on the location, traffic conditions, expected impact frequency and project specification.
What are PVC guide posts used for?
PVC guide posts provide a lightweight and economical delineation option. Their low weight makes them easy to transport and install, while UV-stabilised materials provide durability for outdoor environments. They can be suitable for rural roads, urban roads, regional networks and temporary or cost-sensitive delineation applications. Delnorth’s PVC range is led by the Plas-Flex guide post.
Which guide post is best for high-impact locations?
Flexible guide posts are generally well suited to locations where vehicle strikes are likely to occur regularly because they are designed to deflect and recover after impact. The most suitable product will depend on traffic conditions, road environment, installation method and relevant road authority requirements, so the application should be assessed before specifying a particular guide post.
How are guide posts installed?
Installation depends on the type of guide post and road surface. Semi-rigid steel guide posts can be driven directly into suitable ground using manual or mechanical post-driving equipment, avoiding the need for conventional boring or excavation in many applications. Flexible Steel-Flex® guide posts are available with different installation and fixing systems depending on the model and site requirements, including options suited to roadside and surface-mounted applications.
Can guide posts be surface mounted?
Yes. Selected Delnorth guide posts are available with surface-mount configurations for locations where conventional in-ground installation is unsuitable. This can include concrete areas, structures and other hard surfaces. For example, Cairns Regional Council used Delnorth guide posts with a surface-mount base to mark an open drain on Brown Street.
Can guide posts be installed on unsealed roads?
Yes. Delnorth manufactures guide posts suitable for sealed and unsealed road environments. Flexible and semi-rigid steel options can be particularly useful on regional and rural road networks where durability and ease of maintenance are important.
What reflective material is used on guide posts?
Delnorth guide posts are available with high-reflectivity Class 1A delineation options designed to improve visibility for approaching motorists during daytime, night-time and low-light conditions.
What colours are guide posts available in?
Delnorth guide posts are available in a wide range of colours and delineation configurations. The appropriate colour and reflector arrangement will depend on the application and applicable road authority or project requirements.
What sizes are Delnorth guide posts available in?
Guide post sizes within the Delnorth range typically extend from approximately 1 metre to 2 metres depending on the particular product and application.
Are guide posts corrosion resistant?
Yes. Delnorth steel guide posts have anti-corrosive protection that complies with the ASTM B117 salt spray test standard, designed for harsh outdoor environments.
Do guide posts require maintenance?
Delnorth guide posts are designed to minimise ongoing maintenance. Flexible posts can recover after many impacts, while semi-rigid steel posts can often be re-straightened following impact. Guide posts should still be inspected periodically so damaged, missing or incorrectly positioned posts and reflectors can be repaired or replaced.
How long do road guide posts last?
Guide post lifespan depends on the product, road environment, impact frequency and installation conditions. Durable materials, corrosion resistance and impact recovery can significantly extend service life and reduce replacement frequency compared with products that permanently deform or break after impact.
What guarantee do Delnorth guide posts come with?
Delnorth guide posts are backed by 3, 5 and 10-year guarantees, depending on the product. Contact Delnorth to confirm the guarantee that applies to a specific guide post.
Are Delnorth guide posts suitable for Australian conditions?
Yes. Delnorth guide posts are designed for Australian road and environmental conditions, including exposure to UV, weather and repeated impacts. Steel products feature corrosion-resistant protection, while high-reflectivity delineation is used to maintain visibility during both day and night.
Are Delnorth guide posts Australian made?
Yes. Delnorth manufactures its guide post range in Australia using recyclable materials and has been supplying contractors, councils and road authorities since 1992. The range is used across Australia and internationally.
Can Delnorth guide posts be customised?
Available configurations vary by product. Depending on the range, options can include different sizes, colours, reflector arrangements and installation configurations. More extensive customisation of size, substrate, colour and identification plates is also available within Delnorth’s Asset & Utility Marker Post range.
How much do road guide posts cost?
Guide post pricing depends on the type of post, quantity, configuration, installation requirements and overall project needs. Flexible, semi-rigid and PVC guide posts have different cost and performance characteristics, so pricing should be assessed against both the initial purchase cost and expected maintenance and replacement requirements. For project pricing, contact Delnorth on 1300 881 039 for a quote based on the required product and quantities.
How do I choose the right guide post for my project?
Consider the road environment, traffic volumes, likelihood of vehicle impacts, ground or surface type, reflector requirements, installation method and applicable road authority specifications. For areas experiencing repeated impacts, a flexible guide post may reduce replacement requirements. Semi-rigid steel posts can suit applications requiring strength and the ability to be re-straightened, while PVC posts provide a lightweight and economical alternative. Delnorth can recommend the appropriate guide post based on the requirements of the site.
10 YEAR GUARANTEE
Delnorth guideposts are supported by our Delnorth 3, 5 and 10-year guarantees. Delnorth products significantly reduce maintenance and replacement costs and offer efficient installation options, and product flexibility lowering the risk of injury to installers and road users.