We arrived at the planned overnight stop, Dordie Rocks, just on dusk. The old coach road runs pretty much due east, with the occasional diversion around salt lakes, for 200 kilometres to Balladonia. State Route 40 trailblazer southbound on Brookton Highway as you leave Varley. Recently built section of Brookton Highway at Gorge Rock, looking east. Not sure what's going on there with the oversize arrows and missing panel borders! Great for visit, not so good for camping.! Dusty and I returned via Brookton. Tony Overstone WE LEFT KELMSCOTTon Thursday evening in two groups to minimise disruption to other traffic. Given the time of year it was interesting that there was still some water around. After a short distance, the route crosses the Canning River and then begins the climb up the Darling Scarp via Slab Gully and Roleystone. Unusual warning sign northbound on Rabbit Proof Fence Road, emphasising the need to give way at the junction with Brookton Highway. Count # 5. Scotty Toyota Landcruiser Trayback no issues. Read more about the telegraph line and how vitally important it was to Western Australia. One of the whites, Ted Knowles, got into an argument with an Afghan whohad washed his feet in the water. The road, also known as the Granite and Woodlands Discovery Trail, is 289 km (179 miles) long, running west-east from the town of Hyden (in the Shire of Kondinin) to Norseman. The Balladonia telegraph track wound its way up to the top of a hill where there were several open areas that would have made a comfortable camp site but it was still a bit early. At least it was a convenient spot for a wheel change. Note that there is no RD sign for westbound traffic at this location. Reconstruction work underway on Brookton Highway, 30km east of Corrigin, looking west. I had planned to deviate off the Eyre Highway and take a track to the south of the Dundas Hills into Norseman. Please click one of the Quick Reply icons in the posts above to activate Quick Reply. I'm not sure why Newdegate is shown as the next service when the majority of traffic proceeding southwards along SR40 to Ravensthorpe!. Other places of interest along the way include Newman and Afghan Rocks near Balladonia, the Eyre Bird Observatory, the famous Cocklebiddy Cave, the view from Madora Pass, whale watching at the head of the bight, several sink holes and blowhole, to mention just a few. From 1903 railways were utilised to bring in the wood. Lifetime MemberMy Profile My Blog Send Message. We stopped for lunch at Bendering Hall and then from Corrigin Mike, Jeff, Tony, Scott and Graham headed home through Quairading. Brookton Highway looking northwest towards the junction with Hyden-Norseman Road. Brookton Highway looking east into Hyden. There are no AD signs or trailblazers for northbound traffic on approach to this intersection. Sign assembly facing eastbound traffic at the junction of Brookton Highway & Northam-Cranbrook Road (Great Southern Highway), 2km east of Brooktown town centre. AD sign westbound on Brookton Highway approaching the junction with Aldersyde North Road. We arrived at Cave Hill. This is the eastern terminus of State Route 40 after its 500km journey from Perth. They probably had a spa bath as well!! We met back up with the Lake King - Norseman Road and headed toward Ravensthorpe looking for somewhere to camp for the night; storm clouds were forming, a thunderstorm was forecast. Brookton Highway looking west as eastbound traffic climbs towards Holden Road, Roleystone. The small townships of Corrigin, Kondinin, Hyden and Lake King are located at fairly regular intervals so it isn't exactly a remote drive. Next stop was McDermid Rock, named by that prolific explorer Frank Hann in 1901. No questions have been asked about this experience, The Breakaways, Hyden: Address, The Breakaways Reviews: 4.5/5. Past Mt Norcott the track deteriorated badly. AD sign southbound on Brookton Highway approaching the junction with Newdegate-Ravensthorpe Road, Lake King. Note the black supplementary plate which was not replaced when the main sign was. The Lands Department placed a Trig Point atop the rock in 1980. Note the topknot - when the older black direction sign was replaced, they should have incorporated the route marker into the main sign instead of also replacing the topknot. AD sign eastbound on Brookton Highway approaching the junction with Corrigin-Kulin Road, 23km east of Corrigin. Typical view of the recently upgraded sections of Brookton Highway, looking west 15km east of Hyden. Find the travel option that best suits you. This comp is for you! The countryside ranges from rolling farmland, particularly in the west, to low-lying, mostly-dry salt pans. Police are preparing a report for the coroner. Scott (Suzuki Jimmy) was in the lead and he drove the 300 metres across the salt lake, barely leaving wheel marks. Not looking good. AD sign westbound on Brookton Highway approaching the junction with Canning Road (SR41) at Karragullen. There is some latitude in the bush. There was no push for such an early departure but as everyone was packed and ready to go there was no reason to wait around. Brookton Highway looking east as you begin the climb up the Darling Scarp at Mount Street, Kelmscott. AD sign westbound on Brookton Highway approaching the junction with Corrigin-Kulin Road. Here, you can immerse yourself in the rugged beauty of Frank Hann National Park, challenge yourself to a rock-climbing expedition on Peak Charles or drive Western Australia's longest salt lake road. Harrison Suzuki Vitara Wagon overheated, leaking rear main seal, lost a small section of left rear fairing. Joe got underneath and diagnosed a leaking rear main seal that was allowing oil to drip out and be blown over the hot exhaust. Brookton Highway (Nicholl Street) looking west at the junction with Graham Street, Kondinin. This is how Eyre Highway looks, for most of the distance. Brookton Highway looking east to the triangular junction with Bulyee-Quaraiding Road at Bulyee. Terra nullius? Joe Nissan 4.2L Patrol Ute bogged twice. The other victims were Dylan Sherriff and Jeremy Vergeer, who announced his engagement to local girl Lauren Withers earlier this month. Share your story, anyone can enter. Note the coverplate covering the fuel symbol and someone's clever addition to the kilometre plate. Photo taken: May 2011. We still had 185 kilometres to go to the Balladonia telegraph station. We arrived five minutes late and, after Scotty introduced himself to everyone, we headed towards Cave Hill. From Lake King to the Cascade Road turnoff it's a bit loose, but would be still 2WD suitable. Apart from that section, I would recommend it. Brookton Highway (Kunjin Street) looking east across Walton Street, Corrigin. Greg Suzuki Jimny Wagon smashed rim, shocky mount ripped out, collapsed wheel bearing (went home early). To make a positive identification flowers and/or leaves are required and, even then, it can be very difficult. ID sign assemblies at the intersection of Albany Highway & Brookton Highway, Kelmscott. Varley features a large grain bin, a few houses, a store and not much else. As I pulled up in some shade on the other side of the highway Scotty, who was behind me, radioed that I had a flat. The descent from the top of the hill appeared to lead straight onto Lake Dundas. At 5.30 p.m. Note the incorrect supplementary plate - it should be white-on-green. Brookton Highway looking west through an undulating and curving section of the route, 66km east of Brookton. I called the entire crew in for a meeting and appointed Joe as the Trackmaster. A T & R J Sugg & Sons Pty Ltd, Farmers & Agriculturalists, listed under "Farmers & Agriculturalists" category, is located at Lake King-norseman Rd Lake King WA, 6356, Australia and can be reached by 0898744022 phone number. The need for the road dated back to the early 1960s and initial talks between the Shires of Esperance and Ravensthorpe and the communities of Lake King and Cascades. Brookton Highway (Kunjin Street) looking west near Larke Crescent, Corrigin. The comments are property of their posters, all the rest is 2003-2023 Interactive Omnimedia Pty Ltd. You can syndicate our news using one of the RSS feeds. The men had been living in Australia for several years and worked on farms in the Cascade area near Esperance. Brookton Highway looking south at the junction with Old Newdegate Road, 6km north of Ravensthorpe. Tony Nissan Navara ute hung up at Cave Hill mudhole. Services signage southbound on Brookton Highway as you enter Lake King. While in the East you still find some towns like Kimba, Wudinna and Ceduna, the western three quarters is almost devoid of life. (own pre-upload) Some features both on and off route correlated with roadside signs, ways, survey and any available overhead imagery (eg station mailbox/farmland, road surface etc using Maxor,etc data) MRWA RA data used. From Cascade townsite to the South Coast Hwy is bitumen, mostly full width. A bit corrugated but not too bad. I will never know why you decided to get in the car that night but I hope one day you will be able to tell me why.. Lake King to Norseman - 2 ways to travel via bus, and car - Rome2rio The large mound of earth to the left marks the path of the original road, which took an unnecessary bulge to the east in its route. A member of the public found the rolled ute on a straight stretch of the unsealed Lake King-Norseman Road on Saturday morning, calling police at around 7.15am. Hyden to Norseman - ExplorOz more, Wave Rock, York, Wildflowers, and Aboriginal Cultural Day Tour from Perth, Wave Rock, Pinnacles and Rottnest One Day Aeroplane Tour, Wave Rock & Rottnest Island - Air & Ground Tour, Wave Rock and Pinnacles Air & Ground Tour, Before posting, each Tripadvisor review goes through an automated tracking system, which collects information, answering the following questions: how, what, where and when. New RD sign eastbound on Brookton Highway as you leave Kondinin. Our ego was now at rock bottom and after two hours and over 100 meters of snatch strap, we finally got out., It was an interesting sight seeing the three Patrols all bogged in a dry lake with the lighter Suzukis, Rodeo, etc.. looking on its not every day you have a recovery with a truck (Scotty) snatching another truck (TurboJoe), which (with five snatch straps joined together) is it turn snatching a third truck (me, and then afterwards Dusty). Dodgy ID-cum-AD sign northbound on Brookton Highway approaching the junction with Kulin-Holt Rock Road. There are no ID signs for traffic turning towards Pingelly, which is pretty standard in rural WA. To differentiate between the two Scotts we referred to the prospector in the Toyota Landcruiser as Scotty and the fireman in the Suzuki Jimny as Scott. Brookton Highway looking north, 54km south of Lake King. Cherrylyn Balayong For iPhone/iPad, Android & Windows - CLICK HERE. .everyone, other than Joe and Dusty, camped anyway in unpowered sites. Note the omission of reference to SR40. The road is not sealed are after recent rain it will be very dangerous. Services signage for southbound traffic on Brookton Highway, 5km north of Lake King. We relied on the assistance from Scott in his TOYOTA, yes I know a Toyota! A number of sharp bends have been realigned (e.g. Older services signage, with non-rounded edges, northbound on Brookton Highway, 5km south of Lake King. This type of junction is fairly common in rural WA as roads zig-zag along property boundaries. Imagine a drive, a thousand miles long with no turns or bends, across a vast featureless plain with repetitive landscape, and hundreds of kilometers between towns and service stations. Thanks guys. Great, all three Patrols stuck! The earlier rain we had experienced to the east had dissipated. Kim Holden Rodeo ute stuck on rocks. A better option for you is the Hyden - Norseman road accessed from Brunswick via Collie, Williams, Narrogin, Kondinnin Hyden. Brookton Highway looking east near Mills Road, 27km east of Brookton. Hyden-Norseman Road Werrong Lane 1.08K subscribers Subscribe 5.3K views 4 years ago Western Australia's Hyden-Norseman Road (now promoted by the tourism people as the 'Granite and Woodlands. Contact the local Goverment Authority IE Shire Council or MRD. A convenient crossroads rest-stop, Lake King is a great place to experience the sheer diversity of the outback landscape. From this oasis in the desert we picked up the Balladonia-Rawlinna Road and came out on the Eyre Highway very close to the turnoff to the Balladonia roadhouse. Though it was considered very unlikely that the vehicle could catch fire, Harrison had a fire extinguisher readily available. "The road provides a shorter route option between Perth and Esperance and will enable farmers in the cascades area to deliver . No cleared areas, no tracks off the main track. Joe picked it up. The road was built jointly by Main Roads, the Esperance Shire and private contractors Todd Ballantyre Earthmoving, Esperance Earthmoving, TW and PM Henderson, AD Contractors, GE Millar Grading and Freind and McGrath. Note that Perth is signposted via Kelmscott, despite the route via Lesmurdie being shorter. It would be difficult to imagine a better, more knowledgable or more professional presentation while touring through the bush. Is the road from Hyden to Norseman sealed? Note how the sign designer has tried to line up the focal points and route markers but has matched them incorrectly. Easily find directions to Lake King Norseman Rd in Lake King, WA 6356 using Whereis. Woodlines continued to the south and east of Kalgoorlie until 1965 when they ceased operation. This junction was to have been the northern terminus of a State Route extending southwards to Albany via Lake Grace, however this route was never signed. We pulled into a rest area just north of Ravensthorpe and set up camp just in time. Show Details. East of Brookton, the remainder of the route is sealed two-lane highway of varying widths. He headed back to Norseman just after 6.00 a.m. Sagar Bodhankar. SR40 trailblazer on Brookton Highway looking east approximately 66km east of Brookton. New underground techniques of leaving rock columns to support the stopes also drastically reduced the demand for structural timber. Services signage southbound on Brookton Highway, 5km north of Ravensthorpe. Travelled Lake King to Norseman 10 days ago lots of place under water like 1/2 km at 500mm deep and lots of deep wash always has been like this since Jan. Two blokes from Northam hade to be resued by Ses 2 days aftre we went throught Lake King to Peak Charles 160kms travel time was 4hr in 4x4 Got lots of good photos. Our two intrepid warriors, however, checked into chalets! WIN a share of $75,000 in cash prizes with the worlds richest short story competition. Kim Epton State Route 40 is a significant radial route, linking Perth with the southern Wheatbelt and the south east at Ravensthorpe. AD sign facing eastbound traffic at the junction of Brookton Highway & Bulyee-Quaraiding Road, Bulyee. The area around Victoria Rock was cut out around 1921. Holt Rock is little more than a rural locality with a grain bin on the edge of the Wheatbelt. These airstrips are signposted and have runway "piano keys" painted on the road, and turnaround bays for small aircraft. Brookton Highway looking east at a recently realigned section, 12km west of Brookton. Brookton-Corrigin Road, Kunjin Street, Corrigin-Kondinin Road, Graham Street, Nichol Street, Kondin-Hyden Road, Marshall Street, Hyden-Lake King Road, and Newdegate-Ravensthorpe Road. Emus came in to drink at the gnamma aware of our presence but showing no trepidation. Dodgy AD sign eastbound on Brookton Highway approaching the junction with Bruce Rock-Corrigin Road on the eastern outskirts of Corrigin. We really were both so unbelievably happy. This westernmost 12km of the route is of less importance as many heavy vehicles leave the highway at Canning Road, bound for the Welshpool/Kewdale areas and for light vehicles it can also be a significantly quicker journey into Perth via Welshpool Road East. ID sign at the junction of Brookton Highway & Westdale Road, Westdale. Kadin you were my best and closest mate from the beginning and nothing can be more harder for me to say goodbye. Your best option for mapping and navigation no matter where you go in Australia. The Cardiff Castle gold mine wasoperated in the late 1890s with limited success, then again from around 1920 to 1950. The day was heating up as we left Cave Hill, heading for Widgiemooltha. Explorer/surveyor C.C. . AD sign eastbound on Brookton Highway approaching the junction with Wickepin-Corrigin Road. When this sign was replaced, Main Roads did a very poor job - the route marker should have been included within the main sign and Hyden added to the sign, as it shown on previous signs. So much for planning!! Note the old road formation which continues straight - this section of road was realigned to provide a 110km/h curve instead of the previous low-speed corner and triangular junction. With no hills or lakes to obstruct, the highway was laid down as a straight road that runs for 1,675 km from Port Augusta in the east to Norseman in the west, and includes what is said to be the longest straight stretch of road in the world Australia: 145.6 kilometres, between the small roadhouse communities of Balladonia and Caiguna (the longest Apart from replacing a leaking rear main seal, Harrison needs to find the source of the dust ingress! This section was part of the Esperance to Coolgardie telegraph line that was put through in 1896. Very interesting rock formations and certainly worth stopping for a look and a walk around the camp site. Since 1976, the Eyre Highway is a fully sealed road and in many places runs alongside the original gravel track which was pushed through this vast outback region back in the 1940s. Lake King crash victims from New Zealand | The West Australian Westbound RD sign on Brookton Highway at the western edge of Brookton townsite. Brookton Highway looking south, 45km south of Lake King. The countryside ranges from rolling farmland, particularly in the west, to low-lying, mostly-dry salt pans. Our team checks each review posted on the site disputed by our community as not meeting our. AD sign northbound on Brookton Highway approaching the junction with Newdegate-Ravensthorpe Road & Lake King-Norseman Road at Lake King. Mike Crane this was a extremely well planned trip with great people. Under his direction a plan developed and the crew worked on retrieving Grahams vehicle. Aside from the two highways, the Hyden-Norseman Road between Marvel Loch-Forrestania Road at Norseman is also closed. Brookton Highway (Marshall Street) looking west from the Wave Rock Hotel at Hyden. Service sign advising motorists that there are no service stations before you reach Brookton or Beverley. Typical rural fingerboard signs at the intersection of Brookton Highway & Kondinin-Narembeen Road, 4km north of Kondinin. Signage facing southbound traffic on Brookton Highway, 5km north of Varley. RD sign northbound on Brookton Highway at the junction with Aldersyde North Road. Again note the absence of any other focal points - particularly the lack of reference to Esperance which is a major tourist destination reached via this route. Mr Charlton gave a commitment in 1994 to fund construction of the road and all the formation, as well as the gravel sheeting of 26 kilometres, was completed in February this year. Kinglake Rd, Kinglake, VIC 3763. Similarly dodgy AD sign southbound on Corrigin-Quaraiding Road approaching the junction with Brookton Highway. Their friends took to social media to express their grief. State Routes 40 and 120 duplex for 2km eastwards from this junction. Slightly dodgy RD sign northbound on Brookton Highway near the junction with Kulin-Holt Rock Road, 13km north of Varley. The 72-kilometre gravel road, built at a cost of just over $800,000, links the communities of Cascades and Lake King from the Esperance Shire boundary to the Lake King-Norseman Road, 40 kilometres east of Lake King. Had the drone with us but didn't think of having a fly until we were back on the road for Perth. 4120 words, 155 photographs. Brookton Highway looking east at the level crossing of the Narrogin - Corrigin - Merredin railway line on the western edge of Corrigin. I am looking to go from Bunbury to Norseman without having to go to Esperance. Preston Resources mined it as an open cut circa late 1980s. ID sign facing southbound traffic at the intersection of Brookton Highway & Canning Road (SR41), Karragullen. It will enhance the SEO of your website/blog and this website. Hyden-Norseman Road - YouTube Brookton Highway (Graham Street) looking south through Kondinin. Note the dodgy coverplating job on Varley and also note that now there's no advice as to the next fuel stop north of Lake King. Oil was leaking from his wheel bearing. ID sign facing northbound traffic at the junction of Brookton Highway & Wickepin-Corrigin Road. EARLY DEPARTURE WAS NOW STANDARDand we drove out of Norseman before 7.00 a.m. Access to the road across Lake Cowan was not initially clear but after a short time casting around we picked up a track that led to the road and started our journey west. Current Road Closures & Road Conditions | Shire of Esperance Locally sourced neoprene stubby holders designed and printed in Australia exclusive to ExplorOz. From the time of the first gold rush wood was in great demand on the goldfields. The State Barrier Fence delineates farmland, to the west, from the Great Western Woodland, to the east. 'P100' kilometre plate facing westbound traffic through a curving section of Brookton Highway, 37km west of Brookton. Brookton Highway looking north, 56km south of Lake King. Dodgy AD sign facing southbound traffic on Bulyee-Quaraiding Road at the junction with Brookton Highway. The journey back to Perth on the Monday was to be through Annes Pass before following the margin of Lake Sharpe to the Lake King Road, the 90 Mile Tank and Frank Hann National Park. Storage Solutions. On Monday, they said two men aged 24 and 25 died as a result of injuries sustained in the crash, while the third man died from injuries that he did not receive in the crash. For the next several hours we forced our way south along a rough, overgrown track characterisedby tight corners, steep, loose slopes, rocky creeks, slippery descents, washaways, ditches, and the occasional open patch were one could hit 30 kph. His input into the trip was huge. It just shows show some people some form of civilisation (even just a caravan park), and they fall apart.. Lots of lessons learnt. Hunt named Cave Hill in August 1864 and used it as a depot on subsequent expeditions to the area in following years. The small townships of Corrigin, Kondinin, Hyden and Lake King are located at fairly regular intervals so it isn't exactly a remote drive. Photo credit, An occasional bend on encounters along the way. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. RD sign eastbound on Brookton Highway at the junction with Wickepin-Corrigin Road, 12km west of Corrigin. A northbound view along Brookton Highway showing the layout of the junction with Kondinin-Narembeen Road. An hour after leaving Balladonia Roadhouse we pulled into a rest area and noticed smoke coming from Harrisons Vitara. After two and a half kilometres we made a left turn onto Victoria Rock Road. Remote South East | Adventures AD sign westbound on South Coast Highway approaching the junction with Brookton Highway, 3km west of Ravensthorpe. No opening hours provided. Rain was threatening but held off. Joe came across to snatch him out. From Lake King to the Esperance Shire border, the road is great.