Amusing Planet, 2023. Under his direction a plan developed and the crew worked on retrieving Grahams vehicle. Howezit decided he would take the route on my outside where things got even worse. After dinner atKondinin we arrived at our turnoff to Emu Rock around 9.00 p.m. and spent some time searching for the track to the right of the road. The discovery of the Golden Eagle nugget in 1931, the biggest nugget found in the history of Western Australian goldfields, sparked a rush to the area that saw a thousand men working the field. Brookton Highway looking west towards Kangaroo Gully as you pass through the forests, 16km east of Kelmscott. Within less than 100 metres we had a insight as to what the track had to offer. Spread throughout the length of the highway at approximately 200 km to 300 km apart are roadhouses providing basic services such as fuel, food, refreshments, accommodation and repairs, but not all are open 24 hours. And lounge suite! Meanwhile, the other eight vehicles of the eastward drive were away by 6.30 a.m. Close, but late. A bit corrugated but not too bad. After arrival in Norseman to refuel we met at the Caltex service station to decide what to do in the face of impending storms. RD sign northbound on Brookton Highway near the junction with South Coast Highway, 3km west of Ravensthorpe. Brookton Highway looking west near Melba Street at Karlgarin. Feel free to use any part of this document but please do the right thing and give attribution. These were known as woodlines. The area around Victoria Rock was cut out around 1921. Brookton Highway (includes Brookton-Corrigin Road, Kunjin Street, Corrigin-Kondinin Road, Graham Street, Nichol Street, Kondin-Hyden Road, Marshall Street, Hyden-Lake King Road, Newdegate-Ravensthorpe Road). Service signage eastbound on Brookton Highway, east of the Wave Rock turnoff, showing that fuel is no longer available in Varley. At least it was a convenient spot for a wheel change. Note the supplementary plate directing traffic towards Perth - the lack of remote focal points along this route doesn't help tourists trying to reach Wave Rock or Esperance. The small townships of Corrigin, Kondinin, Hyden and Lake King are located at fairly regular intervals so it isn't exactly a remote drive. The journey back to Perth on the Monday was to be through Annes Pass before followingthe margin of Lake Sharpe to the Lake King Road, the 90 Mile Tank and Frank Hann National Park. If you have a tent there is plenty of space away from the main area which you can set up your tent on level ground. Lake King - Norseman Road The Shire of Esperance is responsible for a 60kms section of The Lake King - Norseman Road, please be advised that this section is unmaintained 4x4 track and towing is not advised. ID sign facing southbound traffic at the junction of Brookton Highway & Northam-Cranbrook Road. 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). To make a positive identification flowers and/or leaves are required and, even then, it can be very difficult. 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. Photo taken: April 2011. Brookton Highway looking east as you approach the junction with York - Williams Road, 19km west of Brookton. 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. AD sign northbound on Wickepin-Corrigin Road approaching the junction with Brookton Highway, 12km west of Corrigin. 52). May 2019. Note the lack if ID signs pointing down the side road - this is typical of signposting in rural WA. Great place for camping, toilets but no showers or running water. As I reached the bottom of the hill the causeway across the salt came into sight and I radioed for the others to come on down. There is also no mention of Hyden, which was shown on signs at the intersection in Brookton! AD sign eastbound on Brookton Highway, approaching the junction with Swan Street at Karlgarin. After an early rise in the morning we were briefed by our fearless leader Kim who in true fashion didnt disappoint with detailed information on the days ahead.. AD sign westbound on Lake King-Norseman Road approaching the junction with Brookton Highway & Newdegate-Ravensthorpe Road at Lake King. This intersection was reconstructed and realigned as part of the sealing of this section of the road. 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. RD sign eastbound on Brookton Highway near the junction with Corrigin Quaraiding Road & Rabbit Proof Fence Road. Note there is no mention of TW356, which turns left at this junction. We had covered 104 kilometres of the telegraph track from its start at Widgiemooltha to its intersection with the Balladonia line. Kim Holden Rodeo ute stuck on rocks. Those living north of the river would head to Quairading, those south of the river would head to Brookton. Dusty Nissan 3.0L Patrol Wagon bogged. As you travel east along the fascinating Lake King Causeway, you cross 10km of salt lakes studded with natural scrub and wildflowers. As you approach Ravensthorpe the road becomes more undulating and winding. Brookton Highway looking northwest towards the junction with Hyden-Norseman Road. Then east to the Rabbit Proof Fence and then out to Hyden Norseman Road. Like many of the exposed granite outcrops in the goldfields, Dordie Rocks was an important stopping place for the natural collection of water between the various goldfield settlements. Cherrylyn Balayong Stewart Ford. Dusty went off the track a mm and went down about 300 mm. Brookton Highway (Graham Street) looking south towards the junction with Nicholl Street. Note the incorrect use of a black-on-white distance plate - it should be white-on-green. State Route 40 trailblazer facing eastbound traffic as you climb towards Roleystone, 4km east of Albany Highway. It took just over a day of driving. AD sign westbound on Brookton Highway approaching the junction with Albany Highway (SR30). This road comes out in Norseman township. 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. RD sign westbound on Brookton Highway as you leave the triangular junction with Bulyee-Quaraiding Road at Bulyee, 51km east of Brookton. It is an excellent alternative to travelling the Great Eastern Highway. As the shortest route between Perth and Esperance, State Route 40 is a popular tourist route, also serving the tourist attraction of Wave Rock. The road from there to Cascade townsite is gravelled and reasonably wide. The Lake King - Norseman road IS a gazetted road, but conditions on it can vary greatly. 2. Sign instructing westbound trucks to engage low gear as you begin to descend the Darling Scarp near Eugene Place, Roleystone. We talked about the future with so much happiness and excitement and I will hold onto that feeling forever. It was used as fuel for the steam driven winders that hauled ore to the surface, the generators that provided electricity, the pumps that brought essential water from Mundaring (and prior to that as fuel to heat condensors that made water), and to support the hundreds of kilometres of shafts and stopes in the underground mines. Knowles shot one Afghan and wounded another who died a few days later at Albany. ID sign at the intersection of Brookton Highway & Aldersyde North Road. Lake King is a small town situated 465km from Perth and 115km from the town of Lake Grace. All logos and trademarks in this site are property of their respective owner. Leaving the site of ourunsuccessful prospecting we crested the next hill and saw the line of the telegraph track clearly delineated across the end of much larger part of the Eaton Lakes (313951.86S 1213647.38E). The black SR40 topknot dates from 1986, when the State Route system was first signposted. The Minister said that while reducing community isolation, the road would help maximise the use of Esperance port and encourage further agricultural and mining expansion. A convenient crossroads rest-stop, Lake King is a great place to experience the sheer diversity of the outback landscape. We looked at the Bureau of Meteorology radar charts on the Internet and it was my opinion that there would be no rain to the west of Norseman (our intended route). Westbound RD sign on Brookton Highway at the western edge of Brookton townsite. Dodgy AD sign facing southbound traffic on Bulyee-Quaraiding Road at the junction with Brookton Highway. Brookton Highway looking east near Kangaroo Gully, showing kilometre plate and typical terrain in this area. RD sign eastbound on Brookton Highway, east of Brookton. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in Australia. Photo credit. Only a few kilometres after leaving The Breakaways Mike came on the radio calling for the convoy to stop as the Vitara was overheating. Pink Lake Tourist Park (Nulsen) Mike Crane It is a popular spot to stop for travellers to and from Esperance. The town is located just to the east of the Brookton Highway. Scotty had a previously arranged engagement and had to leave us here. Lifetime MemberMy Profile My Blog Send Message, Lifetime MemberMy Profile My Blog Send MessageModerator. The earlier rain we had experienced to the east had dissipated. Identification of plants, shrubs and trees from photographs only is very difficult and subject to misidentification. This is the eastern terminus of State Route 40 after its 500km journey from Perth. The top of the Scarp is reached shortly before the locality of Karragullen, where State Route 41 (Canning Road) junctions from the north. Brookton Highway makes a left turn here - the road straight ahead becomes the Narrogin-Kondinin Road. Brookton Highway looking west near Collins Road, approximately 62km east of Kelmscott. Question from Ron - Lake King - Cascade Rd - Esperance WA road conditions, Major part of the heart and soul of AULRO.com, Previous: 1983, 1986 RRC; 1995, 1996 P38A; 1995 Disco1; 1984 V8 County 110; Series IIA, Communications, Car Audio, and Electronics, The Series I Australian Historic Picture Project, The Series I Historic Picture Project - International Info, The Series II Australian Historic Picture Project, The Series II Historic Picture Project - International Info, The Greasy Green Thumb Gardening Fraternity, North East Victorian Land Rover Community, Im a rail fan but this is WAY over the top. 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. Visited the Breakaways while travelling the Granite Woodlands Discovery Trail, rock formations were stunning in afternoon light. Old black fingerboard sign assembly at the intersection of Brookton Highway & Canning Road (SR41), Karragullen. AD sign northbound on Corrigin-Kulin Road approaching the junction with Brookton Highway. Brookton Highway looking east near Mills Road, 27km east of Brookton. It is understood all three men, who hailed from nearby towns in Southland on New Zealand's southernmost tip, were not wearing seat belts. 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.. 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 (Graham Street) looking south through Kondinin. Note the reference to Wave Rock - this attraction is the reason for most of the tourist traffic along this route. Photo taken: December 2010. The original formation is still visible to the right, although fairly overgrown. Do be careful though. Before long the area within a 15 kilometre radius of the mines was cut out. Joe came across to snatch him out. . It would be difficult to imagine a better, more knowledgable or more professional presentation while touring through the bush. At 5.30 p.m. East of Brookton, the remainder of the route is sealed two-lane highway of varying widths. The Norseman Road from Lake King to the east passes through the Frank Hann National Park (61,420 hectares) at the eastern end of the shire boundary. Construction of Eyre Highway started in July 1941, exactly a hundred years after Edward John Eyres tremendous feat, and was completed six months later. We planned to head south to McPherson Rock and continue to Peak Charles and Peak Eleanora in the Peak Charles National Park to camp for the night. Beverley is not located on the route, but can be reached via Westdale Road which branches off midway to Brookton. Brookton Highway looking north at the junction with Varley South Road & Pitt Street, Varley. Brookton Highway looking west as eastbound traffic climbs towards Holden Road, Roleystone. Photo credit, An occasional bend on encounters along the way. RD sign, missing a SR40 shield, southbound on Brookton Highway near the junction with Kulin-Holt Rock Road. (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. Dusk was fast approaching and no campsites were presenting themselves. The UHF arial broke off when first coming across the corrugations, could not brake to slow down, just had to let the speed wash off. In the early 1950s the switch to coal-powered boilers and diesel-powered generators greatly reduced the demand for wood. Photo taken: November 2010. This section lies almost entirely on the Nullarbor Plain. We exited the track onto the bitumen just north of Norseman. Does anyone know if this road is sealed or not? Joe Nissan 4.2L Patrol Ute bogged twice. The typical view is that of a straight highway and practically unchanging flat saltbush-covered terrain, although some parts are located on ridges. SR40 trailblazer on Brookton Highway looking east approximately 66km east of Brookton. Main Roads are currently designing a permanent replacement structure. Brookton Highway looking east, showing the typical undulating and curving road, 25km east of Brookton. Are you a deadset writing legend? Kilometre plate showing 35km to Perth, westbound at Gilmour Road, Roleystone. We were away before 7.00 a.m. First stop was The Breakaways. Graham Nissan 4.2L Patrol Wagon bogged. Great place to stop for a stretch. 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. It looks like your browser does not have JavaScript enabled. The push south continued some two hours later. Three lives were lost in a horror single vehicle rollover in WAs eastern Wheatbelt. Photo taken: May 2011. The old coach road runs pretty much due east, with the occasional diversion around salt lakes, for 200 kilometres to Balladonia. Joe to the rescue! For iPhone/iPad, Android & Windows - CLICK HERE. Brookton Highway looking east near Koorikin Rock, where the route crosses a number of shallow, mainly dry lakes, 36km east of Corrigin. Some sections of the road are quite sandy (and it is nice when it has rained on these parts) while others are quite reasonable dirt (and you don't want rain on those parts). And big double bed! 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. Note that Perth is signposted via Kelmscott, despite the route via Lesmurdie being shorter. The only water at the rocks wasin a small crevice. Oil was leaking from his wheel bearing. Dusty explains: onto our first camping spot on the Holland Track and, after some cross country driving for some [Dusty], we set up a strategic hide for the evening.. From Lake King to the Cascade Road turnoff it's a bit loose, but would be still 2WD suitable. Show Details. ID sign at the junction of Brookton Highway & Westdale Road, Westdale. State Route 40 trailblazer southbound on Brookton Highway as you leave Varley. Jeff Toyota Prado Wagon no issues. Great, all three Patrols stuck! Subscribers: crisfitz, GSRailway, Q4004, wn514. I was sure Kim got himself hung up on these boulders just to pass on some of his wise extraction techniques! but when he put his own back into it I wasnt so sure! The Rock Inne Tavern on the right is also the last stop for refreshments before Brookton. RD sign eastbound on Brookton Highway as you leave Karlgarin. There is no AD sign on this approach and no other indication that SR40 turns left, other than if you spot the reassurance trailblazer to your left while sitting at the junction. RD sign eastbound on Brookton Highway near the junction with Corrigin-Kulin Road, 23km east of Corrigin. 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. Brookton Highway looking west near Chevin Road, Roleystone, showing warning of the upcoming descent down the scarp. A T & R J Sugg & Sons Pty Ltd has currently 0 reviews. 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. The previous timber bridge at this location was destroyed during the February 2011 bushfires and a temporary embankment was constructed in order to re-open the road as soon as possible. Commitments by successive governments to construct the road were never fulfilled and in August 1987, several land owners in the Cascades district built a track 25 metres wide from Lake King to Cascades, including six kilometres through the Frank Hann National Park. ID sign facing northbound traffic at the junction of Brookton Highway & Wickepin-Corrigin Road. Photo taken: May 2011. AD sign facing eastbound traffic at the junction of Brookton Highway & Bulyee-Quaraiding Road, Bulyee. RD sign westbound on Brookton Highway near the junction with Northam-Cranbrook Road (Great Southern Highway), 2km east of Brookton town centre. Brookton Highway looking east through a curving and undulating section of the route, at Sloan Road, 4km east of Kondinin. Brookton Highway looking south, 45km south of Lake King. The track continuing straight into the distance would have once been part of the Kondinin Hyden Road. For iPhone/iPad, Android & Windows - CLICK HERE, I sent one final shout after him to stick to the track, to which he replied All right, That was the last ever seen of Gibson - E Giles 23 April 1874. Brookton Highway looking north, 18km south of Lake King. Last time i went to Lake King then to Ravensthorpe then Esperance, Norseman. Spectacular, colourful countryside, especially in wildflower season. The morning fun started only 50 metres from the camp site where our fearless leader thought he was in his Patrol and didnt correctly navigate some rocks., Dordie Rocks. Scott (Suzuki Jimmy) was in the lead and he drove the 300 metres across the salt lake, barely leaving wheel marks. 2016 was going to be the best year for us, buying our first home, getting married and moving to NZ to start our family. Note the black supplementary plate which was not replaced when the main sign was. This type of junction is fairly common in rural WA as roads zig-zag along property boundaries. The limited road name signage between Brookton and Ravensthorpe seems rather confused - several newer signs refer to Brookton Highway with others referring to the local name. Pizza Kings Manor Lakes. Suits cans or water bottles. Our covers are of a premium quality printed using 3 year UV rated inks and vinyls for excellent durability and long life. ExplorOz Tracker is an online tracking service exclusive to ExplorOz Members (see Membership Subscription). Mapping and navigation software available for Android, Apple and Windows. Reviews Q&A. Filters. Brookton Highway looking east into Brookton. Brookton Highway looking northwest at the junction with Holland Track on the boundary of the Shires of Kulin and Lake Grace. This sign replaced an old black RD sign with a SR40 topknot and the route marker should have been incorporated into the new sign instead of replacing the topknot as well. The road is not sealed are after recent rain it will be very dangerous. Not looking good. Eyre Highway can be best described as a long and lonely road. RD sign eastbound on Brookton Highway after the Canning Road (SR41) junction at Karragullen. All Rights Reserved. Write a review Upload a photo. Please click one of the Quick Reply icons in the posts above to activate Quick Reply. Varley features a large grain bin, a few houses, a store and not much else. After a group discussion I was presented with Hobsons Choice (wont happen again) and we elected to stay the night in Norseman. AD sign northbound on Brookton Highway at the junction with Bulyee-Quaraiding Road, Bulyee. Time for a coffee and a look at the Skylab Museum. You can see the old highway alignment continuing straight, with the unsealed Mills Road in the background. Yes i support GSRailway comments. Note the incorrect supplementary plate - it should be white-on-green. Note the reference to Brookton Corrigin Road rather than Brookton Highway. Photo credit, Many consider crossing the Nullarbor Plain a long and boring trek that should be travelled as quickly as possible. Sign assembly facing eastbound traffic at the junction of Brookton Highway & Northam-Cranbrook Road (Great Southern Highway), 2km east of Brooktown town centre. Photo taken: November 2010. ID sign facing southbound traffic at the intersection of Brookton Highway & Canning Road (SR41), Karragullen. Dustys version of events at the salt lake: We decided that we would have a look at the next salt lake which was bigger and offered some more sights. This section of the highway, commonly known as the "90 Mile Straight", is regarded as the longest straight stretch of road in Australia and one of the longest in the world. Gold and nickel continue to be mined around Widgiemooltha today. Brookton Highway looking east, 5km east of Kondinin. Turn off to Kings Rocks and head to Corrigin via Billericay and Bendering. Map directions to Lake King Norseman Rd Lake King, WA 6356. A westerly view across the same floodway showing the mostly dry salt lake and the unusual railing to the left of the carriageway, 32km east of Kondinin. Cave Hill was the main camp for the woodline operators. While in the East you still find some towns like Kimba, Wudinna and Ceduna, the western three quarters is almost devoid of life. From Lake King to the Esperance Shire border, the road is great. "An ongoing program will see further drainage and gravel sheeting works carried out over the next few years.". Being a playboy: Musicians shock take on WOMANISING, Terri Irwin UNRECOGNISABLE in stunning new look. I spotted a natural, open area big enough to fit nine vehicles. 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. AD sign eastbound on Brookton Highway approaching the junction with Hyden-Norseman Road, 3km east of Hyden. But the issue with Harrisons Vitara reversed the situation and we were now not going to make the rendezvous on time. State Route 40 trailblazer facing northbound traffic (you can see its southbound mate in the middle distance) approximately 14km south of Varley. The distance between Lake King and Norseman is 220 km. Get driving directions Traffic proceeding to Ravensthorpe has the benefit of a continuous slip lane, avoiding the main intersection. Given the time of year it was interesting that there was still some water around. AD sign on Westdale Road approaching the junction with Brookton Highway. Not very much travelled now but quite ok in a reasonable 4by, be prepared to not see anyone else for 300odd kms. 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 . "The distance-saving to Perth for the Cascades community is 54 kilometres and the communities of Salmon Gums, Grass Patch and Scadden will enjoy similar benefits.". Please turn on JavaScript and try again. His knowledge of the area made the trip much more interesting, and without the power of his Cruiser we might still be there extricating bogged vehicles. The on time departure from Kelmscott was a good start, andeachmorning was early start but, try as we might to maintain the schedule, we still had to delete the last day and half of the planned trip. Photo credit, Sources: Wikipedia / Mike on Bike / www.cmca.net.au. He endured much hardship, apparently describing the plain as a hideous anomaly, a blot on the face of Nature, the sort of place one gets into in bad dreams, and survived the year-long expedition by eating lizards and wringing moisture from roots. Funding for the project had been met from the Government's $1 billion Additional Funding program for important road projects to be completed over 10 years. Services signage southbound on Brookton Highway as you enter Lake King. 4k Drone video of Ninety Mile TankNinety Mile Tank can be found on the Lake King / Norseman Road about 130 kms in Western Australia.The bush around Ninety Mi.