Hyden-Norseman Road

Member - Dennis P (Scotland) replied:

Hi mate,
Easy drive in a standard 2WD car, road is usually in good condition.
Good camping spot at the 'Breakaways'.
No need to carry extra fuel, just top up at Hyden or Norseman.
Any time of the year is good, except after heavy rain.
Keep an eye out for the Semi's between Norseman and the Emily Anne mine.
There is a 'gem fossicking' area just out of Norseman, worth a look but good luck finding anything, we didn't!

Cheers, Thumbs UpThanks 0

Topcat (WA) replied:

Hi Dolphin38,
The Hyden Norseman road is now a regularly maintained gravel road suitable for 2WD vehicles. It is regularly used by mining companies & can tend to get a little corrugated at times between grading but otherwise (weather permitting) is in good condition.
It is possible that the road could be closed after heavy rain periods, so you will need to check with the Department of Main Roads or on this site for the road conditions.
There are a series of points of interest clearly signposted along the way & a very good camping spot at the Breakaways which has BBQ pits & a drop-pit toilet approximately 135km from Hyden. If you have a fuel range exceeding 300km you will not have any problems traveling from Hyden to Norseman. Otherwise you will need to carry extra fuel. Cheers Thumbs UpThanks 0

paro replied:

Hi....Agree with the above. We travelled the road last month. It was excellent condition. We also found the Breakaways to be a good place to overnight. Thumbs UpThanks 0

Member - Robert W (SA) replied:

There is a free booklet on the foliage between Norseman and Hyden from the Norseman I centre. It is divided into about 7 sections and we found it added greatly to our appreciation of the drive. We bush camped at lake Johnson, and the Breakaways are worth seeing. At wave rock there is a book of walks for $7 which we found very useful. Thumbs UpThanks 0

Member - Paul B (WA) replied:

Yeah agree with all the above and would urge you spend a bit of time because the Norseman shire has done a great job with interpretive signage etc on all sorts of great little spots. If only all local authorities cared so much about 4WD'ers!

See Shire of Dundas website http://www.dundas.wa.gov.au/tourism/attractions.html for more details.

cheers Paul B Kal Thumbs UpThanks 0

Dolphin38 replied:

Thanks to all who have replied - your information is very useful and most appreciated.

As an occasional user of this forum, I must say it is tremendous to see how well it is supported and how helpful people are to readily provide information.

Thanks again.

Guy Thumbs UpThanks 0

Member - joc45 (WA) replied:

Tis a good road; you'll have no problems.
Unfortunately, last time I did this road, I got stuck behind an ore truck just out of Norseman and would have been stuck behind him all the way to the mine. The driver had no intention of allowing me to pass (he pulled out right in front of me), meaning I would have eaten his dust for about 100km. Decided to stop for lunch at Lake Johnson rather than eat his dust. Nice picnic spot there. Also good camping at the signposted Breakaways.
Not sure when you are going, but the wildflowers around spring can be brilliant closer to Hyden.
Just check with the council at Hyden or Norseman whether there has been rain - can get a bit sticky.
Gerry Thumbs UpThanks 0

cityslicker replied:

We used this road a few years back on our return to Adelaide and at the Norseman end saw the biggest snake I've ever seen. It was covering the road from one side to the other and had no intention of moving so I had to drive around it. A few minutes later we saw a mining truck coming towards us so I hope the snake made its escape.

I guess it was some kind of python. Thumbs UpThanks 0