Road condition report needed

Thanks Rocco
Rusty

And if you want to do the tourist thing ...

Brochure

If you can,t print the brochure it can be obtained from the Info centre at either end all sites are clearly marked . The breakaway are awesome you see nothing from the road and wonder what and where is it going but well worth the 1.5 k trip off the main road .

What Rocco said. We have used it twice as a shortcut between Perth and Norseman - saves some distance and is more interesting than the main drag. Been in good nick both times. Haven't used the Lake King track but from those who have I heard it was not in the same league.

From the Norseman end, the "touristy" route starts about 6km north of town. IMO a more scenic way is departing town off the end of Richardson St and taking the direct way across the salt lake causeway (Mort Harslett Drive). This also gives you the option of the Lake Cowan lookout just west of the lake area. You can see this all with Google maps.

summer time rain thunderstorms will have this road closed after 10mm or more.

Hefty fines apply if found traversing road when its closed, also bear in mind area is also very prone to bushfires which get started by the lightning strikes.

Will also be fairly hot as well 40+ is possible

lake king road is classified as 4wd nd not maintained per say esp past the farms

Thanks very much. Looks like it will be the Norseman / Hyden road then. Im traveling by myself and just want to get there so will take the soft option this time.
Thanks again
Russ

We did it in August last year towing a 2400kg van with a Ranger. As has been said conditions change if it has rained recently but road is well maintained. We had little dust but were mostly at only 60 kph and joked about it being yellow bitumen. There are no fuel supplies between Hyden and Norseman. Only a couple of small sections that were currently being graded. We didn't even adjust tire pressures and there were a number of vehicles, some 4x4, but also others that were just normal cars. Our low speed was definitely by choice so as to enjoy the drive more. The route can be done in a single day, but why would you if time wasn't limited. Mostly we had the road to ourselves.

We started that day at Kulin and camped the first night at Forrestania Plots. One other camper just arrived as we pulled in in a small van that he had modified himself for camping. He was an elderly gent who apparently makes the trip across from Vic to Perth twice a year to see family and if this road is open he takes it. He said that the only traffic lights from home to edge of Perth were all at Pt Augusta.

Second night we stayed at the Breakaways and then at McDermid Rock. We almost then stayed at Lake Johnson that would have been just walking distance for the day but decided that at that rate getting across to SA was going to take weeks. We did then climb Disappointment Rock and pushed on, slowly, to Lake Cowan Lookout across from Norseman and as there were no signs then that camping wasn't allowed we had a great sunset and sunrise view of the Lake by ourselves. Shame it's now not allowed to camp there.
If the road is open it's a great trip with plenty to see and we would happily do it again. We did most of the walks at each place along the way. Disappointment Rock was the only place that I wouldn't try taking a van in to again as it has limited manoeuvring room if someone else already there and there wasn't anywhere to park out by the road.

We did stay extra time at the great Kulin free camp in the middle of town and 5 days touring around the area after moving in to their low cost but excellent facilities at their Caravan Park. We had to wait for the road to be declared open by both the Kondinin and Dundas Shire Councils that control it. Kondinin said their side was open but Dundas (Norseman) said closed. Finally rang Dundas and they apologised for not updating it for a few days. Not a problem as we were enjoying the Kulin region, especially things like the Tin Horse Highway. A very friendly town.

Kulin, for those that don't know it, have a 3 day free gravelled rest area in the centre of town next to the Shire Office and across from the Hotel. There's toilet, shower and dump point next to you and they just ask that you leave any receipts in a box there to show them how worthwhile it is to caravaners. Their Caravan Pk is just a short stroll away with 11 bays, some drive through, and all with slabs. You have power, water, laundry and a demountable with 4 combination shower, toilet and wash basin cubicles. If there's only 4 campers there then you each have one cubicle to yourselves. Contact is through the Caretaker with signage of the details. Payment is a case of for the first 5 days you pay what you think it's worth, which seems to be generally $25. After 5 days the Council has set the rate. Very well kept facilities and very friendly locals. Speak to the Shire Office people and you may even be able to get a large sticker to put on your van advertising their town and the Tin Horse Hwy and be an Ambassador for them.