Balladonia road

Submitted: Wednesday, Apr 06, 2022 at 20:01
ThreadID: 143519 Views:7119 Replies:5 FollowUps:4
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Anyone been on the road from Cape Arid to the Balladonia Roadhouse recently. We are in a LC200 with a Kimberley Karavan. We would appreciate any comments for a proposed trip in late May/June this year.
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Reply By: Alan H11 - Thursday, Apr 07, 2022 at 01:00

Thursday, Apr 07, 2022 at 01:00
Not exactly recently, so perhaps of no value, however we drove the Balladonia road from Balladonia to Condingup (so not the first part of your route from Cape Arid) in 2019. Easy travel, and I don't think you'd have any trouble. There was a lot of logging at the southern end of the road, so if wet it could get muddy, but the road in this part was wide and in fair shape. The northern 3/4 was narrower but straightforward. We saw no other vehicles at all until we reached the agricultural area in the last 10% (saw camels though).
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Reply By: Bob Y. - Qld - Thursday, Apr 07, 2022 at 07:02

Thursday, Apr 07, 2022 at 07:02
We went from Esperance, Condingup to Balladonia in June, 2018. As mentioned the road was good north of Condingup, but once we reached the junction with Cape Arid track, it deteriorated somewhat. Maybe something to do with a change in Councils?

Still a good run up there, and we had a good camp at a deserted homestead, camping under a lean-to at the old shed when it rained through the night.



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Reply By: Nomadic Navara - Thursday, Apr 07, 2022 at 08:25

Thursday, Apr 07, 2022 at 08:25
Go to the Shire of Dundas road condition pages. You will see the following:

"Balladonia Track
Between Eyre highway and Shire of Dundas boundary with Shire of Esperance
CLOSED TO ALL TRAFFIC DUE TO ROAD CONDITIONS."





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Follow Up By: Zippo - Thursday, Apr 07, 2022 at 10:35

Thursday, Apr 07, 2022 at 10:35
That closure has been in place a while at the Balladonia end (and subsequently the Esperance council decided to sign it as closed at their end). Closure was reputedly nothing to do with road conditions, but Dundas simply wanting all the tourist traffic (read revenue) to come through Norseman instead of bypassing direct to (/from) Esperance.
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Follow Up By: John Baas - Friday, Apr 08, 2022 at 02:26

Friday, Apr 08, 2022 at 02:26
It's closed because of the unrepaired damage caused by firefighters fighting catastrophic fires 2 years ago. Balladonia RH is quite 'over' muppets trying to get through. Cheers.
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Follow Up By: Zippo - Friday, Apr 08, 2022 at 13:36

Friday, Apr 08, 2022 at 13:36
John, you are correct.

But for context, I was advised that the damage was unlikely to be repaired - for the reasoning I stated.

So for those contemplating travelling that way, apart from checking the Dundas Shire webpile I would suggest not expecting it to be reopened.
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Follow Up By: John Baas - Friday, Apr 08, 2022 at 14:17

Friday, Apr 08, 2022 at 14:17
Quite plausible Zippo. If so, we'll need to await potential mining interests taking over eventually...
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Reply By: Rob J8 - Thursday, Apr 07, 2022 at 20:16

Thursday, Apr 07, 2022 at 20:16
You can't blame a shire for closing roads that bypass their only town.
They have a responsibility to their ratepayers who have businesses in Norseman.
That road was initially cleared to give the cockies from South Australia easier access to their new land properties East of Esperance back in the late 50's.
AnswerID: 640114

Reply By: bobsabobsa - Thursday, Apr 07, 2022 at 23:14

Thursday, Apr 07, 2022 at 23:14
Here is a great link

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ty8SMcbYzD4&ab_channel=Fourby4Adventures

I will look into it next time , looks a great trip
Bob
AnswerID: 640115

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