Hyden Norseman Road - Short-cut

Hi All,
Newby caravanner, heading off in Jan '23. Thinking of taking the Hyden Norseman Road short-cut to cross the Nullabor. Is this road paved or gravel? I have an off-road van ....
Thanks in advance.
Back Expand Un-Read 0 Moderator

Reply By: Peter_n_Margaret - Saturday, Sep 24, 2022 at 14:56

Saturday, Sep 24, 2022 at 14:56
Gravel.
Never travelled it, but I would expect it to be pretty good.
Cheers,
Peter
OKA196 motorhome
AnswerID: 641709

Follow Up By: Member - pedro1 - Saturday, Sep 24, 2022 at 21:34

Saturday, Sep 24, 2022 at 21:34
Why would you expect it to be good ?????
Heavy mine traffic, rain closes it , can be corrugated when not graded.
Always plan for the worst !!!
Mine you its better than NSW rain effected pot holed bitumen roads .
You need a off road road van for on road use...........
1
FollowupID: 921016

Follow Up By: Peter_n_Margaret - Saturday, Sep 24, 2022 at 21:49

Saturday, Sep 24, 2022 at 21:49
Because I have never seen a road in the area that was not pretty good.
Cheers,
Peter
OKA196 motorhome
0
FollowupID: 921017

Follow Up By: Aussie1 - Sunday, Sep 25, 2022 at 10:03

Sunday, Sep 25, 2022 at 10:03
And it is important that we all have an "opinion". But may I suggest though, actual accounts of facts/experience, that are hopefully current, do help a tad more. If you do go that way, please share your "actual" experience with us.
0
FollowupID: 921019

Reply By: Zippo - Saturday, Sep 24, 2022 at 15:16

Saturday, Sep 24, 2022 at 15:16
Just did that stretch again on Thursday 22/9. No dramas, some parts are a bit corrugated but all gravel roads are all like that (unless you are following the grader). Rain CAN cause its closure but in January that shouldn't be happening (?). Bushfires have also caused closure, that IS a risk at that time.
Your biggest issues will be flies and mine traffic (Cosmic Boy and Emily Ann). There are now long-drops at McDermid Rock, Disappointment Rock and The Breakaways.
AnswerID: 641710

Reply By: new boy - Saturday, Sep 24, 2022 at 19:47

Saturday, Sep 24, 2022 at 19:47
Have done this road a couple of times . Zippo was on the money about the hazards fire and rain about 40 ks east of Hyden turns to gravel overall very good gravel . Hyden and Norseman information centres have a great pamplet with all the sights to see on the route. Good camping at the Breakaways Mcdermid rock and Lake Johnson. A great drive enjoy and saves approx 100 ks from GEH
AnswerID: 641711

Reply By: nickb - Monday, Sep 26, 2022 at 19:28

Monday, Sep 26, 2022 at 19:28
Whereabouts are you heading off from? If from Perth it is a short cut in distance only, travel time will be shorter via the tarmac. If you are coming from the south west then it will be shorter but you won't be sitting on a steady 100kph.
Been a few years since we did it and the road was in good condition, the odd set of corrugations but sat comfortably on 60-80kph. As others have mentioned a lot of great scenery and camping spots on the way.
AnswerID: 641731

Follow Up By: Member - John - Wednesday, Sep 28, 2022 at 18:51

Wednesday, Sep 28, 2022 at 18:51
nickb, just a quick question, I am planning on using this road from Hyden myself next week, but it looks like showers on the day of travel, do you know if it gets closed after showers or only prolonged rain? TIA
John and Jan

Lifetime Member
My Profile  Send Message

0
FollowupID: 921073

Follow Up By: Zippo - Wednesday, Sep 28, 2022 at 19:19

Wednesday, Sep 28, 2022 at 19:19
John, I suggest shortly before you commit ex Perth you ring the Kondinin Shire (and preferably ask for the works manager) to get their real view.Dundas Shire are rather "funny" about this road, you may have trouble getting a real response from them.
1
FollowupID: 921074

Follow Up By: nickb - Wednesday, Sep 28, 2022 at 23:07

Wednesday, Sep 28, 2022 at 23:07
Zippo is right, check with the shire. In the few times I have checked over the years whether it is good to go, if there is any spec of rain it is usually shut. It's a long detour if it does get closed when you get there...
1
FollowupID: 921076

Follow Up By: Member - John - Thursday, Sep 29, 2022 at 09:57

Thursday, Sep 29, 2022 at 09:57
Ok, another question, if the direct road to Norseman is closed, what is the road to Norseman via Lake King like or would that be closed also. I will check with the local shire of course, just asking for planning purposes
John and Jan

Lifetime Member
My Profile  Send Message

0
FollowupID: 921079

Follow Up By: Zippo - Thursday, Sep 29, 2022 at 10:27

Thursday, Sep 29, 2022 at 10:27
John, I've never travelled that way (through Frank Hann NP) but from what I have heard it is a track in the true sense, compared to the gravel "highway" of the HN road, and can be problematic. There is a Track Log here using that route which may provide more info. Alternatively Dunns Track from Ravensthorpe ...

TBH if starting from metro Perth and HN is ruled out by weather, I'd reckon your choices are via GEH or Lake King/Ravensthorpe/Esperance which is significantly longer
1
FollowupID: 921080

Reply By: Member - John - Thursday, Oct 06, 2022 at 21:03

Thursday, Oct 06, 2022 at 21:03
G'day, just traversed the Hyden - Norseman Road, towing a Hybrid van, some parts 90-95 k/hr, some 45-50 k/hr, but 70- 75% the higher speed. Hyden to Balladonia, fuel stop in Norseman, 6 hours for 520 k's.
John and Jan

Lifetime Member
My Profile  Send Message

AnswerID: 641795

Sponsored Links