Israelite Bay - Balladonia Road W.A.

harris, only done the Rd to Isratite Bay not to Balladonia. Good easy trip but at the time your going there may be some big puddles. Otherwise a good trip.
Have fun.

The only problem you will have is if it is wet...The Balladonia Track passed Mt Rugged can get very sloppy in places due to a few large bull dust holes......Good trip and other than that you shouldn't have an issue......

Best coastline in australia. Make sure you pop into Thomas River as it is very underated compared to cape le grande. It is possible to take the poison creek beach and head west to the top of Mt pasely and keep following beaches and headlands until you get to Bellingers beach where you can rejoin the Telegraph track and Onto Isralilite bay, However a steep cutting jto get off the beach Near Bellingers may or may not be do able (I did it last time with 5psi).
Road from Isralite to Balladonia is a bit rough inplaces due to limestone but is fine
The climb to the top of Mt ragged is recomended and sighn your name in the book (mine is there 2wice) Other points of intrest are Pine Hill (lonely graves and dam) Juranda rockhole and Balbinya homestead partially restored.
For the History on this Area get the book Chalenge in isolation which may be available from the Esperance Tourist Bureu

G'day Harro,

Really nice place to visit/camp, like others have said some of it will be hard going at that time of year. What sort of vehicle are you taking? Plenty of places to camp down there, lots of interconnected beaches with little bowls if you don't want to camp at the bigger camp spots. Some of the tracks down that way aren't represented too accurately in map books, not a problem if you're taking your time.

If you keep on the coast and have time you can check out Perpendicular cliffs and Baxter cliffs through Nuytsland Reserve east of Israelite bay then head back up to Eyre Highway and back to Balladonia. I could dig out the info if you want but the tourist bureau and places like map world should be able to help you out.

Have fun,

Ross.

Hi Harro,
As stated, only problems if there has been rain. The track is rough but wide.
Balbinya, about 80km south of Balladonia and about 12k east of the main track, is worth it for camping and checking out the old buildings. Probably water in the dam, but would suggest boiling it. Some fruit trees have fruit in Jan/Feb.
The camping area at Mt Ragged is fine, but no water. Definitely climb Mt Ragged. Spring has some wonderful wildflowers along the route and on Mt Ragged.
Pine Hill is worth a look, with old graves and a dam. Not much else there. Was a watering spot for stock.
Rather than camp at Israelite Bay (but do drop in and check out the old telegraph station) one should head about 20km south to Pt Malcolm, where there is some better shelter. Fresh water from a bore is also there, but you need to know where to find it in the dunes.
The old telegraph track around to Cape Arid is worth the drive, tho lakes near Pt Malcolm end can get sticky if there is rain. Also avoid the lakes near Israelite Bay if there has been rain.
Near Cape Arid, there is Poison Creek and some camping west of there with a fresh water tank and toilet. There is camping at Thomas Fishery, right out at Cape Arid (if the road is open) but it was burnt out about 2 years ago, so not sure of the current status.
Definitely camp at Thomas River, west of Cape Arid. The upper campsite, run by CALM is the better one, with magic views.
Have some waypoints if you want them.
Gerry

Joc45......you mentioned "waypoints" Thomas River sites...... if you don't mind...that would be of assistance.....as also have G.P.S. thanks joc45 regards Harro......