EAST TRIP

Gday Harry
I don't know about the road, but how are you with the fire? I am with my brother in Bedfordale .
Murray of Melbourne

The Hyden-Norseman Road is definately unsealed - with signage from Norseman end saying Caravans not recommended.

You would travel heaps quicker on the main highway from Perth - Kalgoorlie, even if you did a side trip to Hyden to see the rock. Dont risk your van so early in the trip unless its a super dooper off road variety.

Good Afternoon Harry and Anne,
I travelled the Norsman/Hyden road last week towing my 5.35m van and found the road in very good condition.I travelled at aprox 80 kph and had no issues at all.I stopped over night at Lake Johnson and found it a very pleasant plase for an over night stop.Drive to the conditions and you should have a gret trip on the road.I would travel the road again but posibly not in the winter.

Having read the last to responses, it's a classic case of the roads good today, but what will it be like tomorrow, or even in September.
Cheers
Baz

It's generally good dirt except after rain. But as it's used by a few mines out there for transporting ore, there is a vested interest in maintaining it in good condition. Was out there in Nov, and it was excellent. Wide, not many corrugations.
A good overnighter is The Breakaways, about 200k east of Hyden, well signposted to the south of the road. Nice shady campsites below breakaway country with fireplaces and a long-drop loo as well. No water. Otherwise, as previously said, Lake Johnson is a nice scenic spot with fireplaces.
cheers
Gerry

Hi Harry and Ann

It is usually a good road and well maintained for mining road trains. It has often been discussed so do a search over the past 12 months and you will bring up a number of helpful threads. As aforesaid, heavy rain is about the only thing to stop you. If you are familiar with dirt roads, i would have no hesitation in recommending that route, although you don't say what grade your van is.

Motherhen

Hi Harry and Anne
We travelled over this road in August last year in a non off road van, had no troubles, the road was in good conditions, as stated travel to conditions. We stayed a night at the breakaways great spot but there is a couple of others camp spots as well and all the points of interest are well signed, we live at Hervey Bay so hope you can make it to here, there is lots to see ( including lots of water at the moment)
Regards Kay

Hi H&A, this road is a ripper.

It has interpretive signage at many points and is much more scenic than the bitumen and you won't be fighting the E/W trucking.

I've been on it 3 times in the last 3 years and each time (not towing anything) I've averaged 80-90 kpm and could have gone faster if I wasn't so interested in the scenic woodlands and sand heaths.Wildflowers are great after rains. Have no idea where one of the above posters has got his info??

If you're still worried, chk with the Dundas (Norseman) Shire just before leaving for latest updates.

Cheers.

THANKS TO ALL, GREAT RESPONSES.