EAST TRIP

Submitted: Tuesday, Jan 11, 2011 at 14:09

ThreadID: 83596 Views:3002 Replies:9 FollowUps:10

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Harry and Ann (WA)

HI ALL, Planing a trip over to the East this year from mandurah WA, towing a 21 ft van , can anyone tell me if the road from HYDEN WA to NORSMAN, ( the Hyden Norseman rd ) is sealed or unsealed. all input will be gladly received thank you. cheers Harry.

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Reply By: Member - MUZBRY(Vic) - Tuesday, Jan 11, 2011 at 14:28

Tuesday, Jan 11, 2011 at 14:28

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

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Follow Up By: Harry and Ann (WA) - Tuesday, Jan 11, 2011 at 15:07

Tuesday, Jan 11, 2011 at 15:07

g/day MUZBRY, Thanks for your concern about the fires, we are 30 or so ks from the fire and we don't see a threat to our home, we will hear more about it during the day , we have herd a few properties have been destroyed and our thoughts and prayers go out to them, as well as the flood victim's hear and QLD-NSW. I no when it is all over we will pick up the pieces and move on with the job of rebuilding there lives with the help of all true Aussies they will overcome this. cheers Harry.

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Reply By: Road to Discovery - Tuesday, Jan 11, 2011 at 14:53

Tuesday, Jan 11, 2011 at 14:53

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.

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Follow Up By: Harry and Ann (WA) - Tuesday, Jan 11, 2011 at 15:12

Tuesday, Jan 11, 2011 at 15:12

THANK FOR THE REPLY RtD, I will take the alternative rout .

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Reply By: Member - Dennis F (WA) - Tuesday, Jan 11, 2011 at 15:29

Tuesday, Jan 11, 2011 at 15:29

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.

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Follow Up By: Harry and Ann (WA) - Tuesday, Jan 11, 2011 at 15:36

Tuesday, Jan 11, 2011 at 15:36

THANKS DENNIS, I will do more research on the road closer to September when our trip is planed fore, cheers Harry.

FollowupID: 713572

Follow Up By: Motherhen - Wednesday, Jan 12, 2011 at 01:22

Wednesday, Jan 12, 2011 at 01:22

Lake Johnston is a lovely camp, but even better is The Breakaways nearer the Hyden end. If going that way, get a brochure for the Granite and Woodlands Trail, and call in an see the Breakaways, even if not for an overnight stop.

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Follow Up By: Harry and Ann (WA) - Wednesday, Jan 12, 2011 at 11:13

Wednesday, Jan 12, 2011 at 11:13

Thank you MH, for the pictures and the information , this site is amazing and the help you get is second to none, thanks guys & gals. Harry

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Reply By: Baz&Pud (Tassie) - Tuesday, Jan 11, 2011 at 16:12

Tuesday, Jan 11, 2011 at 16:12

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

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Follow Up By: Harry and Ann (WA) - Wednesday, Jan 12, 2011 at 11:23

Wednesday, Jan 12, 2011 at 11:23

HI baz & pud, thanks for the reply .cheers Harry & Ann

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Reply By: Member - joc45 (WA) - Tuesday, Jan 11, 2011 at 16:24

Tuesday, Jan 11, 2011 at 16:24

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

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Follow Up By: Harry and Ann (WA) - Tuesday, Jan 11, 2011 at 17:46

Tuesday, Jan 11, 2011 at 17:46

THANK YOU JOC 45, I will asses the condition of the road closer to the trip date, cheers Harry.

FollowupID: 713580

Reply By: Motherhen - Tuesday, Jan 11, 2011 at 18:24

Tuesday, Jan 11, 2011 at 18:24

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.

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Follow Up By: didiaust - Tuesday, Jan 11, 2011 at 20:29

Tuesday, Jan 11, 2011 at 20:29

G'day Harry

Do you and Ann go to Bali

Met a H&A from WA a few years ago in Bali and just thought it may be a chance\

Di

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Reply By: jimbamb - Tuesday, Jan 11, 2011 at 22:09

Tuesday, Jan 11, 2011 at 22:09

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

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Reply By: Member - John Baas (WA) - Tuesday, Jan 11, 2011 at 23:18

Tuesday, Jan 11, 2011 at 23:18

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.

AnswerID: 441542

Follow Up By: Member - John Baas (WA) - Tuesday, Jan 11, 2011 at 23:25

Tuesday, Jan 11, 2011 at 23:25

Should also have said that there's 2 great overnight camping places with lots of space at the Breakaways and at Lake Johnson. The former gives lots of shelter but LJ is a bit exposed if it's windy. Collect some firewood on the way in - it's everywhere.

There's also a smaller campspot at the base of McDiarmid Rock (turnoff nr Lake Johnson), which should not be missed - there is a marked walk trail over the rock.

Cheers.

FollowupID: 713631

Follow Up By: Harry and Ann (WA) - Wednesday, Jan 12, 2011 at 11:42

Wednesday, Jan 12, 2011 at 11:42

thank you John, We will check road conditions at the time of departure and make the decision then, but is sounding quite good, time and weather will tell the story.

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