Holland Track (WA) - Info needed

Hi all,

We are planning to complete The Holland Track this easter from South to North. We have had trouble trying to find much info on the Broomehill to Hyden section of the track. My understanding is that it is mostly comsumed by farming land and bitumen road until Hyden now.

Just wondering whether it is worth starting at Broomehill or whether we are better off just starting at Hyden?

Are there any historical stops between Broomehill and Newdgate that are worth seeing?

Also, does anyone know if the Broomehill Visitor centre and Museum would be open on Good Friday?

Does anyone know if there any free camping spots near Broomehill?

Any info much appreciated
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Reply By: Member - Joe n Mel n kids (FNQ - Sunday, Apr 17, 2011 at 00:11

Sunday, Apr 17, 2011 at 00:11
assume you have done a search on it, the "Holland Track" as there is some good info here....
AnswerID: 451478

Reply By: equinox - Sunday, Apr 17, 2011 at 00:40

Sunday, Apr 17, 2011 at 00:40
Hi Rusty,

This map might be of assistance: MAP

Apparently there is a memorial at the Shire Offices in Broomehill, wouldn't mind seeing that sometime.

This site has a good write up on it.

Cheers
Alan


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Reply By: Member - Phil B (WA) - Sunday, Apr 17, 2011 at 01:14

Sunday, Apr 17, 2011 at 01:14
Hi Rusty

Contact the Shire re hours - but I suspect not open Good Friday.

Also you can get a map from them about the whole route. The section from B Hill to Hyden is known as the John Holland Way nowadays.

Can't help with camping -sorry.

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Reply By: Member-George (WA) - Sunday, Apr 17, 2011 at 11:51

Sunday, Apr 17, 2011 at 11:51
You are right, the Holland track between Broomhill and Hyden is not really worth doing. Mainly farm land and bitumn roads. A good starting point would be where it crosses the Hyden-Lake King road. Cheers
AnswerID: 451527

Follow Up By: get outmore - Sunday, Apr 17, 2011 at 12:25

Sunday, Apr 17, 2011 at 12:25
probablly why its called the Holland way

track starts near Hyden

Personally id avoid the crowds doing it over easter

plenty of other bush tracks with just as much history out that way

bush is still reovering after most of the Holland track was burn out in 05
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Reply By: Motherhen - Sunday, Apr 17, 2011 at 13:06

Sunday, Apr 17, 2011 at 13:06
Hi Rusty

We did the Broomehill to Hyden-Norseman Road section in 2007.Holland Track Southern Section

As aforesaid, much of it is following rural roads through farmlands. We enjoyed the drive.

We purchased "Explore the Holland Track and Cave Hill Woodlines" from the EO shop and needed it as our guide.

Motherhen
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Follow Up By: Motherhen - Sunday, Apr 17, 2011 at 13:13

Sunday, Apr 17, 2011 at 13:13
PS We found the Woodlines very interesting but i haven't got my report on that area up on my website as yet. There is a brief Blog of the whole Goldfields trip in here My Blogs for 2007.

I can't help with campsites near Broomehill, but once you are in the wheat belt, you can usually find an old gravel pit or an easy spot to pull off the road for the night.

Mh
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Reply By: Member - Dunworkin (WA) - Sunday, Apr 17, 2011 at 15:16

Sunday, Apr 17, 2011 at 15:16
Rusty, as previously said, the part of the Holland track (Holland Way) is covered by farmland, and there is a plaque in BH which is the beginning of the Holland Track.
Back in the 70s a group in BH people (mostly farmers) set about trying to get the track opened to the tourist industry, a lot of hard work was put into it at the time.
As far as I'm aware there is no camp spots around BH but there is a caravan park in the town, I wouldn't think the cost would be too much.
We haven't done the Holland Track ourselves but when we do it won't be at Easter and I hope (got to convince Hubby first) that we will be doing it starting at BH.
Enjoy your trip.
D


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Reply By: Member - Tony H (touring oz) - Sunday, Apr 17, 2011 at 15:43

Sunday, Apr 17, 2011 at 15:43
When in Hyden, make sure you have a look at the 'historical display' in the park....very clever
AnswerID: 451550

Reply By: *Rusty* - Monday, Apr 18, 2011 at 21:45

Monday, Apr 18, 2011 at 21:45
Hi All,

Thanks for the replies.

I think we're going to just start at Broomehill as we will be coming from the Perth Direction anyways.

Will let you know how it goes next week.

Have a good easter everyone!
AnswerID: 451726

Reply By: Sads - Tuesday, Apr 19, 2011 at 17:04

Tuesday, Apr 19, 2011 at 17:04
It is a nice drive from Broomehill, and you can cover the ground quite quickly in this section. Depending on what time you leave Broomehill, it is easy to reach Sandplain Rocks or Dragon Rocks for camping. I liked Dragon Rocks for night 1 butEmu Rock further on would be good too if you have the daylight.

However I would not aim for any of these spots travelling straight from Perth unless you leave very early.

Used to be able to get the "Explore the Holland Track and Cave Hill Woodlines" book at the Broomehill Shire Office rather than waiting for delivery through EO, and they included a supplementary leaflet to put the waypoints in the correct order. Call in advance being a Friday. Broomehill


AnswerID: 451795

Follow Up By: Sads - Tuesday, Apr 19, 2011 at 17:14

Tuesday, Apr 19, 2011 at 17:14
That last word in above post was a hyperlink to the shire website

http://www.shirebt.wa.gov.au/tourism/broomehill.php

Need the Broomehill Office/Library, but enquireis directed through Tambellup office: (08) 9825 3555



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FollowupID: 724417

Reply By: *Rusty* - Tuesday, Apr 26, 2011 at 11:57

Tuesday, Apr 26, 2011 at 11:57
Hi All,

Just thought i might followup for those interested in doing the Holland Track.

I wouldn't bother starting at Broomehill as we wasted about 400km worth of fuel and daylight by going down to Broomehill. When we got there, the Museum wasn't open (i wasn't expecting it to be), but i dont like bothering people to come and open a museum on their day off for us to wander around for maybe 2 mins (it was only a tiny building).

I was however expecting some sort of outdoor display/history pannel in the town (so that you dont have to go into the museum which is only open by appointment) - which there was not.

So we travelled up the highway to Pingrup (as we had no info on where the Holland Track even starts). We passed a old sign that needed some TLC that said "Holland Track" but with a truck behind us, we weren't prepared to pull up to check it out.

Annoyed, we continued on through to Pingrup, then Lake Grace, then onto Newdgate where we stayed at the caravan park there as it was getting late in the day. The drive is not that interesting with just Farmland and dry Salt Lakes.

The owners of the Newdgate Caravan Park were more than helpful and gave us heaps of info, and told us where to start back on the Holland Track in the morning.

The section from Broomehill to Newdgate is very poorly signed, and by the time you pass the street sign saying "Holland Track", you're still doing 100km and go "oh crap was that the turn?".

However, I do recommend starting from Newdgate rather than Hyden, as you actually miss part of the track if you only start from Hyden.

From Newdgate - follow the "Dragon Rocks" sign (as there is not "Holland Track" sign until you reach a private property.

The rest of the track is a good drive but does get really skinny just on the northern side of the Hyden-Lake King road entry point.

I will say a huge Thankyou to the WA Toyota 4WD club who re-cut the track and maintain it.

Also, thanks to the 5 or 6 cars we passed along the track for making it a plesant encounter (and chat whilst clearing the track). We did however encounter 1 rude lady driving an F Truck with Quads in front who just hurled abuse at us and the other 3 cars that backed up the track (as she in no uncertain terms told us to go bush and stake our tyres because she didnt want to get of the track and it was our problem cause she's bigger than everyone else) whilst she was less than helpful and refused to help the situation of vehicles needing to pass each other on a single lane track. It really wasn't that hard to work out, that 5 mins of everyone clearing stumps and trees either side would make it so that no one would have to stake a tyre and scratch their car.

This hag of a human being, stood there in with beer in hand and abused my partner and myself whilst we cleared areas on either side of the cars so we can all pass without damaging cars and tyres, and not once even attempted to be helpful. Mate, shut up if you're not going to help! By the way - ITS A SINGLE LANE TRACK! you have to expect oncoming traffic!

Other than this little hick up it was an enjoyable track to drive and would recommend it for something different.

Thanks all
AnswerID: 452338

Follow Up By: Willy05 - Friday, Apr 29, 2011 at 16:26

Friday, Apr 29, 2011 at 16:26
Hi Rusty
We did the track at Easter as well, although we started at Hyden, went south at the start and camped at Emu Rocks the first night and went north east after that which put us a day behind the crowd.
Pretty sure we heard the hicks you referrred to over the 2 way around Krakouer Rocks, nice bunch. Giving out to someone who commented on their language.
We had our 18 month old daughter with us and had a great time and so did she.
I was impressed by the lack of rubbish around, we camped on the way back to Perth and after the Holland Track, the rubbish around really stood out. Although a lot of it looked pretty old, maybe from a time before 'Keep Australia Beautiful' kicked off.
I agree, the Toyota Club deserve a pat on the back for their good work.

Cheers
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FollowupID: 725434

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