Connie Sue Hwy

Gidday Duncan

I have been out in this area twice in recent years. last year we travelled from a camp at Neale Junction to Warburton in two fairly easy days with an overnight stop at Cooper Ck (yes there is another one) where, by the way, there was a solar equppedbore. The track is fairly typical, with some windy bits, a lot or corros (but not the worst I have seen) and some rocky bits. the top section of the track near the BCR was badly washed out, probably the result of the two major rain events in the area early last year, It was slow going with diversions around the worst bits but not terribly difficult. There were a couple of camper trailers in the group and they had no difficulties.
A few years earlier I was in a group that went south on the Connie Sue from Neale Junction, we didn't go as far as Cocklebiddy, turning off to join the Trans Line road at Kitchener. That was a better track but it was dry when we were there and some large bulldust holes were a sign of what it might be like in the wet. We were in a bit more of a hurry that time and had only an overnight between Neale Junction and Kalgoorlie.
Others can give you a report on the road through to Rawlinna and Cocklebiddy.
It is a great part of the country with some lovely woodlands and the diversion off the Connie Sue into the Neale Breakaway is well worth it.

Cheers

Rocco

Did the connie sue last year in May. Didn't find the corrugations bad at all. The bit south of Neale Junction was wet and very slippery. Alot of the track is limestone track and clay. it took us about 7 hrs to do the last 150kms due to the mud/clay. Personally I think 4 to 5 days is plenty for the connie sue but you could spend longer sight seeing/exploring.
If it has had a lot of rain south of Neale Junction I would give it a miss.

Your other otpion would be the Anne Beadel to Neal Junction, then head north up the connie sue.

wizzer

A coulle of years ago we camped at Neale J. then down to Rawlinna where we camped on the rail line about 10 to 15 Ks east of the siding. Then next day down to Cocklebiddy by lunch the next day. As you travel south about 30 ks past the turn off to Plumridge Lakes , the main road will veer south east to the Cable Haul raod and the Connie Sue will just be a track going south and the closer you get to the rail line the rockier and slower it will get where you will have to pick your way through the rocks. To accesss the track going to Cocklebiddy you will need to go east for 26 ks and head on the east side of the dog fence for about 45 ks till you reach the main track from Rawlinna to Cocklybiddy. The owners of Rawlinna don't want people going through there property. They are trying to get the Govt to survey a road up through that way.
Lindsay.

What a ripper destination Dunc!!!

If you find Alfred let me know :)

I hope you are taking the troopy out with you.

Sludgie

Hi Dunc

You are no stranger to that area, so you will have an advantage straight away.

We found the drive up from Cocklebiddy a good drive, even if it was slow and enjoyed it greatly. Yes, it is rocky, but no problem when dry, but you could see where travellers during the wet had great trouble.

The track north of Rawlinna will improve, and remember that the fuel tanker from Kal to Ilkurlka uses the track north and is usually graded a few times every year. The further north that you travel, the track will be like a very wide super highway, then revert back to a good, but narrower track north of Shed Tank.

The most important thing not to miss along that section of track is the Neale Breakaways, they are a must see. North of Neale Junction and you will be in country that you are no stranger to.

Have a great trip, as you will be travelling in great country.



Cheers




Stephen