Via Marble Bar

Hi Phil,

We did most of that road in 09 though with a side trip out to Running Waters and Carrawine Gorge. There is a bit in our blog here

These roads are used by mining companies and, then at least, were in very good condition - and the scenery is pretty good too.

Another option - better I think - is instead of the Goldsworthy road, take the Bamboo Ck Road just north of Marble Bar, turn north to Shay Gap and continue north via what I think is called the Bore road (or boreline road). That is a good road too or was when we came south that way in 08. Gets you to the GNH a bit west of the Sandfire R/H.

Cheers,

Val

Hi Phil

I have done the Boreline road many times over the years and it is an excellent short cut through. I havent done it for about 4 years and so it may have been improved but my recollection is that is was always passable (apart from legal road closures) and Ok just at times a little bit better or worse.

Go for it and by the way the area around Marble Bar/ Nullagine/ Carawine etc is well woth some time spent.

Must have been about 5 years back... towing an offroad camper then... we took the Shay Gap road just up from Marble Bar and then along the boreline road to the Great Northern - those roads were very well maintained then (mining means everything :-o) - the lower parts of the Shay Gap road were quite stony as I recall - past the Gap, smooth and sandy. It was a good drive - if conditions have remained as then, I'd be happy to take a stout van along there, with the usual sensible driving requirements. Re Marble Bar... enjoyed the visit... the jasper 'bar' was interesting (you can fossick up a back road for samples in a designated area)..... the van park was ok.... the famous pub was worth a look (but service and hospitality seemed non-existent). There is a memorial worth seeing in the main street, regarding local identities that perished in the region, mostly in the very early days).

Hi Phil,

I take the Boreline Rd at least twice a year.
Capricorn Roadhouse to Sandfire Roadhouse 600kms.
The road is well maintained and the scenery is excellent. The rougher section is just South of Nullagine and the last 15kms leading onto the GNHwy can be sandy but firm.

I always opt for this route over the eyesore of Hedland and the boring drive.

Perth to Lake Argylle in 4 days is very possible.
Perth to Meeka, Meeka to Marble Bar, Marble Bar to Derby, Derby to KNX.
Just be aware if doing this in the Dry Season you will be towing into a strong headwind.

Tamery

Hi Phil

We were in Marble Bar in June this year.

The Information Centre at Marble Bar was recommending that travellers stay off the Newman/Marble Bar Road due to the amount of heavy mining traffic and condition of the road. The locals were very unhappy with the condition of the road and there was a petition to have the road fixed.

The alternative was the Hillside/Marble Bar Road. We took this road when leaving Marble Bar and found it very good, just a few big dips to watch out for. We were glad we did as it was only a day or so later there was a fatality on the Newman/Marble Bar Road.

I also spoke with another bloke that had suffered stone damage to his water tank along the Newman/Marble Bar Road prior to Nullagine. There was no way he was going back that way. He had also been advised by the Newman Visitor Centre not to take the road for the same reasons given to me at Marble Bar.

If the trucks using the Newman/Marble Bar Road are as large as the ones using the Rippon Hills Road I wouldn't want them passing me on the gravel.

Others may disagree but I can only tell you our experience.

Regards
Rowdy