Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.

[roverdriver]

If you have come across this story and wish to start from the beginning, Part 1 is here-

http://www.oldclassiccar.co.uk/forum/phpbb/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=15972

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There is something rather special about being in the 'Australian outback' early in the morning. Something majestic about the great dome of the sky, as the stars lose their shine. Something ethereal as nocturnal creatures make their way home and daylight ones wake up. And something quite wonderful in enjoying all of this knowing that there are no other people about for many many miles.

It was thus when Noreen and I stopped the car simply to enjoy it and see the sun come up over the seemingly endless plains.











We had left Cocklebiddy in the dark and pulled over here just to enjoy the morning, but we could not tarry, as there were many miles still ahead of us. The next stop, and next settlement was Caiguna. Another roadhouse cum motel

While filling the car, an interesting vehicle pulled up alongside us. One of the afore-mentioned sticker-covered cars.



They were also headed for Perth for the start of the rally, and again we were invited to the start. I'll explain more about the event in another part of this tale.

As you can see, Caiguna is a long way from everywhere else, it is also on the border of the next 45 minute time change as mentioned in Part 3.



You might have guessed, by looking at previous photos, that straight sections of road are quite common here. Lengths of ten or twenty miles without so much as a slight bend are the norm, however Caiguna has a claim to fame as being at the beginning (or end if you are motoring the other way) of one of the world's longest stretches of dead-straight road.



Here is a drivers-eye-view from early on that section.



And later there was bushland



In spite of the potential for this to be unexciting, we found plenty to enjoy first the open plains, and later the bushland as we passed by, and we did make a couple of stops along the way.



I must admit that after 60 miles, the thought of a curve in the road started to have appeal. After 80 miles, I was hoping for even just a slight bend, but just after 90 miles, my wishes were fulfilled and there was a welcome left hand bend to negotiate. The traffic for that 90 miles, was, in my opinion, 'medium' we met one truck, three road trains, and eight other assorted cars, caravans and motor homes. I like that kind of traffic density!

Not much further on we came to Belladonia, another roadhouse/caravan park/ motel and of course fuel stop. Here we filled the tank once more, 191 k's from the last fuelling place at Caiguna. We arrived at 8.36 and paused for a little while. I managed to chat with one road train drivers about his work, and photograph another couple of vehicles.



By 9.00 we were off again, and a roadside sign informed us we were only 192 k's away from the township of Norseman. The landscape continued with the stunted trees that we had been driving through since about half way along the 90 mile, but here there were a great many dead ones, and more undergrowth. This was probably due to drought a couple of years ago.

Norseman is a proper town, unlike the diminutive settlements we had called at or passed through since Ceduna, now over 1,200 k's behind us.

The township was founded on gold, and the mines here continue to produce, and are the longest producing gold mines in Australia. The town got its name in an unusual way. I will let the information board tell the story-



That Horse's name was 'Norseman' so a claim was staked called 'Norseman's Reward', and so came the town's title, reduced to just Norseman. I could say that the town's name came from an 'orseman with an 'orse named Norseman founded the town of Norseman, but I won't. I would also point out that there is no connection here with Rover cars. (Rover owners should understand this!)



It was a very cold wind blowing, but nevertheless we drove up to the top of Beacon Hill lookout where we had lunch.



The usual route to Perth from here is to drive Northwards to Coolgardie (an old gold town) then turn to the West. An alternative is to go South to Esperance and then turn West, but I saw a map with a road running West from Norseman, so I asked at the Tourist Information about it. "It's a gravel road," said the lady there. "But is well maintained and in good condition unless it rains." "If you are used to driving unsealed roads, you should find it all right," she went on. The lady also explained that there were some interesting features along the way, well worth a stop.

By taking this route we would save many miles of main road travel, and as it was a bit less than 300 k's of gravel, we decided to try it out.
Firstly the road passed through an area of salt marsh.



Then into gentle small hills



The first feature we stopped at is called 'Disappointment Rock'. Well I don't know who was disappointed, but to us it was an amazing sight. An immense sheet of granite with some tumbled boulders at its base.







After that there were other rock formations, a very nice salt lake, and then we came to 'The Breakaways'. we could have stayed taking photos for a long time.







Unfortunately, time was passing, and we had to press on. The road surface was in extremely good condition, there were, however some soft spots that appeared unexpectedly, so even though I was able to drive at 100 kph, I had to be very alert in order to slow for those soft rough patches. this became more difficult as the sun got lower and was dazzling through the windscreen.

The sun had set, and it was almost dark as we got to the outskirts of Hayden and near the famous Wave Rock. We managed to secure a cabin at the Wave Rock Caravan Park for the night, vowing to view the rock in the morning.

The day's distance covered was 776 K's

Part 5 of this saga can be found here-

http://www.oldclassiccar.co.uk/forum/phpbb/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=16019
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Dane- roverdriver but not a Viking.

[Bitumen Boy]

Great pictures and an interesting narrative as usual, Dane. Well done.

[Penman]

Hi
Great tale so far with those wide open spaces.
I found this on the WWW a few years ago, is it a sign you have possibly passed?

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Bristols should always come in pairs.

Any 2 from:-
Straight 6
V8 V10

[roverdriver]

Yes Penman, they seemed to be only on the Western Australia side, so it appears that W.A. has more interest in the motorist with those and the shed tanks etc.

The sign suggests that if you break down, then you have a long walk ahead of you!! One reason for them is that there is virtually no mobile phone coverage unless you are very close to a settlement, and even then it cannot be guaranteed.
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Dane- roverdriver but not a Viking.