Hyden Norseman Road

StartClick to Reverse the Dynamic Map and Driving NotesNorseman
FinishHyden
DifficultyDifficulty 1.5/5
Suitable For2WD Motorhome/Van Motorbike 
Distance303.98 km
Minimum Days1
Average Speed67.18 km/hr
Travel Time4 hrs 31 mins
Page Updated: 24 Sep 2022

Description

The Hyden-Norseman road is an excellent alternative to travelling the Great Eastern Highway if you wish to travel between Norseman & Perth because you'll get off the tar and away from the trucks. In fact you may not encounter any other traffic, making this a relaxing drive indeed. There is plenty to please the senses along this route - infact it is a tourist route all unto itself, being marketed as "The Granite & Woodlands Discovery Trail".

The route is mostly gravel, wide and easy travelling at close to highway speeds so generally it is suitable for all vehicles, including those towing caravans. Wet weather however can cause the road to be closed.

Travellers will find interpretive "sites" and stopping places along the way, as part of the Granite & Woodlands Discovery Trail. These are signposted in numerical order from 1 to 16 from the Hyden end. It is worth picking up a copy of the free trail guide brochure at the Hyden Truck Stop or just download this trek note to know what to expect at each site.

We suggest this is a 2 day route if you are here to explore as it is still a 3-4 hour drive across without stopping.

How to Use this Trek Note

  • To download this information and the route file for offline use on a phone, tablet, headunit or laptop, go to the app store and purchase ExplorOz Traveller. This app enables offline navigation and mapping and will show where you are as you travel along the route. For more info see the ExplorOz Traveller webpage and the EOTopo webpage.

TIP

ExplorOz Traveller now features the NEW EOTopo 2023 mapset!

Environment

This route lies amongst temperate woodlands on the edge of the wheat belt, where 80 different varieties of eucalypts grow. Across the 300km of this trek you'll also see sandy heathlands, distinctive granite outcrops, salt lakes, & claypans.

Wave Rock in Hyden is the most visited of the granite outcrops in the area, however there are many other rocks noted in this trek that are worth exploring.

Amongst this diversity, are two massive nickel mines, Emily Ann and Maggie Hays and associated processing plants & infrastructure. No doubt the reason the road is so well maintained is to cater for the mine trucks.

Birdlife in the area include mallee fowl, bush turkey, grey currawong, numerous parrot species, cockatoos, and lorikeets including the tiny purple crowned lorikeet.

History

Whilst both Hyden and Norseman have significant historical beginnings, the region of woodland between the two was very much ignored by both aboriginals and Europeans and remains an area of no agriculture or pastoralism today.

Sandalwood cutters are believed to have been the first white men in the area and early attempts at pastoralism were unsuccessful, mostly due to a lack of readily accessible underground water. 11 trial plots (10 acres) were established at Forrestonia in 1959 but did not lead to take up by permanent settlers and were abandoned in 1966.

The Wudjari and Ngadju people would only pass through the area if water and food permitted, and doggers would utilise the shed at Forrestania Plots whilst hunting feral dogs and dingos.

Of most significance was the discoveries of gold and nickel, with a few large mines in current operation.

TrekID: 338

Preparation

MUST READ: You are strongly encouraged to read the following articles prepared by the knowledge experts at ExplorOz for your safety and preparation before undertaking any published ExplorOz Trek - Outback Safety, Outback Driving Tips, Outback Communications, and Vehicle Setup for the Outback.

TIP

Please refer to Road Reports published by the local shire and/or main roads for the area you intend to visit. Road/Track conditions can change significantly after weather events. Travellers must be responsible for their own research on current conditions and track suitability.
Carry an emergency supply of food and water and enough fuel to cover at least 400km (to factor side trips) as well as tyre spares and repair kit. There are no commercial supplies or facilities anywhere along the entire route, although some sites have fire rings, long drop toilets and concrete picnic tables.

Permits

None required.

Fuel Usage

DieselULPLPG
4cyl 43 litres4cyl 49 litres4cyl 61 litres
6cyl 47 litres6cyl 55 litres6cyl 54 litres
8cyl 47 litres8cyl 50 litres
Usage is averaged from recorded data (* specific to this trek) and calculated based on trek distance.

Best Time To Visit

Closest Climatic Station

Hyden
Distance from Trek Mid Point 134.22km W
 JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Mean Max. °C33.633.030.025.720.817.416.417.520.324.728.431.8
Mean Min. °C15.515.814.211.17.65.74.64.65.88.211.513.9
Mean Rain mm19.519.320.123.539.049.347.740.527.721.618.915.1
    Best time to travel      Ok time to travel      Travel NOT recommended

Map

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Directions

Norseman to Road Conditions Signboard
Driving: 0.81 km
Heading: 268°
Avg Speed: 35.63 km/hr
EST Time: 01:21
  • Drive northeast on 1. for: 0.09 km time: 00:16
  • Exit the roundabout onto Ramsay Street. for: 0.72 km time: 01:06
Road Conditions Signboard to Lake Cowan causeway
Driving: 3.1 km
Heading: 285°
Avg Speed: 62 km/hr
EST Time: 03:00
  • Drive west on Ramsay Street. for: 3.1 km time: 03:00
Lake Cowan causeway to Lake Cowan Lookout
Driving: 2.51 km
Heading: 286°
Avg Speed: 43.51 km/hr
EST Time: 03:27
  • Drive southwest on Mort Harslett Drive. for: 2.43 km time: 02:21
  • Turn right onto Lake Cowan Lookout. for: 0.08 km time: 01:07
Lake Cowan Lookout to Gemfields
Driving: 4.47 km
Heading: 274°
Avg Speed: 49.65 km/hr
EST Time: 05:24
  • Drive west on Lake Cowan Lookout. for: 0.08 km time: 01:00
  • Turn right onto Mort Harslett Drive. for: 4.38 km time: 04:18
  • Turn right onto Gem Fields Road. for: 0.01 km time: 00:06
Gemfields to Turnoff to Granite & Woodlands Discovery Trail
Driving: 3.14 km
Heading: 270°
Avg Speed: 57.96 km/hr
EST Time: 03:15
  • Drive south on Gem Fields Road. for: 0.01 km time: 00:06
  • Turn right onto Mort Harslett Drive. for: 3.13 km time: 03:09
Turnoff to Granite & Woodlands Discovery Trail to Woodlands
Driving: 29.8 km
Heading: 269°
Avg Speed: 94.92 km/hr
EST Time: 18:50
  • Drive northwest on Mort Harslett Drive. for: 0.02 km time: 00:01
  • Turn left onto Hyden-Norseman Road. for: 29.71 km time: 17:50
  • Turn left. for: 0.07 km time: 00:51
  • Bear left. for: 0.01 km time: 00:09
Woodlands to Disappointment Rock
Driving: 39.49 km
Heading: 279°
Avg Speed: 91.07 km/hr
EST Time: 26:01
  • Drive northwest. for: 0.08 km time: 00:58
  • Turn left at the end of the road, onto Hyden-Norseman Road for: 39.17 km time: 23:32
  • Turn left onto Disappointment Rock Road. for: 0.25 km time: 01:31
Disappointment Rock to Turnoff to Disappointment Rock
Driving: 0.23 km
Heading: 42°
Avg Speed: 10 km/hr
EST Time: 01:22
  • Drive north on Disappointment Rock Road. for: 0.23 km time: 01:22
Turnoff to Disappointment Rock to Lake Johnston Campground
Driving: 19.82 km
Heading: 315°
Avg Speed: 95.23 km/hr
EST Time: 12:29
  • Drive northeast on Disappointment Rock Road. for: 0.02 km time: 00:07
  • Turn left onto Hyden-Norseman Road. for: 19.75 km time: 11:53
  • Turn left. for: 0.05 km time: 00:20
  • Turn right. for: 0.01 km time: 00:09
Lake Johnston Campground to Victoria Rock Rd & Hyden Norseman Rd
Driving: 2.84 km
Heading: 257°
Avg Speed: 82.67 km/hr
EST Time: 02:03
  • Drive north. for: 0.01 km time: 00:04
  • Turn left. for: 0.05 km time: 00:18
  • Turn left onto Hyden-Norseman Road. for: 2.79 km time: 01:41
Victoria Rock Rd & Hyden Norseman Rd to Mcdermid Rock
Driving: 4.14 km
Heading: 248°
Avg Speed: 40.16 km/hr
EST Time: 06:11
  • Drive west on Hyden-Norseman Road. for: 2.63 km time: 01:35
  • Turn right onto McDermid Rock Access. for: 1.51 km time: 04:36
Mcdermid Rock to McDermid Rock Turn Off
Driving: 1.49 km
Heading: 154°
Avg Speed: 20 km/hr
EST Time: 04:28
  • Drive east on McDermid Rock Access. for: 1.49 km time: 04:29
McDermid Rock Turn Off to Hyden Norseman Rd & Windy Hill Camp Access
Driving: 31.37 km
Heading: 228°
Avg Speed: 99.33 km/hr
EST Time: 18:56
  • Drive southeast on McDermid Rock Access. for: 0.01 km time: 00:02
  • Turn right onto Hyden-Norseman Road. for: 31.36 km time: 18:55
Hyden Norseman Rd & Windy Hill Camp Access to Emily Ann Mine Site Information
Driving: 0.55 km
Heading: 254°
Avg Speed: 99.86 km/hr
EST Time: 00:19
  • Drive southwest on Hyden-Norseman Road. for: 0.55 km time: 00:20
Emily Ann Mine Site Information to Turnoff to Breakaways
Driving: 23.12 km
Heading: 255°
Avg Speed: 99.99 km/hr
EST Time: 13:52
  • Drive west on Hyden-Norseman Road. for: 23.12 km time: 13:53
Turnoff to Breakaways to The Breakaways
Driving: 0.55 km
Heading: 169°
Avg Speed: 5 km/hr
EST Time: 06:36
  • Drive northeast on Hyden-Norseman Road. for: 0.01 km time: 00:00
  • Turn right onto Breakaways Access. for: 0.47 km time: 05:42
  • Keep right to stay on Breakaways Access. for: 0.07 km time: 00:51
The Breakaways to Grevillia Hill
Driving: 12.68 km
Heading: 255°
Avg Speed: 54.63 km/hr
EST Time: 13:55
  • Drive east on Breakaways Access. for: 0.54 km time: 06:27
  • Turn left at the end of the road, onto Hyden-Norseman Road for: 12.12 km time: 07:19
  • Bear left. for: 0.03 km time: 00:10
Grevillia Hill to Shire Boundary
Driving: 13.01 km
Heading: 253°
Avg Speed: 93.1 km/hr
EST Time: 08:23
  • Drive northeast. for: 0.03 km time: 00:10
  • Make a sharp left onto Hyden-Norseman Road. for: 12.91 km time: 07:51
  • Bear right. for: 0.07 km time: 00:22
Shire Boundary to Hyden Norseman Rd & Southern Cross Rd
Driving: 25.25 km
Heading: 250°
Avg Speed: 97.7 km/hr
EST Time: 15:30
  • Drive southwest. for: 0.07 km time: 00:22
  • Bear right onto Hyden-Norseman Road. for: 25.17 km time: 15:06
  • Turn left onto Marvel Loch-Forrestania Road. for: 0.01 km time: 00:02
Hyden Norseman Rd & Southern Cross Rd to Forrestania Plots
Driving: 20.94 km
Heading: 270°
Avg Speed: 92.49 km/hr
EST Time: 13:35
  • Drive north on Marvel Loch-Forrestania Road. for: 0.01 km time: 00:00
  • Turn left onto Hyden-Norseman Road. for: 20.88 km time: 13:06
  • Make a sharp left. for: 0.05 km time: 00:29
Forrestania Plots to Holland Tk & Hyden Norseman Rd
Driving: 7.03 km
Heading: 271°
Avg Speed: 92.21 km/hr
EST Time: 04:34
  • Drive west. for: 0.05 km time: 00:22
  • Bear left onto Hyden-Norseman Road. for: 6.97 km time: 04:13
Holland Tk & Hyden Norseman Rd to End of Seal (Hyden-Norseman Rd)
Driving: 8.87 km
Heading: 262°
Avg Speed: 82.61 km/hr
EST Time: 06:26
  • Drive west on Hyden-Norseman Road. for: 8.87 km time: 06:27
End of Seal (Hyden-Norseman Rd) to East Hyden Bin Rd & Wave Rock Access
Driving: 43.49 km
Heading: 268°
Avg Speed: 104.46 km/hr
EST Time: 24:58
  • Drive west on Hyden-Norseman Road. for: 43.49 km time: 24:59
East Hyden Bin Rd & Wave Rock Access to East Hyden Bin Rd & Hyden-Lake King Rd
Driving: 1.91 km
Heading: 231°
Avg Speed: 44.17 km/hr
EST Time: 02:35
  • Drive southwest on East Hyden Bin Road. for: 1.91 km time: 02:36
East Hyden Bin Rd & Hyden-Lake King Rd to Lovering Rd & East Hyden Bin Rd
Driving: 1.02 km
Heading: 270°
Avg Speed: 49.98 km/hr
EST Time: 01:13
  • Drive west on Brookton Highway/40. for: 1.02 km time: 01:13
Lovering Rd & East Hyden Bin Rd to East Hyden Bin Rd & Alymore Rd
Driving: 0.67 km
Heading: 269°
Avg Speed: 69.73 km/hr
EST Time: 00:34
  • Drive west on Brookton Highway/40. for: 0.67 km time: 00:34
East Hyden Bin Rd & Alymore Rd to Hyden
Driving: 1.68 km
Heading: 277°
Avg Speed: 45.82 km/hr
EST Time: 02:11
  • Drive west on Brookton Highway/40. Continue on 40. for: 1.54 km time: 01:43
  • Turn right onto McPherson Street. for: 0.14 km time: 00:29
Distance is based on the travel mode shown (Driving, Straight, Cycling, Walking etc), Direction is straight line from start to end, Avg Speed & EST Time is calculated from GPS data.

What to See

Facilities

Where to Stay

Services & Supplies

No Services & Supplies available for this trek

Wildflowers

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