Easter long weekend and with Perth migrating towards traditional holiday directions (predominantly south- or northbound) we decided to do the sensible thing and go the other way. This turned out to be an anticlockwise route heading south-east past Hyden, turning north to Coolgardie and back west towards Perth via the Goldfields highway with three overnight stops at less traditional destinations.
Along the way we made a point of traveling along established roads…
Blocked
Road Closed
At first we follow the so called “Granite and Woodlands Discovery Trail” which is a gravel highway, road trains included. First night stopover is a roadside camp at Forrestania Plots, not exactly a destination but sunset would have caught up with us long before reaching The Breakaways (which we visit the next day and is a highly recommended and scenic overnight spot).
Forrestania Plots Sunset
The Breakaways
At Lake Johnson we turn north and follow the Cave Hill Woodlines Trek that runs via Cave Hill and Burra Rock towards Coolgardie. Our second night stopover is at a peaceful distance away from Cave Hill (it was somewhat overpopulated around the designated camping areas).
The Cave
The Cave Man
The track from Victoria Rock Rd to Cave Hill was a highlight of the trip.
The back of beyond
From here we head north to Coolgardie via Burra Rock. Coolgardie sorted out empty fuel tanks and stomachs. The westward run to Yellowdine is rather monotonous but after some scouting around to find the road to Mt Palmer we are back on track (literaly). The old gold mine at Mt Palmer provide for afternoon exploration opportunities and our third overnight is on top of a waste rock stockpile right next to the old and exposed diggings where we got soundly drenched during the early hours of the morning.
Explored
Unexplored (I know, we should have brought the canoe)
A trip to remember for:
• L Plater participation
• Flies
• Another broken windscreen
• Full family attendance
• Great woodline tracks
• A reminder that lightning strikes should be seen and not felt
• Upgraded mobile ablutions
• The start of winter (wet)
• Lost and found…watches/cameras
• Did I mention…flies
Mt Palmer Hotel
oooOOOoooo
OUT of DOOR's 