It is a dry area, you have to carry your own water. Fuel available at Hyden
and Coolgardie only.
| | PLACE NAME
| Place code
| LAT/LONG
| MAP NAME
|
|---|
| 1 | EMU ROCK
| EMURK | S32 27.45' E119 24.07'
| HYDEN |
| 2 | HOLLAND TRACK/NORSEMAN ROAD
| HTXNR | S32 24.92' E119 27.43'
| HYDEN |
| 3 | SHEOAK ROCK
| SHKRK | S32 19.13' E119 31.30'
| HYDEN |
| 4 | NATIVE ROCKS
| NATRK | S32 17.97' E119 32.92'
| HYDEN |
| 5 | WATTLE ROCKS
| WATLR | S32 15.82' E119 34.90'
| HYDEN |
| 6 | GNOW'S NEST
| GNONT | S32 15.40' E119 35.20'
| HYDEN |
| 7 | MOUNT HOLLAND
| MTHLD | S32 10.33' E119 44.00'
| HYDEN |
| 8 | TAILING POND
| TAILP | S32 06.08' E119 48.03'
| HYDEN |
| 9 | SANDLEWOOD ROCKS
| SNDRK | S32°01.85' E119 57.37'
| HYDEN |
| 10 | BARRIER FENCE
| BARRF | S32 01.12' E120 00.35'
| LAKE JOHNSTON
|
| 11 | LAKE
| LAKE | S31 58.22' E120 02.48'
| BOORABBIN
|
| 12 | HOLLAND PLAQUE
| HPLAQ | S31 56.07' E120 06.17'
| BOORABBIN
|
| 13 | CENTENARY ROCKS
| CROCK | S31 49.37' E120 16.92'
| BOORABBIN
|
| 14 | CAT CAMP
| CATCM | S31 48.77' E120 17.83'
| BOORABBIN
|
| 15 | GRID LINE TURN OFF
| GRIDL | S31 46.22' E120 20.18'
| BOORABBIN
|
| 16 | NEWBEY ROCK
| NEWBY | S31 42.55' E120 25.75'
| BOORABBIN
|
| 17 | AGNES GNAMMA HOLE
| AGNES | S31 38.45' E120 31.87'
| BOORABBIN
|
| 18 | DIAMOND ROCK
| DIMON | S31 35.45' E120 33.17'
| BOORABBIN
|
| 19 | THURSDAY ROCK
| THURK | S31 32.02' E120 37.98'
| BOORABBIN
|
| 20 | PIGEON HOLE
| PIGOL | S31 26.82' E120 45.40'
| BOORABBIN
|
| 21 | VICTORIA ROCK
| VICRK | S31 17.36' E120 55.30'
| BOORABBIN
|
| 22 | GNARLBINE ROCK
| GNRLR | S31 08.97' E120 57.45'
| BOORABBIN
|
| 23 | TURN OFF BOUNTY MINE ROAD
| TOBMR | S32 09.42' E119 44.91'
| HYDEN |
| 24 | LEAVE BARRIER SPUR
| XBARS | S31 59.46' E120 00.35'
| BOORABBIN
|
| 25 | TO THURSDAY ROCK
| TOTHR | S31 32.67' E120 37.09'
| BOORABBIN
|
| 26 | JOIN QUEEN VICTORIA ROCK ROAD
| JQVRD | S31 32.85' E120 46.29'
| BOORABBIN
|
| 27 | TO PIGEON HOLE
| TOPIG | S31 28.94' E120 49.38'
| BOORABBIN
|
| 28 | KANOWNA CAMP
| KANCP | S30 36.57' E121 36.51'
| KURNALPI
|
| 29 | KANOWNA
| KANON | S30 36.44' E121 36.10'
| KURNALPI
|
Description
Pat with Stewart, Pippa, Hannah and Stuart set off early towards Hyden. This
was to enable our guests to see Wave Rock and other beauty spots around
Hyden. Nigel and Chris were to leave later as a result of a rowing
commitment.
Nigel met up with them at 1445.
Following a short repast, the two Landcruisers turned their bonnets
eastwards and drove to the start of the Holland track.
This was found with no difficulty and photos. were taken of the plaque. A
short drive of 17 kms. took us to Sheoak Rock
where Stuart noticed one of the UHF antennae was absent. The track was sandy
and overgrown. Eucalyptus branches reached across the track and threatened
to remove roofracks or puncture the spare wheels on the racks.
We camped at Sheoak Rock (left) near a Trig. station.
Once the camp was set, dinner was prepared and the kids went exploring.
Stewart, Stuart and Chris practiced with the stock whip and soon muffled
expletives were sounding around the bush.
Day two saw us following the ever narrowing track
in a North-easterly direction. A Gnow's (Mallee Fowl) nest is past 10kms
past She-Oak rock. This used to be a common bird but is now only seen in
small pockets in the bush areas.
Wing-mirrors received a battering and
eventually Pat's nearside mirror parted company with the vehicle. As you
cross the Forrestannia road, some Gnamma (water) holes are seen. Much of the
track was easy to follow however, the section through Bounty Mine was a
little trying as many shotlines and mine tracks caused confusion. North of
Bounty mine, the smell of sandalwood permeated the air, this tree is much in
demand for export to the Orient. Very few "Puller's" licences are granted.
Sandalwood is harvested by pulling it from the ground.
Lunch was taken at Centenary rocks - a sheltered area where the track forks.
At Newbey Rocks, we encountered a group of 5 vehicles from Midland and
exchanged yarns. Here, the tracks crosses smooth granite outcrops, and care
has to be taken to ensure the track continuation was found on the far side.
The ground around the rock is soft, so beware.
We camped on the second night at Thursday Rock.
A good camp spot can be found under trees. This provides good shade from the
Goldfield's Sun. In the correct season, open fires are possible, but try and
bring your wood with you. The main rock is a granite outcrop on which good
walks are possible. The views are dramatic.
Day three saw us heading towards Coolgardie and Kalgoorlie. A visit to
Hannan's North mine was the start of the entertainment. This was shortly
followed by "Hunt the Purse" as Hannah noticed she had become separated from
hers! It was rapidly retrieved. Next stop was the Museum of the Goldfields.
Nigel found the bookshop section- and did what comes naturally.
As evening approached, we headed to Kanowna for a camp site.
(previously called White Feather) is a Goldfields ghost-town.
Many unmarked mine shafts are present and great care has to be taken. Carry
a torch at night. Finding a pleasant spot, Pat prepared another banquet
from the crumbs Stuart had missed. The boys and Hannah went sand
tobogganing. This was performed at reckless lengths and much to the regret
of Stuart's foam mattress. Old mine workings were explored. The next morning
saw Chris stung by a bee and soon after Stuart suffered the same fate.
(Bees 2 Boys 0).
Both boys are allergic to bees and required immediate first aid.
On the way from Kanowna we visited the 2-UP ring and Mount Charlotte
look-out in Kalgoorlie. 2-UP is a coin based gambling game and is an
Australian tradition.
We returned home after lunch at Coolgardie Roadhouse and an uneventful
drive.
An interesting route down Holland's track and worth repeating with a little
more time.
References.
- Holland Track Map Book. Nick Underwood and Ian Elliott. Westgate Publishers.
- White Feather. M.Bull. (Story of Kanowna) Hesperian Press.
Remember: Trust in God - but always tie up your horse.
- Nigel Buxton
June 1997: The track has been badly damaged due to use
in wet weather and the WA 4WD movement has placed a
12 month moratorium on the use of the track.
[1] October 1998:
[...] I have a small bone to pick concerning the
Hollands Track page. It states that the track originally started at
"Broomfield".
It starts at a town on the Great Southern Hwy, approx
300kms S.E. of Perth called Broomehill. As a resident of Broomehill,
which is very proud of the fact it's the start of the Hollands Track, I
hope you will correct this mistake and save any confusion for those not in
the know.
- Grant Taylor, Broomehill W.A.
Australia or
WA
pages
