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Hyden to Johnston Lakes Western Australia.
The Johnston Lakes area lies immediately to the west of Norseman.
A traveller from the "eastern states" will note that the Eyre
Highway gradually leaves the coast of the Great Australian Bight and moves
further inland while heading more or less westwards.
It seems to run up against a wall at Norseman
where the traveller must either turn south to Esperance or
turn north to Coolgardie at which point he or she then returns
to a westerly heading for Perth.
Two dirt roads come from the west to join the north - south,
Coolgardie - Norseman - Esperance, main road:
the Lake King - Frank Hahn National Park road south of Norseman,
and the Hyden - Johnston Lakes road north of Norseman.
The latter is quite remote but easy going for four wheel drives although
potentially very boggy in the Johnston Lakes region after rain.
Travellers from Perth will probably approach from the Hyden end.
Close to Hyden is the Wave Rock,
a large rocky outcrop, one face of which is in the
form of a breaking wave about 20 feet high.
You wouldn't go to Hyden just to see Wave Rock
but you should see it if you are passing.
A bitumen road continues 32km east to East Hyden Wheat Bin;
it becomes a firm gravel road after this point.
Initially the road passes through farming land but this ceases
after the rabbit proof (?) fence as the rain fall is marginal.
A further 50km brings one to North Ironcap visible
to the north of the road and with a track leading to it.
If you are feeling energetic, it is well worth a scramble up the hill to get
an excellent view of the surrounding countryside (right).
A cross-roads comes up soon after near Lake Cronin (dry of course)
and approximately 60km from the East Hyden Wheat Bin.
The so-called breakaway country lies a short walk to
the south of the road approximately 50 km east of the Lake Cronin
cross-roads.
Natural erosion has formed an area of colourful rock faces,
a favourite area for rock fossickers.
In a further 60km there is a short track north to McDermid Rock.
It is not high, but a climb to the top gives a good view
of various dry lakes - Lake Hope, Lake Johnston - to the south.
The country is getting a little lower here, with more lakes
(normally dry) and denser trees.
The vegetation along the road varies from open areas with shrubs to low trees.
Many of the trees have vivid red bark (left)
and the variation between the pale green bushes, the dark green
eucalypt leaves and the red bark is very striking.
A dingo was also seen near this spot.
A few kilometers after McDermid Rock there is a major fork in the track -
either north east to Coolgardie or west towards Norseman.
Taking the west fork, the track crosses the fringes of Lake Johnston
and shows evidence that it can be seriously boggy after rain.
Travelling through increasingly large trees,
the Coolgardie - Esperance highway comes up in another 84km;
Norseman is 26km to the south.
The Hyden - Johnston Lakes road forms part of a possible circuit,
Perth - Hyden - Johnston Lakes - Kalgoorlie - Perth,
taken over a long weekend.
It is an easy drive if there are no surprises
but could be very difficult after rain.
Adequate drinking water (ie. lots) should be carried in summer.
There are no permanent inhabitants between the rabbit proof fence and Norseman.
Fuel is unavailable between Hyden and Norseman.
One hazard is unmarked tracks that are created for mineral exploration.
Take it easy, check distances carefully, use a compass and make notes
so that you can backtrack if necessary.
- L. A11ison 1998 -->
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