Madura Pass WA

Madura Pass WA May 6, 2015

Up with the sparrows this morning and on the road at 7:04 heading for places far away to the east. First stop was Norseman about 185km away, which we reached easily enough, save for the large rock thrown up by a passing road train just south of Kambalda. Inspection at Norseman showed two deep gouges just on the edge of the window, a wonder it didn't come right on through and take my head off. 

We stopped for a while, had a coffee and some toast before tackling the next 185km section to Balladonia (I swear they make these names up in WA), where we stopped and had a nice cup of tea and some sandwiches. I relaxed watching the trucks roll on by; they really are only a problem if you can catch up to them.

After lunch another 185 odd stretch to Caiguna,,another roadhouse only kind of place, but we were slowed down by a 30km stretch of road marked ‘Roadworks - 80kph’. The fact of the matter was that for exactly 1.7 kilometres there was one lane and they were grading the dirt on the other edge of the road, for the rest it just looked like any other road. We though 90 might be a nice compromise! At Caiguna we pulled in and used the amenities but decided against the coffee etc option and hit the road again, just 60 something to Cocklebiddy (true - check it out ) and then a final run of 95km into the elegant sounding Madura Pass Oasis. I love these names: Madura Pass is OK I guess, they really do have a pass of sorts going up onto the top of the low escarpment, but as to its being an ‘Oasis’! The van park is a clearing behind and down below the petrol station. An uneven expanse of rocky rubble and road base interspersed with a few power outlets and few trees. No water, just power and toilet and showers. Ah, Bliss. What more could you ask for? At least its off the road and reasonably quiet.

I think that’s about 710km in 8:45 minutes. we were passed by about two cars, and we passed no one, and we amused ourselves by watching the crack in the window snake its way across from one old rock chip to another stone hole. Might be forced to replace it this time when we get home. A bit of traffic coming from the East, but not much though. It seems much quieter than when we came over those few weeks ago, there is currently 2 tents, a camper and a poptop in this park and its now 18:12 or 17:36 or something depending on wether you indulge the locals in their Central Western Time fantasy (we do, it makes a lot of sense). Oh another caravan is just pulling in, in the dark