Balladonia (c) Max Jefferies
Balladonia - (c) Max Jefferies

 

 

BALLADONIA

 

GPS 32 27 40 S 123 52 00 E

 

 

 

 

FIND ACCOMMODATION

 

Norseman

Nearby Towns

Caiguna

 

 

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STATISTICS

Distance from Perth

915 Km

Population

less than 20

Average Rainfall

265mm

Mean Max Temp

24.9C

Mean Min Temp

9.9C

 

SERVICES

Police

See Norseman

Fire and Rescue

See Norseman

Medical

See Norseman

Visitor Centre

See Norseman

 

CARAVAN PARKS

Roadhouse

08 9039 3453

 

HOTEL / MOTEL

Roadhouse

 

08 9039 3453

 

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

 

 

DESCRIPTION

 

A roadhouse on the Eyre Highway whose name is an Aboriginal word meaning big rock by itself. It was brought to prominence in 1979 when the American Skylab crashed in the vicinity. The local council sent NASA a fine for littering and in keeping with the spirit of the joke President Jimmy Carter even rang the roadhouse to 'apologise'.

Afghan Rocks, 14 kilometres east of Balladonia, has freshwater pools. The rocks are named after an Afghan camel driver who was shot by thirsty travellers when they discovered him sitting in the only remaining freshwater pool. (For the full story see 'Afghans').

Water is very scarce in this area, and unlike other roadhouses closer to the coast, Balladonia has not got a de-sal plant and must truck all its water in. If you want water here you will have to pay for it - if it is available at all. The roadhouse is officially open from 7am to whenever they decide to close at night 7 days a week.

Have a look at the small museum but don't be conned into thinking that the big lump of Skylab is real - it is a fake.

The Parmango Road is an alternate way to get to Esperance from Balladonia without having to go through Norseman. The downside to this 'short cut' is the fact that it is unsealed and may be impassable after rain. If you intend to go this way, check with the roadhouse staff first about the conditions.

Newman Rocks is a good overnight stop 50 kilometres west of Balladonia. The rocks are about a kilometre off the highway and are best seen after recent rain.

90 kilometres west of Balladonia is Fraser Range Station. It is a working station but it offers a variety of accommodation from rooms to caravan sites.

To the east of Balladonia is the 90 Mile Straight that is in fact 91.1 miles (or 146.6 km) of dead straight road. It is one of the longest straight stretches of road in the world. The reason for the lack of long straight roads is that it is believed drivers are more prone to drift off to sleep on straight stretches and most roads have deliberate bends in them to keep the drivers alert.

Hole 12 of the Nallarbor Links Golf Course is located at Caiguna. Check out more information about the course at Nullarbor Links Website

 

HISTORY

 

The area was first settled in 1879 by the Ponton brothers and John Sharp who established Balladonia Station. The name was first spelled 'Ballajuinya' which was apparently more closely aligned to the way the Aborigines pronounced it.

Due to salt spray shorting out the Perth-Adelaide telegraph line, it was re-directed through Balladonia in 1897.

The initial roadhouse was constructed in 1962 at the suggestion of the government to cater for travellers heading to Perth for the Empire Games.

The current roadhouse was built in 1974 by the Prendiville family.

 

TALL TALES AND TRUE

 

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MAP

 

 

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OTHER INFORMATION

 

ATTRACTIONS

 

Newman's Rocks, Museum, 90 Mile Straight, Afghan Rocks.

 

BUILDINGS OF NOTE

 

Telegraph station ruins, Balladonia homestead ruins.

 

ELECTORAL ZONES

 

State : Eyre

Federal : O'Connor

 

OTHER INFO.

 

Postcode : 6443

Local Government : Shire of Dundas

 

PHOTOS

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