After topping up the van tires we were off heading north towards Norseman. The roadside scenery consisted of huge wheat growing fields dotted with lots of small lakes (ponds), something quite characteristic of the Esperance area generally. Some of the fields were being worked in preparation for seeding with huge spray units nuking everything growing on them. Quite a scenic drive actually with the main rail line running parallel to the road and the occasional very long goods trains hauling down to Esperance. We had planned lunch at Bromus Dam and although we found the rest area there was no way we could find the road to the leading to it so on we went to the next attraction of Dundas Rocks. This was a couple of km down a dirt road and was the site of a town way back when before they found gold at Norseman. After that event Dundas just died as everyone went there instead. Nothing much to see so onto plan B with our sights set on the last rest area before Norseman town.
This we did find and after setting up and having lunch we for some reason did not feel comfortable there – just something spooky about it. Ghosts from the past or whatever… Ok, plan C – head to Norseman and check out the town and then move onto the first rest area on the route east towards the Nullarbor. Norseman is supposedly named after a horse that turned up some gold when it pawed the ground and the town came about as a result of the subsequent rush. Gold is still mined there – about 100,000 ounces a year. We thought one of the tailings piles from the mine quite impressive in its own way… A nice collection of tin camels populate the town roundabout – a tribute to the early camel trains that carried freight to the town.
Sightseeing done we headed out to the rest area for the night. Signage on the way indicated severe water shortages to be expected between Norseman and Ceduna (other side of the Nullarbor) and to fill up before crossing – something we had already done. The sun was already very low by the time we arrived and setup but it was a very nice spot and with the night calm and cool after such a nice sunny day we lit a fire and cooked dinner on it. Some of our Aussie followers would be very impressed…
