Crossing the Nullarbor – Balladonia, Newman Rock, Fraser Range Station

Tuesday 10^th April 2012.........

Left our o/night camp spot at Domblegabby Rest Area 39klms west Caiguna and headed towards Balladonia...........still on the '90 mile stretch' which was sealed in 1969 and is not only straight but undulating by only a few metres as it crosses seemingly limitless grasslands dotted with mallee scrub.

First stop was 27klms east of Balladonia to take a few photos of the old Balladonia Homestead and the ruins of the Balladonia Telegraphic Station. We then travelled to Balladonia.

A stop at Balladonia. This is another roadhouse complex but this also incorporates the excellent Cultural Heritage Museum which covers the history of the district from early days of explorers and Afghan cameleers through the development of the pastoral industry. There is an excellent exhibit on the cave systems of the Nullarbor as well as the occasion in July 1979 when debris from the NASA Skylab Space Station rained down on Balladonia. Here we played our 10^th hole along the Nullarbor Links Golf Course....'Skylab'

Next stop.......Newman Rock........among the rocks of this granite formation are stands of trees and a semi permanent waterhole. Two large wedge=tailed eagles flew overhead and from the top of the granite formation there lies a panorama of salmon gum woodlands, mallee scrub and salt lakes. Oh! and large march flies. Out came our wash cloth swatters. Great invention!

Next stop........Fraser Range Station.......a historical pastoral property (circa 1870). Today it offers refreshments at the station store, Lodging, Caravan Park and camping, bushwalking, guided tours of the station and property and our 11^th hole on the Nullarbor Links Golf Club - 'Sheep's Back'. While we played our hole of golf Emu's grazed nearby.

Travelled a further 30klms west to Ten Mile Rocks just 79klms from Norseman where we o/night camped. Chris got out the colander – a camp fire tonight – the first camp fire since we left Newcastle due to fire restrictions till mid April in SA. This has been his first chance to 'light up'!