The Balladonia Track

A 4WD Adventure

The Balladonia Track is accessible at Condingup and runs North to Balladonia on the Eyre highway. Map below.

The History

The Balladonia Track originally ran from Israelite Bay to the Goldfields. Its purpose was to transport supplies and livestock to and from ships coming into Israelite Bay.

The track was also used to service the homesteads and stations along the route. The supplies came in from ships supplying the Telegraph Station at the bay.

The original track still runs from Israelite Bay past Mt Ragged and meets the track from Condingup about halfway.

The Facilities

The first sixty kilometres from Condingup is sealed road. This then becomes gravel for a way and at the Northern end deteriorates into a very rough track. It is not suitable for 2WD cars, only 4WD vehicles.

There are no toilets, no fuel supplies, nor any other services along the 190 kilometre track. If there has been recent rain in the area it may be too dangerous for any vehicle travel.

Sight-seeing

There are plenty of native bush animals and herds of camels and horses. Along the track are some restored homesteads and other ruins of earlier settlements.

Derailiya Homestead is halfway along the Balladonia Track and has been renovated by aboriginal labour. Booanya homestead is 5km north of the halfway homestead and 13km inland from the track.

Early in the area's history during the 1890s, dams were built using horses and camels. These were the progenitors of the wild herds in the area. The dams are still usable and are encountered along the way.

Getting There

It is a pleasant drive with lots of glimpses of the early history of the area. The experience will leave you with greater appreciation of how hard the early pioneers had to work and how tough the conditions and isolation would have been.

Travelling alone is not recommended. There are some good camp spots along the way, but make sure the weather has been dry before you embark.