Road Photos & Information: Western Australia: Eyre Highway (National Highway 1)

Statistics:

Length: 713 km (WA-SA Border to Caiguna: 348 km)
Eastern Terminus: WA-SA border at Border Village and WA Quarantine Station.
Western Terminus: Corner of the Coolgardie-Esperance Highway (NR1 / NH94), Norseman.
Miscellaneous: Continues as National Highway A1 through South Australia from Border Village to Adelaide.
Suburbs, Towns & Localities along route: Eucla, Mundrabilla, Madura, Cocklebiddy, Caiguna, Balladonia and Norseman.

Route Numbering:

Current:
Former:
Road Authority Internal Classification: H3 1

General Information:

The Western Australia section of the Eyre Highway traverses the Nullarbor Plain (Nullarbor is latin for 'no tree') and is the main east-west link between Australia's east and west coasts.

The route is quite isolated, however is dotted by several roadhouses along the way. It also features the 90 Mile Straight, the section of the highway that features absolutely no bends for 146.6 kilometres. It's the largest section of straight road in the Southern Hemisphere.

The Nullarbor Plain itself is the world's biggest piece of limestone, 200 000 square kilometres. 2

The route also features a quarantine checkpoint at the WA-SA border for traffic entering Western Australia and at Ceduna for traffic entering South Australia. Fruit, vegetables and plant materials are confiscated at these points to reduce disease risks spreading across the country. 2

History:

Named after Edward John Eyre, the Eyre Highway was constructed during the World War II, the current route of the highway has not been deviated significantly during various upgrades to the highway over the years. 3

SA Border to Caiguna (Westbound)		Caiguna to SA Border (Eastbound)
Preview:	Description:	Preview:	Description:
	WA Welcome Sign: Crossing from SA into WA, westbound. Located at the quarantine station between Border Village in SA and Eucla in WA. December 2007. Image © Paul Rands		Services Sign: Services sign at Cocklebiddy, September 2009. Image © Paul Rands
	WA Quarantine Station: All vehicles must stop here to be inspected for contraband. The guys here are friendly however, are doing their job, so very much follow the rules, with no exceptions. December 2007. Image © Paul Rands		Advance Directional Sign: AD sign approaching the sprawling Cocklebiddy Roadhouse, September 2009. Image © Paul Rands
	WA Maximum Speed Limits Sign: Westbound at Eucla, this sign spells out the maximum speed limits for vehicles traveling in WA. December 2007. Image © Paul Rands		Cocklebiddy Roadhouse Entrance: Corner of Eyre Hwy (NH1) and the entrance to the Cocklebiddy Roadhouse, September 2009. Image © Paul Rands
	Animal Warning Sign: These are dotted along the highway somewhat regularly and should be heeded at all times of the day. Eucla in WA. December 2007. Image © Paul Rands		Distance Sign: RD sign as you leave Cocklebiddy, September 2009. Image © Paul Rands
	Services Sign: Standard WA services ahead signage, complete with details on next available services. Very handy when you're in an isolated location such as the Nullarbor Plain. Eucla WA. December 2007. Image © Paul Rands		Advance Directional Sign: AD sign approaching the junction with Eyre Telegraph Station access road, Cocklebiddy, September 2009. Image © Paul Rands
	ID signage: Services signs at Eucla. December 2007. Image © Paul Rands		Eyre Telegraph Station Turn Off: Eyre Hwy (NH1) at the junction with Eyre Telegraph Station access road, Cocklebiddy, September 2009. Image © Paul Rands
	Town Sign: Officially entering the town of Eucla. This is the standard signage for announcing towns throughout Western Australia. December 2007. Image © Paul Rands		Distance Sign: RD sign, west of Madura on Eyre Hwy, September 2009. Image © Paul Rands
	Westbound at Eucla: Heading west as you bypass the town of Eucla. December 2007. Image © Paul Rands		Approaching Cattle Grid: Eyre Hwy approaching a cattle grid, seemingly placed in the middle of nowhere. Madura, September 2009. Image © Paul Rands
	Eucla Pass: Entering Eucla Pass. This section of road drops you down from the plateau to the coastal plain. December 2007. Image © Paul Rands		Cattle Grid: Eyre Hwy at a cattle grid, seemingly placed in the middle of nowhere. Madura, September 2009. Image © Paul Rands
	Distance Sign: Westbound RD sign on Eucla Pass. December 2007. Image © Paul Rands		Services Sign: Services sign on the Eyre Hwy at Madura, September 2009. Image © Paul Rands
	Animal Warning Sign: These are dotted along the highway somewhat regularly and should be heeded at all times of the day. Eucla in WA. December 2007. Image © Paul Rands		Animal Warning Sign: These are dotted along the highway, this one is at Madura, September 2009. Image © Paul Rands
	Landing Strip Sign: There's several of these Royal Flying Doctor Service emergency landing strips located along the Eyre Highway. This sign is at Eucla, just west of the town. December 2007. Image © Paul Rands		Advance Directional Sign: AD sign approaching the access road to Madura Pass Lookout, Madura, September 2009. The lookout offers spectacular views over the desert to the south and also along Madura Pass. Image © Paul Rands
	RFDS Landing Strip: There's several of these Royal Flying Doctor Service emergency landing strips located along the Eyre Highway. This one is at Eucla, just west of the town. December 2007. Image © Paul Rands		Services Sign: Services sign as you enter Madura, September 2009. Image © Paul Rands
	Services Sign: Standard WA services ahead signage, complete with details on next available services. Mundrabilla. December 2007. Image © Paul Rands		Madura Pass: Eyre Hwy as it starts the descent down Madura Pass, September 2009. Image © Paul Rands
	Typical Road Hazard: Typical road hazard along the Eyre Highway - the emu! Mundrabilla, December 2007. Image © Paul Rands		Madura Pass: Eyre Hwy as it descends down Madura Pass, September 2009. Image © Paul Rands
	AD Sign: Advance directional sign for Mundrabilla. December 2007. Image © Paul Rands		Entering Madura: Eyre Hwy as it enters Madura, and approaches the turn off to the roadhouse, September 2009. Image © Paul Rands
	ID Sign: Turn off to the Mundrabilla Roadhouse. Roadhouses on the Eyre Hwy typically offer a place to eat and fuel. Several, however, offer various forms of accommodation, most of which is the basics. December 2007. Image © Paul Rands		Madura Roadhouse Entrance: Corner of Eyre Hwy and the Madura Roadhouse entrance, September 2009. Image © Paul Rands
	Distance Sign: Westbound at Mundrabilla. December 2007. Image © Paul Rands		Distance Sign: RD sign at Madura, September 2009. Image © Paul Rands
	Landing Strip Sign: There's several of these Royal Flying Doctor Service emergency landing strips located along the Eyre Highway. This sign is at Mundrabilla, just west of the town. December 2007. Image © Paul Rands		Animal Warning Sign: These are dotted along the highway, this one is at Madura, September 2009. Image © Paul Rands
	RFDS Landing Strip: There's several of these Royal Flying Doctor Service emergency landing strips located along the Eyre Highway. This one is at Mundrabilla, just west of the town. December 2007. Image © Paul Rands		Landing Strip Sign: There's several of these Royal Flying Doctor Service emergency landing strips located along the Eyre Highway. This sign is at Madura, September 2009. Image © Paul Rands
	Distance Sign: Basic RD sign at Moodini. December 2007. Image © Paul Rands		RFDS Landing Strip: There's several of these Royal Flying Doctor Service emergency landing strips located along the Eyre Highway. This one is at Madura, September 2009. Image © Paul Rands
	Moodini Bluff: Crossing Moodini Bluff, westbound. December 2007. Image © Paul Rands		Moodini Bluff: Eyre Hwy at Madura at Moodini Bluff, September 2009. Image © Paul Rands
	Landing Strip Sign: There's several of these Royal Flying Doctor Service emergency landing strips located along the Eyre Highway. This sign is at Moodini. December 2007. Image © Paul Rands		Approaching Cattle Grid: Eyre Hwy approaching a cattle grid, seemingly placed in the middle of nowhere. Mundrabilla, September 2009. Image © Paul Rands
	RFDS Landing Strip: There's several of these Royal Flying Doctor Service emergency landing strips located along the Eyre Highway. This one is at Moodini. December 2007. Image © Paul Rands		Cattle Grid: Eyre Hwy at a cattle grid, seemingly placed in the middle of nowhere. Mundrabilla, September 2009. Image © Paul Rands
	Services Sign: Standard WA services ahead signage, complete with details on next available services. Madura. December 2007. Image © Paul Rands		Distance Sign: RD sign west of Mundrabilla, September 2009. Image © Paul Rands
	Services Sign: Standard WA services ahead signage at Madura. December 2007. Image © Paul Rands		Services Sign: Services sign approaching the Mundrabilla Roadhouse, September 2009. Image © Paul Rands
	Madura Pass: Looking west as you approach Madura Pass. December 2007. Image © Paul Rands		Advance Directional Sign: AD sign approaching the entrance to the Mundrabilla Roadhouse, September 2009. Image © Paul Rands
	AD Sign: Advance directional sign, westbound at Madura. December 2007. Image © Paul Rands		Distance Sign: RD sign at Mundrabilla, September 2009. Image © Paul Rands
	Madura Turnoff: Intersection with the Madura Roadhouse and village. December 2007. Image © Paul Rands		Services Sign: Services sign at Eucla, September 2009. Image © Paul Rands
	Madura Pass: Looking west at Madura and one of the rare overtaking lanes along the Eyre Hwy. December 2007. Image © Paul Rands		Eucla Pass: Eyre Hwy (NH1) as it climbs Eucla Pass, September 2009. Image © Paul Rands
	Distance Sign: Westbound RD sign at Madura. December 2007. Image © Paul Rands		Black Town Name Sign: Old black sign announcing the village of Eucla, September 2009. Image © Paul Rands
	Animal Warning Sign: These are dotted along the highway somewhat regularly. Madura. December 2007. Image © Paul Rands		Yurkla Way Intersection: Corner of Eyre Hwy (NH1) and Yurkla Way at Eucla, September 2009. Image © Paul Rands
	Basic RD Sign: Simple distance sign between Madura and the Eyre Telegraph Station. December 2007. Image © Paul Rands		Distance Sign: RD sign at Eucla, September 2009. Image © Paul Rands
	Tourism Sign: Signage for the Eyre Observatory and Telegraph Station between Madura and Cocklebiddy. December 2007. Image © Paul Rands		Services Sign: Services sign at Eucla for Border Village in SA, September 2009. Image © Paul Rands
	Services Sign: Standard WA services ahead signage, complete with details on next available services. Cocklebiddy. December 2007. Image © Paul Rands		Divided Road Ahead: Eyre Hwy as it splits into dual carriageway to accommodate the quarantine station at the WA-SA border, Eucla, September 2009. Image © Paul Rands
	Advance Directional Sign: AD sign at Cocklebiddy. December 2007. Image © Paul Rands		Quarantine Station: Quarantine inspection station at the WA-SA border, Eucla, September 2009. Image © Paul Rands
	Cocklebiddy Turnoff: Westbound at Cocklebiddy Roadhouse. December 2007. Image © Paul Rands		South Australian Border: Eyre Highway as it crosses into South Australia, the route number changes to NH-A1 at this point, September 2009. Image © Paul Rands
	Distance Sign: RD sign at Cocklebiddy. December 2007. Image © Paul Rands
Click here for the continuation of NH1 between Caiguna and Norseman Click here for the continuation of the route as NH-A1 in South Australia

1 Main Roads WA List of MRWA Controlled Roads, November 2008
2 Information courtesy of Tourism Eyre Peninsula.
3 State Library of WA

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