National Highway 1 is split into 2 segments in Western Australia and is the only paved route linking Western Australia with the eastern states. Along the southern end of WA it is known as Eyre Highway, which is a 2 lane undivided rural highway that runs from the WA-SA border near Eucla to Norseman in Western Australia's mining country. At the northern end of WA, it is known as Great Northern Highway and Victoria Highway. Great Northern Highway travels from Port Hedland to Wyndham, and then from there National Highway 1 is known as the Victoria Highway to the WA-NT border. At each western terminus of National Highway 1, the route continues as National Route 1, and the Auslink funded National Highway is routed via other route numbers through the state.
The southern section of National Highway 1 traverses the Nullarbor Plain and is named after Edward John Eyre, who was an English land explorer of the Australian continent, colonial administrator, and Governor of Jamaica. The Nullarbor Plain itself is the world's biggest piece of limestone, at 200 000 square kilometres.2
The section of Eyre Highway between Balladonia and Caiguna includes what is regarded as the longest straight stretch of road in Australia and one of the longest in the world. The road stretches for 146.6 kilometres without turning, and is signposted and commonly known as the "90 Mile Straight”. 3 4
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. 5 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 The route is quite isolated, however is dotted by several roadhouses along the way.
AD sign approaching the western terminus of NH1. April 2018. Click or tap here for a photo of this location by Paul Rands from December 2007.
Image © Paul Rands
Western terminus of NH1 in Norseman at Coolgardie-Norseman Hwy. April 2018. Click or tap here for a photo of this location by Paul Rands from December 2007.
Image © Paul Rands