Statistics:

Length:
2371 km (Caiguna to Norseman: 370 km)
Termini:
Eastern: (Southern Section) WA-SA Border, Eucla
Western: (Southern Section) Coolgardie-Esperance Hwy (NH94) and Coolgardie-Esperance Hwy (NR1), Norseman
Miscellaneous:
Southern Section continues in South Australia as Eyre Hwy (A1)
Suburbs, Towns & Localities Along Route:
Southern Section: Caiguna, Balladonia and Norseman

Route Numbering:

Current: 1
Former: 1
Road Authority Internal Classification: 1
H003 (SA Border to Norseman)

General Information:

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.

Eyre Highway:

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.

History:

Eyre Highway:
1969: Completion of sealing of Eyre Highway. And the introduction of National Route 1. 5
1974: National Route 1 replaced by National Highway 1 with the introduction of the federally funded The National Highway system. 6

Caiguna to Norseman

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Services Sign:

Standard WA remote region services ahead signage, complete with details on next available services. Caiguna. December 2007.

Image © Paul Rands

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Entering the Western Timezone:

Heading west at Caiguna as you cross into the western timezone. WA is split into 2 timezones. December 2007.

Image © Paul Rands

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Advance Directional Sign:

Westbound AD for Caiguna. December 2007.

Image © Paul Rands

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Intersection Directional Sign:

ID sign for the township of Caiguna. December 2007.

Image © Paul Rands

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90 Mile Straight:

The eastern end of the 90 mile straight - 146.6 km of dead straight roadway, the longest in Australia. Caiguna, December 2007.

Image © Paul Rands

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RD signage:

Westbound distance sign near Caiguna. December 2007.

Image © Paul Rands

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Distance Sign:

RD sign, 31 km west of Caiguna on the 90 Mile Straight. December 2007.

Image © Paul Rands

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Services Sign:

Standard WA remote region services ahead signage, complete with details on next available services. Balladonia. December 2007.

Image © Paul Rands

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AD Sign:

Advance directional sign for the Balladonia Roadhouse. December 2007.

Image © Paul Rands

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ID Sign Assembly:

Westbound ID sign at the Balladonia Roadhouse. December 2007.

Image © Paul Rands

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Distance Sign:

Westbound RD sign at Balladonia. December 2007.

Image © Paul Rands

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Entering Norseman:

Eyre Hwy as it enters the town of Norseman. June 2008.

Image © Kate Pilling

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Pritchard Drive:

Eyre Hwy (NH1) at Pritchard Rd at Norseman, April 2018.

Image © Paul Rands

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Road Conditions Sign:

Road conditions sign at Norseman, April 2018.

Image © Paul Rands

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Entering Norseman:

Looking west as you enter Norseman. December 2007.

Image © Paul Rands

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Advance Directional Sign:

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

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Intersection Directional Sign:

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

Norseman to Caiguna

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Advance Directional Sign:

AD sign at Norseman on Coolgardie-Esperance Hwy (NR1) (Prinsep St) approaching the junction with Coolgardie-Esperance Hwy (NH94) and Eyre Hwy (NH1), September 2009.

Image © Paul Rands

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Coolgardie-Esperance Highway & Eyre Highway Junction:

Junction of Coolgardie-Esperance Hwy (NH94) and Eyre Hwy (NH1), Norseman, September 2009.

Image © Paul Rands

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Roberts Street:

Corner on Eyre Hwy (NH1) and Roberts St in Norseman, April 2018.

Image © Paul Rands

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Limited Water Supplies Sign:

Sign on the outskirts of Norseman's town centre warning of the limited supplies of water along Eyre Highway, April 2018.

Image © Paul Rands

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Pritchard Drive Intersection:

Corner of Eyre Hwy (NH1) and Pritchard Dr at Norseman, April 2018.

Image © Paul Rands

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Distance Sign:

RD sign as you leave the built up area of Norseman, April 2018.

Image © Paul Rands

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Animals Crossing Warning Sign:

One of many animals crossing warning signs along the Eyre Hwy, Norseman, September 2009.

Image © Paul Rands

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Animals Crossing Warning Sign:

One of many animals crossing warning signs along the Eyre Hwy, Norseman, September 2009.

Image © Paul Rands

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Services Sign:

Services sign at Norseman showing the distance to the Balladonia Roadhouse, September 2009.

Image © Paul Rands

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Road Train Route Sign:

Sign warning that road trains operate along the route, Norseman, September 2009.

Image © Paul Rands

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Services Sign:

Services sign approaching a rest area with 24 hour parking available for campers, Fraser Range, September 2009.

Image © Paul Rands

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Services Sign:

Services sign approaching a rest area with 24 hour parking available for campers, Fraser Range, September 2009.

Image © Paul Rands

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Rest Area Junction:

Turn off to a rest area at Fraser Range, September 2009.

Image © Paul Rands

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Services Sign:

Services sign approaching a rest area with 24 hour parking available for campers, Fraser Range, September 2009.

Image © Paul Rands

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Services Sign:

Services sign approaching a rest area with 24 hour parking available for campers, Fraser Range, September 2009.

Image © Paul Rands

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Rest Area Junction:

Turn off to a rest area at Fraser Range, September 2009.

Image © Paul Rands

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Next Rest Area 250 km:

Sign showing the distance to the next rest area, Fraser Range, September 2009.

Image © Paul Rands

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Distance Sign:

RD sign at Fraser Range, September 2009.

Image © Paul Rands

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Southern Hills Road Intersection:

Corner of Eyre Hwy and Southern Hills Rd at Fraser Range, September 2009.

Image © Paul Rands

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Road Train Route Sign:

Sign warning that road trains operate along the route, Balladonia, September 2009.

Image © Paul Rands

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Services Sign:

Services sign approaching Balladonia Roadhouse, September 2009.

Image © Paul Rands

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Advance Directional Sign:

AD sign approaching Balladonia Roadhouse, September 2009.

Image © Paul Rands

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Balladonia Roadhouse Junction:

Corner of Eyre Hwy (NH1) and the entrance to Balladonia Roahouse, September 2009.

Image © Paul Rands

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Distance Sign:

RD sign at Balladonia, September 2009.

Image © Paul Rands

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Wildlife Warning Sign:

Sign at Balladonia warning of wildlife crossing the highway, September 2009.

Image © Paul Rands

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Distance Sign:

RD sign at Balladonia, September 2009.

Image © Paul Rands

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90 Mile Straight:

Beginning of the 90 Mile Straight, 146.6 km on completely straight pavement, near Balladonia, September 2009.

Image © Paul Rands

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Services Sign:

Services sign approaching a rest area with 24 hour parking available for campers, east of Balladonia, September 2009.

Image © Paul Rands

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Services Sign:

Services sign approaching a rest area with 24 hour parking available for campers, east of Balladonia, September 2009.

Image © Paul Rands

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Next Rest Area 160 km:

Sign showing the distance to the next rest area, east of Balladonia, September 2009.

Image © Paul Rands

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Rest Area Junction:

Turn off to a rest area east of Balladonia, September 2009.

Image © Paul Rands

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Emergency Phone Distance Sign:

Sign showing distance to special emergency phone, which there's a handful of along the route. Near Caiguna, September 2009.

Image © Paul Rands

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Emergency Phone:

Special emergency phone, which there's a handful of along the route. Near Caiguna, September 2009.

Image © Paul Rands

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Services Sign:

Services sign approaching a rest area with 24 hour parking available for campers, west of Caiguna, September 2009.

Image © Paul Rands

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Rest Area Junction:

Turn off to a rest area east of west of Caiguna, September 2009.

Image © Paul Rands

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Next Rest Area 250 km:

Sign showing the distance to the next rest area, west of Caiguna, September 2009.

Image © Paul Rands

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Distance Sign:

RD sign showing distance to Caiguna Roadhouse, September 2009.

Image © Paul Rands

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Services Sign:

Services sign for the Caiguna Roadhouse, September 2009.

Image © Paul Rands

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Advance Directional Sign:

AD sign on Eyre Hwy (NH1) approaching Caiguna Roadhouse, September 2009.

Image © Paul Rands

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Caiguna Roadhouse Turn Off:

Corner of Eyre Hwy (NH1) and the entrance to Caiguna Roadhouse, September 2009.

Image © Paul Rands

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Distance Sign:

RD sign after the Caiguna Roadhouse, September 2009.

Image © Paul Rands

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Animals Crossing Warning Sign:

One of many animals crossing warning signs along the Eyre Hwy, Caiguna, September 2009.

Image © Paul Rands

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Timezone Sign:

Sign indicating a change of timezone from Western Timezone to Central Western Timezone, Caiguna, September 2009.

Image © Paul Rands

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Animals Crossing Warning Sign:

One of many animals crossing warning signs along the Eyre Hwy, Caiguna, September 2009.

Image © Paul Rands

Click or tap here for the continuation of NH1 between SA Border and Caiguna
Click or tap here for the northern section of NH1 between Mundabullangana and Northern Territory Border
1 WA Government, Main Roads Western Australia, Road Information Mapping System.
2 Tourism Eyre Peninsula.
3 Lonely Planet, Outback Australia: a Lonely Planet Australia guide (1st edition), p. 328, Ron Moon, Hugh Finlay, Denis O'Byrne, Jeff Williams, 1994, ISBN 978-0-86442-239-2.
4 Australian Broadcasting Corporation, ABC News, Sign at the start of 90 mile straight, Australia's longest straight road, 13 October 2009.
5 WA Government, State Library of Western Australia.
6 Sam Laybutt (Ozroads).