DESCRIPTION
A roadhouse on the Eyre Highway whose name is an Aboriginal word meaning big rock by itself. It was
brought to prominence in 1979 when the American Skylab crashed in the vicinity. The local council sent NASA a fine for littering
and in keeping with the spirit of the joke President Jimmy Carter even rang the roadhouse to 'apologise'.
Afghan Rocks, 14 kilometres east of Balladonia, has freshwater pools. The rocks are named after an Afghan camel driver who was shot
by thirsty travellers when they discovered him sitting in the only remaining freshwater pool. (For the full story see
'Afghans').
Water is very scarce in this area, and unlike other roadhouses closer to the coast, Balladonia has not got a de-sal plant and must
truck all its water in. If you want water here you will have to pay for it - if it is available at all. The roadhouse is officially
open from 7am to whenever they decide to close at night 7 days a week.
Have a look at the small museum but don't be conned into thinking that the big lump of Skylab is real - it is a fake.
The Parmango Road is an alternate way to get to Esperance from Balladonia without having to go through
Norseman. The downside to this 'short cut' is the fact
that it is unsealed and may be impassable after rain. If you intend to go this way, check with the roadhouse staff first about
the conditions.
Newman Rocks is a good overnight stop 50 kilometres west of Balladonia. The rocks are about a kilometre off the highway and are
best seen after recent rain.
90 kilometres west of Balladonia is Fraser Range Station.
It is a working station but it offers a variety of accommodation from rooms to caravan sites.
To the east of Balladonia is the 90 Mile Straight that is in fact 91.1 miles (or 146.6 km) of dead straight road. It is one
of the longest straight stretches of road in the world. The reason for the lack of long straight roads is that it is believed
drivers are more prone to drift off to sleep on straight stretches and most roads have deliberate bends in them to keep the
drivers alert.
Hole 12 of the Nallarbor Links Golf Course is located at Caiguna. Check out more information about the course at
Nullarbor Links Website
HISTORY
The area was first settled in 1879 by the Ponton brothers and John Sharp who established Balladonia Station. The name was first
spelled 'Ballajuinya' which was apparently more closely aligned to the way the Aborigines pronounced it.
Due to salt spray shorting out the Perth-Adelaide telegraph line, it was re-directed through Balladonia in 1897.
The initial roadhouse was constructed in 1962 at the suggestion of the government to cater for travellers heading to Perth for the
Empire Games.
The current roadhouse was built in 1974 by the Prendiville family.
TALL TALES AND TRUE
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OTHER INFORMATION
ATTRACTIONS
Newman's Rocks, Museum, 90 Mile Straight, Afghan Rocks.
BUILDINGS OF NOTE
Telegraph station ruins, Balladonia homestead ruins.
ELECTORAL ZONES
State : Eyre
Federal : O'Connor
OTHER INFO.
Postcode : 6443
Local Government : Shire of Dundas
PHOTOS
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