DESCRIPTION
This is a roadhouse on the Eyre Highway. A section of road between Balladonia and Caiguna stretches
147 Km without a bend - the longest straight stretch in Australia. The roadhouse is one of only three on the Nullarbor to operate
24 hours a day. Norseman and Border Village are the other two.
Caiguna is the place where you alter your watch as you cross the country. If you are heading east you lose 1/2 of an hour, if you
are heading west you gain 1/2 of an hour.
Anyone considering some off road driving in this area (Ie. 4x4) then make sure you are well prepared as it is isolated and rugged
country.
5 kilometres west of Caiguna are the Caiguna Blowholes. Here, the difference in air pressure between underground caves
and the open air causes air movement that is often referred to as the caves 'breathing'. This movement of air has been measured at up to 72 kilometres an hour.
Hole 11 of the Nallarbor Links Golf Course is located at Caiguna. Check out more information about the course at
Nullarbor Links Website
HISTORY
The area is only notable historically for the death of John Baxter who was killed by Aborigines in 1841. Baxter was journeying with
Edward John Eyre who
wrote about the incident:
"At the dead hour of night, in the wildest and most inhospitable wastes of Australia, with the fierce wind raging in unison with
the scene of violence before me, I was left with a single native, whose fidelity I could not rely upon and who for aught I knew
might be in league with the other two, who perhaps were even now, lurking about with the view of taking my life as they had done
that of the overseer."
Baxter had been killed by Aborigines who were members of the exploration party. They had pressed Eyre to turn back and head for
Fowlers Bay. When he refused they waited until Baxter was alone and killed him before making off with the supplies and two
shotguns. They shadowed Eyre and the remaining native (Wylie) for a couple of days but Wylie refused their calls to join them.
During the first night Eyre was effectively unarmed as though he had two pistols and a rifle, he had no ammunition for the
pistols and a bullet was jammed in the barrel of the rifle. He put the rifle over a fire to dry (holding the end of the
barrel) and the rifle went off missing him by inches.
Due to the nature of the ground, Baxter could not be buried and had to be left wrapped in a blanket at the mercy of the
elements. Almost 40 years later William Graham organised a search for Baxter's remains, which were found minus the skull.
Baxter's bones were shipped to Perth but no records remain to tell us what happened to them.
There is a memorial to John Baxter located about 20km south of Caiguna which was erected in 1930.
The name Caiguna is said to derive from an Aboriginal word meaning 'Spear track'.
Arubiddy Station was established north of Caiguna in 1961. The station covers 3,144 square kilometres and relies on
bore water that comes from bores drilled as much as 150 metres deep.
The roadhouse was established in 1962.
TALL TALES AND TRUE
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OTHER INFORMATION
ATTRACTIONS
Caiguna Blowhole, John Baxter Memorial Nullarbor Links Golf Course.
BUILDINGS OF NOTE
Unknown.
ELECTORAL ZONES
State : Eyre
Federal : O'Connor
OTHER INFO.
Postcode : 6443
Local Government : Shire of Dundas
PHOTOS
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