Dundas Heritage Trail - WA

Track south of Norseman to camps and rocks.The Dundas Coach Road Heritage Trail in 1892 prospectors Mawson and Kirkpatrick found gold in the rocky Dundas Hills, some 20 km south of Norseman. A tortuous 200 km ride through trackless scrub took them to the boom town of Coolgardie, where on November 15th they lodged their "Mawson's Reward" claim, the first in what was to become the Dundas Goldfields.Their success attracted a swarm of prospectors and soon enough other finds were made nearby to warrant the establishment of a town. Late in 1893 the Dundas townsite was laid out near Noganyer Soak, not far south of the Mawson's Reward lease.Unfortunately for the fledgling town more gold was discovered in 1894, at what was to become Norseman. These finds were richer than those around Dundas and almost before it was fully alive the original town began to wither and die. The population of Norseman boomed and miners and business people poured in from all directions.While some came down from the rail-head at Coolgardie, many came up from Esperance and other ports on the south coast. Soon a 'road' was established, linking the various water-holes and settlements including Grass Patch, Salmon Gums, Dundas and Norseman. On May 23rd 1896 the first 'Royal Mail Coach' arrived in Norseman after an arduous two day journey and now you can follow in its wheel tracks and explore some of the historic sites along the way.The Dundas Coach Road Heritage Trail features 10 stopping places spread along the 25 km between Norseman and the site of the original township of Dundas. Each site features. fascinating interpretive stories that help build a picture of life in the early years along the Coach Road. Some sites have picnic tables, others have walk trails all showcase the life and times of the hardy folk who flocked to the Dundas goldfields.TRAIL ETIQUETTEFor your comfort and safety, and for the enjoyment of others, we suggest you:Be clever: Drive the trail in a clockwise direction, returning to Norseman via the Coolgardie-Esperance HighwayBe courteous: Many stopping places are surrounded by mining leases please do not wander away from the site as you may be trespassingBe clean: Carry all litter out with you. Smokers please extinguish butts with care and take them out with youBe comfortable: Take some drinking water and wear sturdy shoes, a sunhat, long-sleeve shirt and sunscreenBe cautious: Most sites are close to old mine workings and open shafts. Old machinery can also be dangerous, and broken glass can be hard to see. Take care and keep children with you at all times!The full circuit is approximately 50 km we suggest allowing at least 2 hours (and as much as half a day) in order to fully appreciate the experience. The Coach Road Heritage Trail is a doorway to the past we hope you enjoy exploring it! SeeINTERPRETIVE SITES AND STORIESEach site is well signposted and the trail route is easy to follow. Picnic tables can be found at Sites 6 and 9; Site 9 also has barbecue facilities. At Site 7 a short walk trail leads to a viewpoint in the Brockway Timber Reserve.