Eyre Highway, Transcontinental highway between Norseman and Port Augusta, Australia
Eyre Highway is a transcontinental road between Norseman in Western Australia and Port Augusta in South Australia, running 1,664 kilometers through the dry expanse of the Nullarbor Plain. The roadway follows a mostly straight path over flat terrain with sparse vegetation and few settlements along the route.
The first development of this connection began in 1941 as an unsealed track for military purposes during World War II. The final sealing of the route was completed in 1976, creating a continuous paved link between the two coasts.
This road carries the name of British explorer Edward John Eyre, who walked across the dry plain in 1841 as the first European to complete the crossing on foot. Signs along the way remind travelers of his journey and the hardships he and his companion faced during those months.
Service stations along the route are often far apart, with gaps ranging from 65 to 180 kilometers, so checking fuel levels regularly is important. Most rest stops offer only basic facilities and close early in the evening.
One section of this road runs for 146.6 kilometers without a single curve, making it the longest straight road segment in the country. Drivers need to stay alert on this long straight stretch to avoid fatigue behind the wheel.
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