Major roads in the Wheatbelt region of Western Australia facts for kids

View of the Bruce Rock Merredin Road, 2014

The Wheatbelt region in Western Australia has a network of important roads. These roads are mostly used by industries like mining, farming, and tourism. Main Roads Western Australia is in charge of keeping these major roads in good condition. They have offices in Northam and Narrogin.

There are six main highways that start near Perth and go through the Wheatbelt:

• Brand Highway (goes north-west towards Geraldton)
• Great Northern Highway (goes north-east towards Wyndham)
• Great Eastern Highway (goes east towards Kalgoorlie)
• Great Southern Highway (goes east to York, then south to Cranbrook)
• Brookton Highway (goes east-south-east to Brookton)
• Albany Highway (goes south-east to Albany)

Many other main roads connect towns within the Wheatbelt to each other and to these highways. Local roads then link to even smaller towns. Roads are often named after the towns they connect.

Main Highways of the Wheatbelt

Albany Highway

The Albany Highway is a major road in the southern part of the Wheatbelt. It runs from the north-west to the south-east. This highway passes through towns like North Bannister, Crossman, Williams, and Arthur River.

Brand Highway

The Brand Highway is a main road in the northern Wheatbelt. It runs parallel to the coast. Starting from Muchea, it goes north-west, passing near Gingin, and through Cataby and Badgingarra. It leaves the Wheatbelt region after the turnoff to Jurien Bay.

Brookton Highway

The Brookton Highway connects the south-east of Perth to the Wheatbelt town of Brookton. It travels through West Dale on its way.

Great Eastern Highway

The Great Eastern Highway is the main east-west highway that crosses the middle of the Wheatbelt. It starts just past The Lakes on the edge of Perth. It goes east, bypassing Northam, and continues through Merredin and Southern Cross towards the goldfields area.

Great Northern Highway

The Great Northern Highway is a major road in the northern Wheatbelt. It is part of the national highway that connects Perth to Darwin. From the north-eastern edge of Perth, it goes north through Muchea, Bindoon, and New Norcia. Then it turns north-east towards Dalwallinu and Wubin, eventually entering the Midwest region.

Great Southern Highway

The Great Southern Highway is a major north-south road in the southern Wheatbelt. It starts at The Lakes near Perth and goes east to York. From York, it turns south and passes through Beverley, Brookton, Narrogin, and Wagin.

Indian Ocean Drive

Indian Ocean Drive is a main coastal road in the northern Wheatbelt. It runs from north-west to south-east. It passes turn-offs to towns like Guilderton, Seabird, Ledge Point, and Lancelin. Further north, it goes past The Pinnacles and Cervantes before reaching Jurien Bay. North of Jurien Bay, it leaves the Wheatbelt.

Tonkin Highway

The Tonkin Highway is the only freeway-standard road in the Wheatbelt region. It connects Perth to both the Brand Highway and the Great Northern Highway. It travels from just outside Perth's north-eastern edge to Muchea.

Wanneroo Road

Wanneroo Road is a major road that goes from Perth into the northern Wheatbelt. From Wilbinga, just outside Perth, it travels north to where it meets Indian Ocean Drive in Woodridge.

Other Important Wheatbelt Roads

Arthur Road

Arthur Road is a major east-west road that links Arthur River and Wagin. It is near the southern edge of the Wheatbelt. It connects Albany Highway in the west to Great Southern Highway in the east.

Bindoon Moora Road

Bindoon Moora Road is a major north-south road in the northern Wheatbelt. It goes from Bindoon to Moora. It starts at Great Northern Highway and ends near Moora town centre.

Brookton Corrigin Road

Brookton Corrigin Road is a major east-west road between Brookton and Corrigin in the Wheatbelt. It is part of State Route 40.

Bruce Rock Merredin Road

Bruce Rock Merredin Road is a major north-south road in the eastern Wheatbelt. It connects Bruce Rock and Merredin.

Coalfields Road

Coalfields Road, also known as Coalfields Highway, is a major east-west road near the southern edge of the Wheatbelt. It goes from Arthur River west towards Collie. It is part of State Route 107.

Corrigin Kondinin Road

Corrigin Kondinin Road is a major road between Corrigin and Kondinin. It is part of State Route 40.

Dumbleyung Lake Grace Road

Dumbleyung Lake Grace Road is a major east-west road linking Dumbleyung and Lake Grace. It passes north of Kukerin. It is part of State Route 107.

Hyden Lake King Road

Hyden Lake King Road is a major road between Hyden and Lake King. It travels past Wave Rock and through Holt Rock and Varley. It is part of State Route 40.

Kondinin Hyden Road

Kondinin Hyden Road is a major east-west road connecting Kondinin to Hyden via Karlgarin. It is part of State Route 40.

Lake Grace Newdegate Road

Lake Grace Newdegate Road is a major east-west road linking Lake Grace and Newdegate. It is part of State Route 107.

Midlands Road

Midlands Road is a major road in the northern Wheatbelt. From Great Northern Highway at Walebing, it goes west to Moora and then north to Watheroo. The section from Moora northwards is part of State Route 116.

Newdegate Ravensthorpe Road

Newdegate Ravensthorpe Road is a major road near the southern edge of the Wheatbelt. From Newdegate, it goes east to Lake King, then south towards Ravensthorpe. The east-west part is State Route 107, and the north-south part is State Route 40.

Northam York Road

Northam York Road is a major north-south road in the central Wheatbelt. It links Northam and York. The southern half runs next to the Avon River. It is part of State Route 120.

Northam–Pithara Road

Northam–Pithara Road is a major north-south road in the northern Wheatbelt. It connects Great Eastern Highway at Northam with Great Northern Highway at Pithara. It goes through Goomalling, Wongan Hills, and Ballidu.

Northam–Toodyay Road

Northam–Toodyay Road is a major road linking Great Eastern Highway in Northam with Toodyay Road in Toodyay. It is the northern part of State Route 120.

Peel Terrace

Peel Terrace is a major road in Northam. It crosses the Avon River and connects with Fitzgerald Street and Taylor Street. It used to be part of the Great Eastern Highway before the Northam bypass was built.

Pinjarra Williams Road

Pinjarra Williams Road is a major road near the south-western edge of the Wheatbelt. It starts at Albany Highway in Williams and goes west to Quindanning.

Toodyay Road

Toodyay Road is a major road from Perth into the northern Wheatbelt. It travels from Morangup, just outside Perth, north-east to Toodyay. It is known as State Route 50.

Wagin Dumbleyung Road

Wagin Dumbleyung Road is a major east-west road linking Wagin and Dumbleyung. It is part of State Route 107.

Williams Kondinin Road

Williams Kondinin Road is a major road between Williams and Kondinin. It goes north-east to Narrogin and Wickepin, then east to Jitarning, and finally north-east to Kondinin via Kulin.