 In the late 1950s a significant project was undertaken to seal the highway between Geraldton and Carnarvon . The sealed road had progressed northwards in the preceding years , but only by approximately eight to ten miles ( 13 to 16 km ) each year . The rate of work increased rapidly , and by 1960 , a 100 @-@ mile ( 160 km ) stretch extending south from Carnarvon had been sealed . By the middle of that year , the sealing reached 135 miles ( 217 km ) beyond Geraldton and came 114 miles ( 183 km ) south of Carnarvon , with a 76 @-@ mile @-@ long ( 122 km ) gap . The project was completed in 1962 when the two sections converged at the 455 @-@ mile peg , and was officially opened on 1 September . Completion of the sealed road resulted in increased tourist traffic , and a longer tourist season . 
