 Three decades later , the East – West Telegraph line was installed . Constructed between 1875 and 1877 , it followed the same route across the Nullarbor and along the Great Australian Bight , after John Forrest retraced Eyre 's route in 1870 and confirmed its suitability . Repeater stations were installed at Port Lincoln , Streaky Bay , Smoky Bay , Fowlers Bay , Eucla , Israelite Bay , Esperance , and Bremer Bay . Stations were latter added at Franklin Harbour ( Cowell ) in 1885 , <unk> in 1896 , and Balladonia in 1897 . 
