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Crossing the Nullarbor Plain is a great experience as part of a touring holiday in Australia. Time and technology has changed the vehicles we drive, but the Nullarbor remains just as desolate and awe inspiring as it always has.
What to expect. The Nullarbor stretches from Yalata Roadhouse along the Eyre Highway to Ballodonia Station, a distance of nearly 800 kilometres. The actual distance between larger town centres, Ceduna S.A. and Norseman W.A. is 1200 kilometres. If you intend traversing this area in one day you will need to allow, roughly around, twelve hours driving time. Pausing along the way for fuel and rest stops, will add more time to the already lenghty desert crossing. Starting your days travel in the morning you will pass through the "treeless plain" that typifies the Nullarbor terrain. You will travel many hours whitout seeing a single tree. Some rest stops along the way are close to the cliff edges of the Great Australian Bight giving stunning views of the beautiful Southern Ocean. The specticle of the seemingly endless cliffs is one of the many "top of the bucket list" sights around Australia. Part of the Eyre Highway is a section of road dubed "90 Mile Straight". The actual mesured length, 146.6 kilometres, as part of the Eyre Highway is the longest section of straight road in Australia. As you travel from east to west, you follow the sun and literally extend the daylight hours as you drive west. The last part of the day is spent squinting as you drive into the sunset. Conversely if you go west to east the day is shorter and light fades quickly as you drive away from the tracking sun. Fuel is available at roadhouses along the way. Because it is a vast open area the Nullarbor can have strong crosswinds and headwinds that can contribute to excessive fuel consumption. Care should be taken to check your fuel and make sure you have the range to reach the next fuel stop. Tyre pressure is vitally important here as well. The long, straight sections of the Nullarbor are subject to extreme conditions during the summer months. To reduce tyre temperature, lessen wear and increase fuel economy, tyres should be kept inflated at firmer levels than normal.
Points of interest.
⦁ Cocklebiddy Cave is a cave system located northwest of Cocklebiddy Roadhouse where, at the time, the world’s longest cave diving penetration was completed in 1983. At 6250 metres, it was an awesome achievment by some of the world's best cave diving experts. The cave is a rugged hole in the crust of the surrounding desert plain. Due to deteriorating rock edges Cocklebiddy Cave is closed to public entry. Visitors can walk down into the doline to view the entrance.
⦁ Check out the Old Telegraph station at Eucla. Just to the south, take time to look at the ruins of the old telegraph building being swallowed up by sand, imagine how the telegraph operators must have felt in the late 1800’s. There’s a beautiful beach just short 4WD away too. Unwind for a few moments before continuing your Nullarbor crossing.
⦁ Iconic roadsigns of the Nullarbor, the 90 Mile Straight, wildlife warnings, and vast distances. These unique roadsigns add to the growing feeling of isolation as you pass further into desert areas. No trip across the Nullarbor is complete without a selfie or family shot next to these iconic signs.
⦁ Blow hole at Caiguna. The Nullarbor Plain sits on top of an enormous slab of limestone so, not surprisingly, it is riddled with caves. Many of them are off the main road. You won’t see water spouts but you might hear it ‘breathe’ as air pressure equalizes between the cave and surface.
⦁ The stunning vertical drop of the Bunda Cliffs can be seen from several lookouts between the border village and the Head of the Bight. The Great Australian Bight is one of the most recognisable features of the Nullarbor. Don’t miss the chance to stand on the edge of the Bight, marvel at the Buda Cliffs and take in the views of the Southern Ocean.
