Exploring the Nullarbor

Saturday 1 August – 178929

This morning our ParkRun NENDY was Coober Pedy – 445km as the crow flies, but 980km by road. Port August at only 830km by road would have been our easiest to access. Instead, we ran south from our Nullarbor Plains campsite and turned around and came back. After our run we had a billy bath and breakfast. 

We were on the road at 9:45. Lots of exploration today with both short and longer diversions away from the Eyre Highway.

Stop 1 – Great Australian Bight Lookout 1

Stop 2 – Clay Dam Cave

Stop 3 – Koonalda Station. This is a lovely camping spot and we explored the homestead, the shearer’s quarters, blowhole (yes, we could hear it, it sounded like fast flowing underground water) and the shearing shed. Koonalda

Koonalda Blowhole

Stop 4 – Koonalda Cave. This is an impressive cave from ground level. The information signs however revealed it is far more impressive beneath the surface – it is 1.8km long and has three lakes.

On the road between the Eyre Highway and Koonalda Station we crossed the old Eyre Highway which had gone right past the homestead and saw shinglebacks and a rabbit.

Stop 5 – Great Australian Bight Lookout 2

Stop 6 – Great Australian Bight Lookout 3

Stop 7 – Lookout showing beaches after the end of the Bunda Cliffs

Stop 8 – WA border quarantine station. All doors of the car needed to be opened, and the van raised so that the internal fridge could be checked in addition to the Engel in the car.

Stop 9 – Eucla.  The Lest We Forget Memorial and the Eyre Memorial had a beautiful view. 

Also the time zone changes here to Central Western Time, 45mins behind SA during winter.

We are camped for the night at Jilah Rockhole Wayside Stop, arriving about 5:15pm.

28 December - Across the Nullarbor!!

28 December 2016 – 201 776

Across the Nullarbor!!

This morning we were up and away early – and heading east!  Today we drove 775km, by far our biggest driving day so far, and we were still stopped and set up well before dark.  We stopped at every service station and lookout along the way, but there isn’t much to stop and see along the way.  The lookouts provided magnificent views over the coastal plains and the cliffs of the Great Australian Bight.  The Nullarbor Plain is very aptly named indeed, there is not a single tree visible to the horizon.   There are at least four RFDS Emergency Airstrip sections on the Eyre Highway, so best to keep watch for incoming planes.  We have stopped for the night at Nundroo East Rest Area, a beautiful spot.

https://www.australia.com/en/trips-and-itineraries/perth-and-surrounds/crossing-the-nullarbor.html

https://www.australiasgoldenoutback.com/business/attractions/nullarbor-plain#:~:text=The%20Nullarbor%20Plain%20stretches%20between,short%20detour%20from%20the%20highway.

https://parksaustralia.gov.au/marine/parks/south-west/great-australian-bight/

https://directory.fullrangecamping.com.au/item/nundroo-east-rest-area-fc/