Geoff Lowry

I would like to drive from Adelaide to Perth for a holiday as I have never
seen this area of Australia.
If anyone has advice on the best time of the year to undertake this trip,
from a scenery and comfort point of view, I would certainly be most
appreciative.
Any other advice on stopovers, must see places, etc. would also be well
received.

Geodyne

"Geoff Lowry" <[email protected]> wrote in
news:[email protected]:

    > I would like to drive from Adelaide to Perth for a holiday as I have
    > never seen this area of Australia.
    > If anyone has advice on the best time of the year to undertake this
    > trip, from a scenery and comfort point of view, I would certainly be
    > most appreciative.
    > Any other advice on stopovers, must see places, etc. would also be
    > well received.
    >
Great resource here:

http://www.nullarbornet.com.au/

There's also a lot in the archives of this group. Don't let anyone tell
you the nullarbor is boring - I drove it in August and had a fabulous
time, despite a lot of rain.

As for timing, winter and spring likely to often be cold, windy and wet
and summer can be hot. Best to go for April-May or October-November.

If you're into birds, I highly recommend the Eyre Bird Observatory, but
only if you have a 4WD.

Geodyne

Geodyne

"Geoff Lowry" <[email protected]> wrote in
news:[email protected]:

    > I would like to drive from Adelaide to Perth for a holiday as I have
    > never seen this area of Australia.
    > If anyone has advice on the best time of the year to undertake this
    > trip, from a scenery and comfort point of view, I would certainly be
    > most appreciative.
    > Any other advice on stopovers, must see places, etc. would also be
    > well received.
    >
Another thing - my most recommended place for a stopover on the Nullarbor
itself is Madura. Lovely spot.

Geodyne

Gerrit 't Hart

"Geoff Lowry" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
    > I would like to drive from Adelaide to Perth for a holiday as I have never
    > seen this area of Australia.
    > If anyone has advice on the best time of the year to undertake this trip,
    > from a scenery and comfort point of view, I would certainly be most
    > appreciative.
    > Any other advice on stopovers, must see places, etc. would also be well
    > received.

I wouyld travel around September (although I have done the Nullarbor 3 times
each way in summer and foud the heat bearable - with airconditioned car).
You will then see the wildflowers and still have a relatively good chance of
having fine weather.
Here is part of a reply I made to someone quite some time ago (I found it
again using Google Groups search function). LOts of stuff to be fopund that
way!
    > If you are coming into WA from South Australia by road I would turn left
    > (southwards) at Norseman and spend a few days in Esperance (beautiful
    > beaches esp. Cape Le Grande Nat Park). Then westwards to
    > Albany (beaches and coastal scenery)
    > Denmark (beaches - incl William Bay), (Peaceful Bay and Conspicuous Cliff)
    > Walpole (treetop walk in Valley of the Giants)
    > Pemberton (Karri forests and lookout tree climbs)
    > Augusta (where Indian Ocean meets Southern Ocean)
    > Margaret River (coastal scenery, caves, wineries, eyc. spend a week in
this
    > area at least)
    > Busselton (beaches)
    > Mandurah (pretty town on estuary mouth)
    > Perth (what more need I say)
Have a good trip.
Gerrit - who is currently planning to go east acccross the Nularbor during
April

Geodyne

"Gerrit 't Hart" <[email protected]> wrote in
news:[email protected]:
    >
    > I wouyld travel around September (although I have done the Nullarbor 3
    > times each way in summer and foud the heat bearable - with
    > airconditioned car). You will then see the wildflowers and still have
    > a relatively good chance of having fine weather.

Normally I would say that as well, but September this year was extremely
wet and windy. We enjoyed the dramatic photo opportunities that the weather
provided us, but want to do it again when there's more sun and less
squalls.

Geodyne

Jack

"Geoff Lowry" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
    > I would like to drive from Adelaide to Perth ....>

Good on you for recognising that the nullabor has tourist opportunities.

It has been a long time since I drove over, but remember thinking next time
I could easily spend a week or more between ceduna and Coolgardie (not
including those towns.)

Think about the bird observatory, Cactus beach (SA) also nearby Fowlers Bay
where Eyre set off on his trip westward. Head of the Bight, Cocklbiddy
caves - also don't just look for the established stuff - If you ca get off
the road and leave your car somewhere safe, there are some great coastal
walks twards the WA border - fanstasic unspoilt beaches etc.

Into fishing? even a short rod can provide some fun in unspoilt waters.

Take plenty of water - used to be very expensive to buy my last trip (long
time ago - so that may have changed.)

Ideal trip for those with a sense of adventure!

Petra

"Jack" <[email protected]> wrote in
news:[email protected]:

    >
    > "Geoff Lowry" <[email protected]> wrote in message
    > news:[email protected]...
    >> I would like to drive from Adelaide to Perth ....>
    >
    > Good on you for recognising that the nullabor has tourist
    > opportunities.
    >
    > It has been a long time since I drove over, but remember thinking next
    > time I could easily spend a week or more between ceduna and Coolgardie
    > (not including those towns.)
    >
    > Think about the bird observatory, Cactus beach (SA) also nearby
    > Fowlers Bay where Eyre set off on his trip westward. Head of the
    > Bight, Cocklbiddy caves - also don't just look for the established
    > stuff - If you ca get off the road and leave your car somewhere safe,
    > there are some great coastal walks twards the WA border - fanstasic
    > unspoilt beaches etc.
    >
    > Into fishing? even a short rod can provide some fun in unspoilt
    > waters.
    >
    > Take plenty of water - used to be very expensive to buy my last trip
    > (long time ago - so that may have changed.)
    >
    > Ideal trip for those with a sense of adventure!

At Fowler Bay you'll find the opportunity to swim with sea lions and
dolphins. A man and wife team (forgot their name) run a boating service
that takes small tours out into the bay. It's an all day affair, and
you'll remember it for the rest of your days.

P

Ross

I have driven the Nullarbor four times only in March or April.

Beautiful weather all the way about that time for me.

Best stop over is Eucla (just inside the WA border from SA) where there is a
Hotel/Motel, Caravan Park and the cheapest fuel along the whole road.

Do not buy fuel at the Bordertown (on the SA side) service station. It was
about 12 cents per litre dearer last April 2003. In fact try to limit your
fuel purchases to Norseman WA, Eucla WA and Ceduna SA if your car has the
range.


Ross

"Geoff Lowry" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
    >I would like to drive from Adelaide to Perth for a holiday as I have never
    > seen this area of Australia.
    > If anyone has advice on the best time of the year to undertake this trip,
    > from a scenery and comfort point of view, I would certainly be most
    > appreciative.
    > Any other advice on stopovers, must see places, etc. would also be well
    > received.
    >

Jack

"Geodyne" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
    > "Geoff Lowry" <[email protected]> wrote in
    > news:[email protected]:
    > > I would like to drive from Adelaide to Perth for a holiday as I have
    > > never seen this area of Australia.
    > > If anyone has advice on the best time of the year to undertake this
    > > trip, from a scenery and comfort point of view, I would certainly be
    > > most appreciative.
    > > Any other advice on stopovers, must see places, etc. would also be
    > > well received.
    > >
    > Another thing - my most recommended place for a stopover on the Nullarbor
    > itself is Madura. Lovely spot.
    > Geodyne

Ah yes remember it well, good stopover point

Gerrit 't Hart

"Jack" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
    > "Geodyne" <[email protected]> wrote in message
    > news:[email protected]...
    >> "Geoff Lowry" <[email protected]> wrote in
    >> news:[email protected]:
    >> > I would like to drive from Adelaide to Perth for a holiday as I have
    >> > never seen this area of Australia.
    >> > If anyone has advice on the best time of the year to undertake this
    >> > trip, from a scenery and comfort point of view, I would certainly be
    >> > most appreciative.
    >> > Any other advice on stopovers, must see places, etc. would also be
    >> > well received.
    >> >
    >> Another thing - my most recommended place for a stopover on the Nullarbor
    >> itself is Madura. Lovely spot.
    >> Geodyne
    > Ah yes remember it well, good stopover point
Not too good if you are travelling with a caravan (or tenting for that
matter)
If with caravan there is a camping stop (free) about 20 km east of Madura on
the north side of the road which is much better than Madura.
The best spot we have stopped at with the caravan is Caiguna. Bitumen
hardstand (level) and plenty of water for showers.
Gerrit

Bob Burke

If you have the time, a nice side trip is to go via the Eyre Penninsula,
particularly visiting Port Lincoln, with it's Tuna farming industry. Turm
south about 26 klms west of Port Augusta. To be worthwhile, this side trip
would add several days to the trip.

The cheapest fuel, (some 12 cents per liter less than the rest), we found
crossing the Nullabor in April & June 2004, was at Mundrabilla, some 65
klms west of Eucla. Mind you this could have changed since then. Compare
notes with travellers coming the other way when you stop for fuel.

Bob

"Geoff Lowry" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
    >I would like to drive from Adelaide to Perth for a holiday as I have never
    > seen this area of Australia.
    > If anyone has advice on the best time of the year to undertake this trip,
    > from a scenery and comfort point of view, I would certainly be most
    > appreciative.
    > Any other advice on stopovers, must see places, etc. would also be well
    > received.
    >

Geoff Lowry

Thanks to all the people who responded. This has been most useful.
I now have plenty of information to digest and use to plan my "trek".

"Geoff Lowry" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
    > I would like to drive from Adelaide to Perth for a holiday as I have never
    > seen this area of Australia.
    > If anyone has advice on the best time of the year to undertake this trip,
    > from a scenery and comfort point of view, I would certainly be most
    > appreciative.
    > Any other advice on stopovers, must see places, etc. would also be well
    > received.

Poss

Let us sit upon the ground and tell sad stories of "BOB BURKE"
<[email protected]> :

    >If you have the time, a nice side trip is to go via the Eyre Penninsula,
    >particularly visiting Port Lincoln, with it's Tuna farming industry. Turm
    >south about 26 klms west of Port Augusta. To be worthwhile, this side trip
    >would add several days to the trip.
    >The cheapest fuel, (some 12 cents per liter less than the rest), we found
    >crossing the Nullabor in April & June 2004, was at Mundrabilla, some 65
    >klms west of Eucla. Mind you this could have changed since then. Compare
    >notes with travellers coming the other way when you stop for fuel.
    >Bob

Has anybody else found Balladonia a little creepy?

Bob Burke

The following is an extract, covering the Nullabor crossing,of the journal
my wife & I kept on a caravan trip around Australia in 2000. While not a
complete coverage of the Nullabor crossing, you might find is helpful.


We followed Highway West, via Port Augusta to Ceduna. On the way we drove
through the edge of a plague of Locusts. We stayed overnight at the Beach
Front Caravan Park at Ceduna (After removing innumerable locusts from the
car's radiator). Useless information: A pile of squashed, semi cooked
locusts smell rather like not quite fresh fish.



Tuesday 9th May, left Ceduna and started on the long trip across the
Nullabor Plane. Spent the night at Eucla. On the way, we visited three of
the lookouts over the cliffs bordering the Great Australian Bight the cliffs
were impressive, but not as awesome as the Cliffs of Mohor on the West Coast
of Ireland, however at the right time of the year, Whales can be sighted
from some of the lookouts. Next day, we drove on to Norseman, where we spent
the night.



Crossing the Nullabor Plane: For most of the way, the landscape is
featureless with low scrub. As you approach Norsman, the scrub changes to
low trees these grow more dense as you approach Norsman. In one section,
there is a 90 mile straight stretch of road, this stretch of road is dead
straight, without a single bend. We did not see a house from a few klms out
of Ceduna till Norseman, about 1200 klms further on. Every 200 klms or so,
there are Fuel Stops usually with basic Motel accommodation in some cases,
they also provide sites to park your caravan overnight. In places, sections
of the highway were designated as emergency landing strips for the Royal
Flying Doctor Service. At intervals, at the side of the road, there are
emergency water tanks, these are supplied by rain water and are surrounded
by corrugated iron roofs which collect any rain which occurs and channels it
into the tank.

Note: travelling West, there is a fruit and vegetable quarantine station at
the W.A. border, where you will have to hand in all your fresh fruit &
vegetables.

--
Remove "NO SPAM" to reply
"Geoff Lowry" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
    > Thanks to all the people who responded. This has been most useful.
    > I now have plenty of information to digest and use to plan my "trek".
    > "Geoff Lowry" <[email protected]> wrote in message
    > news:[email protected]...
    >> I would like to drive from Adelaide to Perth for a holiday as I have
    >> never
    >> seen this area of Australia.
    >> If anyone has advice on the best time of the year to undertake this trip,
    >> from a scenery and comfort point of view, I would certainly be most
    >> appreciative.
    >> Any other advice on stopovers, must see places, etc. would also be well
    >> received.
    >

Niels Osmers

    > Any other advice on stopovers, must see places, etc. would also be well
    > received.

Did the opened the golf-course already? Heard something on tv the other
day. Largest golf-course in the world with one hole at every road house.