Thread: Crossing the Nullabor

11 years ago I drove from Rockingham to Bundaberg; across the Nullabor and then inland from Port Augusta through Broken Hill and Dubbo. I was driving a petrol 3.2L Jackaroo and towing a Jayco Eagle Outback; I carried a jerrycan of unleaded but never needed it as there are fuel stops every 250 to 300km. Although we had the Jayco we often stayed in motel accommodation. I would have no qualms about doing the drive with your setup.

If you are really worried about being forced to stop overnight with no power could you not carry a spare battery and run the CPAP off of an inverter?

Plenty of fuel and accomodation options across the Nullarbor, it should be easily doable in pretty much any reliable vehicle without carrying extra fuel.

Cheers Andrew

I wonder how much has changed in 32 years, when my wife and I moved from Sydney to Perth? I recall beautiful scenery along the coast, then one long, long straight. It rained on Christmas day as we parked to picnic, and the motels were 1 star or less. I’d like to do it again.

Regards from Perth

Derek

I am watching with interest as, later in the year subject to Covid of course, we are contemplating putting the car on the Indian Pacific from Adelaide to Perth and then driving back.
My Father-in-law always wanted to do the trip across the Nullabor so we would do it in his honour.

Smidsy,

In the past few years we’ve crossed the Nullarbor twice in a Mini Moke. 1300cc engine, 26 litre fuel tank.

We carried extra fuel but never needed it.

We stayed in motels, all of which were perfectly acceptable. However, we booked the motels ahead a few days as we didn’t want to find them full and have to sleep in the Moke.

Only scary part was the wildlife:

76ADD629-B957-4FB3-9E50-75D36C22CD85.jpeg


Regards,

Brian

you will be fine remember 2 things,
Road trains are on business they can get stroppy with caravan owners.
There are plenty of motels, fuel stops & road houses, as mentioned give yourself time, its actually an interesting drive, plenty to see. But plan and book ahead. The number of tourists on that road (all roads) is just crazy, great for businesses but dang the roads are heavy.
Dont travel at night time. Skippy and friends have their own set of rules on the highway and your personal safety is not their concern.

Originally Posted by smidsy

Googlemaps shows an inland route through Moree, Nyngen, along the Barrier Hwy to Broken Hill & Port Augusta - is that better than going through Sydney, Melbourne & Adelaide?

Unless you'd like to see Broken Hill, I'd be taking the Newell Highway through Dubbo and then down through Hay.

mick

You have to do Broken Hill at least once in your life.



The reason is whenever your on the road again and you bypass the Hill you know exactly why you decided to give it a miss.
Did it 19 years ago, then later in the day Cobar never go there again.

My wife and I did it back in the 70s in a Holden HJ V8 panel van, taking it in turn to drive during the day and evening. Sydney to Renmark, Renmark to Nundroo, Nundroo to Norseman then Norseman to Perth. We only had two weeks holiday so we were in a hurry
Had to watch out for the “pigs in space” though.
No problems getting fuel but we did sleep in the van.

Get the trailer wheel bearings serviced or better still replaced with good quality (Japanese usually) bearings before doing a big trip. Far easier & cheaper than having a problem along the way.

Make sure you get to stand on the edge (near anyway) of the cliffs across the bight. So much better than any photo you see.

Originally Posted by smidsy

I'm going to be moving soon, and one option I am considering is returning to WA - I'd be driving a Falcon wagon towing a 6x4 covered trailer.
Has anyone done the run recently?
I'm confident in the car and my driving ability, how far apart are the fuel stops - can you make it from servo to servo on internal fuel or do you need to carry jerry cans?
Also, what are the motels & rest stops like when you get out on the Nullabor - I suffer severe sleep apnia so overnight stops have to be at a motel so I can access power.
Googlemaps shows an inland route through Moree, Nyngen, along the Barrier Hwy to Broken Hill & Port Augusta - is that better than going through Sydney, Melbourne & Adelaide?
At the moment it's just a thought, and it may not happen, but if anyone's got any info or advice I'd appreciate it.
Cheers
Smidsy

Go the Moree Broken hill route quicker and no toll roads or heavy traffic. Fuel won't be a problem if your getting about 5/600 klms per tank.
Pete

I have been east to west and west to east almost a dozen times in the last 5 or 6 years. All on the motorbike with a 350km range. In 2019 I did 5 Nullabor crossings on the bike.

Just exclude Yalata as a fuel stop, its no more.

I usually sleep in swags to avoid the roadhouse tax, but there is accommodation at each roadhouse. You can rough it or do it very comfortably these days. Choice is yours.

Originally Posted by fxst

Go the Moree Broken hill route quicker and no toll roads or heavy traffic. Fuel won't be a problem if your getting about 5/600 klms per tank.
Pete

We have done this as well no issues I can recall as far as fuel is concerned ,been crossing the Nullabor since it was a dirt road & not fully sealed never had any problems with fuel even towing a caravan or trailer.

If you decide to go, try going during Whale season, I think it finishes in September, they can be seen from the head of the Bight, well worth the visit!!!! Can't remember if a cost is involved, as it's been about 20 years since I was over that way last.
Kryn