There’s something alluring about the prospect of a road trip, and what better Australian road trip is there than across the famed, mesmerising Nullarbor Plain?
You can travel the 3800 km from Perth to Adelaide by rail, bus or plane, but it’s an altogether different experience by road. The journey will take you about eight or nine days – and of course you might choose to reverse the itinerary and finish your trip in Perth. Either way, you will be rewarded by dramatic landscapes, soaring cliffs and spectacular views as you make your way across the country.
To begin your adventure, travel east from Perth across the Darling Ranges. After a morning break exploring the well-preserved nineteenth century buildings in historic York, continue on to one of Australia’s most photographed rock formations, Wave Rock, just near the small town of Hyden. It’s a powerful sight: a 15-metre high wave, frozen in multi-coloured granite.
While you’re in the area, check out some of the other rock formations like the Breakers, Hippo’s Yawn and the Humps. Inside Mulka’s Cave you will find Aboriginal rock paintings.
Driving along the coast you will come to Esperance, a beautiful town blessed with brilliant white beaches, gentle cliffs and spectacular sand dunes. If you’re a keen walker, you can take advantage of the walking trails in the Cape Le Grand National Park, about 50 km southeast of Esperance. It’s a great place for camping, picnics, swimming and fishing, and you’ll likely to spot grey kangaroos in the park, as well as reptiles and birds. There is an explosion of colour here from September until November when the wildflowers are in bloom.
Between the tiny township of Nullarbor, and Eucla, the largest settlement on the Nullarbor Plain, there are six clearly marked lookout points to the well-known cliffs of the Great Australian Bight. Take time to appreciate the truly magnificent views and soaring cliffs.
For a poignant reminder of the hardships of living on the Nullabor Plain, visit the Old Telegraph Station at Eucla, just 11km from the South Australian border. Slowly being swallowed into the area’s enormous sand dunes, the Old Telegraph Station is a telling reminder of the unforgiving conditions of this region.
From Eucla, travel across one of the longest stretches of bitumen in Australia. The Nullarbor Plain extends approximately 450 miles from east to west and from the coast it extends 200 miles to the Great Victoria Desert in the north, covering an area of 77,000 square miles. Like the road, the landscape along this stretch is strangely mesmerising.
For an altogether different encounter, take a short detour to the Head of Bight. It’s just 12 km from the Eyre Highway along sealed roads and a short stroll to the viewing platforms. Southern Right Whales visit this coastline between June and October on their annual breeding migration so if you happen to visit at the right time, you will witness up to 100 whales, including calves, gathering in the seas adjacent to the Bunda cliffs.
From Ceduna, take the Flinders Highway south and you'll travel through Streaky Bay, Elliston, Port Kenny and down to Port Lincoln. It’s worth making the 40km journey southeast of Streaky Bay to see Murphy's Haystacks, ancient wind-shaped pink granite boulders located on the Cash Family Farm. The Haystacks are estimated to be around 1500 million years old – and are a photographer’s delight.
You’ll find more picturesque coastal towns as you travel the Eyre Peninsula. The landscape changes once more as you start to near journey’s end, driving to Adelaide through the Clare Valley.
This is an ideal spot to celebrate finishing the long trip from Perth, as the Clare Valley overflows with excellent cellar doors and great regional produce. The world-renowned Barossa Valley is tantalisingly close too; so treat yourself. After all, you’ve earned it.
Mike's other Aussie Holidays
