How long is the Nullarbor? The ultimate guide.

Travelling the Nullarbor in Australia has been one of our more enjoyable road trips so far. We loved its amazing adventure vibe and its breathtaking landscapes. there was something just magical about it, and the nightskies where to die for. The Nullarbour is a roadway that connects South Australia and Western Australia. It is about 1200 km long and has the famous Eyre Highway, the longest straight road in Australia with 90 miles (145.6km) of road without a bend. The Nullarbor starts from east to west in the town of Ceduna in SA and finishes in the Town of Norseman in WA.

We spent four days crossing in our little van and wished we had at least two weeks there to see all of it in more detail. Usually, people take on average 3 to 4 days to cross the Nullarbor Plain, but you can do it in two days if you are in a hurry.

We will describe our stops from East to West, the distance between them, useful tips to consider on the road and some safety advice. We hope you enjoy crossing the Australian desert as much as we did!

Let’s dive right into the main spots of our journey and what you can do in each of them.

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How to prepare to cross the Nullarbor.

Our first challenge in the Nullabor was finding a way to communicate in case of an emergency. We heard from friends that the Nullarbor had some dead spots where there is almost nothing and the telephone reception as well as the internet connection are very poor. We wanted to be prepared and bought a Telstra phone which was the only reception we could use over there. The phone worked fine but we recommend you to plan the stops and buy a map of the region, just in case your phone doesn’t work.

When you travel from the East, buy some provisions in Ceduna. There is a small supermarket where you can get fresh meat and all the groceries you need for most of the trip. Do not buy lots of fruit and veggies in Ceduna, since the Border Village (border between the states) is only about 5 hour’s drive (479.5 km), from east to west and it has strict policies when it comes to food permits.

Please watch your step. Since it is a very remote area there is a lot of wildlife, there might be snakes, depending on the season, kangaroos and scorpions. Do not leave food outside that can attract animals like dingos and have proper lighting if you go out at night.

The petrol across the Nullarbor can be pricy because of the long distances between the stations and the suppliers. Be prepared to pay a bit more for your fuel.

Depending on the season the nights would be really cold, it can be even freezing. please bring with you your winter gear and be prepared for a frozen car in the morning.

Be prepared for the flies on your way there, get enough water and petrol and have some cash if you need to. Be open to the experience and take reasonable breaks when driving. It can be a bit plain and you might be feeling like falling asleep sometimes.

Adelaide to Minnipa (603.9 Km, 6hrs 36min drive)

Although the Nullarbour Plain starts officially in Ceduna from the East to West. However, we wanted to show you one of the most mystical places we stayed when travelling over there. once we set off from Adelaide we saw lots of wineries for ages. The beauty of this region is impressive, however, as we were driving along, the landscape changed from green to a more orangy type of colour.

We stayed in Minnipa, in a small camping site by the Pildappa and Tcharkuldu Rock. That was our first impression of what was going to come in the journey. The place can be a bit windy sometimes, it has a small toilet and you can stay there for a donation of your preference. The sunsets were spectacular as well as the night skies. There are a few spots to park on the flat area, but plenty more on the hill. You can park and sleep comfortably as long as you don’t mind the uneven ground

Ceduna (0km. starting point)

Ceduna is the first city to officially the Nullarbor from East to West. It is a very small town but has a few shops. It has a supermarket where you can find everything you need for your journey. Avoid buying fresh fruit, vegetables or Honey since there are lots of restrictions when you cross the Border between the states. Ceduna also has a couple of Gyms and you can call the owners to arrange a session if you need to stretch your legs or do a workout. In Ceduna, you might as well find some places to cook and water in the parks. We recommend you buying supplies, water and toiletries there.

Nundroo (152 Km, 1hr 36 min)

After Ceduna, we stopped at the Roadhouse in Nundroo. There was a Motel and camping space with power and hot shower facilities. there was also a small coffee shop where you could get some sandwiches and Curry. the also have main supplies like water and ice. Even though the installations are not the best, it is ok to spend the night, especially if you have your own caravan. The price of camping is about $20 per night, but you can also check if the motel is a better option for you.

Nullarbor Roadhouse (295 Km, 3hrs 5 min)

The Nullarbor Roadhouse is the most attractive house before the border. Its staff is really helpful and it has the best spots to take memorable pictures. We stayed just for a couple of hours to take a break and some food and we met other travellers that came from the other side. The Roadhouse still keep the old Service station and some iconic road signs. The food was reasonable and you will find lots of information and history about the Plain. You can also get a small certificate of achievement for the bravery it takes to cross it! There is also the chance to do an overview of the crossing as well as Whale watching for a reasonable price. For golf lovers, you will be pleased to know that the Nullabor links the longest Golf Course in the World.

Border Village (480 Km, 4hrs 53 mins)

The Border Village is a small border between SA and WA. There are officers 24/7 to welcome you to the new state and make sure that the rules are followed. There is a strict policy on the border of no Honey, as well as certain fruits or veggies. You can find more info on the official of The Department of Primary Industry and General Development WA website https://www.agric.wa.gov.au/exporting-western-australia/quarantine-information-private-travellers.

The list of options is long but it can be confusing, so to be safe, avoid bringing fresh fruit or veggies when crossing the border. We had to toss all the fruit we couldn’t eat before reaching the Border Village because it wasn’t allowed through.