4-Day Nullarbor Road Trip + FREE Map
Some people will tell you the Nullarbor is nothing but one long, boring road… and honestly, they’re not completely wrong.
But after driving it 5 times in a car, van, towing a caravan and our 4wd bus “bunji”. We’ve found it’s actually full of surprises if you know where to look.
Stretching 1,200 km from Ceduna in SA to Norseman in WA, this is one of Australia’s most iconic drives. Crossing it is almost a rite of passage.
So we’ve put together the 4-day itinerary we always recommend to our mates!
It starts in Ceduna, so we assume you’ve made your way there from Adelaide, which takes 2-3 days minimum.
It’s packed with the best stops, practical tips, and a few unexpected highlights you’d never expect to find out here (Cactus Beach we’re looking at you).
Plus, we included a free map with all the major highlights, so you can skip the boring bits and discover the good stuff that makes driving the Nullarbor so legendary!
We recognise the traditional owners of the lands we’re exploring in the Nullarborn, the Mirning and Yinyila Peoples.
Day 1: Ceduna to Nullarbor Roadhouse via Penong (296km, 3hr)
Hit the road early from Ceduna and head west towards Penong. The drive’s flat and open, so fill up your tank and grab snacks before you leave town, there’s not much in between.
Penong is worth a quick stop to check out the Windmill Museum. It’s an open-air spot with windmills of all shapes and sizes, including the biggest one in Australia! Good spot to stretch your legs and snap a photo.
If the weather is good, definitely take the detour out to Lake MacDonnell. It’s famous for its wild pink and blue colours, but they’re more striking when the sun is out.
The road out was unsealed but smooth last time we did it, so 2WDs should be fine! Allow an extra 40-60 minutes for the round trip.
If you’re on a 4WD and into surfing, check out Cactus Beach! It’s remote, with a basic bush campground and outdoor showers that are actually pretty cool. But only go there if you love surfing and rugged spots, otherwise, skip it.
After Penong, it’s a straight run to Nullarbor Roadhouse, where you’ll spend the night. Not much to see, so take it easy and keep an eye out for wildlife on the road.
Day 2: Nullarbor Roadhouse to Eucla (197km, 2h)
If you’re here between June and October, definitely take the detour to Head of Bight for some of the best whale-watching in the country.
It’s a small fee to see the mums and calves up close, worth every cent!
Then it’s back on the road, where you’ll hit the iconic Bunda Cliffs. These massive limestone walls drop straight into the ocean and stretch as far as you can see.
Camping there is technically forbidden, but if you do risk it, stay well back and brace for some serious wind.
The payoff is the most incredible sunrise and sunsets you’ll ever see (speaking from experience but don’t tell anyone!).
If you’re up for a detour, swing by the abandoned Koonalda Homestead off the old Eyre Highway!
Then, you’ll cross into WA. There’s a quarantine stop and they’re very strict with what you bring into the state, so “eat it or bin it”. Here’s the list of things you can and cannot bring.
Once you cross into WA, head to Eucla for your overnight stop. Some things to do there:
- Check out the local museum for the wild story of the Nullarbor Nymph (spoiler: it was all a stunt)
- The old telegraph station half-buried in the dunes. The road in is unsealed but should be fine for 2WD, just follow the signs and expect a short walk.
- The Eucla Jetty, about a half-hour walk through the dunes from the telegraph station car park. We haven’t been there but we’re told there’s no clear path, so best tackle it with a compass and some experience under your belt.
For the night, here are some places you can stay:
- The Eucla Motel. It has comfy rooms, a pool, and a decent feed. There’s a caravan park next to the motel, too.
- The Border Village Roadhouse if you’d rather stay on the SA side for one more night. It’s clean, friendly, and runs on its own quirky “Border Time.”
Day 3: Eucla to Caiguna (337km, 3.5hr)
This stretch is pretty uneventful, so make sure you have some good music or podcasts downloaded for the drive.
You’ll see signs for caves along the way, but most are either closed or need a proper 4WD to reach.
If you’re keen on checking out the caves, the most popular are Weebubbie, Abrakurrie, Madura, and Cocklebiddy Caves. If you do go, double-check access and don’t go alone!
Then arrive at Caiguna Roadhouse, where you’ll spend the night. It’s basic but it’s safe, clean, and has powered sites available. If you want one, call them to book your spot.
The quirky Caiguna blowhole is a short drive away, too. It’s literally a hole in the ground that “breathes” air, and it’s part of the massive underground cave system in the area.
Tomorrow you’ll hit the famous 90 Mile Straight, so get some rest and maybe double-check your playlist!
Want more ideas? Here’s our full guide with all the things to do in the Nullarbor
Day 4: Caiguna to Norseman (371km, 4hr)
You’ll kick off with the famous 90 Mile Straight, Australia’s longest straight road! It used to be the longest in the world, but Saudi Arabia took that title a few years ago.
Pull over for the classic photo at the sign, and start with the drive! The 90 Mile Straight is about an hour and a half long, so get comfortable.
There’s not much to see along the straight except the odd wedge-tailed eagle and a few battered road signs.
If you’re keen for a quick detour, Balladonia Museum has bits of NASA’s Skylab that crashed there in ’79. It’s quirky and worth a look if you need to stretch your legs.
Then roll into Norseman, the end of your road trip. It’s a tiny gold-rush town with a wild horse statue and your last proper roadhouse.
From there, you can head north to Kalgoorlie-Boulder and make your way to Perth.
But honestly we recommend heading down to Esperance and going to Perth via the southwest coast! It’s just a 2-hour drive south of Norseman and it’s unlikely you’ll be around that area again.
If you choose to go to Esperance, check this itinerary to make your way to Perth!
Planning your Nullarbor road trip
What to bring to the Nullarbor
Definitely sort your gear before you hit the Nullarbor. You’ll want:
- At least 4-5 litres of drinking water per person, per day.
- A UHF radio, handy for chatting with truckies or if you’re convoying.
- Tyre pressure gauge, spare tyre, and a few basic tools are non-negotiable, punctures are common out here.
- A reflective shade on your windscreen, or you’ll cook!
- If you’re crossing in summer, fly nets are a lifesaver
- A small first-aid kit and jumper leads are worth their weight too.
Also, download everything you’ll need before you leave: maps, music, podcasts… Mobile service is patchy at best, so don’t count on streaming anything once you’re out there.
Btw, our paid guide of Western Australia is on an app called “Rexby”, which allows you to download our massive guide for offline use!
Do you need a 4WD for this road trip?
No, you don’t need a 4WD. The Eyre Highway is sealed the whole way and is easy for any car or van. If you’re sticking to roadhouses and the highway, you’ll be fine without one.
But if you’re keen to check out spots off the beaten path track, like some of the caves or Cactus Beach, you definitely need a 4WD, though.
Some of those side roads can get pretty rough after rain, and you don’t want to be bogged in a hatchback out here.
You can rent one in Adelaide, there are heaps of providers! We recommend checking in both Booking’s car rental and Discover Carsto find the best prices for your specific dates.
Best time to do a Nullarbor road trip
Anytime between June and October is definitely the best time to drive the Nullarbor, as it’s whale-watching season!
You can see them in Head of Bight, but honestly they’re pretty much everywhere along the cliffs.
We reckon late in the season (August to October) is the sweet spot, especially if you’re heading from SA to WA. You’ll roll straight into peak wildflower season in WA’s southwest!
Adelaide and the SA side are great in the shoulder seasons, too. There’s less heat and fewer crowds. If you don’t mind winter, it’s a good time for the Flinders Ranges too.
The worst time is summer, hands down. We had to drive the Nullarbor during a heat wave and the bus turned into a convection oven with windows, NOT recommended!
If you’re travelling in summer, plan to drive early. Midday heat is BRUTAL and not worth pushing through if you can avoid it.
FREE map of this Nullarbor itinerary
Top Tips
Come prepared! Roadhouses do have groceries, but they can run out of stuff, plus prices are steep. Try to buy all the groceries you’ll need in Ceduna, just make sure you can keep them after the quarantine area.
Also, take the signs with “watch for camels, emus, kangaroos” seriously, wildlife can pop up anywhere, especially at dawn and dusk.
Dingoes are curious and will happily raid your camp if you leave food out, so stash everything away beforehand.
No car fridge? Dry ice in your esky is a game-changer. It’ll keep things cold way longer than regular ice.
Did you know?
Nullarbor literally means “no trees” in Latin, which is pretty spot-on once you see the landscape!
Also, Koonalda Cave has Aboriginal engravings that are around 20,000 years old, people have been leaving their mark in the area for a long time.
FAQs
Where does the Nullarbor start and finish?
The Nullarbor starts in Norseman, Western Australia, and finishes in Ceduna, South Australia. It’s about 1200 km from end to end.
How many days to drive the Nullarbor?
You need at least 2 days to cross the Nullarbor, which is about 6 hours of driving each day. We recommend spreading that to 3-4 days to check out some stuff on the way and prevent driving fatigue.
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