G'day Folks,
We are just 15 days away from the "big" trip, Melb to Perth via Port Lincoln. Just got new rubber on the van and the car, and a new foldaway jockey wheel istalled.

We would love to hear from anyone who has some tips for this trip as we have not been there before. We plan to make use of some of the free parking spots along the way so any info will be gratefully received.
Regards to all,
Magnarc and better half.

best tip i can give is do not refuel at border village. 7 or 8 cents cheaper a few ks up the road at Eucla. Plenty of good free camps. Be sure and deviate to see the whales just past Nullabor , I guess they will still be there, and if you get a chance while at Port lincoln go for a drive out to Koppio to check out their museum. it is all that is there but is a credit to the community. ps. do not expect to get any water across the nullabor. travel safely

spend a nite at kimba in SA , a really good free park there in the town and visit there historic farming display museam place..

Welcome and enjoy your travels. If you're going to Lincoln there is a van park, the only van park in Lincoln at Kirton Point with a great view over Boston Bay to Boston Island and part of Proper Bay. At this time of the year you may see some Southern Right Whales if they call in to visit and show off their babies. There's another park at North Shields, north of Lincoln. Not very big but great views. You can have a feed of fresh Pacific oysters anywhere on the Peninsula from Cowell to Ceduna. You can dive with the tuna in a tuna farm, check out Whalers Way south of Lincoln, the Lincoln and Coffin Bay national parks. Sheringa Beach between Wangary and Elliston is interesting with a reef right on the beach, and there's great surf if you've packed the board. There's also the jade at Cowell. It will still be a bit cold down that way, so pack the uggies and woolly jumper. The pubs all have good meals. Call in to the Tourist Office on Tasman Terrace and you'll get all the information you'll need. It's my home town but I haven't visited there since '07. A walk around the marina will reveal the entire fishing fleets which work out of Lincoln. From November you can eat fresh crayfish or southern rock lobster from factory door, or if you chat up a fisherman you may get one at wharf price. You'll get a great 360deg perspective of the region from Winters Hill. If you're into the history within cemeteries Happy Valley is the place to go. Here endeth the guided tour. Cheers and safe travels. Chris

Tezza, Milo and Granny, Many thanks for your input, its all grist to the mill, and we will be sampling all the delights of the area. Regards, Sir Percy.

G,day
 We have just got back from the west so just a price range for unleaded petrol (never checked diesel) After leaving Ceduna to cross the Nullarbor the cheapest fuel was at Mundrabilla $1.59.9  then up to $1.79.9 across till u reach Norsman.There is plenty of accom. at the road houses and free bees so u have the choice. Weather was so wet and windy we took the roadhouses missed the whales as could only see the the hand infront of the face.

Please let me know if they rebuilt North Shields CP....I heard it was destroyed in the Wangary Fires Dave

The North Shields Park was only partially damaged on the southern end. It's been up and running most of the time since those hellish fires. It's a nice spot, but a bit exposed to the south easterlies. Nice beaches along there too. If you're really energetic you can walk into Lincoln along a great walking trail, most of which is sealed or solid right along the foreshore and cliff tops, past beautiful, historic Boston House. Cheers Chris

While not far from Pt Lincoln, Coffin Bay is worth a stay. A bit like the Gippsland Lakes, pre-development. Streaky Bay also nice. Ceduna - we prefer to stay at Shelly Beach CP, a bit out of town. The CP on foreshore can be noisy due to locals across the road. Fuel - we've found the servo on eastern edge of Pt Augusta usually cheapest - big truck stop. Then Nundroo and Mundrabilla are usually cheaper than others on the Nullabor. Note - Yalata shut and semi derelict.

Yalata has been boarded up since 2004/5 but it still appears on the maps as a roadhouse. If anyone was depending on stopping there to fuel up they could get into trouble, and Yalata is not the place you want to get into trouble. Penong has a great little van park where you can walk across to the pub for a great meal. It's a great overnight stop either end of the Nullarbor. Don't forget the fruit fly road blocks - at the SA/WA border as you're heading west, and at Ceduna on the eastward run. No fruit and veg in or out. Honey is subject to some conditions. If you bought it at a shop it's ok, but if you bought it at a local market stall it may be questionable. It always pays to be prepared. We learn so much as we go along. Cheers Chris

Many thanks to all you good folk who replied to my post. All tips are duly noted and recorded. Hope that the weather is half decent!!,
Regards,
Sir Percy

There are nice free/cheap camps at Port Gibbon (donation) and Lipsom Cove (free) when heading down the Eyre penninsular.