Nullabor Water

gst · Senior Member

Nullabor Water

Dunmowin · Guru

Hi all, We are planning to head off across the Nullabor in the next few weeks, (hot weather pending), so getting all my research into one spot. We have been told by a lot of travellers water is hard to get as you move across. what is the position with Road houses. Do they allow you to fill your water tanks when you fuel up? Can any fellow GNs give me a definitive list of where water can be obtained as you cross. We intend taking our time, we have 300 ltr capacity, 100 of that is dedicated drinking water.

Thanks

neilnruth · Guru

I would have thought 100lt was enough drinking water to get you across the Nullabor without looking for anymore. I might be wrong - in which case, someone else will say so. I guess it depends how long you think you'll take to do it.

GaryKelly · Guru

I reckon about six 5-litre casks of Chateau Cirrhosis should do it.

blaze · Guru

Fill your tanks and use sparingly, you can get water at all road houses by the 2 litre bottle.
cheers
blaze

Big Gorilla · Guru

You say "We", so that means two of you I guess. You should take 3 days to cross, 100 liters drinking water, 200 for showers, washing up etc.You will have plenty. Use the 200 liters sparingly. I used 100 liters plus 10 liters drinking water in 3 days, solo.

Regarding fuel, my Iveco holds 100 liters Diesel. I took a 20 liter can as well. I filled up at Eucla, that got me across 725 km to Norseman. I did put the 20 liters in at some point, can't remember where, to save buying it at a Roadhouse.

Travelling from the east, just before the S.A. and W. A. border post, on the right is a large truck stop. I stayed there in both directions. Check out the quarantine requirements. Going into W.A., apart from the usual fruit and veges, NO HONEY....

Bucko · Senior Member

Anyone taking 3 days to cross the Nullabor is in too much of a hurry!!!! take your time, lots to see.

Kevin.

littledick · Senior Member

Once again someone asks a sensible question and you get the inevitable negative remark. yawn

Why do people continue to do this ? confuse

Dick.

Bucko · Senior Member

Little dick,

what was negetive about my comment??? life is too short to be in a hurry, if you want to hurry, you go right ahead!!!!

Dunmowin · Guru

Thanks all for your replies so far, good information here. We plan to take as long as it takes to do the crossing, certainly longer than 3 days. I know our drinking water will last, and provided we bathe carefully, flush the loo thoughtfully and wash the dishes in minimal water, we can last up to 7 days. Knowing the way we travel, it is quite on the cards it will take us up to two weeks.

Gary Kelly quotes: "I reckon about six 5-litre casks of Chateau Cirrhosis should do it." which leads me to my next question. If we run out of the six 5 litre casks of Chateau Cirrhosis, where can we top up? confuse

Big Gorilla · Guru

When I first planned the trip, I allowed 5 days, only driving during the day, about 300 to 400 km a day. I usually plan not more than 300 km a day on any trip. . I was told I'd see hundreds of Emus, Camels, kangaroos. After I left Eucla, the road was so good, straight, virtually no traffic in both directions, my Van was an absolute delight to drive, aircon on, AC/DC and other Baby Boomer's rock music playing on the CD, next thing I know I've done about 800 km. I made very few stops, maybe every 2 hours or so to make a coffee, I saw 1 kangaroo, no Emus and no camels !! The next two days were the same. I guess it's a personal thing, if you want to get off the beaten track to see a particular site, if you want to stop along the way and look down at the ocean, if you want to sit in a Roadhouse Restaurant for 2 or 3 hours, OK, that's your thing. For me, and I know this will generate a lot of flack for me, I didn't find anything real interesting about the journey.

Bucko · Senior Member

All roadhouses have showers available, so you can save water there and most are pubs as well, so you can always get a drink, just don't buy beer to go, a bit dear.

GaryKelly · Guru

G'day Dunmowin. In answer to your question about the casks, er.... I dunno. But because of this page, I checked my Camps book and noted that there are several camp/rest sites along the Eyre highway. Most of them don't have the tap symbol (for drinking water) but a few do.

As to Big Gorilla's comment about not finding anything interesting on the Nullarbor, I've read reports from some travellers who reckon if you take the time to investigate side roads and potter about a bit, there are places worth seeing and even camping overnight. I've also heard lots about the desert stars and how amazing they are.

Andrea · Senior Member

Hi, Lorraine & John -

You're right about needing to take your time across the Nullarbor; we love the country and have found lots to see (sorry, Gorilla!). We actually ran camping tours on the old dirt road across the eastern side of the plain back in the '70s, taking five days from Ceduna to Eucla, zig-zagging north and south on the old survey and rabbiters' tracks, then swapping passengers with the supply aircraft for the return trip...but that's another story!

Firstly, buy your fuel from Nundroo rather than Nullarbor, which is the most expensive. Balladonia was not bad, either, when we last crossed (early last year).

Water is available at some camps along the way, although not often drinkable. Keep in mind that some of the camp sites along the cliffs may be closed, due to the deterioration of the cliff edges; we had to find the next one several times. In the '70s there were no fences or markers - sometimes a stick in the ground a few metres from the 'end of the world'. And, all unknowing, we did stand right on the edge in some places - I guess we were lucky! As mentioned above, showers are generally available at all the roadhouses, which can help to conserve your own good-quality water.

Scott Beach is well worth a visit. The Australian salmon - quite a different bird from that on either the east or west coasts - makes superb eating. Simply carve a fillet off each side (you throw them back if less than 12 lb) then slice several steaks from each fillet...mmmmmm!

So, do enjoy your trip to the west. We'll be doing the same but not until sometime next year now, after John gets his new hip.

Andrea

Fried Rice · Guru

Hello Dunmowin..

While you're collecting info, here are three tips..

1..We've crossed by road three times and on each occasion found fuel at Eucla substantially cheaper than Border Village (who commented on Nullarbor Roadhouse prices was right as well!)

2.. At "Head of Bight" there's a super Visitors' Centre a couple of K's off the highway with marvellous whale-watching opportunity (depending on season I suppose)

3.. Fraser Range Station is a top place to pull up for a couple of days' R&R, especially if you've been roughing it a bit.

Safe travelling, however long you take

Fried Rice

neilnruth · Guru

As usual Dunmowin, I knew there would be lots of good answers to your question. When you've done it, you can report back just how much you used ...for others to know. And I've also heard, like Andrea, that some of the Bight lookouts have been closed. Pity.

Boothie · Senior Member

1.5 to 2.0 litres of drinking water per day, one litre overnight. Probably .75 litres in coffee/tea. Best estimate per person per day. Shower can be easily be limited to 2 litres as a good sponge bath. The 2 litres as a sponge bath, if shared with a nurse, can be very rewarding!

jimricho · Guru

Boothie wrote:
The 2 litres as a sponge bath, if shared with a nurse, can be very rewarding!

In hospital a nurse will sponge you down as far as possible. If she's good looking you may be lucky enough to have her sponge possible too!

littledick · Senior Member

Bucko wrote:
Little dick,
what was negetive about my comment??? life is too short to be in a hurry, if you want to hurry, you go right ahead!!!!

Not you Bucko, dont you read other posts ? I did say NEGATIVE. confuse

Dick.

Bucko · Senior Member

Sorry Dick,

Your reply followed mine, I must be getting sensitive in my old age.

Kevin.

littledick · Senior Member

Bucko wrote:
Sorry Dick,
Your reply followed mine, I must be getting sensitive in my old age.

Kevin.

Alls well. I have been guilty of that myself. wink

Dick.

scottynbulldog · Senior Member

Will be interested in your journey Dunmowin cause we are hoping to set off after Easter and meander our way over and back. We are south of Adelaide.

Nicholstones · Guru

littledick wrote:
Once again someone asks a sensible question and you get the inevitable negative remark.
Why do people continue to do this ?
Dick.

Did something get deleted from this thread? I've read all posts 3 times and still can't find anything I would call negative (apart perhaps from this one).

Bucko · Senior Member

I couldn't see anything negitive either????? even with my glasses on.!!!!!!!

Pam · Guru

Big Gorilla wrote:
When I first planned the trip, I allowed 5 days, only driving during the day, about 300 to 400 km a day. I usually plan not more than 300 km a day on any trip. . I was told I'd see hundreds of Emus, Camels, kangaroos. After I left Eucla, the road was so good, straight, virtually no traffic in both directions, my Van was an absolute delight to drive, aircon on, AC/DC and other Baby Boomer's rock music playing on the CD, next thing I know I've done about 800 km. I made very few stops, maybe every 2 hours or so to make a coffee, I saw 1 kangaroo, no Emus and no camels !! The next two days were the same. I guess it's a personal thing, if you want to get off the beaten track to see a particular site, if you want to stop along the way and look down at the ocean, if you want to sit in a Roadhouse Restaurant for 2 or 3 hours, OK, that's your thing. For me, and I know this will generate a lot of flack for me, I didn't find anything real interesting about the journey.

Hubby would agree with you Gorilla, When we went across a couple of years ago we stopped at Port Augusta then Eucla then Norsman. I would have liked to see more but thats the way it goes sometimes.

Nicholstones · Guru

We're getting a little off-topic (which was originally about water), but another thing about how you cross is the direction of travel. At this time of year you pick up 2.5 hours going east-west, lose that time going the other way.

GaryKelly · Guru

I think little dick was referring to my smartass comment about chateau cirrhosis, Bucko and Nicholstones. Hehe. Oh well...

wendyv · Guru

You could always take a couple of 10L casks of water, in case needed. Even remote places where you can get water often have water that does not taste the greatest. We usually carry a couple of those casks so I can be sure of good tasting drinking water, and cups of tea!

With regard to the other sort of casks - I'm not sure which way you are crossing the Nullarbor? If coming from the west, Ceduna will be the first proper sized town you come to - but I am not sure if they have restrictions cask sizes and sales, as some remoter places have to, these days. Not sure about Port Augusta either. If going from the east, I guess you would be looking to replenish your stocks at either Kalgoorlie or Esperance.

TAJ · Senior Member

L&J still on the planet i see you are certainly getting some replies

could be heading that way later in the year i hope i will be able

to get more information from your journey safe travels

suenray

neilnruth · Guru

I agree with Nicholstones. I can't see anything negative in the posts. Let's just accept the posts as written and not try and read anything into them. I repeat what I said - Dunmowin got lots of great advice - even about which way to go and I'm sure they will appreciate that too.