We are planning a trip from Adelaide to Perth in March and we are new to the grey nomad thing and were wondering if anyone has ever had any trouble in the free camps along the Nullabor Plain. Im a bit nervous about camping in the middle of nowhere alone. Any advice would be very much appreciated.
None at all. If you arrive at a camp at 4pm there will be campers already there and park about 50 metres away. Far enough for solitude and close enough for security.
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Be nice... if I wanted my school teacher here I would have invited him...
I drove from Sydney to Perth by myself, came back with other half on the Great Central Road after she spent a few months in Europe & I was in Tasmania. I liked the time by myself along the Eyre Highway. I did a walk up onto the plateau west of Eucla, made sure I was very careful not to get lost, no one would ever find me!
Make sure you have water & emergency backup, we each use 2.5 to 3.0 litres per day depending on heat for everything.
Tyres are probably the biggest thing to worry about. Last year we had 3 punctures, this year none. Get TPMS, tyre repair kit, compressor, gloves & hi-vis vest.
Buy a hamburger with the lot at C_cklebiddy, brilliant, no nagging wife either!
Edit: 'yddibelkcoC' is a place not a rude word!
-- Edited by Whenarewethere on Monday 23rd of December 2019 07:57:55 AM
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Procrastination, mankind's greatest labour saving device!
50L custom fuel rack 6x20W 100/20mppt 4x26Ah gel 28L super insulated fridge TPMS 3 ARB compressors heatsink fan cooled 4L tank aftercooler Air/water OCD cleaning 4 stage car acoustic insulation.
We have free camped across the Nullabor many times and always felt perfectly safe. In the actual rest areas you are unlikely to be alone, if you camp off on the cliffs you have more chance of that. I always feel safer in areas like that far away from major populations, its near towns where locals are likely to come out drinking and partying where you are likely to have trouble in rest areas.
There are some great free camping sites along the Nullarbor plain. My wife is very nervous about free camping, and insisted we never camp alone. We never had an issue as there was always someone to keep us company. A reminder, the head winds on the Nullarbor Plains are notorious, try to time your crossing with a High out of the Bight. Probably one of the best road journeys Australia has to offer..regards Wayne.
Of all the times I have crossed the Nullarbor, (twice a year for the last six years, in modern times)
I have never see the free camps, which have the toilets, empty, or with only one rig there
Sometimes, (for whatever reasons), my situation calls for a quick road trip.
In these scenarios, I will keep driving and stop just before nightfall
On these occasions, I am nowhere near a camp, and just pull off the road, where it is safe to do so, and I have never had any trouble
As you have asked for advice
If you get Wikicamps (a one off lifetime cost of less than $10), or Camps Australia Wide book, latest is version 10
It will show you where the free camps, that have a drop toilet, are situated
Your last chance for potable water is Ceduna
The last servo in the town, coming west (BP), just before the quarantine checkpoint, for those going east
Along the fence line, near the dump point, is the potable water tap, your next good potable water is the Norseman tourist place, about 1,100 kilometres, up the road
There is a rain water tank on the highway, but when you see the crap on the roof, you will realise that it will not be the best drinking water
Theres toilets in the ground amongst trees . Park any where . But PLEASE IF YOUR DUMPING ? Please please dig a little hole 6 inches is enough . Paper included . Its not pretty seeing brown spotted paper blowing around the place ! Yes theres roadhouses ! Stop and spend at them, even top up a little fuel ? Food . They need the money too . Some have closed ! If we want them ? We should at least support them !
There is some "pull off the road" places you might have to think a little and read signs before you chock your wheels. One on our lap was most notable. Right on the Victorian SA border on our way to Mildura we pulled off the road about 300 metres far enough to not hear the road traffic. At Midnight while on the dunny, we heard a gunshot. Ok, thats alright, about 500metres away. Then another and another and louder and louder- "let's go" I yelled. No time to finish lol We returned to the entry of the area to read the sign- "no shooting till after midnight".
A SIMPLE POEM
It was when camped on the roadside I had a bit to say
When I entered my Porta Potti I didnt expect affray
For it was the type on two wheels for workers where theyd moan
And I decided during this time to write a simple poem
Upon this dunny seat where I do my bit
an interesting episode of where my botty sits
Well the dunny in this van was towed with a lot of faith
And off she drove to safety and my mouth was just agape
With mi undies at mi ankles and the seat behind mi neck
I tried to keep mi little butt from sliding off the deck
The slop began to lick my bott, slappin from side to side
I yelled and screamed for her to stop so I could restore my pride
Upon this dunny seat where I do my bit
An interesting episode of where my botty sits
Tony
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Be nice... if I wanted my school teacher here I would have invited him...
I have lost count of how many times I have crossed the Nullarbor solo, the first time in a HR Holden panel van when it was just a dusty pot holed bulldust track all the way from Eucla to Penong, just loved it, then black top was laid which took a bit of the adventure away from the trip.
Anyway I never had a problem camping solo, most times I would just pull up at or near a roadhouse for the night, other times I would drive down to the cliffs and camp there or take one of the many tracks inland towards the old Eyre hwy (track) miles from the black top, the only places I would not stop at were the truck stops apart from the noise of semis passing and pulling up I just never felt safe for some reason, but is a great trip and I have never got tied doing it, so much to see and discover, my next trip across will be in March, can't wait, enjoy mate.
I remember the old bull dust highway - If you had to park you always went to the Northern side of the road, because on the Southern side there was always the chance of going down a very big step into the Bite.
Still do get a little nervous about walking on Southern side in the dark.
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I found from about half way west you can almost pull off the side anywhere . It amazes me when you camp ALL alone . Out there all by yourself. But when you wake in the morning . There could be up to 10 other campers near you . The feeling of security!! I remember walking around the back for pee and scratch to be seen by 2 other campers I didnt know were there !! Lol Quite surprising how far you can pull off the highway too .
March is still warm, comfortable. About the same time weve traveled it twice now . If you have any head wind ? Camp early . I found the next day I had tail wind . Saves on fuel big time !!
Don't leave it till July. A few hundred km east of Norseman I had ice on the car in the morning. Was very comfortable inside as I have insulated the car.
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Procrastination, mankind's greatest labour saving device!
50L custom fuel rack 6x20W 100/20mppt 4x26Ah gel 28L super insulated fridge TPMS 3 ARB compressors heatsink fan cooled 4L tank aftercooler Air/water OCD cleaning 4 stage car acoustic insulation.
I usually cross from west to east, around about this time of year, (waiting for a Doctors appointment, at the moment so will go, middle of January)
I usually return, east to west around March/April, the weather (as Aus-Kiwi has already said), is much nicer in March, than December/January
My opinion of the winds, are that they are unpredictable
Aus-Kiwi has hit the nail on the head, if you have no time restrictions, then if the head winds come, just pull into a camp, earlier than you would have done
I have free camped across the Nullabor a number of times over the years security has always been paramount but I have never had to worry. most of the time you will be lucky if you can camp alone, most free campers are happy people and willing to have a chat or leave you alone, most read between the lines if you wish for privacy. Enjoy your trip.
I remember the old bull dust highway - If you had to park you always went to the Northern side of the road, because on the Southern side there was always the chance of going down a very big step into the Bite. Still do get a little nervous about walking on Southern side in the dark.
My first crossing was in 1976, it was bull-dust from Penong to the border.
No chance of getting wet there, the old road was much further inland than it is now.
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Neil & Lynne
Pinjarra
Western Australia
MY23.5 Ford Wildtrak V6 Dual Cab / 21' Silverline 21-65.3
