Nullarbor Plain in Summer.

Catswhiskas · Member

Nullarbor Plain in Summer.

yobarr · Guru

Catswhiskas wrote:
Hello everybody. I would love to hear peoples thoughts on crossing the Nullarbor in Summer ( December). Its the only chance we have to do it in the next few years. Ive read up on it and am aware of precautions eg always having plenty of water and fuel, not driving at night etc. we have a Mitsubishi and will be using a combination of tent and accomodation. We have 4 weeks to do it from Tassie and hoping to get to Perth. We realise this is not long enough to see and do everything but until we retire and our son finishes school thats all we have. Ive been reading posts for a long time on here but finally joined. Thanks in advance for any thoughts/opinions.

Hi Sonya...if you type "Nullarbor" into the "search" area at the top of this page,you will find lots of useful information.Enjoy your trip!Cheers

Catswhiskas · Member

Thank you. Ive done that but it says no posts match your search query.

Peter_n_Margaret · Guru

The weather can be tolerable or extreme and there is no way to tell in advance.
You simply do NOT want to be there when it is extreme and that is not uncommon. If the heat is extreme and there is a tail wind it will likely be too much for your tow vehicle to handle and if you try you may destroy the engine or (if you are lucky) just break down. That is not a pleasant (or safe) prospect. The other thing that is liable to fail in extreme temperatures is tyres.
We once crossed in November in shade temperatures of 50C (but there is no shade). We could drive but not with the air conditioner running as that overloaded the cooling system.

This is not somewhere to go by choice at that time of year.
Explore the coast along the western side and southern tip of the Eyre Peninsular instead.
Cheers,
Peter

iana · Guru

Just type "Nullarbor" in the search, less words the better.

However plenty of places to fee camp along the way. Take your own water. Very good road, nothing to worry about.

blaze · Guru

Also live in tassie, we towed across in january, Had a few extremely hot days and head winds. Towed at night a couple of times as temp and wind were both down. I wouldn't hesitate to do it again. Have done melbourne to perth in 3 days too, so don't be put off by your short timeframe either. There will be plenty of people that will disaprove of your trip, but I say go and enjoy your journey
cheers
blaze

Warren-Pat_01 · Guru

Hi Catwhiskas,
Travel with the weather if you have the time.
It is not always hot, just mostly in summer. Cool changes do come through regularly (a 20 degree drop isn't unusual) & then the temps gradually warm up to the high 20s, 30s, 40s or even 50s!
Try not to hurry if you strike it hot - remember your car will be stressed too. Take it easy.

Driving at night is not a disaster - have good lights, be prepared to dip them if there are animals (roos, wombats, camels) on the road & slow down accordingly.

Regarding your searches, go to Search, then Advanced Search & you should find more info.

And welcome too to this forum - we are mostly friendly characters who have had some experience in travels, vehicles, etc. I spent over 15 years based at Ceduna, working on the then radio link (our section was from Pt Pirie to Eucla).

yobarr · Guru

Catswhiskas wrote:
Thank you. Ive done that but it says no posts match your search query.

?????...typing "Nullarbor" into that box brings up no fewer than 10 threads,and an indeterminate number of posts! Good luck! Cheers

P.S There are over 150 posts there!

-- Edited by yobarr on Monday 2nd of November 2020 01:21:20 PM

Whenarewethere · Guru

Look at the prevailing winds for the days you will be crossing & make sure they are from the south.

A few years ago we were in the North Flinders Ranges for 4 days in January, it was in the mid 30s but we got out before the heatwave was due.

We had 47°C in Mildura. But what is worse is when the night time temperature doesn't go down. We had mid 30s in Wellington at 3am & all we could do is walk up & down the street in undies, between putting our feet & head in a bucket of water.

normal_IMG_1761-47C-degrees (2).jpg

dorian · Guru

Google's Advance Search is a lot better:

https://www.google.com/search?q=site%3Athegreynomads.activeboard.com+nullarbor

Catswhiskas · Member

Thanks everybody for your replies, much appreciated. We are leaning towards still going. Thanks for heads up about advanced search, it worked on my iPad but not iPhone. Will let you know what we decide and how we go.

erad · Guru

The weather maps will tell you a lot. If the winds are predominately coming from the North (NW or even NE), then they will be HOT. If there is little or no wind, it will be HOT. If the winds are coming form the South, then they will be sea breezes until you get near the end of the crossing when it won't matter which way the wind blows - it will still be hot.

Breakdowns should not be a problem if you are prepared. There is a lot of traffic on that road at any time of the year. so someone should be able to stop and then get a message for help to come. The last crossing I did was a few years ago and the temperature at Balladonia was 51 Deg C. It was so hot that I could not hold the gas nozzle with bare hands to refill the car.

The other thing you should do is see the bank manager before you go - fuel prices are ridiculous. The last "cheap" fuel ion the East side is likely to be Penong, and when you get to Norseman, prices will lower to a more reasonable level. Mundrabilla, just West from the border is the cheapest in the high priced areas. Sadly, if one doesn't get you, the others probably will...

Aus-Kiwi · Guru

What Ive found is if the Headwind seems too much . Just pull over free camp off the road . Chances are in the morning the wind will be blowing opposite direction ? Or Atleast much much less . A quick check before leaving . Tyres , fan belts , radiator hoses etc . Take your time .

Nevd · Senior Member

Be careful about fuel reserves if towing and there is a headwind. We rolled into Cedunda with less than a litre of fuel left after battling headwinds, and not realising that on public holidays, the small towns shut up shop after 12 noon.

Bicyclecamper · Guru

I did it once by pushbike in the mid 80's, had a head wind for almost half way, and then a tailwind for the rest of the trip, but it was in winter. It took me 4 weeks because of the headwind, and although the wind turned around, it had stuffed me, so the rest of the trip was slow, but the camping was enjoyable because it was cool. Have done it by car 6 times, once in late spring and camped the whole way over with the tent. It was darn hot, and would not do it again in warm weather. If I were you, I would use the motel over and back, for the airconditioning, as other wise you will regret the trip in high summer. It wont make for good driving, if you have had a terrible nights sleep due to the hot conditions.

-- Edited by Bicyclecamper on Monday 2nd of November 2020 06:10:33 PM

oldbloke · Guru

Just a point. Pretty sure only Telstra covers the Nullarbor.

Whenarewethere · Guru

As said above if you have strong headwinds stop for the day, but if you want to get across before the heat hits you will have to bear the increase fuel usage.

We don't tow & generally sleep in the car. The best is 7.8L/100km with a good tailwind. About 12L/100km with a headwind. Both at around 95kph with spare wheel, 50L fuel etc on the roof.

Get TPMS so you can keep an eye on your tyres & repair before one or more is destroyed. A lot of peace of mind.

Get some sun mesh screens & block out shades to block sun. I have cut one for every window.

Catswhiskas · Member

Thanks again everyone. I dont know how to post to each individual. Well keep in mind fuel consumption and check wind conditions. Were getting the triton serviced and giving it a thorough check. Also getting new tyres. We have Telstra phones so all good there. Well probably stay in the motels on the way if the heats unbearable. Im more worried than my other half, he says well be fine. Hes been across before in January and survived. Its good to hear all your thoughts and opinions. Thank you.

yobarr · Guru

Catswhiskas wrote:
Thanks again everyone. I dont know how to post to each individual. Well keep in mind fuel consumption and check wind conditions. Were getting the triton serviced and giving it a thorough check. Also getting new tyres. We have Telstra phones so all good there. Well probably stay in the motels on the way if the heats unbearable. Im more worried than my other half, he says well be fine. Hes been across before in January and survived. Its good to hear all your thoughts and opinions. Thank you.

Hi Sonya...great to see acknowledgement of the input from members! So many people ask a question,and we never again hear from them.Thankyou. Excuse me if I'm wrong,but although Telstra is indesputably the best telephone service provider,I am not sure that there will be coverage in all areas across the Nullarbor? Anyway,I wish you only good experiences on your travels.Cheers

Whenarewethere · Guru

In winter I went East to West last year & back to Sydney via the Great Central Road.

There are regular gaps in the network on the Eyre Highway, but there is regular sections of coverage.

As said above it is nice to get feedback!

P.S. I was in Tassie for a month last year & did the original (well not quite, track has moved a bit from 92 as per my map) Cape Pillar walk.

Greg 1 · Guru

Have driven the Nullabor many times from back in the 60's when it was all dirt to currently. The road now is extremely good sealed road on both sides of the border. As others have said, at that time of year you can strike it lucky and the weather is mild or it can be a real stinker. I have experienced both. Not pleasant when really hot. You are never more than 100ks from help as the roadhouses are spaced at no more that about 200ks between them and many closer than that. Fuel is expensive. But you just have to accept that unless you have long range tanks to get you across. Nundroo on the SA side is the last cheap fuel till you get to Norseman. Mundrabilla and Eucla are usually around 10 to 12 cents a litre cheaper than the other roadhouses. Water is an issue. You must carry sufficient to carry you from Ceduna to Norseman as the roadhouses only have enough for their own use and will seldom give travellers any extra. At the moment, whilst the WA government is lifting the hard border, it will still be a controlled border, and as such you currently will still have to apply for a G2G permit to enter WA. Don't rock up at the border without that in place as you will be turned away. It is now much easier to get one of these provided you are not coming from NSW or Victoria. By the time you are planning to travel, hopefully the border will be fully open. Enjoy your trip and stay in WA. The South Coast from Esperance on has some fabulous beaches and there is much to see in the South West corner.

Catswhiskas · Member

Thanks for that, I never thought of the G2G permit, Ill look into that tomorrow.

Aus-Kiwi · Guru

Be aware of the fruit fly inspections at the boarder . No fresh vege, honey or fruit . Ok if frozen or cooked .

jrg · Senior Member

As stated the roadhouses are very close the furthest apart is Norseman to Balladonia at aprox 200ks .2020 has been a strange year and with no tourist (us greys) using the highway I don't know if any roadhouse have closed making fuel stops further apart well worth checking out especially as the trucks can do the Nullarbor with out fuelling up.
The Nullarbor is a great drive with plenty of spots well off the road for camping don't be afraid of taking track off some of the truck stops they can open out into great camping spots .Enjoy not much any of us can do about the weather.

Hetho · Senior Member

Hi Catswiskers.

You have received lots of great advise and suggestions.

I first crossed the Nullarbor in 1971 in a Toyota Corolla, lots of gravel (Penong to Madura Pass); and my last trip across was on the way home to Mandurah. WA in 2019.

That makes a total of 31 return crossings.

I plan my travels across so that at "Days End" the roadhouse/caravan park/motel has a swimming pool.

Norseman/Balladonia/Border Village/Ceduna.

I hope you have a fantastic journey as all of mine have been. Safe travels and enjoy the Nullarbor.

You can still see some of the old road, but you will need to do some research, as its too hard to explain the locations here and now.

Safe travels.

Regards.

Hetho.

-- Edited by Hetho on Monday 2nd of November 2020 10:45:49 PM

Mike Harding · Guru

Catswhiskas wrote:
We are leaning towards still going.

In summer? I wouldn't do it if I didn't have to.

Aus-Kiwi · Guru

Its hot but its not in the middle of our little Island !!! Or north . I find it comfortable. A wash before bed goes a long way to relaxing . Do it tomorrow if I could . Ooops I can . Had the time !! Lol

Bobdown · Guru

The Nullarbor is no different from anywhere else on the South Coast of Oz in summer.
If there is a high pressure trough, the East side will be 40 degrees and and the West side 10 -15 degrees cooler, whether it's Esperance, Eucla or Adelaide.

A great trip that I've done many times, from the gravel in 1975, to the great highway it is now, last time in 2018. Enjoy

Cheers Bob

mixo · Senior Member

also, look at youtube, lots of people have made video blogs, i.e sparkys on the loose, trip in a van, tadoing family etc etc.. lots of ideas from them and you get to see whats its like before you get here!

mixo

Catswhiskas · Member

Thanks again everyone. Lots of good advice and info. Will let you know what we decide.