Crossing the Nullarbor Plain is one of Australia’s most iconic road trips. Traveling from Adelaide to Perth with a caravan, a young family, and a dog requires a solid “plan of attack.” Based on our recent journey, here is a breakdown of the stops, essential logistics, and our personal reflections on each location.
Adelaide to Perth: Key Stops & Reflections
1. Port Augusta, SA
- The Logistics: A critical stop for fuel at the OTR.
- Reflections: On extreme heat days—we hit nearly 46°C—finding shade is vital.
- Top Tip: While the park opposite McDonald’s offers some shade, the school car park is an even better option on public holidays for plenty of unused parking under large trees.
2. Kimba, SA
- Distance: 480 km from Adelaide.
- Accommodation: Kimba Caravan Park ($35 for two adults).
- Reflections: The park is essentially a dusty field, though the Indian family running the restaurant does a good job.
- Caravan Care: On 40°C+ days, water down the outside of the caravan once the sun goes down and use an internal fan to rotate air and cool the van quickly.
3. Wudinna, SA
- The Vibe: A quiet and highly recommended alternative to Kimba.
- Attractions: Apex Park is a standout—quiet, with water where kids and dogs can have a runaround.
4. Ceduna, SA
- Distance: 230 km from Kimba.
- Accommodation: We recommend Shelly Beach Caravan Park or the Ceduna Foreshore Caravan Park for its friendly staff, spacious drive-through sites (Shelly Beach), and direct walking access to an off-leash dog beach (both).
- Supplies: Helpful hardware and electrical stores are available if you need to replace gear like lost water hose connections.
- Note: You must have ID with you to purchase alcohol in town.
- Connectivity: Wifi & Phone Reception available.
5. Nullarbor Roadhouse, SA
- Distance: Approximately 500 km from Ceduna.
- The Vibe: Very basic with no phone reception, only paid Wi-Fi.
- Attractions: The Bunda Cliffs lookouts are absolutely worthwhile; we recommend stopping at several.
- Reflections: We opted not to stay here as it was very hot and windy, but the kitchen and facilities appeared okay. Ensure you top up on fuel here despite the price.
- Connectivity: Wifi at the roadhouse but no phone coverage.
6. Eucla, WA
- Stay: Eucla Caravan Park ($30/night) has power, but water is an additional cost.
- Attractions: The old Eucla Jetty site is beautiful and deserted. While 4WDs can drive all the way, we recommend parking and walking the well-maintained road.
- Quarantine Alert: The quarantine station is located between the border and Eucla—we lost all our fresh food because we expected it to be further down the road.
- Connectivity: ZERO wifi & Phone reception in the roadhouse, town and caravan park.
7. Mundrabilla & Caiguna, WA
- Mundrabilla: A great stop with a good beer garden and free Starlink Wi-Fi. The powered site area is large and not cramped, with clean facilities and free showers.
- Caiguna: A 400 km drive from Eucla. The camping area has power but no water supply, and the site fee was $45 for two adults.
- Connectivity: Wifi at both roadhouses but no phone coverage.
8. Balladonia & Norseman, WA
- Balladonia: A nice spot to stay with a kids’ playground and a good selection of hot and cold food.
- Norseman: A mining town with limited community activity. The caravan park is basic (~$40), and dinner options are essentially limited to the IGA or the local motel.
- Connectivity: Phone coverage finally returns about 10 km outside of Norseman.
9. Esperance & Albany, WA
- Esperance: We highly recommend RAC Esperance. It is right next to the beach, spacious, and affordable if you book in advance.
- Albany: Prices can be steep—up to $110/night for a powered site. We stayed at the Albany Tasman Caravan Park, which has great ensuite sites but is a bit too far to walk into town. Give the one at Middletown Beach a go.
- Must Eat: Nannygai on the Hill in Esperance has the best fish and chips of the entire trip.
Nullarbor Survival Tips
- Fuel Strategy: Top up at every major roadhouse (Eucla, Mundrabilla, Caiguna). Expect prices around $2.20-$2.80/L.
- Connectivity: Reception is non-existent between Ceduna and Norseman, except for specific roadhouses with Starlink.
- Quarantine: Eat or cook your fresh produce before you hit the border.
- Road Conditions: The stretch from Norseman to Esperance can be quite bumpy; prepare for a slower 2-hour drive.
Planning your own trek? Our Adelaide-based caravan rental business, Great Rates Caravan Hire, knows exactly what it takes to get across the plain. Check out our website for more advice!
