Riding the Nullabor....

[Diesel]

Folks like me who live on the extreme East or West Coast can see the Nullabor Plains as a huge geographical and psychological barrier.

But certain OzSTOC Members have done this seemingly arduous journey many times quite successfully.

What are some of the key considerations for us to be aware of?

How do you attack this mentally?

How does one plan fuel/food/accomm stops (servo opening hours, free camp sites, places to avoid eating in)?

What sort of cost can one expect to plan for?

What - besides heat and fatigue, what are some of the main concerns?

What secrets have YOU found that help an easy crossing of the paddock?


What are some of the 'must see' stops to make?

Keeping in mind the many different capabilities and preferences of each rider - how can this ride be a very memorable and positive experience - rather than a 'narrow escape from Hell'?

With the WA Nat Rally coming up - there could be a few gems in this thread for punters wishing to take on the Bight.

Thanks in advance.

Cheers, Diesel

[Nigel]

Yes, nice prep for 2016 Rally........................should be invaluable reading..............................

[Shiney]

        

[Yorkie]

Going from west to east the servo at Norseman has fuel availability and hours for the trip, I believe they were posted on Far-riders 6 months or so ago, apart from the cliffs there is not much to see.
There is a web site on the Nullabor, will give you more info.

[StinkyPete]

There's plenty of fuel stops, and quite a lot of road, so it's just another ride.   When you get to the other side, you have crossed the Nullarbour.   
There are plenty of roads that are more uninteresting, and I loved every kilometer of it.

[West Aussie Glen]

This will help with your planning:-

https://www.mainroads.wa.gov.au/Documents/Norseman%20to%20Eucla%20-%20Rest%20areas%20map.u_3069708r_1n_D11%5E2329530.PDF

Also if you prefer to ride with the lowest possibility of seeing many roos (therefore daylight riding only) you have to remember that you get more daylight riding hours going west then going east.
Can also recommend this for accommodation in Norseman:-

http://www.therailwaynorseman.com.au/

[alans1100]

Having done it a few times I've got my crossing down pat.

WA fruit block at Border Village. Not to much to worry about for us but they'll check your trailer and eski if you have one.

The Shell at Kimba (used to be Mobil) now has 24 hour card fuel

Ceduna has the last supermarket until Norseman so just make what you buy won't be taken off you at the border. Fruit block here on the western side of the town for the return trip.

Fuel is usually cheaper at the Penong Truck (24 hour fuel) stop than Ceduna (24 hour fuel) and with an ST that should do for the 407 km to Border Village (24 hour fuel). With the trailer I take extra fuel (20 litres) and run through to Mundrabilla

Between Nullarbor (I never get fuel there, to expensive) roadhouse and the border are several cliff top look outs.

Eucla Police work from the border so if you're towing keep your speed to 100 k/h which is the WA limit for towing. After Eucla the road goes down to the old seabed for a few hundred km until Madura which has a look out at the top of the pass after the road goes back up top.

By the time I get to Caiguna (24 hour Fuel) I need a shower so it's a good rest stop before the long straight. This section I think is the worst for some people though I don't have a problem.

Balladonia is about 50km past the straight. Most of the route just past the straight until Norseman is natural woodlands

Norseman has a 24 hour BP Truck Stop and there's a Caltex on the road to Esperance (24 hour ???)

''''''''''''''''''''''''

I usually bush camp along the road for free. A few parking bays have water which I wouldn't drink but it's ok for wash at night. WA has a few 24 hour parking bays with toilet blocks and are generally packed with grey nomads from about 4 pm onwards.

Avoid being to close behind 18 wheelers (especially at night) because if they run over a roo you might not see it in time to avoid.

[alans1100]

There's plenty of fuel stops, and quite a lot of road, so it's just another ride.   When you get to the other side, you have crossed the Nullarbour.   
There are plenty of roads that are more uninteresting, and I loved every kilometer of it.

The road only crosses about 80 km of the actual plain which the Nullarbor road house is in the centre of. After that the road is in the tree line along the southern border

[Gatey]

Crossing the Hay Plains is longer with similar winds So to Nyngan to Broken Hill. If you have crossed those once or twice without worry then your in for an enjoyable ride the rest of the way.

The longest part of the trip will possibly be getting off your own dung heap and onto new roads.

The ST1300 should easily run from Port Augusta to Ceduna 468km if the winds are favourable. Wudinna is a good fuel or overnight stop if needed.

Or go round via Port Lincoln to Ceduna, 745km and take in as much of what the coast has to offer.

As pointed out already the Nullabor itself is only a short part of the trip.

Oh and pack your wets. Its rained every time I've been out there.


Yorkie..FarRiders mate.

[STroppy]

Have done it only 3 times but have gone Canberra to Mildura, ZZZZZZ, Mildura to Wudinna, ZZZZZZ, Wudinna to Eucla, ZZZZZZ, Eucla to Norseman, ZZZZZZ, Then either south to Esperance, Albany, Pemberton etc on to Perth or head north to Coolgardie and on to Perth, I never went that way . . Liked the coast route better but all depends on how much time you have and what you want to see.

Have varied the stopovers each time and could easily shave a day off this but I preferred to start early in the day and finish early . . . Around 4-5 pm . . Relax with a drink and nice dinner . . . Usually staying in pubs or motels . . Sharing with 1 to 3 others helps with the cost and gives you a good nights sleep and a good breakfast in the morning . . Stopped at a few of the lookouts along the way. . . .Stayed hydrated with bottles of water and also a camel back.

I just filled up with petrol when I needed to, not that worried about cost . . . We are only talking about 30 litre max fill.

I agree with Pete, I love the ride across there, something magic about it, others find it boring . .

[Lionel]

There is one little trap if you’re using Google Maps for planning purposes. And that is – where in the world is Balladonia?
Balladonia is on the Eyre Hwy, 190 km east from the intersection of the Eyre Hwy and the Coolgardie-Esperance Hwy. If you’re not in a hurry its worth stopping for a coffee or a meal. However, you need to type in “Balladonia Hotel” or “Balladonia Airport” into Google. If you only type in “Balladonia” you’ll get a location called “Balladonia”, situated on the Balladonia-Rawlinna Rd.
If you type in “Fraser Range” you’ll be directed to Fraser Range Sheep Station, just north of Norseman on the Coolgardie-Esperance Hwy.
I use latitude and longitude when I’m planning serious rides, -32.352395,123.617281, for Balladonia.

[Gatey]

Good point that Lionel.
My google used to put Emdale RH in Wilcannia because of the trading name...nothing at all to do with the location



Oh the Eyre bird observatory is worth a look.

Ahhh its all worth a good look.

[STroppy]

As well as my GPS, I always carry an old fashioned paper thingy . . Usually go over the next days route using it so I have a good idea as to where I am going to be able to refuel and a rough idea of distances . . I have never run out of fuel since I was 17.

However, I don't do the non-stop long distances that Lionel does, 1,000 Ks max a day is more then enough for this little Black Duck. Usually 800 is enough and enables one to stop at points of interest and catch up with some interesting locals over a beer along the way.

[alans1100]

There is one little trap if you’re using Google Maps for planning purposes. And that is – where in the world is Balladonia?

I use latitude and longitude when I’m planning serious rides, -32.352395,123.617281, for Balladonia.

Google maps does that with quite a few places so it's just a matter of picking the right name.

Some of the places I camp at I use lat. and long. and save as POI in my GPS. 

[ST.George]

KeepemCummin lads,

I'm psyching myself up 4 the big ride to Perth in '16. Might b kidding myself tho with my cramp problemos but the magnesium tabs r making a difference these days so anything might b possible.
"Tell 'im he's dreamin', son!" ... "Nah, mate - dad said yer dreamin'".
...     ...

[STroppy]

St George, I thought you were selling your bike? Buying another ST or changed your mind?

I will be attending the Ulysses AGM in Launceston before heading off to the OZSTOC meet in WA . . . It might be useful to form sime riding groups to ride across the Paddock?

[johnnyYTED]

 

I'm psyching myself up 4 the big ride to Perth in '16. Might b kidding myself tho

"Tell 'im he's dreamin', son!" ... "Nah, mate - dad said yer dreamin'".
...     ...

  ya dreamin     

[ST.George]

[Quote from: STroppy on December 23, 2014, 06:18:37 PM
St George, I thought you were selling your bike? Buying another ST or changed your mind?]
</quote>

I don't know where u got that from Strop??? I've put up a few posts about other peeps sales, but not mine.
Wyvern would never forgive me!
The last thing I would want is a vengeful dragon on my case.

[STroppy]

Aah . . That was other Peeps . . Good to hear you are keepin the Dragon . . . And the bike too . . .oops I'm in trouble . . . 😇