Across the Nullarbor!

It’s a fair hike across the Nullarbor from South Yunderup in WA to Fowlers Bay in SA (1,916 kilometers to be precise). We took our time and camped for 5 nights on the way.  A lot of people have a preconception that it’s a long and boring drive but this is not the case – sure there are times when you drive for a couple of hours where there is little change in scenery but for most of the time there is always something to look at and enough trucks and wide loads on the road to keep you alert!

Riveted Pipe and Old Rocker 

We stayed the first two nights at Karalee Rock and Dam which is 30K’s east of Southern Cross.  Great spot 4-5K’s off the main road and most camp sites have room for a caravan and a table and fireplace. The spot has some interesting history  “Karalee Dam was constructed to provide water for slow steam trains en-route to Kalgoorlie. The site was chosen mainly because of the granite outcrop; with rain the outcrop becomes a natural catchment area. Constructed between 1896–1897 the dam has a capacity 10.6 million gallons. Retaining walls of granite slab, all cut from the top of the rock and laid by hand, surround the enormous rock catchment. 

Gamma holes on top of Karalee Rock

This enables the water to flow off the rock into the dam via a large semi-circular aqueduct of steel, hand riveted at each joint, which is still in very good condition considering its age and the natural harsh elements. To reflect upon the unbelievable manual labour and horsepower involved in this construction, is well worth the journey.”

We travelled from Karalee to Fraser Range Free Camp after stopping in Norseman to fill up water tanks in our van for the hike east. The Visitors Centre in Norseman has a tap out the back where you can fill up your tanks with good water (piped all the way from Perth) for a gold coin donation.

Our overnighter at Fraser Range Free Camp

Fraser Range Free Camp is a popular stopover with views over the salt lake. We found it difficult to find a level spot but with a bit of patience and a large rock set up for the night with a table and a view over the lake. Not far from the highway and the trucks roared past all night – lucky I'm getting a bit deaf J.

Moonera Tank (about 270K’s from SA border) was our next camp - chosen only because it was about

Nice quiet spot away from the road

400 kilometres from Fraser Range. Not much here except some bins. Good thing was that there were numerous tracks going back a kilometre or so to flat and secluded camp sites – no truck noise that night. Put up the SAT TV to watch the footy - Carlton vs Collingwood but went to bed at ¾ time as the Blues were getting an absolute flogging.

The Great Australian Bogan

Last camp before Fowlers Bay is called “52Klm Peg” which surprising is 52 kilometres east of the WA/SA Border. Beautiful views over the Great Australian Bight but a bare and featureless camp area.

A very nice head!

On our last day we took a 11 kilometre detour off the main track to the “Head of the Bight” which is the most northerly point in the Great Australian Bight. Good walkways and lookouts – worth the detour.

Everyone takes this photo.

Next stop Fowler Bay!