DRIVING THE NULLARBOR PLAIN
- Traveldriven
- Aug 11
- 3 min read
Updated: Oct 14
BALLADONIA TOWARDS THE
NULLARBOR PLAIN
The word Nullarbor translates as place of no trees.
It is 1,300 km to Kimba, South Australia from Balladonia.
The journey west to the eastern states and the remote Nullarbor Plain from Western Australia truly starts at Balladonia. This is little more than a roadhouse. After passing through Balladonia towards South Australia, the ninety-mile straight begins. This section of the Eyre Highway extends straight for 147 kilometres and then the highway continues towards Eucla. Rainfall in this part of the country is typically quite unreliable. However, this time, the expression "it's raining cats and dogs" was fitting. The entire ninety-mile road was covered with rivers of water along the length of the highway. To prevent constant aquaplaning, even at a reduced speed, driving had to be down the centre of the highway whenever there was no traffic. Fortunately, traffic was very light, allowing for safer driving in the extremely wet conditions. To avoid night driving in such bad weather, an overnight stop was made in Nundroo. This turned out to be a wise decision, as many fellow travellers the next morning remarked about the intense overnight gale-force winds and rain they experienced. Any rain on the Nullarbor is always a rarity. The roadside signs welcoming travellers to Sunny Eucla were quite amusing given the persistent rain.
EUCLA
Eucla's population hovers around thirty to fifty, and Eucla is situated on the Western Australia side of the border and serves primarily as a service stop for travellers. There is a manned police station and a small, staffed health service. From the outside, the roadhouse amenities and accommodations appear clean and modern. Behind the roadhouse, there is even a landscaped pool area with shade. Eucla to Border Village (roadhouse) in South Australia is about thirteen km. There is no fruit quarantine stop to enter South Australia as there is driving from the other direction to enter Western Australia.
NULLARBOR
The Nullarbor Roadhouse is a service and accommodation stop for travellers on the Eyre Highway, South Australia. Fuel is available along with a small caravan park and motel units.
NUNDROO
Personally, I would not recommend an overnight stay in Nundroo, South Australia unless necessary. There is little in the way of choice of overnight stops when crossing the Nullarbor. Nundroo Roadhouse has an accommodation wing and an adjacent small caravan park with next to no amenities. Limited cooked food and a cold beverage are available within the roadhouse. The interior of the roadhouse has a basic hotel feeling with a combined bar and eating lounge. Because of the remoteness of the area everything is limited on choice. The motel accommodation could do with some moderation as of 2025.
THE BIG GALAH, KIMBA
At a height of eight metres stands the Big Galah in the small settlement of Kimba. A galah is a common cockatoo (parrot) seen all over Australia and is a well-known phrase for anyone playing the fool or being silly. The Big Galah is within view of passing highway traffic. The statue had a full renovation in 2021. There is a gem shop on site and a cafe. The next day after an overnight stop on the fringe of Adelaide drove into Victoria ending the road trip.
AUSTRALIA 2025 ROADTRIP
Leaving from regional Victoria there were ten weeks of on the road travel. About 16,500 km (10,250 miles) driven in Outback and remote Australia. Driven in the late spring and winter months of May, June and mid-July. There were no vehicle problems. Either for the car or towed tear drop van. A car service was done and the rear tyres were replaced in Alice Springs, Northern Territory. Front tyres replaced in Esperance, Western Australia. Other than that, a sizeable stone chip was received on the driver's side of the windscreen near Broome by an oncoming passing truck.
The end to a great memorable road trip driving three states of Australia and the Northern Territory. Enjoyment of meeting locals and fellow travellers alike.
For insights into a previous road trip driven in a Ford sedan with a tent and in the opposite direction, please visit this post.
Traveldriven
DRIVE BALLADONIA - EUCLA - NUNDOO - KIMBA
THE BIG GALAH
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