Perth to Adelaide across the Nullarbor
DOWNLOAD: PERTH TO ADELAIDE SELF-DRIVE ITINERARY
One of the world’s great adventures. Navigate across Western Australia into South Australia on this epic trip across the Nullarbor, home to the world's longest stretches of straight road and along the Great Australian Bight. A journey everyone should do at least once in their lifetimes!
- Perth to Merredin
- Merredin to Kalgoorlie
- Kalgoorlie to Balladonia
- Balladonia to Cocklebiddy
- Cocklebiddy to Border Village
- Border Village to Nullarbor Roadhouse
- Nullarbor Roadhouse to Ceduna
- Ceduna to Wudinna
- Wudinna to Port Augusta
- Port Augusta to Adelaide
Distance: 2785km
Day 1. Perth
Collect your car or campervan in Perth today. If hiring a campervan we recommend allowing at least 1 hour to familiarise yourself with the vehicle before you leave the depot. Take some time to discover what Perth has to offer before beginning your journey.
The Perth Zoo is a favourite amongst visitors, containing over 1,200 native and exotic animals. Here you can discover both local and international animals, making it a day of learning and adventure.
Stay: Discovery Holiday Parks, Perth
Day 2. Perth to Merredin
Depart this morning and head east via the Great Eastern Highway and National Highway 94 to Merredin.
Spend the afternoon at the Merredin Railway Station Museum. Merredin has a rich history as it served as a vital place during the gold rush, as well as an agricultural passageway between Perth and Kalgoorlie. The original railway memorabilia dates back until the late 1800s, so you are transported straight to the past.
During the evening, see an opera or show at the Cummins Theatre. The theatre is one of the oldest buildings in the town, and has been the centre for performances, meetings, and social functions. Previous artists to grace the stage have included AC/DC, Lano & Woodley, and David Helfgott.
Distance: 262 km, 3 hours 2 minutes
Stay: Merredin Tourist Park
Day 3. Merredin to Kalgoorlie
Depart this morning and travel east via National Highway 94 to Kalgoorlie.
Take a tour in the afternoon of the Super Pit, which is Australia’s largest open cut gold mine. The tour takes you into the workspace as you drive past the huge machinery, and witness the old mine shafts from the internal viewing platforms. The tour is full of a rich history of the area, and especially highlighting the story of Kalgoorlie and gold.
In the evening, trek down to the Karlkurla Bushland Park and watch the sun setting over the natural woodlands. It is truly a sight to behold, as you take the opportunity to take photos of the natural landscape.
Distance: 334 km, 3 hours 30 minutes
Stay: Two nights at Discovery Holiday Park, Kalgoorlie
Day 4. Kalgoorlie
Make full use of your day in Kalgoorlie, and see as much as you can. Visit the Western Australian Museum – Kalgoorlie-Boulder and uncover the past mining history and stories of the Eastern Goldfields. Mining and Kalgoorlie are one of the same, and it is a fascinating record to learn of how the town began to form.
If you’re a fan of breweries, the Beaten Track brewery is a must-visit destination. Try some locally made beer, and listen to the brewers themselves as they talk about their passion for the liquor and the land around them. They’ll teach you the techniques in how to properly taste-test beer.
Day 5. Kalgoorlie to Balladonia
Depart this morning, and follow the National Highway 1 south via National Route 94 to Fraser Range.
Balladonia is a small community of nine people and a popular place for travellers to stop before tackling the 90 Mile Straight, between Balladonia and Caiguna, which is Australia’s longest straight road at 146.6 km.
Within the Balladonia complex, there is a small museum, which details the early pioneering days of the town to the crash landing of the Skylab space station. Or enjoy exchanging stories with other passing travellers.
Distance: 376 km, 3 hours 52 minutes
Stay: Balladonia Hotel Motel
Day 6. Balladonia to Cocklebiddy
Depart this morning and embark upon the 90 Mile Straight, also known as the National Highway 1 to Cocklebiddy.
Use this time to relax in a truly authentic country town. If you’re looking for activities to do, the Eyre Bird Observatory is 50 kilometres southeast of Cocklebiddy. You can take a guided tour of the facility and participate in some bird watching.
If you are an experienced and highly organised cave aficionado, you can visit the Cocklebiddy Cave, one of the largest cave systems in the world. However, you must watch out for snakes, and the caves can be extremely dangerous to the inexperienced.
Distance: 246 km, 2 hours 28 minutes
Stay: Wedgetail Inn Caravan Park
Day 7. Cocklebiddy to Border Village
Depart this morning and head east along National Highway 1. You will leave Western Australia and cross into South Australia.
Take some time to relax from all the driving of the trip, and enjoy the serenity of Border Village. Take photos with the “Big Roo”, a giant statue of a kangaroo, which is an icon of the town.
Plan your trip for the next day as the drive between Border Village and the Nullarbor Roadhouse boast some of the best lookouts to see the cliffs that surround the Great Australian Bight. Some of the cliffs are very high, and are not for the faint-hearted.
Distance: 285 km, 2 hours 56 minutes
Stay: Border Village Roadhouse
Day 8. Border Village to Nullarbor Roadhouse
Depart this morning and head east along the National Highway A1.
Twenty kilometres east of the Nullarbor Roadhouse, you can find the head of the Australian Bight. If you are here between June and October, this is the best place to view the Southern Right Whales, which come to the coastline to breed and give birth to whale calves. Nonetheless, it is a beautiful piece of scenery and a tribute to the great natural landscapes of Australia.
Distance: 209 km, 2 hours 10 minutes
Stay: Nullarbor Roadhouse
Day 9. Nullarbor Roadhouse to Ceduna
Depart this morning and head east on the National Highway A1.
Take a tour to the Maralinga Atomic Testing grounds, a site where they used to test British nuclear bombs. The area was tested and cleaned up in 2000, leaving it safe to visit the grounds. They tested seven nuclear weapons in the 1950s, proving to be a dark history for the people of this area.
In the evening, watch the sunset over the Ceduna Jetty, and enjoy the natural landscape and vibrant colours in the sky, something that cannot be experienced in the city. The jetty is long and calming, perfect for walk after dinner next to the quiet ocean.
Distance: 295 km, 3 hours 3 minutes
Stay: BIG4 Ceduna Tourist Park
Day 10. Ceduna to Wudinna
Depart this morning and continue along the National Highway A1.
Be sure to visit the Mount Wudinna Recreation Reserve, and enjoy a barbeque and a bushwalk. Climb to the top of Mount Wudinna, which is Australia’s largest monolith after Uluru. However, it is only 260 metres and a totally achievable climb for a magnificent view.
If you’re not up for a climb, it is a great place to stop for a couple of hours to stretch the legs and have some fresh air.
Distance: 210 km, 2 hours 10 minutes
Stay: Gawler Ranges Motel and Caravan Park
Day 11. Wudinna to Port Augusta
Depart this morning and head east on the National Highway A1, following the signs to Port Augusta/ Adelaide.
Visit the Australian Arid Lands Botanic Gardens and discover the plants and animals that are able to survive Australia’s toughest conditions. Explore the vivid red sand dunes, woodlands, and vast saltbush plains and even enjoy mountain views from the top of the red cliff tops. After all of this, you can sit back and enjoy the information centre and have afternoon tea.
Distance: 247 km, 2 hours 31 minutes
Stay: Two Nights at Port Augusta BIG4 Holiday Park
Day 12. Port Augusta
In the morning, check out the Wadlata Outback Centre. Known as the “Tunnel of Time”. The centre takes you back to the beginning, where the dinosaurs would roam the land. From here, you will learn the traditional stories of the Dreamtime and how the lands around you formed. The tunnel takes you to when the Flying Doctors and School of the Air was established, and into present day. It is one not to miss.
Spend the afternoon immersing yourself in the cultural works of the area at the Port Augusta Cultural Centre – Yarta Purtli. Enjoy the gallery spaces and see artworks from both local and interstate artists. Watch a show in the Institute Theatre and experience the artistic talent present in Port Augusta.
Day 13. Port Augusta to Adelaide
Depart this morning and follow the National Highway A1 to the Princes Highway.
You have now finally arrived in Adelaide, the capital city of South Australia. Adelaide offers something for everybody, whether that be arts, culture, sport or adventure, you will not be disappointed.
Adelaide is home to many festivals, including the very popular Fringe Festivals, so check out what is on offer when you arrive. As well as the festivals, there are plenty of opportunities to go fishing, visit museums, try local produce or just relax in the city.
When dropping off your campervan allow 60 minutes.
Distance: 307 km, 3 hours 22 minutes
Stay: Adelaide Caravan Park
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DriveNow's suggested itineraries are made available to assist travellers create and build personalised journey plans. DriveNow does not warrant the accuracy or completeness of these itineraries and they are provided as is and as advisory only.
Special caution and planning should be taken when travelling in remote areas to ensure sufficient provisions, fuel and prescribed medicines are carried.
Weather conditions can make sealed roads impassable particularly during the northern Wet season. All rental vendors in Australia have restrictions on where their vehicles can be taken, therefore it is recommended that you consult with your vehicle provider on your intended journey when collecting your vehicle. Travelling where restrictions are imposed voids all insurance cover.
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