2. The Nullarbor Plain is a vast, treeless plain in Southern Australia.
The Nullarbor Plain is 77,000 square miles and stretches 720km. The
name comes from the Latin Nullas and Arbor, meaning ‘no trees’. And it’s true
there are no trees! Only bushes! The sparese vegetation consists of low
saltbush and blue bush scrub.
3. Despite the hardships created by the
nature of the Nullarbor, European settlers
were determined to cross the plain.
Although Edward John Eyre described the
Plain as "a hideous anomaly, a blot on the
face of Nature, the sort of place one gets
into in bad dreams", he became the first
European to successfully make the
crossing in 1841. It took Eyre about 8
months the cross Nullarbor.
This is a map of Eyre’s Expedition.
4. The Nullarbor is a long and
hot drive, and it took us
about 3 days to cross it.
The region averages 200 mm of rain
per year.
5. Some nights on the Nullarbor
can be freezing, the average
night temperatures range from
7°C in winter to 17°C in
summer.
The days can see
temperatures nearing
50°C (even though the
average daily max in
summer is only 25°C!)
6. Camels don't need much and you may well
come across one or the other on your trip.
Another occasionally spotted Nullarbor
resident is the dingo. We did see one but
unfortunately it was dead.
7. There are many different ways for crossing the Nullarbor. Here are a few ‘choices’
That people choose. (We drove!)
The Road:
Across the southernmost part
of the Nullarbor Plain
stretches the longest straight
road in the world. The first
motorcar crossed the
Nullarbor Desert in 1912. The
road is called the Eyre
Highway (named for John
Eyre), and connects Norseman
in Western Australia with Port
Augusta in South Australia, a
distance of 1675 km.
8. By Rail:
The Indian Pacific crosses
the Nullarbor Plain from
Perth to Sydney via
Adelaide, twice weekly in
both directions.
The full journey covers a
distance of 4352 km and
lasts three nights.
By Bicycle:
Yes, you could cycle the Eyre Highway. It
has gained international respect as a
cyclists challenge. Alternatively you can
simply pack your bicycle, plenty of water,
some insect repellent and cycle the
Westall Way ring road (9km south of
Streaky Bay).
9. Running or Walking the
Nullarbor Plain:
A stroll across this great
plain is generally done
to prove something or
highlight a cause – but
it can and has
happened.
This is inside the roadhouse,
They sell all sorts of things, from
Food to suviniours.
10. (When you pass through Kimba you are
half way across Australia). The road house
is along the Eyre Highway in South
Australia.
The road goes on forever….
