Revisiting 2017 trip to Western Australia

Day 6 Nullarbor

After visiting the Whale Centre we filled up with fuel at Nullarbor Roadhouse ULP $1.79 cpl.  Wish we were able to travel now as it would make a big difference to our fuel cost, we spent $117.12 for fuel there, we also had a head wind so that didn't help either.  Distance from Adelaide to Nullarbor is 1,182 km.

Head of the Bight is a bay located in South Australia at the most northern extent of the Great Australian Bight.

The Nullarbor Roadhouse has a Motel attached and also a large caravan park.  On our previous trip we stayed a couple of nights in the caravan park as we met friends there and did the whale watching, but on this trip we bought fuel and had a look at a few interesting displays there.

Kondole is the aboriginal name given to the Southern Right Whale off the coastal waters of South Australia

Fuel stop at Nullarbor  Roadhouse

Panoramic view of Nullarbor

Nullarbor

As you can see, there is not a lot at Nullarbor but it is an important stop for fuel and accommodation. When we wandered around we were surprised to find a few interesting displays.

We found this in an old shed, not sure about the menu though!

These signs indicate the animals to be aware of, but we have done a few trips across and have not seen any of them, but that doesn't mean they are not there, but we don't travel after about 4 pm.  I think if we travelled at night we would probably see them.

This was the old roadhouse, the new one is much bigger and better

Look at the warning sign on the petrol pump

 Bunda Lookout #4

Along the way there were several lookouts to view the cliffs from, so we drove into Bunda Lookout for some photos.

And there were people walking along the cliff edge!

A sad reminder

A long distance shot  of our caravan from the lookout

The views are spectacular

The lines on the road indicate an emergency Royal Flying Doctor Service  airstrip

We continued on and decided to find a spot to stay for the night as the sky was getting darker and threatening a storm so we wanted to hunker down before the storm hit.  We found a Rest Area at the 81K PEG which was a large area and there were already a few vans scattered around in the low scrub and so we put the van legs down and waited for the storm.  Around 6 pm the rain came, then lightning and thunder.  It was quite spectacular for about 15 minutes.  We went outside to see how the other campers were and everyone else came out of their vans to make sure there was no damage or if we could help in any way, but luckily everyone was ok, but I was happy that we weren't in a tent.

Storm on the way

We survived the storm

 I do love sunsets, even better after a storm!

Day 7

Next morning we left after breakfast and stopped at Bunda Lookout #3 for some more spectacular views.

As you can see by my wild windswept hair it was very windy!

!

Ron's hairstyle is better in the wind !

A good walkway to the viewing area

 SA/WA Border

Our next stop was Border Village where we stopped for the Quarantine check.  As we were travelling west from South Australia we are not allowed to bring in certain foods and there is an inspection to make sure we don't bring in pest, weeds etc.  The Quarantine Officers check the caravan for food that is not permitted, mainly fresh fruit and vegetables.  We have been through here before so we made sure we had used up most of the fresh food and then disposed of the remaining food in the bins provided prior to the check point.  There are quite large fines for bringing food across the border.

Rooey - the Big Kangaroo at Border Village

After leaving Border Village we headed to Mundrabilla.  We stopped there for fuel and ice creams.  We like to spend a little extra at these stops as they provide such a great service to travellers on the road and it's nice to have a chat to the staff too.

   More road signs and according to my diary there was a lot of roadkill, no live animals, but a lot of crows eating the roadkill.  We had to keep our windows up as the smell from the roadkill was awful.

Madura Pass

 From Madura Pass we headed to Cocklebiddy and Caiguna.    Caiguna is the beginning of the longest straight road, the "90 mile straight".
  146.6 km  is Australia's longest straight road and one of the longest in the world.

90 mile straight

We kept driving as we had gained another 3/4 hour due to the time difference but we were also wanting to get to Esperence the next day so it was good to have the extra time.  We arrived at the Baxter Rest Area and decided to stay there for the night as there were a couple of other vans and it was a large area with some shade.

Baxter Rest Area

Baxter Rest Area

Baxter Rest Area