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Exploration and the Nullarbor SIG Trip/Activities RegisterAre you heading off to the Nullarbor to do some caving and/or research? Would you like to know who is already out there, or is planning to go so you can pick their brains or meet up with them? Do you already have a trip planned, but would like more members to join? Would you like to know who has been out there in the last few years so you can ask them some questions? This is where the Nullarbor Activities Register comes in!![]() Please note that your newly added trip/activity may take 24-48 hours to appear on the registry list. If you are a Nullarbor SIG member, please login to view the triplist database (you will be asked for a username and password - please email asf.caves.nsig@gmail.com if you have not been given this information). Planning a Nullarbor ExpeditionHeading out to the Nullarbor - even if you just stick to the one main road - is a serious undertaking. It is a vast, arid area which is sparsely populated and has extremely limited resources available to the public. All food and water needs to be brought in from elsewhere. There are very few places to buy fuel, water and food along the way and those few places that exist are very expensive. If you are crossing state lines you will also need to be aware of import restrictions for fruit and vegetables. If heading away from the main road (as most expeditions do!), we strongly recommend you hire a satellite phone if you don't own one. For more information about what is needed in the Nullarbor and advice on planning and equipment, please have a look at the information below.
Border Quarantine Considerations
If
you are travelling to the Nullarbor from the east, you will pass
through a WA Quarantine Station at the WA border where you will be
required to surrender any 'quarantine-risk material'. Your vehicle
may be searched and you will at least have to show the Quarantine
Officer the contents of your fridge at a minimum. Please refer to https://www.agric.wa.gov.au/exporting-western-australia/quarantine-information-private-travellers for
further information. There is very little food (apart from snacks
and take-away) that can be bought from Roadhouses along the
Nullarbor.
Weather Implications
The Nullarbor is a region of great variability in weather. Whilst it
is generally hot and dry in summer, low fronts can bring severe rain
storms dumping large amounts of rain in a short period of time. This
has implications for flooding, impacting on being able to travel on
tracks as well as safety implications for caves prone to flooding.
Winter is usually much colder with overnight temperatures reaching
freezing point at times.
Tracks
Many tracks marked on maps are overgrown and no longer visible,
whilst on the other hand new tracks not recorded on maps have been
made. Always make sure you have a GPS and check locations if at all
unsure. It is highly recommended not to drive on flooded tracks as
the potential for bogging and serious damage to the track is great.
Most station owners/managers will not give permission to travel on
their stations if severe weather is forecast. Always check
beforehand. 4WD vehicles with good clearance are recommended as
tracks can get quite rough. Whilst 2WD vehicles with good clearance
will get you some places, you will have to wait until tracks are
completely dry to drive if there is any rain. Caravans and camper
trailers are not recommended beyond well maintained tracks.
Terrain
The Nullarbor is primarily made up of ranges of low ridges and
swales, with some anomalies. There are
sections of lightly wooded areas on top of ridges and large areas of
low scrub on the clay pans (swales) in between. This
scrub
constitutes the grey-green saltbush and the
blue-green bluebush. Bluebush is very slow growing and hence has
an extremely dense branching system. Driving over bluebush will
greatly increase the chance of destroying your tyres and is to be
avoided at all costs. Across the ridges and in some of the swales,
there are hard, sharp limestone rocks which can be hidden in the
scrub. It is safest to stick to tracks where possible. It is also
recommended each vehicle take at least two spare tyres, a puncture
repair kit, and a good quality air compressor to reinflate tyres
after any punctures.
Water
There is no water available to the public on the Nullarbor. All
water must be brought in. It is recommended to allow 3-4L per person
per day for drinking, cooking and washing purposes. Applying for Permits and Access to PropertiesThe Nullarbor SIG can help you plan your next trip and put you in contact with the right people. Please email asf.caves.nsig@gmail.com for help with how to get started. Planning should start at least 6 months in advance, so please don't put off contacting landowners or arranging permits until the last minute. We hope to have this information available for SIG members soon via a login on this website.Cave Diving on the Nullarbor PlainOn the surface it appears to be an arid desert, and yet Nullarbor has some of the most spectacular cave dives in Australia. Even more than a dry caving expedition, the logistics of a Nullarbor diving trip can approach epic proportions. ASF clubs and members have been exploring the underwater caverns of the Nullarbor for decades and have extensive experience in planning diving trips to this remote area. Please visit the Cave Diving Commission of the ASF for more information.
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