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. 

Most caving groups have at least 1 fridge and regular Nullarbor travellers will each have a fridge in their 4WD vehicles. If you cannot afford 2 fridges or a freezer/fridge combo, we recommend you put your fridge unit in freezer mode, and have a separate esky for use as a fridge. Bottles of water can be frozen and swapped out to use as cold bricks in the 'fridge'. In this way leftover food, cold meats and cheeses can avoid being frozen solid.

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. 


Typical tyre-destroying Nullarbor vegetation

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. Tinned food can be helpful in this regard, in spite of the extra weight, for it contains its own cooking liquid. A good supply of wet wipes can be helpful for wiping dusty hands and utensils.

Applying for Permits and Access to Properties