8 Great Camping & Rest Areas Across the Nullarbor, Australia

Road trips and camping are fantastic, and crossing the Nullarbor should be part of your bucket list. While you’re driving across the Nullarbor, there is no better feeling than finding free camping sites and great rest areas to take a break during your drive.

Now that the Covid-19 restrictions have lifted, more and more campers have hit the road, and with fuel prices sky-high, they expect more bang for their buck in other areas like accommodation.

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If you are travelling around Australia, the best way is by car. Not only do you get to see more but you will find more hidden gems that the average traveller doesn’t see.

Need A Car?

If you want to book a car, you can try using one of these car rental websites, EconomyBookings.com, DiscoverCars, Expedia or RentalCars.

Need Accommodation?

Try using these accommodation websites to find a comfortable place to sleep after your day exploring, Booking.com, Agoda and Expedia.

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All prices and times were correct when this was written or updated, but please check the websites when you wish to visit.

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Handy Apps

Circumstances do change regularly, so a good app to download is Wikicamps. The link for the Apple app is WikiCamps and Google WikiCamps.

This app will not only let you know where paid and free camping spots are but also rest areas, dump points, drinking water, toilets and a whole lot more. Also, the reviews on each site are very handy to help you plan if you can/will stay or not.

You will only have to pay a one-off payment of less than AUD$10, and you will save so much hassle on your trip.

Another app that’s a must on your road is PetrolSpy. By searching the area you’re in or heading to, you can find the cheapest fuel, whether, diesel or unleaded. This app is free.

Handy Tips

If you are making long trips between fuel stops, I would highly recommend getting Jerry cans to carry extra fuel. This is extremely invaluable crossing the Nullarbor. Fuel can be over .80 cents a litre more on this road than just before you hit it. If travelling east to west, Nundroo is constantly cheaper than anywhere else on this road. The next stop to get reasonably priced fuel will be Norseman in Western Australia.

Wi-fi can sometimes be a bit hit-and-miss. Because of the remoteness of this state, it pays to have one person have Telstra and another Optus. This won’t guarantee that you will have access to wi-fi, but you will have a better chance.

If you have a subscription T.V. service, download some movies and T.V. shows for when you’re out of range. Amazon Prime and Disney + are two that you are able to download onto your device. As long as you don’t have an Apple device, Netflix can also be downloaded.

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General Information

By far, this is the biggest state in Australia. From the hot and humid north to the cold and windy south, the hot and dry outback to the bustling metropolitan city of Perth, Western Australia, has it all, and camping is the way to go.

If you want to see all areas at their best, go by the seasons. In the north, it’s wet in summer but warm and sunny in the winter. In the southwest, summer is the best time to visit, with warm days and less rain to spoil your visit.

The following are the camping and rest areas I’ve used on my travels, and I hope you find them useful. They are also all pet-friendly.

Travelling East to West Camping on the Nullarbor

Old Perlubie School Site

Not technically on the Nullarbor, the Old Perlubie School Site is a large area to pull off the highway.

There are many areas to park under shade and bins are here to put your rubbish in, but there aren’t any toilets, so bring your spade. Dogs are allowed and it’s free.

Where It Is

The Old Perlubie School Site rest area is 25km NW of Poochera. It’s on the left-hand side of the road heading toward Western Australia.

Penong Caravan Park, South Australia

Before heading over to Western Australia, Penong Caravan Park in South Australia is a great place to stop.

It’s a nice, quiet spot with laundry, toilets, showers and a kitchen. The camping spots are also large, with powered and unpowered sites.

Across the road, you will find the Penong Windmill Museum, what’s more, it is free to walk around. Penong is also home to the biggest windmill in Australia.

Where It Is

Penong Caravan Park is at 4 Stiggants Road, Penong, which is right across the road from the Windmill Museum.

Nundroo East Rest Stop for Camping

If you want to save the dollars, then another 42 minutes up the road is the Nundroo East Rest Stop.

This smaller pull-off is available to everyone including camping in tents, although there are no toilets or bins. Always remember to take your rubbish with you.

Where It Is

The Nundroo East Rest stop is 69 km west of Penong or 21 km east of Nundroo off the Highway.

The Nullarbor, South and Western Australia

When you cross the Nullarbor, keep an eye out for the landing zones of the Royal Flying Doctors.

These airborne medics are ready and able to fly to your aid in remote areas like the Nullarbor, as a matter of fact, the National Highway is their landing strip.

Before you cross over the Western Australian border, there are many rest areas to see the Great Australia Bight.

Along with the rest areas, you have great views of the cliffs that the Southern Ocean has eroded away over time. Whales may be seen in the area, especially if you cross at the right time of year (June to October).

You will find many places to stop and see the views along this part of the Nullarbor. Make sure you take a break from the drive.

Where It Is

There are numerous stops along the stretch of road 110 km east of Border Village on the SA/WA border. Three are official scenic lookouts over the Southern Ocean and give good views of the cliffs on the coastline. Only the first stop doesn’t allow dogs as it’s in a National Park, and some are 4WD tracks.

Mundrabilla Roadhouse

The Mundrabilla Roadhouse is worth a mention not for fuel for the car, but for people. Even being so remote, they have good food at reasonable prices and an emu mural on the side of the building.

You also have a Nullarbor Links here. This 18-hole 72-par golf course crosses two states and is said to be the World’s Longest Golf Course.

Where It Is

Mundrabilla Roadhouse is 78 km from Border Village.

Madura Pass Lookout or on Top of the Ridge Camping Site

At the top of the Madura Pass, you will find the entrance to the Madura Pass Lookout, or as it’s also known, the Top of the Ridge Camping site.

You can find a place to park overlooking the plains toward the Southern Ocean. From here you can enjoy the moonrise and sunrise weather permitting.

This free camp has no toilets, so you must be self-contained, but there are plenty of bins available and camping in tents is allowed, or use it as a rest area.

Where It Is

Madura Pass Lookout or On Top of the Ridge Camping Spot is 195 km west of Border Village or 529 km east of Norseman.

Caiguna Blowhole Camping and Rest Area

Located at the start of the 90 Mile Straight, the Caiguna blowhole is not only a good place to stop for the night, but also for a break. See the blowhole, part of a limestone cave system that “breathes” with the wind, before you start the long straight road.

Once you enter, there is a huge expansive area where you can find a nice private, shady spot well off the road.

Camping in tents is allowed, although there are no toilets and the bin is near the blowhole, at the entrance.

Where It Is

From Caiguna, it’s only 5 km west to the Blowhole, or 367 km east of Norseman.

The signage for the entrance of the Blowhole rest area is right where you turn off. Going eastwards, you do get a bit of a warning it’s approaching.

From here, you travel down the 90-mile straight and into Norseman 367 km away

Balladonia

Balladonia Roadhouse has good food and a caravan and motel to rest at. If you have a van, you may be able to stop in front of the roadhouse (between the trucks and the highway). Just ask.

Where It Is

Balladonia Roadhouse is less than 2 hours (191 km) from Norseman.

Conclusion

I hope that you get to enjoy this extraordinary road that is the Nullarbor and the camping and rest areas that are on it. It is one of the great drives in the world that everyone should do at least once.

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Links

If you’d like to read more of my blogs on Australia, you can find them on the following links; Queensland, South Australia, New South Wales, Victoria, Camping and Silo Art, or if you’re after New Zealand, the United Kingdom or Photography, you can click on their links.

Travel Resources

• Flights, Accommodation & Car Hire – You can search for the cheapest flights and accommodation using Booking.com, Skyscanner, Hopper and WayAway, which has 5% cashback.
• Car Hire – Take to the open road with great deals from EconomyBookings.com, RentalCars.com and DiscoverCars.
• Train & Bus Tickets UK & Europe – Use Trainline to plan and book your rail and train travel in the UK and Europe.
• Travel Insurance – is your number one thing to pack when you’re travelling. Cover-More Australia, Cover-More New Zealand, EKTA, Travel Insurance Master and Insubuy are invaluable in keeping you insured during your travels.
• Attractions – buy before you leave home with these great sites, Big Bus Tour, Get Your Guide, GoCity and Viator.
• House Sitting – is a great way to save on accommodation and Trusted Housesitters has house sits all around the world for you to try.
• Photo Editing – is a great way to bring your photos to life and you can try Luminar Neo, which I use.
• Visa Applications – apply online for your visa requirements with iVisa.
• Sim cards – Try Airalo is the world’s first eSIM store that solves the pain of high roaming bills by giving travellers access to eSIMs (digital SIM cards).

If you want more, try my Travel Links and Resource page.

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