We are considering a trip from Sydney to Perth in our Campervan (see avatar)
The main purpose is to do a few business meetings, and maybe spend a week over there.
I'm looking for some logical stops along the way. Not really a sightseeing trip this time.
I'm happy to be on the road 7-8 hours / day. (Single driver sadly, as the 'chef' does not enjoy driving!
But we both strangely really like being on the road watching the world go by. Not really into sitting out in the camp chairs with a beer/wine. On our various road trips we only every stay somewhere one night, doing a bit of sightseeing along the way maybe, and often pick up a takeaway for dinner.
So looking at the distance, I'm thinking 6-7 days 'should' be manageable each way?
Where would you suggest are good stopping places on the way over?
A cursory look was something like: Nyngan, Broken Hill, Wudinna, Eucla, Norseman, Perth
But some experienced suggestions would be most welcome.
-- Edited by RoboLB on Tuesday 7th of November 2023 05:53:00 PM
-- Edited by RoboLB on Tuesday 7th of November 2023 06:23:53 PM
Robo your timing of 6/7 days each way for a quick trip would be OK - Your biggest problem would be timing the winds, no time to sit and wait for a calm day - a headwind can double your fuel bill and make driving unpleasant. From Hay Plains to WA Border plan on early morning travel.
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Robo your timing of 6/7 days each way for a quick trip would be OK - Your biggest problem would be timing the winds, no time to sit and wait for a calm day - a headwind can double your fuel bill and make driving unpleasant. From Hay Plains to WA Border plan on early morning travel.
Ah good point! Many thanks Possum.
Though hopefully we are fairly aerodynamic. Will be interesting to see though!
Better do some research on this! https://campingaustralia.com.au/blogs/expert-advice/sail-your-caravan-through-the-nullarbor-winds
-- Edited by RoboLB on Tuesday 7th of November 2023 06:28:02 PM
We don't tow. Tailwind vs headwind for our car is 7.8 vs 12.5L.
The problem with long driving hours day after day is that it does get tiring. Did it at a 2 week pace from Sydney to pick up other half from Perth airport & had breaks.
Driving at 110 is more tiring than 100 kph.
Don't drive dawn, dusk or night, higher risk of hitting wildlife.
Gravel pits are a great place to stop for the night.
In the morning, drive for a period, then have breakfast, you will have your first break.
Even if you like driving, still stop regularly & at least walk around the vehicle half a dozen times, so you don't lock up like work behind a computer.
Keep windscreen clean & a net wire sun shade to wedge in the driver's window across the Nullarbor.
The drive at Sydney end in & out is a pain, so stop that night within easy reach.
Get TPMS, tire repair kit & quality compressor. If you can save a tyre in a remote place, it will save a lot of time & provide a lot of peace of mind.
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Personally I would take the southern route, Pt Augusta-Mildura-Wagga-Sydney, the northern route through Broken Hill-Cobar-Nyngan etc is boring
Highway 1 to Goyder Highway which is just south of Port Pirie to Renmark then the Sturt Highway to it's Junction with the Hume Motorway near Tarcutta, is a non stop run into Sydney by a divided road all way with plenty of roadside stops and services along its route.
Personally I would take the southern route, Pt Augusta-Mildura-Wagga-Sydney, the northern route through Broken Hill-Cobar-Nyngan etc is boring
Highway 1 to Goyder Highway which is just south of Port Pirie to Renmark then the Sturt Highway to it's Junction with the Hume Motorway near Tarcutta, is a non stop run into Sydney by a divided road all way with plenty of roadside stops and services along its route.
If leaving Sydney by same route, there is a well used stop. We live on the Northern Beaches & it takes about 2 hours to get out of Sydney (avoiding toll roads).
I find weekend traffic in Sydney a pain, people seemed to have packed their brains away.
During the week aim to get at least fairly close to your destination before the school run. So about 3pm. Or leave your trip into Sydney till after 7pm. You will sit in traffic & also burn fuel.
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Do you like curry? If so, try to work Kimba into your itinerary. They do excellent curries at the roadhouse there. There's a caravan park right next to the roadhouse (you pay at the roadhouse) so you can overnight there.
We came across from WA in August stayed at Esperance, Balledonia, Eucla, Ceduna, Pt Augusta, Renmark, Hay, Morgan, Forbes, Dubbo then home to Lake Macquarie. We came the southern route from Port Augusta because I did my back and there were more towns to hole up in if we couldnt make it any further. When heading west we always stay at Dubbo our first night as its a pretty easy drive from Lake Macquarie and we can leave a bit later. We then stay at Cobar, Broken Hill, Pt Augusta, Ceduna, Eucla, Balledonia or Norseman where you stay next depends whether you are going straight through to Perth or like us following the coast around its still a fair hike from Nosreman over to Perth (720km). We dont like to drive more than 400km or 500km a day and thats with plenty of rest stops and taking rest days in between the longer legs. Obviously thats not possible in your case because you are in a hurry but spending that many hours sitting in the car every day is going to wear you down especially with only 1 person driving. The more southern route can be a little boring when you cross the Hay plains but once you do there are some nice places that you could stay a night on the way to Port Augusta like Mildura, Renmark, Morgan going the other way once you leave Cobar there isnt much of anything other than Wicannia and Broken Hill. Instead of spending a whole week in Perth stay 2 or 3 days then spend the extra time following the coast to Norseman via Mandurah, Margarret River, Albany and Esperance it would be a condensed trip but a lot more interesting than just heading back the same way you came.
BB
-- Edited by The Belmont Bear on Friday 10th of November 2023 12:20:28 PM
Do you like curry? If so, try to work Kimba into your itinerary. They do excellent curries at the roadhouse there. There's a caravan park right next to the roadhouse (you pay at the roadhouse) so you can overnight there.
Had few there & they are very good. Once when it was about 40°C outside... Spicy food is the best thing to help you feel cooler.
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See if you can fit in a detour to Wave Rock at Hyden - it is just a little bit special.
You also could consider the Norseman-Hyden Road to Wave Rock, about 150km of good dirt. Saves quite a bit of distance, and there is a caravan park at Hyden. Free camp at Norseman, and van park. Only 330km bitumen from Hyden to Perth. Cheers.
We came across from WA in August stayed at Esperance, Balledonia, Eucla, Ceduna, Pt Augusta, Renmark, Hay, Morgan, Forbes, Dubbo then home to Lake Macquarie. We came the southern route from Port Augusta because I did my back and there were more towns to hole up in if we couldnt make it any further. When heading west we always stay at Dubbo our first night as its a pretty easy drive from Lake Macquarie and we can leave a bit later. We then stay at Cobar, Broken Hill, Pt Augusta, Ceduna, Eucla, Balledonia or Norseman where you stay next depends whether you are going straight through to Perth or like us following the coast around its still a fair hike from Nosreman over to Perth (720km). We dont like to drive more than 400km or 500km a day and thats with plenty of rest stops and taking rest days in between the longer legs. Obviously thats not possible in your case because you are in a hurry but spending that many hours sitting in the car every day is going to wear you down especially with only 1 person driving. The more southern route can be a little boring when you cross the Hay plains but once you do there are some nice places that you could stay a night on the way to Port Augusta like Mildura, Renmark, Morgan going the other way once you leave Cobar there isnt much of anything other than Wicannia and Broken Hill. Instead of spending a whole week in Perth stay 2 or 3 days then spend the extra time following the coast to Norseman via Mandurah, Margarret River, Albany and Esperance it would be a condensed trip but a lot more interesting than just heading back the same way you came.
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-- Edited by The Belmont Bear on Friday 10th of November 2023 12:20:28 PM
An alternative when coming back from Perth and following the coast around which you probably wont have the time to appreciate would be from Perth go through Corrigin, to Hyden (Wave Rock). I think some of the way you would be on the Tin Horse Hwy and there are some interesting scuptures to see along that road.. After visiting wave rock head down to the coast at Ravensthorpe then over to Esperance. Stay in Esperence a couple nights and do a drive out to the Cape Le Grande NP and see the famous Lucky Bay, from Esperance head to Balledonia to start your run back across the Nullabor.
Possum we went to wave rock from Ravensthorpe left the van in the CP and took the car for a run. I think it was around 200km each way but it was a pretty good road with zero traffic. Hyden itself was a bit disappointing apparently the tavern was only open a few hours in the evening I think it is catering more for people who stay in the accomodation. When we were there the town only had one small cafe/bakery where you could get aomething to eat it could have been we just happened to pick the wrong day to be there ..Wave rock is definately worth seeing whatever way you use to get there.
The times I've been in Hyden the pub only opens when the shearers roll up. Don't forget to visit "Eddie the Eagle" at the visitor centre while there.
Yes, although I worked in Hyden in 1978 it is not a place I'd recommend staying at, with a quick visit to Wave Rock from a nearby town, like Kondinin, a preferred option.
As you've said the Pub opens only when it suits them, a puncture repair took 10 minutes and cost $50, and the Low-Cost camp is a paddock with a toilet. $20, thankyou very much. There is a cafe, and a couple of grocery shops with severely restricted weekend trading hours.
If you park a bit west of Wave Rock at the picnic ground, one can walk in along the track.
Also if in the area visit Mulka's Cave. We did find the rock formations on the walk above the cave location really worthwhile. In some respects more interesting than Wave Rock.
There is a very large gravel pit in the area, forgot precisely where it is, but at the upper end of the gravel pit you are out the way of anything.
-- Edited by Whenarewethere on Saturday 11th of November 2023 02:35:48 PM
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