SA Border to Balladonia

The terrain profiles were kindly supplied by Mark Carrington from his west - east ride and are © 2006 Mark Carrington - All rights reserved.

The Nullarbor road is Highway 1 and crosses the Nullarbor Plain. It has no services except at roadhouses. Along the highway there are also markings on the road for aircraft to land. It's usually the Royal Flying Doctor Service aircraft that land on the road.

The distances between roadhouses from the border to Balladonia are:

• Bordertown to Eucla : 14 kms
• Eucla to Mundrabilla : 66 kms
• Mundrabilla to Madura : 117 kms
• Madura to Cocklebiddy : 92 kms
• Cocklebiddy to Caiguna : 64 kms
• Caiguna to Balladonia : 183 kms

Hide/Show Map

There are no mobile phone services, and at most roadhouses there are public telephone boxes. Most roadhouses also have a motel and caravan park, however don't expect a grassed camping area, as water is very limited. Some maps show public water tanks along the road, but it is not a good idea to rely on these as they may be empty.

Most roadhouses have a sign stating "Do not ask for water as refusal may offend!". Be prepared to have to purchase water at the roadhouses. There is also no electricity, and most roadhouses are powered by their own diesel generators.

While the Nullarbor Plain is flat, the road does undulate a little. The wind is wholly dependant on weather systems moving from west to east. In winter, you may also have ice on your tent if camping overnight. In summer, the temperature in the day can get very hot. In the photo below, the temperature at the time was 47 degrees celsius. The camera failed to work after this until it cooled down.

At the time of taking this photograph it was 47 degrees Celsius.

There are plenty of sights to see along this ride as the road passes along the Great Australian Bight. There are also limestone caves and other sights. There is also quite a lot of wildlife, including camels.

Even camels abound.

The road is bitumen all the way, and at some times of the year road works may be undertaken in certain areas. Some times there are detours around the roadworks. Road trains use the road in both directions so be aware of them and the effect that one passing you will have on your bike.

At Caiguna if travelling west, you will need to set your watch back 45 minutes. If going east, sorry but you lose 45 minutes.

Terrain Profile from South Australia to Eucla.

The border with South Australia is located at Bordertown. There is a roadhouse on the South Australian side of the border. The fruit inspection point is here for vehicles that are heading west, so once you are over the border, put a sign on the front of your bike stating "We'll eat your fruit and Veges".

Eucla is 14 kms from the border. At Eucla there is a roadhouse, and for sight seeing, there is the old telegraph station.

Terrain Profile Madura to Eucla.

After leaving Eucla, there is a ride down Eucla Pass, and then it is onto Mundrabilla. There is a roadhouse at Mundrabilla, and then the next one is at Madura. After leaving Madura, it's an uphill climb to go up Madura Pass, and back onto the plateau. If heading east, when coming down Madura Pass, don't go too fast, or you will miss the turn off into Madura roadhouse.

Terrain Profile - Caiguna to Madura.

The next roadhouse after Madura is Cocklebiddy, and then Caiguna Roadhouse.

Terrain Profile to Caiguna.

Just after Caiguna roadhouse is the start of the 90 mile straight. This road runs dead straight for 90 miles. It is Australia's straightest road, and is 146.6 kms of dead straight road. Be careful in the late afternoon, because at certain times of the year the sun sets directly where the road is pointing. When driving a vehicle into the setting sun the driver may not see you.

Terrain Profile - Newman to Balladonia.

About 25 kms after the end of the 90 mile straight, is Balladonia Roadhouse. From here there are two routes to choose from, but that is the next stage.

Additional Resources

• lunky.com - Between February 2002 and July 2003 Craig circumnavigated 12,600 miles around the Australian continent on his bicycle, or push bike as they say here.
• Flamin' Saddles - At Flamin' Saddles, you will find a personal experience of circumnavigating Australia on a tandem. It may sound twee - a young married couple on a bicycle made for two, possibly even wearing matching jerseys whilst we mutate into one saccharin enriched being. This 17,000km journey will last approximately 11 months, where at times we may have to peddle ten to the dozen in order to reach water, forms of life, or a dunny.
• Nullarbor to Shepparton Crossing the Nullarbor and back to Shepparton in Victoria.
• OzByBike - 30,000 kms in Australia promoting sustainable transport. (Touring with a garden gnome)
• The Cycling Adventurer - Perth to Adelaide.

Next Part

The next leg of the route is Balladonia to Norseman.