Driving Across the Nullabor - 7 to 11 August 2012 - Cocklebiddy, Nullabor, Streaky Bay

KALGOOLIE TO COCKLEBIDDY - 7 AUGUST 2012 - 572KM

We left Kalgoolie for our trip across the Nullabor intending to spent the night at Balladonia Roadhouse caravan park, but made good time driving the Eyre Highway and arrived about 12.30pm, so decided to drive another 200km to Cocklebiddy.  Part of the drive was Australia's longest straight road - 145.6km of Eyre Highway.

Cocklebiddy Wedgetail Inn caravan park ($25 power) had no water connected to the sites.  We still had drinking water in our tank so this wasn't a problem.  We were given a token each which covered a 10 minute hot shower which incidentally worked very well.
 
We could get 3 channels on TV but no mobile or internet. All the caravan sites were drive through so we didnt have to unhook the car.

COCKLEBIDDY TO NULLABOR - 8 AUGUST 2012 - 465KM

Our drive to Nullabor took us through a change of scenery,  from green bush to very flat scrub where you can see for miles. The ocean was also in view at lots of places.  There was lots of roadkill, mainly kangaroos but we saw our first dead camel by the side of the road.  Several sections of the road are set out and marked for the Flying Doctor so that the aircraft can land there when there is no airstrip nearby.We stopped at Eucla for lunch. 

As we were to cross the WA/SA border at Border Village Quarantine Station,  we expected to be stopped and so ate all our leftover fruit so it wouldn't be confiscated. We needn't have bothered as this particular quarantine station only stopped vehicles going into WA - not coming out!!!  Apparently there is another  quarantine station just before Ceduna and we will be checked there.

We checked into Nullabor Hotel/Motel/Caravan Park ($27 power - no water again).  Luckily we still have drinking water in our van tank.  Showers here ar $1 for 5 minutes. As most  roadhouses, this.one has a restaurant, bar and petrol station.   Not impressed with this caravan park.  The showers and toilets are part of the roadhouse and right at the front of the building next to the bar on the main highway. The doors are never locked and anyone can use them. It is a popular stop for road trains. I felt a bit uncomfortable walking from the caravan park to them in my flannelette p.j.'s!!!  We can get TV reception, but no mobile or internet coverage We are just overnighting again and we dont  have to unhook the car.

NULLABOR TO STREAKY BAY - 9, 10, 11 AUGUST - 408KM

After leaving the Roadhouse our first stop was Head of Bight, a premier whale watching area on the Bunda Cliffs of the Nullabor.  It is very well set up with the boardwalks taking you right to the cliffs at the edge of the water.  There was at lease 20 Southern Right Whales swimming close to the cliffs, some with babies.  We were fortunate to see a small white baby whale swimming close to its mother who was the normal dark colour.  It was well worth the 12km detour to see them.

Driving from Head of Bight along the Eyre Highway the roadkill changed to a dead camel and several wambats.  After stopping at a roadside rest area for lunch we checked into Streaky Bay caravan park ($28 power & water).  Streaky Bay is a very attractive small coastal town and the caravan park is right on the beach.  The caravan sites are large and the amenities buildings excellent.
It also has a very good cafe.  Our site is only about 50 metres from the water so we had happy hour whilst enjoying the water views, and took advantage of the cafe to order a takeaway dinner.  We are having beautifull sunny days, but very cold nights.

The next day we walked to town for a few groceries and to purchase a small heater for the van.  In the afternoon we took a good hard walk along the beach to get some exercise.  We walked up to the local pub that night for a few drinks and an excellent meal. It is a lovely old pub built in the late 1800's  and has been modernised in keeping with its history.

On our last day we enjoyed a lazy day, walking out to the town jetty and ordering oysters kilpatrick from the caravann park cafe for dinner (yumm).

Tomorrow we drive to Coffin Bay.

Cheers
Rhonda (Sam) & Pete