Experience one of Australia’s most iconic cross-country journeys from Adelaide to Perth, crossing the vast Nullarbor Plain. This guide covers the legendary Eyre Highway drive, with highlights including the dramatic Bunda Cliffs along the Great Australian Bight, the longest straight road in Australia, and remote back outback roadhouses. This guide includes everything you need to craft your perfect road trip such as a practical day-by-day itinerary, distances, and smart tips for campsites and seasons.
Estimated trip length: 10-14 days • Total distance: ~2,700-3,000 km return • Best time: April-October (cooler temperatures, safer driving conditions)
Nullarbor Plain Road Trip Highlights
- Crossing the vast Nullarbor Plain
- Driving Australia’s longest straight road (90 mile straight)
- Coastal views at the Bunda Cliffs along the Great Australian Bight
- Wildlife spotting such as kangaroos, camels and wombats
- Visit Lucky Bay: world’s best beach in 2023
Nullarbor Plain Road Trip Route Overview
Direction: Westbound from Adelaide to Perth via the Eyre Highway (A1). Expect long driving ways, remote stretches, and limited service between roadhouses.
Approximate segment distances & driving times:
- Adelaide → Port Lincoln (via Eyre Peninsula): ~650 km / 7–8 hrs
- Port Lincoln → Ceduna: ~400 km / 4–5 hrs
- Ceduna → Border Village (Nullarbor): ~480 km / 5 hrs
- Border Village → Eucla → Norseman: ~700 km / 7–8 hrs
- Norseman → Esperance (optional detour): ~200 km / 2 hrs
- Norseman → Perth: ~720 km / 7–8 hrs
12-Day Adelaide to Perth Campervan Itinerary
Day 1: Adelaide → Port Lincoln (Eyre Peninsula)
Start your journey with a long but scenic drive onto the Eyre Peninsula. Small towns will break up the distance, Port Augusta is a good stop for some food and fuel. As you approach Port Lincoln, you’ll have amazing coastal views as reward for this first drive of your adventure. Overnight in Port Lincoln.
Day 2: Explore the coast at Port Lincoln
Port Lincoln is known as Australia’s seafood capital. Use this day to explore this city and the Lincoln National Park. You can do some short walks or relax at the beach. Finish your day with some fresh fish & chips at one of the local seafood spots. Optional: cage diving with great white sharks or swimming with sea lions.
Day 3: Port Lincoln → Ceduna
Head north along the west coast of the Eyre Peninsula toward Ceduna. Ceduna is your last major town before the Nullarbor crossing. Stock up on food, fuel, and water. Overnight in Ceduna.
Day 4: Ceduna → Nullarbor
Your real outback journey begins today entering the Nullarbor Plain. You’ll drive on long, open roads with very little traffic. Take short detours to coastal lookouts along the Great Australian Bight and stop at roadhouses along the way. Overnight at the Nullarbor Roadhouse or nearby free camps.
Day 5: Nullarbor – Bunda Cliffs Region
This is possibly one of the most scenic days of your trip. Drive along dramatic cliffs and endless straight roads. Stop at multiple lookouts along the Bunda Cliffs and enjoy the stunning views. Plan your overnight stay at a roadhouse or free camp well, so you can experience the incredible sunset.
Day 6: Nullarbor → Border Village / Eucla
Continue west and cross into Western Australia. Visit Eucla and see the old telegraph station partially buried in sand dunes. You can stay the night in Border Village or Eucla. Border Village offers more facilities, but Eucla is more unique.
Day 7: Border Village → Norseman
Today will be a long but classic outback driving day. You will drive on Australia’s longest straight road (90 Mile Straight) and complete the Nullarbor crossing. Enjoy the classic outback scenery and overnight in Norseman, home of Australia’s longest continuously operating gold mine.
Day 8: Norseman → Esperance (Optional Detour)
Head south to Esperance for a major change in scenery. No long roads, but some of Australia’s best beaches. You will see turquoise water, white sand beaches and a relaxed coastal vibe. Overnight in Esperance.
Day 9: Esperance — Relax and explore
Use this day to relax and explore the beautiful area around Esperance. Spend the day in Cape Le Grand National park. Swim and sit back at Lucky Bay where you can find kangaroos on white sand beaches, hike Frenchman Peak and explore Hellfire Bay and Thistle Cove.
Day 10: Esperance → Hyden (Wave Rock)
Head back inland toward Wave Rock. This natural rock formation is very unique and perfect for taking beautiful photos. Walk along the rock formation or explore nearby trails. Overnight in Hyden.
Day 11: Hyden → Perth
Continue west through rural landscapes toward Perth. This is the final stretch before arriving in the city. Stop in rural towns for small breaks or consider one of the worthwhile detours depending on your time and energy. You will end your trip in Perth, return your campervan or find a nice last place to stay overnight.
Day 12: Perth
Relax after the long journey. Go for some Perth city sightseeing, visit beaches like Cottesloe or go on a Rottnest Island day trip.
You can always add more resting days in case you have more time to explore this area. There are a lot of hikes along this route or you can spend more time at the beaches of Exmouth.
8-10 Day Express Option
If you are short on time, you can compress this trip to a 8-10 day journey. Those driving days will be long, but you’ll perfectly experience the outback landscapes. On the remaining days, you can add rest stops or take the Esperance detour.
- Day 1: Adelaide → Ceduna
- Day 2: Ceduna → Nullarbor
- Day 3: Nullarbor → Border Village
- Day 4: Border Village → Norseman
- Day 5: Norseman → Perth
Camping, Parks & Facilities
- Roadhouses every 200-300 km for fuel, food and accommodation.
- Free camping widely available along the Nullarbor.
- Cape Le Grand has basic facilities; book early in peak season.
- Powered vs unpowered: Choose powered sites for extended stays to keep fridges and devices running. There are limited powered sites, so plan ahead.
When to Go & Safety Notes
- Best weather: April-October to avoid extreme heat.
- Wildlife: Kangaroos are common on roads at dawn/dusk. Avoid driving at night and during dawn/dusk.
- Distance planning: Fuel up at every opportunity and stock up your food in Ceduna before the Nullarbor. Carry extra water per person during this trip.
- Fire restrictions: Observe local fire bans in summer months.
- Mobile signal can be very limited in these areas – download offline maps.
What to Pack?
- Light clothing and a warm layer (coastal winds can be chilly)
- Sun protection: hat, sunglasses, SPF 50+
- Insect repellent, first-aid kit, personal medication
- Reusable water bottles and extra drinking water for remote areas
- Comfortable shoes for hikes and thongs/water shoes for beaches
- Food supplies for remote areas
- Camera for wildlife and landscapes
Quick FAQs
How many days do I need from Perth to Esperance?
8-12 days allows time to cross the Nullarbor Plain and explore the Eyre Peninsula with an option to include Esperance. The more days, the more stops you can make to relax or go on a hike.
Is the drive suitable for first-time campervan travellers?
Yes. The Nullarbor crossing is fully sealed and well-maintained. Note that the distances are long so planning the fuel stops is very important.
Do I need a 4WD?
No, all roads are accessible by campervan.
What wildlife can I expect to see?
Kangaroos, camels, wombats, and emus are common – especially near sunrise and sunset. Be careful when driving and reduce speed in low light.
Plan & Book Your Campervan
Ready to roll? Use our Campervan Finder to compare campervans, motorhomes and 4WD campers from 100+ brands across Australia. Check availability for your Perth to Esperance dates and lock in the best price today.