Eucla

Eucla History and the Old Telegraph Station

Eucla is situated some 12 km west of the South Australian border and the name is said to have originated from the Mirning aboriginal word meaning bright.

Eucla was established in 1877 as a manual repeater station for the Overland Telegraph. A jetty and 1km tram line was constructed for offloading supplies to this remote area. At the time both the South and Western Australian colonial administrations operated out of Eucla's telegraph station. The two colonies used different versions of Morse code, so messages passing through Eucla were converted from one code to the other by hand. Today Western Australian and South Australian rivalries appear to be largely confined to the football field. Come on Port Power!

'Eucla' in Morse Code -> . ..- -.-..-...-

Originally, Eucla's "Delisser Sandhills" were considerably smaller than today. In the 1890's a rabbit plague passed through the area eating dune vegetation which caused large sand drifts that repeatedly covered and uncovered the telegraph station. Today the telegraph station remains in ruin and the area is reportedly haunted by a ghost.

Eucla Telegraph Station

Eucla Accommodation and Travel Facilities

Eucla provides the traveler with all their basic needs. Just off the Eyre Highway lies the Eucla Motel, with a caravan park with powered and unpowered sites, a licensed restaurant open nightly, a pub with a beer garden, and a swimming pool. The Eucla Motel is very much the hub of a small settlement that caters to the needs of passing travellers. Its roadhouse is open from 7 am to 7 pm and reception from 6.30 am to 8 pm, and fuel is available 24 hours from a self-serve facility. These times are in Eucla's own Central Western time - see Nullarbor time zones.  For the traveler Eucla may well provide an ideal overnight scenic stopover.

Prices and rates change often out here, so we no longer list them on this page — please phone ahead for current rates. Spotted something out of date? Let us know.

Please note Eucla does not have on-site caravans for hire. For further information contact the Eucla Motel on (08) 9039 3468.

Things to See at Eucla

Old Telegraph Station ruins. The stone ruins of the 1877 telegraph station sit among the Delisser Sandhills below the escarpment. Drifting sand forced the old settlement to be abandoned, and today's Eucla was built about 4 km north, up on the escarpment. To reach the ruins, take the signposted gravel road beside the caravan park - it's about 4 km. Don't drive into the dunes: the sand is soft and shifting and it's easy to get bogged.

Old jetty and beach. From the ruins you can walk over the dunes to the beach and the remains of the old jetty, built to land supplies that came in by sea.

The Great Australian Bight. Eucla is the only place on the WA side of the Eyre Highway with a direct view of the Bight.

Museum. The Eucla Motel has a small museum on early life on the Nullarbor, including pioneer headstones and plaques that were moved when the sand dunes crept over their graves.

Eucla time. Eucla runs on Central Western time, 45 minutes ahead of Perth (UTC+8:45). It isn't an official time zone, but the roadhouses from Cocklebiddy to Border Village all use it, and there's no daylight saving. See Nullarbor time zones.

 

Old Telegraph station

Eucla's now derelict jetty

20,000 kilometres from home!

Eucla: common questions

Is fuel available 24 hours at Eucla?

Yes - fuel is available 24 hours from a self-serve facility. The roadhouse is open 7 am to 7 pm and reception 6.30 am to 8 pm, in Eucla's own Central Western time (see Nullarbor time zones).

Does Eucla have a caravan park?

Yes - the Eucla Motel's caravan park has powered and unpowered sites, is RV-friendly and pet-friendly. Bookings aren't required for the caravan park - just check in at the motel when you arrive. There are no on-site caravans for hire.

What accommodation is there at Eucla?

The Eucla Motel has deluxe rooms, executive suites, standard rooms and pet-friendly rooms, plus a licensed restaurant open nightly, a pub and a pool. Phone (08) 9039 3468 or text 0439 253 517, or see euclastay.com.au.

Can I bring my dog to Eucla?

Yes - the caravan park is pet-friendly and the motel has pet-friendly rooms.

How much does it cost to stay at Eucla?

We don't list prices because they change often. Phone (08) 9039 3468 for current rates.

Where is Eucla?

On the Eyre Highway in WA, 12 km west of the SA border (Border Village) and 66 km east of Mundrabilla. About 1,430 km by road from Perth (via Coolgardie and Norseman) and about 1,270 km from Adelaide. Heading west into WA? The quarantine checkpoint is behind you - it is beside Border Village (see quarantine rules).

What time zone is Eucla in?

Central Western time, 45 minutes ahead of Perth (UTC+8:45). It's unofficial, but the roadhouses from Cocklebiddy to Border Village use it, and there's no daylight saving. See Nullarbor time zones.

Can you visit the old Eucla Telegraph Station?

Yes - the ruins are about 4 km from the motel, down a signposted gravel road beside the caravan park. From there you can walk over the dunes to the old jetty and the beach - don't drive on the dunes, it's easy to get bogged.

Checked with the businesses' own websites in October 2026. Hours and facilities can change, so phone ahead before relying on them. Spotted something out of date? Let us know.

Planning your crossing? Complete crossing guide · Nullarbor time zones · The Bunda Cliffs · Quarantine rules · Fuel stops and distances · Help and support on the way