Nullarbor Free Camps and Rest Areas

You don't have to stay in a motel every night to cross the Nullarbor. Along the Eyre Highway there are roadside rest areas every so often, and most roadhouses have caravan and camping sites. Here's where you can stop, and the rules that apply.

Rest areas: Norseman to Eucla

Main Roads WA's map of the Eyre Highway shows 15 rest areas over the 710 kilometres between Norseman and Eucla. Three of them are 24-hour rest areas.

Distance from Norseman	Type
80 km	24-hour rest area
83 km	24-hour rest area
164 km	Rest area
240 km	24-hour rest area
305 km	Rest area
392 km	Rest area
477 km	Rest area
504 km	Rest area
554 km	Rest area
576 km	Rest area
590 km	Rest area
635 km	Rest area
641 km	Rest area
674 km	Rest area
681 km	Rest area

Distances are from the Main Roads WA “Norseman to Eucla” map. Some sites have toilets and picnic tables, many don't — check the official map or Main Roads' online Travel Map before you rely on one. For comparison, roadhouse distances from Norseman are on the fuel stops page.

The rules in WA. Main Roads WA says its 24-hour rest areas “are not intended for camping, and stopping at these areas should not exceed 24 consecutive hours.” Treat a rest area as a place to rest, not a campground: stop, sleep, and move on. Keep out of truck-only parking bays — drivers need them for their compulsory rest breaks.

The South Australian side

East of the border there are more rest areas and the Bunda Cliffs lookouts along the highway between Border Village and Nullarbor Roadhouse. Signs at each site show any time limits or restrictions, so check them when you pull in. At the cliff lookouts, park and walk well back from the edge — see the Bunda Cliffs.

Roadhouse caravan parks

If you want power, showers or just more company, most roadhouses along the way have caravan and camping sites as well as motel rooms. They can fill up in school holidays and the whale season, so phone ahead — numbers are on each town page.

Tips for stopping overnight

Pull in well before dusk. Kangaroos, wombats, emus and stock are most active around dawn and dusk, so plan to be parked up before the light goes.
Carry your own water. Don't count on drinking water at rest areas.
Check for fire bans. Total fire bans apply to rest areas too. Check Emergency WA and the SA Country Fire Service.
Take your rubbish with you and use the toilets where there are some. Rest areas stay open to travellers only while they're kept clean.
Mind the quarantine checkpoints. Campers tend to carry more fresh food — plan to eat it before the border or Ceduna. See the quarantine rules.
Read recent reviews. Camping apps such as WikiCamps and CamperMate list rest areas with travellers' comments and photos — handy for checking a site is still as described.

More Nullarbor planning

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