Nullarbor Roadhouse, South Australia: Accommodation and nearby attractions
The Nullarbor Roadhouse in South Australia is close to the start of the Nullarbor Plain and Head of Bight. The motel accommodation is OK, but you might be better pushing on towards Border Village.
There are several iconic roadhouses in Australia, but the Nullarbor Roadhouse in South Australia might be the most symbolic. When you reach the Nullarbor Roadhouse, you know the Big Empty is about to start in earnest.
Book your stay at the Nullarbor Roadhouse here.
Start of the Nullarbor Plain
It is pretty much at the spot where the true Nullarbor Plain begins. The just about cultivatable land of the Eyre Peninsula gives way to the bleak nothing. Nullarbor is Latin for “no trees”, and it’s not an inaccurate name.
If driving west from Adelaide, Port Augusta and Ceduna, the eastern end of the Nullarbor Plain comes a few kilometres before the Nullarbor Roadhouse. As does the Head of Bight Lookout. And, let’s face it, the main reason to spend any time in this part of South Australia is to visit Head of Bight. The information on the local ecology and history in the visitor centre is great and the views over the towering Bunda Cliffs are superb. Come in winter, and you’ll almost certainly see Southern Right whales, too.
Don’t want to drive the Nullarbor? Then consider a ten day camping adventure tour from Perth to Adelaide (or in the opposite direction).
Nullarbor Roadhouse accommodation
The Nullarbor Roadhouse comes after this, and is for many just a petrol and energy drinks stop. But it’s far from the worst accommodation option on the Nullarbor Plain.
The murals painted all over the Nullarbor Roadhouse give it plenty of character. The bar and restaurant are good spots to build up camaraderie with fellow road warriors after the sun has gone down, too.
Accommodation at the Nullarbor Roadhouse takes several forms. There are unpowered camping sites for from $20 a night, and powered caravan sites for from $30 a night. Otherwise, it’s motel-style rooms. The budget motel rooms cost from $115 a night, and the slightly less bleak standard rooms cost from $130 a night. If you want to stay, it can be booked online.
Ceduna to Nullarbor Roadhouse
The main issue with staying at the Nullarbor Roadhouse is that it means you’ll probably have to stay another two or three nights on the Nullarbor. The drive from Ceduna to Kalgoorlie in Western Australia is 1,387km long, taking about 14 and a half hours.
The drive from Ceduna to the Nullarbor Roadhouse covers just 297km of this. This can take the best part of a day if you spend time at the Penong Windmill Museum, Lake MacDonnell, Cactus Beach, Fowlers Bay and Head of Bight. But you might be better off taking on the next 184km to Border Village for your overnight stop.
Ceduna accommodation tips
Ceduna is a logical place for an overnight stay whether you’ve just crossed the Nullarbor or are about to. You can search for places to stay in Ceduna here.
However, the following are the best options:
- For central, waterfront location: Ceduna Foreshore Hotel Motel.
- For family-friendly spacious cabins: Big4 Holiday Park.
- For a pool: East West Motel.
More South Australia travel
How much do the Tailem Bend ferry and Mannum ferry cost?
How long is the drive from Melbourne to Uluru?
Take the Outer Harbor train for beach time at Largs Bay.
What are the top attractions on the Melbourne to Port Augusta drive?
Where to stop on the Port Augusta to Coober Pedy drive.