Nullarbor Links: Is this really the longest golf course in the world?

The Nullarbor Links golf course stretches across Australia’s Nullarbor Plain from Kalgoorlie to Ceduna. It has very basic holes at roadhouses such as Balladonia, Cocklebiddy, Border Village and Nundroo. It’s the longest golf course in the world if you’re prepared to accept that it really is a golf course…

The Nullarbor Links is a tremendous marketing ploy and a fine piece of Australian trivia. It is a par 72 golf course that stretches from gold mining town Kalgoorlie in Western Australia to South Australian crossroads town Ceduna in South Australia. It’s 1,365km from the first hole on the Nullarbor Links to the last.

This, if you’re generous enough to count the Nullarbor Links as a golf course, makes it easily the longest golf course in the world. But, realistically, it’s a series of extremely scrappy golf holes spread out along an extremely long driving route.

Don’t want to drive the Nullarbor? Then consider a ten day camping adventure tour from Perth to Adelaide (or in the opposite direction).

Why was the Nullarbor Golf Course set up?

The true intention behind the Nullarbor Links is to give people something to do in the middle of nowhere. Anyone undertaking the intimidating outback journey from Perth to Adelaide has to face up to some incredibly monotonous stretches between Nullarbor Plain roadhouses. So why not give them a task at each roadhouse?

At the beginning and end of the Nullarbor Links, holes are on proper golf courses. The first two are on the Kalgoorlie Golf Course, which unfortunately has a dress code and requires you to pay green fees. There are also holes at the Kambalda Country Club and Norseman Golf Club in Western Australia, with the final two played at the Ceduna Golf Club.

Nullarbor Links roadhouse holes

In between, however, it’s all about the punishing drive down the Eyre Highway, with Nullarbor Links holes available to play at several roadhouses. In Western Australia, there are holes at Fraser Range, Balladonia, Caiguna, Cocklebiddy, Madura, Mundrabilla and Eucla Beach. On the South Australian side of the Nullarbor, the course continues at Border Village, Nullarbor Roadhouse, Nundroo and Penong.

Cocklebiddy Roadhouse on the Nullarbor Links golf course — The Cocklebiddy roadhouse in Western Australia hosts one of the holes on the Nullarbor Links – the longest golf course in the world. Photo by David Whitley/ Australia Travel Questions

Each hole has a vague theme, and a sign giving information about the people and places that make the Nullarbor more interesting than most think. Even if you’re not playing golf, it’s worth wandering over to read the signs while you stop for a toilet break and refuel.

Nullarbor Links golf course rules

The holes of the Nullarbor Links, of course, are not exactly in championship condition. Most of the euphemistically-named fairways are just dirt – golfers are requested to tee balls up on them. And the greens are more accurately called browns.

Golf clubs are allegedly for hire at each hole for $5 a pop. Good luck finding the person who can rent you one, though. Score cards are available from the Kalgoorlie Visitor Centre, Norseman Visitor Centre and Ceduna Visitor Centre. To officially complete the Nullarbor Links, you must have your scorecard stamped at every hole. Pop into the roadhouse or Visitor Centre for the official stamps, and visit the Nullarbor Links website for more information.

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: