Before Starting the Nullarbor Crossing

⛽ Fuel – Don’t Push It

Fuel stops are far apart and prices jump around.

I stopped at every fuel stop I went past. Even if the next stop is technically reachable, don’t rely on it being open, stocked, or cheap.

I'd also say you should carry a small backup jerry can. It’s peace of mind more than anything, and better to have it and not need it...

💧 Water – Carry More Than You Think

Minimum: 5–7 litres per person per day.

Even if you’re not hiking.

It’s not about drinking it all — it’s about having margin if:
• You break down
• You get delayed
• It’s hotter than expected

Water is weight, but it’s also security.

🦘 Wildlife & Dusk Driving

Avoid driving at dawn and dusk if you can.

Kangaroos move more, visibility drops, and road trains don’t swerve. Night driving on the Nullarbor is a completely different experience — more stressful and less forgiving. I always made sure I was at camp before the sun got too low. Its just not worth the risk (I had a close call with an Emu in the Flinders Ranges).

Plan your days so you’re parked before sunset.

🚛 Road Trains

They’re long. Really long.

Give them space. When one passes, ease slightly — the wind hit can move your car more than you expect, especially in crosswinds.

No panic. Just stay steady - we had a sudden surge of rainfall out of nowhere and this really mattered then.

🌬 The Wind & Mental Fatigue

The Nullarbor isn’t hard driving — it’s monotonous.

Long straights, crosswinds and endless horizon can wear you down mentally. Take proper breaks. Use lookouts like the Bunda Cliffs as reset points, not just photo stops.

Don’t try to smash unrealistic daily distances.

📶 Signal & Navigation

Make sure your Rexby offline maps are working before you go.

Signal is very spotty once you get on the highway. Telstra seemed to be the best followed by Optus but even they struggle to get service.

Screenshot fuel distances in case you lose coverage.

🏕 Choosing Where to Camp

Free camps are great — but check wind direction and highway noise before you park.

If it’s blowing hard, face the car into the wind. Small positioning choices make a big difference overnight.

The camps I noted on the map are pretty protected from the wind so I would definitely recommend them.