If you want to travel from Perth, on the west coast of Australia, to Sydney, on the east coast, or vise versa, then there is only one way you can go. Right in the middle of this epic journey, and stretching for nearly two thirds of the total distance is...
The Eyre Highway
I can think of no other place where you can safely travel at speeds in
excess of 100 kms/hr, for more than 4 consecutive hours, without having
to slow down for any reason. These cliffs would have to be one of the
most awsome sights you will see in Australia. As you head east from
Eucla on the highway, there are several public lookouts where you
can take in these breath taking views, and a short section of the
Highway passes within a few hundred metres of these cliffs. Many would say that the
Nullabor Crossing is a very laborious journey, and in most cases
fatigue will overcome the driver. Numerous rest stops and driver
reviver stations are provided to help prevent this condition. Some
of the rest stops are well equipped with bar-b-ques, tables and rain
water tanks, and make good over night stops.
Nor is there anywhere else in Australia, where you can drive in an
absolutely straight line for more than 140 kms, without turning even
the slightest of corners.
Without leaving the sealed highway, you will encounter
wild life such as, the Kangaroo, Emu, Dingo, Camel and Wombat, in
their natural habitat.
I have travelled the Eyre Highway many times,
and although this is a very long journey, with many long hours behind
the steering wheel, I never seem to become tired or bored with the trip.
Many people would say that there is nothing
out there, nothing to see and nothing to do. Well these people couldn't
be further from the truth. Ever seen an airstrip painted on a busy
highway? Theres one at Eucla, near the WA/SA border, it is used in
emergancies by the Royal Flying Doctor Service. Also at Eucla you can
see where the old telegraph station has been buried by the natural
movement of the sand dunes. There are some fantastic caves to see in the
Nullabor National Park, and Eucla area, although this should be organised
with the proper authourities. You can organise a flight over the Great
Australian Bight for a bit of whale watching, but what is most
definitely the best feature of this trip is the Nullabor Cliffs.
Views like this are easily accessible by conventional vehicle.
Travellers would be well advised, that even
though all the small communities throughout the journey have a range of
accomodation, and facillities, it is rather expensive! Fuel is very
expensive, and in 1998 at one of the stops, I paid more than $1.00 per litre.
Mechanical repairs and spare parts are also very limited, but most fuel
stops are open late, and some are open 24hrs.
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