We are crossing the Nullarbor, after almost a year in WA we finally made it to South Australia.
Our travelling companions were still having power issues which looked like posing a problem with our free-camp plans. Their inverter was playing up and they ordered a new one in Kalgoorlie which turned out to be the wrong one so we had to wait out the weekend to change it over. The next new one is also playing up but the old one is behaving itself now so we have been able to stop at many of the roadside camps available.
We have been stopping overnight every 250km or so, no need to rush this. Our last camp (a scenic lookout) overlooked the Great Australian Bight and a few people that stopped for a look said they had seen whales but we only saw a few seals frolicking in the surf at the base of the cliffs, can't complain about that. One of our first camps had a mangy wild camel that just walked around in circles when anyone tried to get close.
Our current camp wasn't our intended stop, we pulled in for water only and when Terry pulled up beside us, we heard a bang then one of his wheels rolled out from behind his tri-axel trailer. We found bits of brake and melted hubcap further behind the trailer, apparently the brake had locked on and caught fire then melted the grease and bearings. Geoff picked up the wheel, which was still smoking, when the tubeless valve melted and the tyre deflated loudly, we all jumped, especially Geoff, then we all had a good laugh. Our afternoon was spent with the guys replacing the bearing and wheel, minus brakes, and us girls watching the Variety Bash cars go by. Some of the cars were very imaginative.
The camps sites have been good with plenty of room to get well away from the road, although a little muddy. Yes, it's been raining most of the way and blowing a gale which means no campfire get-togethers of an afternoon. Tonight has been our first night without rain and we've managed to finally have a campfire.
We have been very lucky with a strong tail wind and I really feel for those heading west into that wind. I'd say the caravans outnumber the road-trains 3-2 and there have been very few cars and a couple of cyclists. A couple of road-trains have been carrying brand new caravans and we tried to organise a swap but they wouldn't go for it.
For those interested in fuel prices on the Nullarbor, here goes – Norseman ranged from 139.9 to 141.9, Belladonia was 169.9 when we got there for lunch and went up to 172.9 as we left, Caiguna was 172.9, Cocklebiddy 172.8, Madura 169, Mundrabilla 161, Eucla 161, Bordervillage 173.9, Nullarbor Motel 172.9, Nundroo 136.9, Penong 131.9. These prices are diesel, petrol was about the same though.
