Ridden across the Nullarbor by Suzuki T500 and GT750, both
superb bikes for the trip, although the 750 was a bit heavy on juice into strong headwinds
(this is a problem when petrol supplies are few and far between).
First trip across in 1973 the road was unsealed which was a huge challenge. Isolation is a real issue as well...not good to break down or fall off 1200kms from a large city. Travelling at dusk or night is a no no as well due to the wildlife on the road - see sign above - camels, wombats and kangaroos.
On the dirt in 1973 - T500s J Models
The Nullarbor Plain separates Western Australia from South Australia. It is a very flat
and extensive limestone plain which was once a seabed. The road was only sealed in
1975 and is the only road between Perth and Adelaide.
Road sign at Eucla which is right on the West Australian - South
Australian border.
There are many deep caves across its surface but otherwise the extreme flatness and
treeless nature of the plain makes the horizon seem very close and the curvature of the
Earth is very evident. At one point on the journey the road is dead straight for 100 miles
and it is surprising how much concentration is needed to drive in a striaght line for such
a long time. Not a good place for bend-swinging.
At places the road goes quite close to the southern coast and there are spectacular
cliffs, up to 300 ft high, in many places. Not the place for the faint-hearted.
A real adventure for the touring motorcyclist, the Nullarbor is still a challenge for travellers due to the distance and isolation. There is not much to compare with camping under the Milky Way out in the empty Nullarbor at night. The night sky, without pollution, without any city lights at all, is simply amazing.