Aug 12

Aug 12 Nullarbor to Ceduna, Port Augusta & Adelaide

When I set off on my journey from Esperance to Norseman, I was looking forward to the adventure of it all. I had heard that the off-road trail from Esperance to Balladonia was thrilling, and I was determined to take it. However, after speaking with some locals, I learned that the off-road trail was primarily sand and only accessible with a 4x4 vehicle. I had recent experience pushing my bike through sand, and the thought of doing it for hundreds of kilometers was daunting.

After much consideration, I made the decision to take the safer route to Norseman instead of pushing the bike for hundreds of kilometers or getting stuck in the middle.

I had a really crazy camping with thunderstorms at night. As the night went on, things got worse. Water started pooling under my tent and it was getting even crazier. Thankfully, my tent held up and the water didn't do much harm. It was a relief but still a crazy experience. Eventually, the rain stopped and we woke up to a beautiful morning with the sun shining.

Norseman is a town located in the Goldfields-Esperance region of Western Australia along the Coolgardie-Esperance Highway, 726 kilometres east of Perth and 278 metres above sea level.

When I was planning my cycling trip from Norseman to Ceduna, I realized that it would be impossible to carry enough food and water to sustain me for the entire 1,200 km journey. Although some of the roadhouses along the way offered food and drink, the prices were too steep, and I couldn't afford to spend all my money on sustenance.

Luckily, I was fortunate enough to come across some seasoned cyclists who had previously made the same trip. They suggested that I send my food and water to a central location called Eucla, which was situated midway between Norseman and Ceduna. I found this to be a practical solution as it meant that I could travel light without the burden of heavy supplies, yet still have enough provisions to last me the entire trip. Following their advice, I arranged for my supplies to be sent to Eucla, where I could easily collect them and continue on my journey.

Yes I am carrying enough water and supplies.

Hello Adelaide!

I am on my way to you again. I will get there in the end, even if it is very slow and takes a long time.

I love finding tables and benches out in nature, especially when it's time for lunch or I need to stretch my body. It's the perfect spot to take a break, enjoy a meal, and get some movement in. Being surrounded by the beauty of nature just adds to the experience.

A view that can be expected for a few days.

A popular photo spot.

The section between Balladonia and Caiguna includes what is regarded as the longest straight stretch of road in Australia and one of the longest in the world. The road stretches for 146.6 kilometres (91.1 mi) without turning, and is signposted and commonly known as the "90 Mile Straight".

No one is coming to fix you.

Beautiful vast land. Lots of wildlife if you really get down to it.

Solitude

Fixing flat tires early in the morning. I usually wake up at 4am and pack up within an hour, and hit the road as soon as the sun comes up.

Population 8

Madura Pass

After a tiring day of cycling against the headwinds, I was delighted to witness a sudden and incredible transformation in the landscape.

I took a detour on the highway to reach this water tank and planned to camp nearby. But when I arrived, I realized that the water was not drinkable.

I am continuing my journey after collecting my food items which were sent from Norseman.

In the middle of South Australia & Western Australia

Nullarbor National Park is a protected area in the Australian state of South Australia located in the locality of Nullarbor about 887 kilometres west of the state capital of Adelaide and about 400 kilometres west of Ceduna.

After seeing the beauty of the place, I thought of camping near the cliff for the night, but after thinking about the danger of camping too close to the cliff, I decided to move away.

So the decision to camp away from the cliff was a very good one. The wind was so strong that night my tent was about to blow away.

Remote zone warning sign

Visitor information centre at Ceduna

Well… I was like that once upon time

Port Augusta.

Port Augusta is a small city in South Australia. Formerly a seaport, it is now a road traffic and railway junction city mainly located on the east coast of the Spencer Gulf immediately south of the gulf's head and about 322 kilometres north of the state capital, Adelaide.