National park · Australia
Protected areas of the NullarborNullarbor National Park, Wilderness Protection Area and Regional Reserve
Drive the Eyre Highway and stop at the signed lookouts and the Head of Bight centre; there is no entry fee for the park itself, so the real cost is fuel and the whale-viewing platform ticket at Head of Bight (2026 estimate).
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
28,500 km² (11,004 sq mi)11,004 sq mi (28,500 km²)
approximate
Established
1979
Best months
May–Sep
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 13
- Oceania ↗Oceania's island states guard their farms and reefs at the border: tick 'yes' on the arrival card for any food, plant, animal product, soil or used outdoor gear, and let the officer decide.
- Oceania ↗Across the tropical South Pacific, cyclones are possible from November to April: choose insurance that covers weather delays and keep one spare night before a long-haul departure.
- Australia and New Zealand ↗Both countries drive on the left, with long distances between fuel stops in the outback and on New Zealand's back roads; fatigue causes more visitor crashes than speed.
- Australia ↗Almost every visitor needs a visa or an electronic authorisation (ETA or eVisitor, depending on passport) before boarding: apply only through the official Department of Home Affairs site or the official AustralianETA app, and check the rules for your passport.
- Australia ↗Declare all food, plant material, seeds, wood and animal products on your arrival declaration; undeclared items can bring on-the-spot fines or visa cancellation. When unsure, declare it.
- Australia ↗Drive on the left. An overseas licence in English (or with an official translation or International Driving Permit) is accepted for visitors; check the state rules and your rental contract.
- Australia ↗Swim between the red and yellow flags on patrolled beaches; rip currents cause most beach drownings.
- South Australia ↗Fresh fruit and vegetables cannot cross into South Australia; disposal bins sit at airports and state-border checkpoints, and fines run around A$400.
- South Australia ↗The Riverland and Kangaroo Island are extra quarantine zones — no fresh produce or honey even from elsewhere in the state.
- South Australia ↗School zones are 25 km/h at any time children are present, including weekends and holidays; slow to 25 km/h past emergency vehicles with lights on roads of 80 km/h or less.
- South Australia ↗South Australia runs UTC+9:30, half an hour behind Sydney and Melbourne; daylight saving (UTC+10:30) runs first Sunday of October to first Sunday of April.
- Outback South Australia ↗Fuel gaps between towns are long; fill at every town and carry water.
- Outback South Australia ↗Some Aboriginal lands and station tracks need a permit; check before you drive.
At a glance
- Country
- Australia
- Area
- 28,500 km² (11,004 sq mi)11,004 sq mi (28,500 km²)
- Combined figure for three contiguous reserves: the national park (about 323 km²), the wilderness protection area (about 8,943 km²) and the regional reserve (about 19,199 km²). Component figures are from the source and should be re-checked against Parks SA boundaries, which change (check).
- Established
- 1979
- Best months
- May–Sep
- Permits
- Not needed
The Nullarbor's protected areas are three contiguous South Australian reserves strung along the Eyre Highway: Nullarbor National Park (about 323 km² of coastal strip), the Nullarbor Wilderness Protection Area (about 8,943 km² of plain behind it) and the Nullarbor Regional Reserve (about 19,199 km² further east and north). There is no gate, no ticket and no marked trail network — the experience is the drive itself, the Bunda Cliffs pull-offs where the highway runs within metres of the Great Australian Bight rim, and the Head of Bight boardwalks over the southern right whale calving ground, run by the Yalata community. Koonalda Cave, with rock art and flint workings around 20,000 years old, sits on a rough station track. Plan fuel, water and daylight; the nearest full-service town is Ceduna, about 300 km east. Fees, camping rules and track conditions should be confirmed with Parks SA before you travel (check).
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1979.
Size and age
28,500 km² (11,004 sq mi)11,004 sq mi (28,500 km²) · national park since 1979
Combined figure for three contiguous reserves: the national park (about 323 km²), the wilderness protection area (about 8,943 km²) and the regional reserve (about 19,199 km²). Component figures are from the source and should be re-checked against Parks SA boundaries, which change (check).
Why go
- Bunda Cliffs drop straight into the Great Australian Bight along the highway, with pull-offs and no walk needed.
- Southern right whales calve close to the Head of Bight cliffs between May and October.
- Koonalda Cave holds rock art and evidence of Aboriginal use going back around 20,000 years.
- It is one of the emptiest drives in Australia: fuel, water and planning matter more than crowds.
When to go
- JanAvoid
- FebAvoid
- MarCaution
- AprGo
- MayBest
- JunBest
- JulBest
- AugBest
- SepBest
- OctGo
- NovCaution
- DecCaution
- JanHot and dry; long drives in the heat (check)
- FebHottest stretch; carry extra water (check)
- MarStill warm; whale numbers not yet at peak (check)
- AprMilder days; first whales arrive (check)
- MayWhale season opens; cool nights (check)
- JunPeak whale watching; cold, windy cliffs (check)
- JulPeak whales; bring warm layers (check)
- AugWhales still calving; clear light (check)
- SepWhales plus wildflowers on the plain (check)
- OctWhale season ends; warming up (check)
- NovHot and dry; few whales left (check)
- DecHot; holiday traffic on the highway (check)
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Southern right whales off the Bight cliffsMay–Oct · They gather to mate and calve, then return to sub-Antarctic waters. | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no |
| Humpback, sperm, blue and orca whales recorded in South Australian watersAll year · Sightings are occasional; the southern right is the reliable one. | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Wildflowers on the limestone plainAug–Oct | no | no | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | no | no |
| Kangaroos and wombats near the highway at dawn and duskAll year · Main reason to slow down and avoid night driving. | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Ceduna
Drive west on the Eyre Highway; the park starts about 300 km (186 mi) out.Drive west on the Eyre Highway; the park starts about 186 mi (300 km) out.
3–3.5 h
Open the page →
From Adelaide
Eyre Highway via Port Augusta and Ceduna; the park is roughly 887 km (551 mi) west of the city.Eyre Highway via Port Augusta and Ceduna; the park is roughly 551 mi (887 km) west of the city.
9–10 h
Open the page →
From Perth
Eyre Highway east via Norseman and Eucla, then Border Village.
14–16 h
Open the page →
From Outback South Australia
Region hub for Ceduna, the Gawler Ranges and other outback parks.
Open the page →
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Nullarbor National Park | The coastal strip along the Bight, including the Bunda Cliffs and the Head of Bight area. | Open; highway pull-offs and the Head of Bight centre. Check current access with Parks SA. |
| Nullarbor Wilderness Protection Area | The larger protected block behind the coast, mostly treeless limestone plain. | Open, but almost no tracks or facilities; self-sufficient travel only (check). |
| Nullarbor Regional Reserve | The vast eastern and northern section of the protected area. | Open; signed camping spots, no services. Access and use rules should be checked with Parks SA (check). |
| Yalata and Head of Bight | Aboriginal-held land and the whale viewing platform on the cliffs, run by the Yalata community. | Platform open with a ticket; surrounding land by permission only. This is not part of the national park (check). |
Sketch map
- 1Nullarbor Roadhouse · Sleep≈-31.450, 130.896Map ↗
- 2Head of Bight Visitor Centre · Headquarters≈-31.474, 131.113Map ↗
- 3Bunda Cliffs lookout · Viewpoint≈-31.576, 130.146Map ↗
- 4Koonalda Cave · Cave≈-31.404, 129.838Map ↗
- 5Murrawijinie Caves · Cave≈-31.368, 130.869Map ↗
- 6Border Village Roadhouse · Gate≈-31.638, 129.003Map ↗
- 7Omer Beach · Beach≈-31.667, 129.103Map ↗
- 8Ceduna · Town≈-32.126, 133.673Map ↗
Take the points offline
8 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Approximate positions along the Eyre Highway from Border Village to the Head of Bight, for orientation only.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nullarbor National Park, Wilderness Protection Area and Regional Reserve entry | Free | vehicle | No park entry fee is listed for these South Australian reserves; confirm current rules with Parks SA before you travel (check). |
| Head of Bight whale viewing platform | AUD 10–20 (≈ US$7–14) | person | 2026 estimate; run by the Yalata community, not the parks service. Confirm the current ticket price at the visitor centre (check). |
| Koonalda Cave access | Free | vehicle | No fee is listed, but the track is rough and unmaintained; 4WD advised and access conditions should be checked locally (check). |
| Fuel at Nullarbor or Border Village roadhouse | AUD 2–3 (≈ US$2) | litre | 2026 estimate; expect a large premium over city prices. Fill up at every opportunity (check). |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry no permit
Camping no permit
Koonalda Cave no permit
What would our group pay?
People
Nights or days
- A$10–20≈ US$7–14
- A$2–3≈ US$2
Tick the fees that apply to your trip to see a total.
A guide, not a quote: the ranges are estimates (checked 2026-09) and each fee may have rules on who pays it. Confirm on Parks SA — Nullarbor National Park before you go.
Park rules
- Firewood
- Collecting firewood inside the parks is prohibited; dead wood shelters animals and returns nutrients to the soil.
- Camping
- Only at signed locations; no camping on the cliff edges or in the whale viewing area.
- Drones
- Not allowed over the Head of Bight whale area or the cliffs without permission (check).check
- Water and supplies
- Bring enough water, food and fuel for the whole crossing; facilities are limited to toilets, showers and two roadhouses.
- Aboriginal land
- Do not leave the highway onto Yalata or other Aboriginal-held land without permission.
Where to stay
In the park
Nullarbor Roadhouse
Rooms, fuel, meals and camping at the eastern end of the park.
In the park
Border Village Roadhouse
Simple rooms and fuel near the Western Australian border; fill up here.
In the park
Signed bush camps
Free camping at marked spots along the highway; no water, no bins.
Near the park
Ceduna
The last full-service town east of the park, about 300 km (186 mi) away.The last full-service town east of the park, about 186 mi (300 km) away.
Safety
Driving fatigue on a 900 km-plus crossing high
Wildlife on the road at dawn and dusk high
No mobile coverage medium
Cliff edges and crumbling limestone medium
Heat and cold medium
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- The Head of Bight boardwalks and the main highway lookouts are reachable by car with short, mostly level walks.
- Koonalda Cave, Omer Beach and the unmarked cliff tracks are rough and not suitable for limited mobility.
Visiting lightly
- Take all rubbish out; there are no bins across most of the crossing.
- Do not collect firewood or disturb the limestone vegetation.
- Keep well back from whales and never approach the cliff base by boat without a permit.
- Support the Yalata community by using the Head of Bight centre rather than informal cliff tracks.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Protected areas of the Nullarbor?
No park entry fee is listed for the Nullarbor National Park, Wilderness Protection Area or Regional Reserve, and camping at signed spots is not shown as charged — confirm current rules with Parks SA (check). The paid stop is the Head of Bight whale viewing platform, roughly A$10–20 per person (2026 estimate, check), plus fuel at roadhouse prices.
What are the best hikes in Protected areas of the Nullarbor?
There are no long marked trails. The walking is short: the Head of Bight boardwalks to the whale lookouts, the Bunda Cliffs pull-offs where you walk a few minutes to the rim, and the short paths at Murrawijinie Caves. Koonalda Cave is a rough half-day trip by 4WD track, not a hike; check track conditions locally before you go.
When is the best time to visit Protected areas of the Nullarbor?
May to October, when southern right whales gather off the Bight and daytime temperatures are milder. December to February is hot and dry, with few whales and long, exposed drives. Treat the monthly notes on this page as guidance and check forecasts before crossing (check).
Do I need a park pass?
No pass system is listed for South Australia's Nullarbor reserves. Confirm current entry rules with Parks SA. If you are also visiting parks in other states or countries, see the national park passes page.
Can I camp in the park?
Camping is permitted at signed locations only, with no fee or booking listed. There is no water, power or rubbish collection, and collecting firewood is prohibited. Confirm current camping rules with Parks SA before you rely on a site (check).
Is there fuel and food on the crossing?
Two roadhouses serve the park: Nullarbor Roadhouse at the eastern end and Border Village Roadhouse near the border. Fill up at every opportunity and carry water for at least a day.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go