Towns in Australia

Exploring Australia, town by town

Nullarbor SA

Nullarbor

Postcode: 5690

Nullarbor is a small town and roadhouse along the Eyre Highway in South Australia. Its name is taken from the surrounding Nullarbor Plain.

Driving across the Nullarbor Plain is one of Australia’s great road journeys.

The Nullarbor name comes from the Latin ‘nullus’ and ‘arbor’ meaning ‘no trees’. Experts believe the plain was created about 25 million years ago when it lifted out of the sea.

You’ll find caves here, some extremely large with several kilometres of passages. Some caves have been approved for public use, namely Murrawijinie Caves north of the Nullarbor roadhouse. Koonalda Cave and Bunabie Blowhole may be viewed from the top, but other caves can only be entered in the company of National Parks and Wildlife Officers or as part of an accredited caving group. Strict regulations apply – you can obtain them from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

Nullarbor National Park and Regional Reserve protects the world’s largest semi-arid cave landscapes, which are associated with many Aboriginal cultural sites. It’s 300 kilometres west of Ceduna. Most of the area is flat and features bluebush and saltbush. The wildlife here includes Australia’s largest population of the Southern Hairy-nosed Wombat, and rare and endangered species such as the Nullarbor Quailthrush, Major Mitchell Cockatoo, Australian Sea-lion and Peregrine Falcon.