How I managed to cross Australia with my friend in a Hyundai Getz and a swag. The plan was simple: don’t drive over 100 km/h, survive the Nullarbor, and avoid kangaroos, wombats, or emus.
Day One: Perth → Margaret River
Spirits were high as we somehow managed to shut the Getz’s boot and hit the road.
We stayed at the RAC Campground, which was perfect for easing into the trip with all the facilities we could want. That night, Margaret River felt magical. A bottle of local wine, a cheese board, and a ringtail possum that jumped out of a tree to join us by the fire.
The next morning, breakfast at Lunch Shack kicked off Day Two perfectly—friendly staff, spot-on food, and enough fuel for the adventure ahead.
💡 Tip: RAC campgrounds are great for easing into long road trips.
Day Two: Margaret River → Walpole
Early on, we made a game-changing decision: Travel light. Just the necessities. Suddenly the Getz felt spacious, packing was faster, and I could actually see out the rear-view mirror.
Halfway to Walpole, we stopped at Wild at Heart Café in Pemberton for amazing coffee and scones. That night, Walpole Rest Point Campsite gave us a prime riverside spot surrounded by giant eucalyptus trees. A little fishing, a crackling fire—simple and perfect.
💡 Tip: Packing light = happier road trips.
Day Three: Walpole → Bluff Knoll
Quick pit stop in Albany for supplies, then a surprise find: Bush Camp, a roadside gem. As soon as we pulled up, the camp keeper took one look at our Hyundai Getz, went pale, and said: “Thank god you’re off the road.”Naturally, we thought there’d been an accident. But no — with a completely serious face, she explained: “There are kangaroos bigger than your car out there. You’re lucky to be here.” She was even more shocked when we told her our final destination was Sydney.
The host was incredibly welcoming, the sunset over the Bluff Knoll mountain ranges was breathtaking, and we were surrounded by endless canola fields glowing gold. All that for just $20 a night. A perfect halfway stop on the long haul to Esperance.
💡 Tip: Don’t underestimate small roadside camps—they’re often more memorable (and cheaper) than big-name parks.
Day Four: Bluff Knoll → Quagi Beach
After a hot shower and a decent night’s sleep, we literally crossed the road to fuel up the Getz. The bloke running the petrol station not only served us our morning coffee but also handed over free maps — proper old-school ones. That’s when we discovered what would become one of the best stops of the entire trip: Quagi Beach
Getting there was the biggest test for the Getz so far. The road turned to dirt tracks, and for a moment we weren’t sure if the little car was up for it. Luckily, the road was straight, so we just took our time, cranked the tunes, and rolled in with ease.
When we arrived, we couldn’t believe our luck — the whole site was completely empty + a drop toilet! We set up camp and spent the rest of the day on the beach, watching the waves roll in as the sky turned into a perfect mix of colours for sunset.
That night, the moon rose orange over the water, casting a glow across the ocean. It turned into the most spectacular celestial display I’ve ever witnessed — stars, moon, and reflections all fighting for attention in the night sky. We left a $15 donation for the site, and honestly, it was the best $15 I’ve ever spent. Quagi Beach
💡 Tip: Free camps can be absolute gems. Always leave a donation if you can.
Day Five: Quagi Beach → Esperance → Norseman
Esperance was our last real supply stop: coffee, breakfast, and a big shop. Then it was onwards to Norseman, the gateway to the Nullarbor. Esperance is the last proper town before the Nullarbor, so it’s the place to get everything sorted.
We checked into Acclaim Gateway Tourist Park to rest up before the big crossing. This night felt different — less about adventure, more about preparation. Once you leave Norseman, there’s nothing until Balladonia. So you rest, recharge, and mentally prepare for the next day: the Nullarbor.
💡 Tip: Stock up in Esperance, fuel up in Norseman, and get a proper night’s sleep. The Nullarbor isn’t a place to wing it.
Day Six: Norseman → Cocklebiddy
The famous 90 Mile Straight stretched endlessly under the Aussie sun. This is where you really feel the vastness of the Australian outback. The 90 Mile Straight, the country’s longest stretch of dead-straight road, is no joke. In the shimmering heat, road trains seem to hover on the horizon, slowly lumbering closer until they blast past in a roar of dust and wind. It’s a truly mad spectacle.
We stopped at Balladonia for fuel and a quick museum visit, then bush camped 10 km past Cocklebiddy thanks to offline maps we’d downloaded earlier.
💡 Tip: Fill up at every roadhouse, even if you’re half full. Download offline maps—Google won’t save you out here.
Day Seven: Cocklebiddy → Nullarbor Roadhouse
The bush delivered another stunning sunset, but morning came with disaster: the Getz’s battery was dead.
Shoutout to Chabzy (and his Crocs), who pushed while I steered until we got a rolling start. From there, we stopped briefly at Eucla for fuel and a photo of the Bunda Cliffs (with the engine running, of course). car coughed back to life.
From there, things got serious. We only stopped once for fuel near Eucla and to grab a quick photo of the breathtaking Bunda Cliffs (engine still running of course) Towering walls of limestone dropping into the Southern Ocean. Then it was straight on to the Nullarbor Roadhouse. ($20)— We set up camp right beside the road. The endless darkness was broken by huge road trains, their lights appearing like glowing orbs on the horizon, dingoes prowling, chaos all around. Halfway across the Nullarbor in a car without a working battery. Absolute chancers.
💡 Tip: Replace your battery before tackling the Nullarbor. If you don’t, at least know the roadhouse has food, fuel, and a safe place to crash (but don’t expect showers).
Gear & Travel Hacks
If you’re planning a trip like ours, check them out here.
- Camping gear: Swag, Sleeping bags, Portable stove, Fishing
- Car essentials: Jump-start, Offline maps
Using the right gear makes budget travel smoother. These are all items we personally used, and I’ve linked to some of the best options for you to grab online.
Part 2…
This was just the first 7 days of our 20-day adventure. Next up: crossing the rest of the Nullarbor, dodging more wildlife, and seeing if the little Getz can survive the journey all the way to Sydney.
chancertravels.com 