This really is one of the world’s great road trips, and for reasons I will explain it has become far more accessible in the past month. Juliet and I preferentially drive our standard range RWD Tesla model Y from Perth to Sydney each year, rather than flying. Although we aren’t pioneers, in 2023 there was only one fast DC charger between Perth and Clare Valley in SA, the crowd funded 50kW Biofil at Caiguna running on used roadhouse cooking oil. This has all changed very recently, making the journey relatively easy.
I’ll concentrate on the section from Norseman in WA to Ceduna in SA, as reliable fast DC charging networks extend to these towns now.
This is still remote territory, with nothing in between the roadhouses which offer fuel, food and basic accomodation. Take water, a full size spare and working jack kit unless you’re happy to wait a week for a new tyre to be delivered.
The road is very “chippy” so expect consumption to be higher than expected. Strong winds are unpredictable and the BOM website is often completely wrong on direction and speed, so we now rely on a couple of wind apps, having been caught in a fierce headwind last September that saw us with consumption over 20kWh/100km at 80kph. We learned to NEVER drive past a functioning charger, and limped into Balladonia with less than 10% battery.
Night time wildlife is abundant (including camels) so it’s best to avoid dawn/dusk and drive to arrive with plenty of daylight.
In January 2025, Jon Edwards has installed two more Biofil 50kW DC chargers at Balladonia and Madura roadhouses. These are part of the WA EV Network with Horizon Power badging, will be replaced by permanent chargers in 2025 and are currently available at no cost.
With Horizon Power’s off grid charger at Mundrabilla roadhouse commissioned this week, there are fast DC chargers less than 190 km apart from Norseman to Mundrabilla. The longest gap is now 260 km from Mundrabilla to Nullarbor roadhouse in SA where the off grid NRMA fast charger (currently free use) seems to be more reliable after some teething issues.
So it’s currently possible to travel the 1000km from Norseman to RAA’s 25 kW DC charger at Yalata in SA entirely for free apart from a quick topup at Mundrabilla for 60c/kWh. Yalata to Ceduna is a short hop.
Unfortunately one of the Biofil units was vandalised within days of installation. However, if any units are out of service, there are reliable crowdfunded 25 kW DC chargers a maximum of 240 km apart, at Balladonia, Cocklebiddy and Madura roadhouses. I would still recommend taking 32A 3 phase and 15A charging cables as a last resort and checking Plugshare whenever you have phone reception.
It’s easy to be caught by the shortening days heading east, especially as the roadhouses in WA east of Balladonia work on an unofficial “central” time, 45 minutes ahead of Perth. Accomodation is best booked well ahead as demand is high, and the roadhouse food is surprisingly good.
The drive is very scenic, with the world’s largest temperate eucalypt forest east from Norseman, the dramatic bluffs of the ancient shore line and the breathtakingly beautiful Bunda cliffs east from the WA border. The Head of the Bight offers the best shore based whale watching in Australia in season.
We usually celebrate the crossing with a few days sampling the oysters and seafood at Ceduna or Streaky Bay. If you are heading west, I’d suggest turning left at Norseman and holidaying at Esperance and Cap le Grand National Park.
Beware the “Nullarbor madness” that will draw you back!