[Donna May]

Crossing the Nullabor Plain on a bicycle.​

We did not cross the Nullabor on a bicycle but by car. 1973, January my family and I, husband and wife, two children and one large dog left Kalgoorlie in our year old manual Volvo Station Wagon, no air conditioning, or windscreen tinting, towing a foldable campervan. Turned onto the Nullabor after Southern Cross onto the dirt track, 120 degrees in the sun. First stop was an overnight just onto the plain with a camp dinner. Next morning off and made the next stop at Nullabor Station. Got in at 6.30pm and were unable to have a hot meal, fell into bed in a room with scorpions and different bugs, up early next morning showered and headed off for breakfast, the cook was not in yet, so hubby kicked up and they cooked us a hot breakfast. Filled up with ice and fresh water and travelled towards South Australia, our poor dog just laid in the back of the wagon with her head on the ice lapping at it. Mouse plague at another stop. Back then there were corrugated iron rooved water tanks every so many ks so we always stopped to freshen up and stretch our legs and allow enough water to flow to allow the thousands of budgies a drink, they were roosting under the iron. Made it to the South Australian border and the road turned into tar seal. My husband celebrated by urinating on the dirt road. The South Australian side was easy, we all survived the journey and our family in Sydney were glad to see us and I was able to see my ill father after 8 years.

 

[Littleboy8]

Crossing the Nullabor Plain on a bicycle.​

We did not cross the Nullabor on a bicycle but by car. 1973, January my family and I, husband and wife, two children and one large dog left Kalgoorlie in our year old manual Volvo Station Wagon, no air conditioning, or windscreen tinting, towing a foldable campervan. Turned onto the Nullabor after Southern Cross onto the dirt track, 120 degrees in the sun. First stop was an overnight just onto the plain with a camp dinner. Next morning off and made the next stop at Nullabor Station. Got in at 6.30pm and were unable to have a hot meal, fell into bed in a room with scorpions and different bugs, up early next morning showered and headed off for breakfast, the cook was not in yet, so hubby kicked up and they cooked us a hot breakfast. Filled up with ice and fresh water and travelled towards South Australia, our poor dog just laid in the back of the wagon with her head on the ice lapping at it. Mouse plague at another stop. Back then there were corrugated iron rooved water tanks every so many ks so we always stopped to freshen up and stretch our legs and allow enough water to flow to allow the thousands of budgies a drink, they were roosting under the iron. Made it to the South Australian border and the road turned into tar seal. My husband celebrated by urinating on the dirt road. The South Australian side was easy, we all survived the journey and our family in Sydney were glad to see us and I was able to see my ill father after 8 years.

wow what a story