Where does the Eyre Highway start and finish?
Australia, oceania
146.6 km
N/A
extreme
Year-round
Cruising the Eyre Highway is a true Aussie adventure, linking Western Australia and South Australia right through the Nullarbor Plain. This paved road stretches a whopping 1,664 km (1,034 miles) from Norseman in WA to Port Augusta in SA, so you know you're in for a haul!
But get this: it boasts what's said to be the longest straight stretch of road in the country – a mind-numbing 146.6 kilometers (91.1 mi) between Balladonia and Caiguna where you can literally set the cruise control and zone out.
Built back in the '40s and fully sealed in 1976, the Eyre Highway's named after explorer Edward John Eyre. It's definitely remote, especially in the west where towns are few and far between. Keep an eye out for emergency airstrips marked with runway "piano keys" - they're there for the Royal Flying Doctor Service. Fuel stops are spaced out, but plan ahead, especially if you're driving at night, as not all stations are open 24/7.
Now, a word of warning: fatigue and the sheer remoteness can be risky. Free coffee initiatives are popping up to encourage rest stops. The road itself is fairly straightforward, but the wildlife – kangaroos, emus, camels – are a real hazard, especially at dawn and dusk.
Give yourself 2-3 days to conquer the Eyre Highway. It's a long, lonely ride in parts, but an iconic outback experience where you'll soak in Australia's pioneering history.
Road Details
- Country
- Australia
- Continent
- oceania
- Length
- 146.6 km
- Difficulty
- extreme
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