January

Whyalla Amatuer Fishing Competition.

February

Adelaide Festival (even numbered years)
Barrossa Under The Stars

March

Australian Country Games. Clare Valley SA
Norseman Cup Races

April

York (WA) Antique and Collectors' Fair

May

Eucla Golf Classic
Barossa Balloon Regatta

September

Perth Royal Show

October

Oyster-Fest Ceduna (long-weekend)
Barossa Classical Music Festival.

November

Festival of Freemantle

Things To See and Do

Adelaide

Mt Lofty Summit. Open 7 days.
Jet Fighter Museum. Parafield Airport. Open Daily 10am - 4pm. Admission Charge.
Bradman Collection Cricket Museum. State Library North Tce. 10am - 5pm
National Motor Museum, Birdwood. 9-5 daily. Admission charge.

Barossa Valley

Wineries. Too many to list. See Visitors Centre at 66-68 Murray St, Tanunda. Open Daily 10am-4pm
Barossa Kiddy Park. Magnolia St Tanunda. Admission charge.
Kev Rohrlach Technology Collection. Barossa Valley Way, Tanunda Nth. 11-4 Daily. Admission charge

Port Augusta

Arid Lands Botanic Gardens. Stuart Hwy. Open 7 Days.
Wadlata Outback Centre. Flinders Tce. 9-5.30 weekdays. 10-4 weekends. Admission charge.

(Whyalla)

BHP Steelworks. Tours available three times per week. Check first.
Maritime Museum. 10am - 4pm. Admission charge.

Iron Knob

Old BHP Iron Ore Mine and displays.

Kimba

Big Galah Gift and Curio Shop

Ceduna

Old Schoolhouse National Trust Museum. Closed Sunday.
The Big Oyster. Eyre Hwy

Penong

Surfing Beaches.
Woolshed Museum. 10-4 daily.

Yalata

Aboriginal gift shop, meals, permits and whale watching info.

Eucla

Musuem and Telegraph Station Ruins
View from Travellers' Cross

Cocklebiddy

Cocklebiddy Caves (ask at Roadhouse for directions)
Eyre Bird Observatory (call first 089 0393 440)

Balladonia (Hotel/Motel)

Local history museum, including Skylab display. Entry via roadhouse.
Afghan Rocks (nearby to east)
Old Telegraph Station ruins (27 km west of roadhouse)

Norseman

Beacon Hill Lookout. Well signposted.
School of Mines Historical Museum. 10-1 daily. Admission charge.
Dundas Coach Road Heritage Drive

Kalgoorlie

Hannans North Tourist Mine. Open 9-4pm (closed Mon and Thurs Jan-July). Entry fee.
Loopline Railway, Boulder Railway Station daily at 10am. Admission charge.
Kurrawang Emu Farm. 18 km west of Kalgoorlie. $6/$3
Two Up School. Menzies Rd. 4pm-dusk

York

Motor Museum. Open daily 9-5. Admission charge

Perth

Perth Mint. 9-4 daily. Charge for some exhibits.

* * * * * * * * *

Whale Watching

The Southern Right Whale is a genuinely endangered species with some naturalists predicting the species will not recover from overhunting earlier this century. About the size and weight of a large semi-trailer, this big whale travels back to its traditional Head of Bight mating grounds during May to October each year after stocking up on krill in the rich sub-antarctic waters.

200 kilometres west of Ceduna is the Yalata Roadhouse [ (08) 8625 6986 ] where you should stop for information and permits before travelling on to the White Well ranger station 95 kilometres further again. The ranger's outpost is the official entry point to the Head of Bight viewing area and is located on Aboriginal land - hence the permit. The viewing area is located a further 12 kms along the sealed road. If you are coming in from the west you can go straight to the ranger's station although amenities are limited.

Permit costs: Adult $7.00/Pensioner $5.00. Kids under 16 free.

[images coming from EPTA]

Driving Tips

The Nullarbor is no longer the hazardous affair it once was, sensible precautions are still the order for any long road journey. Carry the usual spares and enough water should you get stranded. An approved fuel container and funnel is always handy. Do not be tempted to carry fuel in plastic containers - it is both illegal and foolish. Numerous 'Tank Sheds' have been installed along the route and make for handy rest points. There's plenty of clean water there and often somewhere safe to make a fire.

Fatigue is always going to be your enemy on long drives. The 'Driver Reviver' program is maintained along the Nullarbor Route and many Roadhouses display a 'Free Coffee for Driver' sign.

WA Road Conditions: 24hr free call 1800 013 314

More Info

Eyre Peninsula Tourist Assoc. 1800 067 739. www.epta.com.au
WA Tourist Centre 1300 361 351. www.westernaustralia.net
SA Travel Centre. 1300 366 770. www.visit-southaustralia.com.au