Preparing your car for a cross Nullarbor drive
The Nullarbor bite holds a special place in the Australian spirit. Driving across the full 3500km breadth of the country is a great way to appreciate the beauty and starkness of the Australian countryside. There aren't many stops or auto repair shops along the way so it's important to prepare your car to make it the full way through your journey.
Get an air conditioning service
Stop in at an automotive air conditioning shop like Natrad and get your air conditioning services before you head off. The Nullarbor gets incredibly hot by day, with temperatures in excess of 45 degrees not uncommon, but can then drop below freezing on a clear evening. Having a functional air conditioning system can help make sure your driving is as comfortable as possible.
Schedule your drives for each day
Pit stops and motels are far and few between on the Nullarbor, so it can make sense to schedule drives that stop earlier in town or at campsites. While you might be aiming to driving across the Nullarbor as quickly as possible, driving at dusk or dawn can bring your into contact with much of Australia's wildlife, in a more close way than you may have intended. Kangaroos often cross roads at these times particularly, and hitting an 80-kilogram kangaroo at full speed can be incredibly dangerous, causing structural damage, smashed windscreens and leaks to radiators. Many cars that regularly drive in these conditions are fitted with 'bull bars' to limit the damage if an animal is struck.
If you do have a collision, stay with your car. If your mobile doesn't have coverage it's best to wait for help to come to you, rather than trying to drive to a township. You can often cause more damage to the car by driving it after a 'roo strike and be dangerous to yourself and other road users.
Check the car each morning before you head off
With modern cars, we often get used to not needing to do regular checks, but checking the oil, transmission fluid and radiator levels while you are still somewhere you can easily top up can be the difference between smooth sailing and breaking down 50kms from your nearest auto service shop!
In the unlikely event you do break down, rest assured that the auto service shop should be able to get your car repaired and back on the road quickly. Think about it as all part of your Nullarbor adventure.