Nullarbor conditions

tony,
some time ago Australian 4WD Monthly ran a story on that very treck. They highlighted the need to be very self sufficient as a number of communities on the line are working towns for the railway line and tourists are not welcomed at all. I assume this only applies to some of the small towns on the route and i guess others will have recognised the economic advantages in welcoming tourists. The article also mentioned that in some sections there were a maze of tracks and it is often difficult to remain on your intended track, however all tracks will generally end up back on the main one.

Having said that, i heard a little while ago that much, if not all, of the track along the line was being closed to all tourists!!! I can not confirm the accuracy of this last bit of information, but i'm sure i heard it not all that long ago so it would be worth just checking with local police/whoever maintains the railway line to ensure you are in fact allowed to use the track.

Cheers, Jono

Tony, saw your question on Overlander as well, but here is info from this website. Very current.
"The Trans Railway Line Access Road - the only section of the Trans Continental Railway access track that is open to the public is between Kalgoorlie and Rawlinna (WA). We can confirm that having spoken to the General Manager of the Australian Railways in Adelaide that the remainder of the access line is now a private road owned by them and that it is in fact ILLEGAL to travel east beyond Rawlinna. No requests will be considered. This track is no longer used or maintained. All railway servicing is done using equipment carried on trains."
Bloody shame isn't it. We went as far as Zanthus (from Kal) and loved that bit and wanted to do the rest. Seems we won't be able to now :~(
Grant

Tony, if your looking for some variety, and you mentioned Esperance, why not go on to Cape Arid, then to Israelite Bay, then follow the coast up through the Nuytsland Nature Reserve all the way to Caiguna. It even looks like it is possible to get to bleeplebiddy. There is an organised tour runs through there, so it is accessible and if you search for Point Culver and/or Toolina Cove, you may come up with some info. Grant

Tony,

I am not sure wether it was legal or not when we did it but we did the section between Forest and Kal in 2000. We came from Eucula to Forest and then along the rail line. We checked with the police at Eucula and they didn't say anything about not being able to drive the track, they were concerned we may have been insufficently prepared but when we listed what gear we were carrying they said we seemed to be suffiently prepared. The track from Forst to Rawlina was very slow it took a full day to drive it as for half the distance we were driving on the gravel on the side of the rail track. Fuel is available at Forest and so is camping but there is no supplies or camping at Rawlina, even though the Hema map showed there was camping. If you are going to get fuel at forest you will need to check before you leave that they will have sufficent fuel. It is not a trip I would do with only one vehicle. You should have at least 2 with some form of long range communication gear.

Regards

Cashy

I should also add that John Decket from WestPrint recently contacted me to clarify the situation and it seems there is all sorts of rumours about whether this "private road" can be inforced or not. Again, I clarify that I have personally discussed the access issue with the GM of the Australian Rail Authority in Adelaide and have his absolute assurance that if you travel the Trans Access Road to the east of Rawlinna you are trespassing. Take that as you will travellers and please email me your recent (ie. post May 2002) experiences and I will again take up the matter. I think John may be talking to the Lands Council to see if the Railway can make this ban on tourist access. We will keep you posted. We have your interest at heart and want to keep access open, but for now - the official word is that it is illegal.