Bunda Cliffs (Nullarbor Cliffs): Everything You Need to Know

bunda cliffs sunset nullarbor cliffs

A jaw-dropping natural wonder that stretches across the southern coastline of the Nullarbor, the Bunda Cliffs have made a name for themselves as a must-visit destination for many. The Bunda Cliffs (aka the Nullarbor Cliffs) bring in tourists from around the world who seek out the spectacular towering cliffs and breathtaking views.

In this post we’ll delve into everything you need to know about the Bunda Cliffs, from where they’re located and how to get there to whether you need a 4WD and whether dogs are allowed on the Bunda Cliffs.

What are the Bunda Cliffs Also Known as?

The Bunda Cliffs are also known as the Nullarbor Cliffs or the Nullarbor Coastal Cliffs.

Where are the Bunda Cliffs Located?

The Bunda Cliffs are located in Australia, they stretch several hundred kilometres along the southern coastline of the Nullarbor Plain in South Australia and Western Australia.

Where do the Bunda Cliffs Start and Finish?

The Bunda Cliffs start at the Head of the Bight in South Australia and finish east of Eucla in Western Australia.

How High are the Bunda Cliffs?

The Bunda Cliffs vary in elevation with some sections reaching impressive heights of up to 120 metres. Typically they vary in height between 60 and 120 metres. The height of the Bunda Cliffs makes for dramatic coastal scenery with jaw-dropping views.

How Long are the Bunda Cliffs?

The exact length of the Bunda Cliffs is not known but it’s believed that the Bunda Cliffs stretch for approximately 200 kilometres along the southern coastline.

Can You Go to the Bunda Cliffs?

Yes, it is possible to visit the Bunda Cliffs. They are accessible to visitors who wish to experience their natural beauty and breathtaking views.

The Eyre Highway, which runs across the Nullarbor Plain, provides access to some sections of the cliffs in South Australia via turn offs down relatively short dirt roads. These unsealed roads take you directly to the edge of the Bunda Cliffs. A lot of these spots are listed on Google Maps, for example, the spot we camped on the Bunda Cliffs (which had spectacular views of the cliffs) is on Google Maps as ‘Best of the Bight Clifftop Camping‘.

Additionally, there are lookout points and designated viewing areas along the coastline where you can admire the cliffs and the Great Australian Bight. One example of this is the Head of Bight Visitor Centre which has a great viewing platform of the Bunda Cliffs. The visitor centre does have an entry fee of $16 per adult during whale season ($8 off season) and $7 per child (5-15) during whale season (free during off season).

head of bight visitor centre
Image of the visitor centre taken from the Head of Bight Visitor Centre website.

How Do I Get to the Bunda Cliffs?

How to get to the Bunda Cliffs depends on where you’re coming from, but make sure to drive along the Eyre Highway (the main highway that runs through the Nullarbor) and pull off at either the Head of Bight Visitor Centre or one of the unsealed roads that takes you to one of the Bunda Cliff campsites.

Do you Need a 4WD for the Bunda Cliffs?

No, you don’t need a 4WD to visit the Bunda Cliffs. If you aren’t planning on visiting the Bunda Cliffs via a designated viewing area like the Head of Bight Visitor Centre you will need to drive on an unsealed dirt road to reach the campsites that take you to the edge of the Bunda Cliffs. Therefore, you will need to be comfortable taking your car onto an unsealed road, we managed just fine in our 2WD Mercedes Sprinter van, we just took it slowly and drove carefully.

Is the Road to the Bunda Cliffs Sealed?

Eyre Highway, the main highway that runs through the Nullarbor Plain, is sealed and suitable for all vehicles to drive on. If you’re visiting the Bunda Cliffs at the Head of Bight Visitor Centre the road leading to this is also sealed and suitable for all vehicles. If you’re visiting the Bunda Cliffs elsewhere the road you will need to drive on would be an unsealed dirt road. As mentioned previously, you should be fine to drive on these in a 2WD just drive slowly and carefully.

eyre highway sealing commemorative plaque

Can you Camp on the Bunda Cliffs?

Yes, there are lots of free campsites along the Bunda Cliffs that you can camp at. Majority of these campsites are suitable for motorhomes, caravans and campervans. The Bunda Cliffs can experience strong winds so may not be suitable for tents, depending on the weather conditions. Note that these campsites are just dirt roads off the side of the main highway so majority of them don’t have any facilities, you will need to bring what you need with you.

As mentioned previously with the Best of the Bight Clifftop Camping spot we stayed at (which was amazing!), some of the Bunda Cliffs campsites are listed on Google Maps. If you’d like more detailed information on which campsites are available and what they’re like we’d recommend downloading the WikiCamps app. We’re using it for our entire lap of Australia and it was extremely useful for finding great spots along the Nullarbor. For example, below is a screenshot of the app, showing us the free campsites available on that section of the Nullarbor.

wikicamps nullarbor free campsites example

Where is the Best Place to Camp on the Bunda Cliffs?

There are LOADS of incredible campsites on the Bunda Cliffs, all of which are pretty similar. There are only slight differences between the campsites such as how close you are to the cliffs, the conditions of the road leading to the campsite and how large the campsite area is.

We’d recommend the Best of the Bight Clifftop Camping spot that we stayed at. The views were spectacular and the dirt track leading to the campsite was suitable for our 2WD Mercedes Sprinter van.

best of the bight campground nullarbor south australia

Is There Accommodation on the Bunda Cliffs?

No, there is no accommodation on the Bunda Cliffs, there are a few accommodation spots nearby however along the Nullarbor. Nearby accommodation spots to the Bunda Cliffs are:

  • Eucla Motel
  • Border Village Roadhouse
  • Nullarbor Roadhouse
old nullarbor roadhouse

Are There Toilets at the Bunda Cliffs?

There are no toilet facilities on the Bunda Cliffs but there are toilet facilities available at the Head of Bight Visitor Centre and majority of the petrol stations and roadhouses along the Nullarbor.

Is there Phone Signal on the Bunda Cliffs?

There is limited phone signal on the Bunda Cliffs and the Nullarbor as a whole. During our trip across the Nullarbor we didn’t have any phone signal at the Bunda Cliffs. Whether you have phone signal or not will depend on your provider and which Bunda Cliffs location you’re heading to.

Below I’ve included an image of Telstra’s coverage over the Nullarbor. Areas highlighted green have 4G coverage and areas highlighted turquoise have 3G coverage. As you can see, a large stretch of the Bunda Cliffs don’t have phone signal, camps that are closer to the WA/SA border and camps that are closer to the East end of the Nullarbor would have a greater chance of having phone signal.

telstra coverage nullarbor

Are Dogs Allowed at the Bunda Cliffs?

Unfortunately dogs are not allowed at the Bunda Cliffs as the Bunda Cliffs sit within the Nullarbor National Park, Wilderness Protection Area and Regional Reserve where dogs are not permitted. You can only travel through the area with your dogs.

The Head of Bight Visitor Centre also does not allow dogs within the centre or on the viewing platform and boardwalk. If visiting the centre, your dog/s need to be left in your vehicle or tied at the front of the centre.

Can you Whale Watch from the Bunda Cliffs?

Yes, the Bunda Cliffs are one of the most amazing spots to go whale watching as the Southern Right Whales visit the region for their annual breeding migration. Besides being a jaw-dropping location by themselves, the Bunda Cliffs offer an elevated vantage point with sweeping views of the Great Australian Bight (and the visiting whales).

The best time to see whales from the Bunda Cliffs is during the cooler months from May to October. The number of whales in the area peaks in July and August.

southern right whales

What are Some Other Interesting Facts about the Bunda Cliffs?

Below are some additional interesting facts about the Bunda Cliffs:

  • The Bunda Cliffs are the longest uninterrupted sea cliffs in the world.
  • The Bunda Cliffs were formed when Australia separated from Antarctica approximately 65 million years ago.
  • The Western Australian section of the Bunda Cliffs is known as the Baxter Cliffs. The Baxter Cliffs are named after John Baxter, a companion of the explorer Edward John Eyre who was killed in the area. The Baxter Cliffs and Baxter’s memorial pillar can only be accessed by 4WD.

What are the Bunda Cliffs Made Of?

The Bunda Cliffs are primarily made of fossiliferous limestone, a sedimentary rock that consists of the remains of ancient marine life, such as shells, corals and other calcareous organisms.

The limestone cliffs exhibit distinct layers and banding, reflecting variations in the composition and density of the sediment deposited over time. The base of the cliffs are a white, crumbly and chalky fossiliferous limestone known as Wilson Bluff limestone.

How Did the Bunda Cliffs get their Name?

The Bunda Cliffs are named after the Aboriginal word ‘Bunda’. The Government of South Australia published the name Bunda Cliffs in response to a submission from the Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources for approval to use ‘Bunda’ to refer to the extent of the cliff line from the Western Australian border to the Head of the Bight.

bunda cliffs nullarbor stock photo

How Far are the Bunda Cliffs from Ceduna?

The Bunda Cliffs are approximately 286km away from Ceduna which is about a 3-3.5 hour drive. The exact distance between Ceduna and the Bunda Cliffs varies depending on which section of the cliffs you’re referring to. Our figures are based on navigating to the Head of Bight Visitor Centre.

How Far is Eucla from the Bunda Cliffs?

The Bunda Cliffs are approximately 221km away from Eucla which is about a 2.5-3 hour drive. The exact distance between Eucla and the Bunda Cliffs varies depending on which section of the cliffs you’re referring to. Our figures are based on navigating to the Head of Bight Visitor Centre.

How Far is Streaky Bay from the Bunda Cliffs?

The Bunda Cliffs are approximately 397km away from Streaky Bay which is about a 4.5-5 hour drive. The exact distance between Streaky Bay and the Bunda Cliffs varies depending on which section of the cliffs you’re referring to. Our figures are based on navigating to the Head of Bight Visitor Centre.

How Far is Norseman from the Bunda Cliffs?

The Bunda Cliffs are approximately 930km away from Norseman which is about a 9.5-10 hour drive. The exact distance between Norseman and the Bunda Cliffs varies depending on which section of the cliffs you’re referring to. Our figures are based on navigating to the Head of Bight Visitor Centre.

mount jimberlana hill norseman

Enjoy Your Time at the Bunda Cliffs

That’s the end of our full guide on everything you need to know about the Bunda Cliffs. We hope you found it useful! If you’re looking for information on driving across the Nullarbor make sure to check out our guide (The Ultimate Guide to Driving Across the Nullarbor) that runs through everything you need to know.

Lydia
Lydia

Hey! I’m Lydia.

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