Head of Bight Turnoff Rest Area Free Camp – Eyre Highway, South Australia

A Simple Free Overnight Stop Near One of the Nullarbor’s Greatest Attractions

For travellers crossing the Nullarbor, the Head of Bight Turnoff Rest Area provides a convenient place to pull off the Eyre Highway, rest and, where current signage permits, stop overnight. The rest area is particularly useful for caravanners and motorhome travellers planning to visit the spectacular Head of Bight, one of Australia’s best-known land-based whale-watching locations. This is a very basic roadside free camp. There are no toilets, showers, drinking water, bins, power or shade, so travellers need to be completely self-sufficient. What it does offer is space – plenty of it. The broad, level gravel drive-through area can accommodate caravans, motorhomes and long rigs, making it a handy stopping point on this remote stretch of the Eyre Highway.

Rest Area Overview

Where is the Head of Bight Turnoff Rest Area?

The rest area is located beside the Eyre Highway in the Yalata region of western South Australia. Camping information places the site along the Eyre Highway west of Penong and describes it as a convenient stopping area for travellers exploring the Head of Bight region. Access is straightforward from the sealed highway, with a broad gravel drive-through area capable of accommodating larger caravan combinations and motorhomes.

Camping at the Rest Area

Camping here is about as basic as Nullarbor travel gets. There are no marked caravan sites, powered bays or formal campground facilities. Instead, travellers use the large gravel stopping area and choose a suitable position that does not obstruct other vehicles.

The site is particularly suitable for:

• Caravans
• Motorhomes
• Campervans
• Camper trailers
• Long rigs
• Self-contained touring vehicles

The site is best suited to travellers who carry their own toilet, drinking water, food and other supplies.

How Much Does It Cost?

The Head of Bight Turnoff Rest Area is currently listed as a free overnight stopping area, with no formal booking system.

Facilities

There are effectively no facilities at this rest area.

Take all rubbish with you and leave the site as you found it.

Head of Bight Visitor Centre

The main attraction nearby is the magnificent Head of Bight Visitor Centre and whale-watching area. The centre has boardwalks leading to viewing platforms overlooking the Great Australian Bight, where towering limestone cliffs meet the Southern Ocean.

Facilities at the Visitor Centre include:

• Car parking
• Caravan parking
• Coach parking
• Toilets
• Accessible toilets
• Shaded picnic area
• Boardwalks
• Viewing platforms
• First-aid equipment

Whale Watching at Head of Bight

The Head of Bight is one of Australia’s outstanding locations for seeing southern right whales from land. Whales generally begin arriving around May and remain in the area until approximately October. During winter, adult whales gather in the sheltered waters below the cliffs to mate, give birth and socialise. By late winter, mothers can often be seen swimming alongside their calves close to the cliffs.

Head of Bight Entry Fees

The rest area itself is free, but entry fees apply to the Head of Bight Visitor Centre and viewing platforms.

Current published whale-season prices (July 2026) include:

• Adult: $20
• Senior: $17
• Child aged 5–15: $9
• Family: $50

Lower entry fees apply during the off-season. Always check current prices and opening hours before travelling.

Are Dogs Allowed?

Pets are currently reported as welcome at the roadside rest area. Different rules apply at the Head of Bight Visitor Centre. Pets are not permitted inside the Tourist Centre or on the boardwalk. Dogs must remain in the vehicle or be tied up while their owners visit the viewing area. The Visitor Centre advises that water for pets is available there.

Mobile Phone Reception

Some mobile phone reception has been reported at the Head of Bight Turnoff Rest Area. However, signal strength can vary and previous visitors have reported needing to move around the area to find the best reception. As with most remote Nullarbor travel, don’t depend entirely on your mobile phone. Download maps and important travel information while you have reliable coverage.

No Shade

One important consideration is the lack of shade. The rest area is open and exposed, so conditions can become very hot during summer and windy at other times of year. Caravanners should secure awnings carefully and avoid relying on them during strong winds.

Camping Near the Bunda Cliffs

Travellers should not confuse designated Eyre Highway rest areas with informal tracks leading toward the coast. Camping along the Bunda Cliffs within the Nullarbor Wilderness Protection Area is prohibited. The cliff edge is unstable and sections continually collapse into the Southern Ocean. Use designated lookouts when visiting the cliffs and approved rest areas or campgrounds when stopping overnight.

What Should You Bring?

Because there are no facilities, arrive completely prepared:

Best Time to Visit

The cooler months are generally the most comfortable time for travelling across the Nullarbor. If seeing whales is part of your trip, plan your visit between approximately May and October, with July and August typically among the busiest whale-watching months. Winter nights can become cold, so pack warm clothing even when daytime conditions are pleasant.

Contact Details

Final Thoughts

The Head of Bight Turnoff Rest Area is about as uncomplicated as free camping gets.

There are no facilities – but there is plenty of space.

For self-contained caravanners and motorhome travellers, its location makes it particularly useful as a simple overnight stop while exploring the Head of Bight and continuing across the Nullarbor. Being able to stay nearby also makes it easier to spend more time enjoying the spectacular Great Australian Bight rather than trying to squeeze a visit into an already long day’s drive. Just remember the distinction: camp at the designated highway rest area, not at the Head of Bight Visitor Centre or along the unstable Bunda Cliffs.