Old Perlubie School Site Free Camp – South Australia

Free Overnight Camping on the Eyre Highway Between Poochera and Ceduna

The Old Perlubie School Site is a basic free overnight rest area on the Eyre Highway, providing a convenient stopping point for travellers heading between the eastern Eyre Peninsula and Ceduna. Located approximately 25 kilometres northwest of Poochera, the site offers plenty of room to pull off the highway, with shaded areas among the trees and enough space for caravans, motorhomes and larger touring rigs. This is a simple roadside free camp rather than a developed campground. Facilities are limited to picnic tables and rubbish bins, with no toilets, showers, drinking water or electricity. For self-contained travellers making their way toward Ceduna and the Nullarbor, however, Old Perlubie School Site can be a handy place to stop for the night.

Old Perlubie School Site Overview

Camping at Old Perlubie School Site

Old Perlubie School Site provides a large informal rest area where travellers can pull well away from the main traffic lanes and find a position among the surrounding trees. There are no marked campsites or powered bays. Instead, travellers simply select a sensible established area suitable for their vehicle while keeping access clear for other users. The site is particularly useful for caravans and motorhomes because there is enough room for larger touring vehicles. Several areas have natural shade, which can make Old Perlubie more comfortable than some of the completely exposed roadside rest areas farther west.

How Long Can You Stay?

Current information describes Old Perlubie School Site as a roadside rest area where overnight stays are accepted as part of fatigue management. Stays longer than 24 hours are not encouraged. It should therefore be treated as an overnight travelling stop rather than somewhere to establish a camp for several days.

Facilities

Old Perlubie School Site has very few facilities.

Available facilities include:

• Picnic tables
• Rubbish bins
• Natural shade
• Large vehicle parking areas

There are no:

• Toilets
• Showers
• Drinking water
• Electricity
• Camp kitchen
• Dump point

Is Old Perlubie School Site the Same as Perlubie Beach?

No. The two camping locations should not be confused. Old Perlubie School Site is an inland roadside rest area beside the Eyre Highway. Perlubie Beach is on the coast south of the highway and offers a completely different beachside camping experience. If you’re simply travelling toward Ceduna and the Nullarbor, the Old Perlubie School Site is the more convenient option because you don’t need to make a coastal detour.

Are Dogs Allowed?

Yes. Traveller reports consistently describe Old Perlubie School Site as pet friendly. Keep dogs under effective control and don’t allow them to wander toward the Eyre Highway. Wildlife and livestock may also be present in the surrounding district.

Road Noise

One disadvantage of Old Perlubie School Site is its proximity to the Eyre Highway. Road trains use this route throughout the day and night, so some highway noise should be expected. Older traveller reports specifically mention overnight road-train noise at this location. If you’re a light sleeper, choose a position as far from the highway as practical.

Getting There

Old Perlubie School Site is located directly off the Eyre Highway approximately 25 kilometres northwest of Poochera. The site can be accessed by vehicles travelling in either direction. Older traveller reports note that the entrance can be relatively easy to miss, so begin looking for the rest area before reaching your navigation pin. Slow down early, particularly when towing a caravan, rather than attempting a sudden turn from highway speed.

GPS Location

Poochera

Poochera is approximately 25 kilometres southeast and is the nearest established township for basic traveller services. The small Eyre Peninsula town is known particularly for the unusual dinosaur ant, a primitive species  discovered in the surrounding region. Travellers should still stock up on major supplies and fuel whenever the opportunity arises rather than relying on every small settlement having everything they need.

Heading Toward Ceduna?

Old Perlubie School Site is particularly useful for travellers making their way west toward Ceduna. Ceduna is the major regional service centre before the traditional Nullarbor crossing and is the best place to stock up on food, water, fuel and other supplies. If you’ve reached Old Perlubie late in the day, stopping here can allow you to arrive in Ceduna rested the following morning.

What Should You Bring?

With no toilets, water or power, campers should arrive fully self-contained and read our Nullarbor Plain Checklist

Free Camp Etiquette

Help keep Old Perlubie School Site available to future travellers by following a few simple rules:

• Use established parking and camping areas
• Use the rubbish bins provided
• Never dump toilet waste
• Don’t leave grey water where it may affect other campers
• Keep pets under control
• Leave room for other travellers
• Keep noise to a minimum
• Limit your stay to one night

Final Thoughts

Old Perlubie School Site isn’t a destination campground, but that’s not really its purpose. For travellers making their way across the Eyre Peninsula toward Ceduna and eventually the Nullarbor, it provides a convenient place to get off the road, park the caravan and sleep for the night without paying a camping fee. The shady trees, picnic tables and large parking area are useful, although the lack of toilets and drinking water means you’ll need to be completely self-contained. Highway noise from road trains is the main compromise, particularly for light sleepers.

If you’re self-contained and simply need a free overnight stop before continuing toward Ceduna, Old Perlubie School Site is a practical option.