What’s happening across the Nullarbor: 20–26 September 2026

Global cave headlines, Ceduna’s biggest weekend of the year, and a closing window on whale season — here’s this week’s news, events and offers along the Eyre Highway.

Another week, another reason to love the Nullarbor. This week the Plain made international headlines for what’s hiding underneath it, Ceduna is gearing up for its biggest weekend of the year, and the whale-watching season at Head of Bight is ticking into its final weeks. Here’s everything happening across the Eyre Highway corridor right now.

Science & attractions

The Nullarbor just went global (again) — this time for its hidden caves

If you’ve ever driven the Eyre Highway and noticed those long, shallow trenches scoring the plain, science finally has a solid answer for what’s underneath them — and this week the story went properly international. Building on a study published 17 September in Communications Earth & Environment, led by Curtin University researchers alongside geomorphologist Matej Lipar, outlets including The Conversation, Live Science, Phys.org and SciTechDaily ran fresh coverage on 22–24 September explaining how these trenches — some stretching close to 20 kilometres long — are the surface scars of ancient underground cave systems that have been slowly collapsing for millions of years.

Using drone photography, boreholes and electrical resistivity imaging, the team showed the trenches mark where cave roofs have caved in from below, while nearby, still-intact caves remain hidden just out of sight. The research is even being used as a template for spotting similar features on Mars.

Why it matters for a visitThe Nullarbor sits on one of the largest exposed limestone karst landscapes on Earth, and this is a good excuse to look past the flat horizon and get curious about what’s below your feet. The Nullarbor’s showcase caves and sinkholes (several accessible only with a local guide or permit) are a genuinely different way to experience the crossing — worth building into an itinerary alongside the usual cliff-top stops. Check with the local visitor centres in Nullarbor Roadhouse, Ceduna or Norseman for current access arrangements before heading off-road to any cave or sinkhole.

Event · 3–4 October

Ceduna Oysterfest is back

Australia’s Oyster Capital throws its biggest party of the year on the SA Labour Day long weekend, and it’s completely free to attend. This year’s Ceduna Oysterfest (3–4 October) is shaping up with a full program along the Murat Bay foreshore, including free wine tastings, glass-bottom boat tours out on the bay, live entertainment, and even complimentary skin checks.

Why it matters for a visitIf you’re timing an east-to-west or west-to-east crossing, it’s well worth arriving into (or lingering in) Ceduna for the long weekend rather than just refuelling and pushing on. Expect accommodation and caravan parks around town to book out fast — sort a site sooner rather than later if Oysterfest weekend fits your route.

Closing window

Head of Bight: whale season is closing out for 2026

The Southern Right Whales that make Head of Bight one of the best land-based whale-watching spots on the planet are into the tail end of their 2026 season, which wraps up in late October. Numbers peak in July–August, but there are still whales — mothers and calves in particular — lingering in the sheltered waters off the boardwalks in the coming weeks.

Why it matters for a visitIf whale watching is on your Nullarbor bucket list this year, don’t leave it too late — the window is closing. It’s an easy add-on for anyone travelling the Eyre Highway between the SA border and Ceduna, with viewing platforms right off the highway.

Last call · departs 9 October

Booking window closing on the WA Wildflowers + Nullarbor 18-day tour

O’Shannessy’s Quality Tours’ escorted WA Wildflowers and Nullarbor Plain tour departs 9 October 2026 and runs 18 days, combining wildflower season in the west with a full Nullarbor crossing. With departure now less than two weeks away, this is very much a last-call for anyone who’s been considering it.

Why it matters for a visitA good option to flag for readers who’d rather join a fully escorted trip than self-drive, especially with wildflower season timing baked in.

Offers

Still worth grabbing: Nullarbor Links updates

A couple of standing offers at the World’s Longest Golf Course are worth a reminder for anyone playing all 18 holes across the 1,365 km course from Kalgoorlie to Ceduna:

Family Pass ($178): a recently introduced pass designed to make the course more accessible for families playing together.
Chasing the Sun Golf Tournament, 29 April – 8 May 2027: early-bird pricing remains open until 26 December 2026 for anyone planning ahead for next year’s event.

Why it matters for a visitBoth are easy value-adds to mention to travellers combining golf with their crossing — no rush this week, but worth knowing the family pass now exists and that the early-bird clock is running for 2027.

Road conditions

Clear crossing this week

No closures or major roadworks are currently reported along the Eyre Highway between Ceduna and Norseman. The one project to keep an eye on long-term is the proposed Kimba township realignment and junction upgrade in South Australia, which remains on hold pending a regional supply-chain planning study — no impact on through-traffic in the meantime.

Why it matters for a visitIt’s a green light for anyone planning a crossing in the coming week. As always, check the SA Department for Infrastructure and Transport’s Eyre Highway updates page and WA’s Main Roads site before departure, since conditions on this route can change quickly with weather or bushfire risk.

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