The Nullarbor Links

When planning to cross the Nullarbor we decided to play the Nullarbor Links which is titled as the worlds longest Golf course. You can either start in Ceduna and finish in Kalgoorlie or vice versa. There are 18 holes to play these holes are pretty much standard lengths from Tee to Green as any other golf course the difference is each hole is many kilometres apart and some the fairways would be best described as a rock quary or scrub.

Our scores were at best below the average and nowhere near par but it was more about the challenge and the fun of it than trying to beat the course record. One of the goals of the course is to get you to stop more often and out of the car to have a look around we most likely wouldn't have taken the time to see the old telegraph ruins at Eucla if it wasn't for stopping there to play a hole.

You purchase your score card from either the Tourist Bureau at Ceduna or Kalgoorlie for the cost of $70.00 per person playing you then get them stamped at each hole once you have them all stamped you can then claim your certificate at the destinations tourist bureau. There were a couple of times we though of giving in especially when we struggled to find some of the holes but we are glad we didn't and pressed on to completion. Would we recommend anyone to do it most definately would we do it again most likely not.

We started in Kalgoorlie where we played the first 2 holes which we would say were the best of the course but considering Kalgoorlie Golf course is ranked 90th best in Australia this shouldn't be surprising. It took us ages to find the entrance to the course there just didn't seem to be any signs even our GPS couldn't locate the course apparently it took us to the location of the old course. Finally we did find it and played the first two designated holes. We didn't take the van here leaving it at the caravan park but there would be enough room as long as you weren't there on a busy day. Stamping of the card can be done either at the course or the tourist centre.

 The next hole on from Kagoorlie was Kambalda as said earlier finding the golf course's was a challenge in itself not to mention how bad the road in was or was there enough parking area or even room to turn a car with a caravan on the back around. We called into the arts centre across the read who described the location of the course and how to get in. There was no grass at this hole but at least the fairway was cleared and level. The stamp is located on a table there you can do this yourself. There was enough room to park the car and van and turn around.

From Kambalda next is Norseman. There are 2 holes to play here. The unique feature of this course was the amount of double gees on the faiways. You need hard soled footware here as the double gees just punch through anything soft. The course was down the end of a gravel road about 2 km and there was enough room for the car and van to turn round and park. The stamp was done at the Tourist Centre in town.

Baladonia was next the feature of this course is you can barely tell the difference between the faiway and the surounding scrub making it hard to find the ball. The hole is next to the roadhouse where you can park and walk over. The stamp is done at the roadhouse.

Frasers range follows Baladonia which is pretty much the same condition just a shorter hole. Its a par three if you can land on the green in the first shot your fine if not you may need to have a bag of spare balls. I wouldn't advise taking your van out to the hole as there is limited room either plan to stay for the night at Fraser Range Caravan Park or see if you an unhitch your van in the car park. The stamp is located in a box outside the office.

Caiguna was next reasonable clear fairway but watchout for the hidden water feature just tot the left of the faiway. You can park at the road house as the hole is next door the stamp is available from the road house. The next 3 holes Cocklebiddy, Madura and Mundrabilla are pretty much the same as Caiguna all located next to the roadhouse.

Eucla hole was located a distance from the roadhouse about 5 km down a gravel road next to the rifle range. We almost turned around because we were sure we had missed it. There is enough room to park and turn around your car and van there but we unhitched the van at the roadhouse as the road was a bit rough and we also wanted to drive out to the old telegraph station ruins. The stamp was done at the road house.

Border Village hole was also next to the roadhouse as was Nullarbor Station. Anne got some help from the resident crow at Nullarbor who halfway down the fairway picked up here ball then dropped it closer to the hole. As they say you have to play the ball from where it lies.

Nundroo was near the roadhouse but the proprieter recomended parking in the caravan park which was near the green and walk from the green up to the tee then play the hole back again. The stamp is available in the roadhouse.

Penong is the third last hole and last site before Ceduna. The hole is at the local golf course off the main highway turn off before the Caltex Service station. After playing the hole you can get your stamp from the Caltex station. There is enough room to park and turn you car and van around.

The last 2 holes are at the Ceduna golf course. The parking is limited for car and van and you can get the card stamped at the tourist centre. You will also get your cetificate of completion there. You can get it laminated for $3.00 there.