The Last Morning on the Nullarbor
Good morning.
This day marked the final stretch of my crossing of the Nullarbor Plain, riding from Penong to Ceduna.
But my bicycle was barely holding together. The rear rack was still broken, tied up with straps as a makeshift fix. If it dropped and touched the tire, a puncture would be inevitable. With every turn of the pedals, I carried not just my luggage but the weight of the entire journey on my back.
The sky was perfectly clear, yet the wind was relentless, blowing straight into my face. Each push on the pedals felt heavier than the last, my thoughts growing sluggish. If I let my guard down, I knew my spirit might break.
I stopped again and again, taking deep breaths before forcing myself to continue. “Just 20 kilometers more,” I repeated in my head, clinging to those words.
Ceduna in Sight
And then, finally—
The town of Ceduna appeared on the horizon.
What I saw wasn’t just a cluster of streets and buildings. It was the overwhelming realization that I had truly made it.
1,200 kilometers. Complete.
I had endured road trains thundering past, dust storms, a broken rack, and endless headwinds. Yet here I was, still standing, still riding. That achievement will stay with me for the rest of my life, long after this road.
I bought water at a convenience store and made my way down to the shoreline.
There, the sea stretched out before me, calm and crystal-clear.
I closed my eyes in the wind. My body was tired, but somehow, I felt lighter than ever.
A Small Celebration
Afterward, I treated myself to a little shopping—just a packet of soy sauce ramen. It might sound simple, but when you’re traveling, these small rewards feel like treasures.
I filled up my bottles at SA Water and then rested for a while at the local OTR.
That was when a small miracle happened.
In casual conversation, I mentioned that I had recently spent my birthday alone on the road. Without hesitation, the people around me all chimed in together: “Happy Birthday!”
It was just a few words, but they sank deep into my tired heart.
Later, a kind staff member guided me to a hot shower. Standing under that stream of warm water felt like washing away the dust, the fatigue, and even the loneliness of the crossing.
Ceduna: An Ending and a Beginning
Ceduna marked the end of my Nullarbor crossing. But more than that, it became the beginning of what comes next.
I don’t know what kind of people I will meet or what challenges will come. But after completing these 1,200 kilometers, I feel ready. With this experience, I believe I can keep going—anywhere.
