The Nullarbor

[Emily]

I'm starting a new thread as I have so many things to consider for our big trip and this seems like the place to track them.

The total drive is 3,485 km. We plan to do it in 4 days. The average drive will be 8-10hrs per day (730-970km per day)
A large portion of the drive is through the desert.
Heat could be an issue - could be anywhere between 28 and 40 during the day
Accommodation - we'll need to find and pre book dog friendly accommodation for each of the three nights.

The biggest concern is bait. 1080 bait is used throughout the area.

Ella is muzzle trained but we're also looking at adding mesh to the muzzle and possibly boots to reduce the risk of Ella getting contaminated feet and licking them later.

 

[kateincornwall]

So much to think about , it must be exhausting to plan x I think extra mesh on the muzzle is a grand idea, better to err to caution I`m sure . What a trip it will be so I wish you lots of luck with the planning and the trip itself to your new chapter of your lives xxxxx P.S. what is the bait for ?xx

 

[Emily]

what is the bait for

Rabbits, foxes, wild dogs and wild pigs. The reason it's used is because it's not toxic to native Australian animals.

It's horrifically toxic to dogs.

The worst part is its dropped in little dried meat parcels. You can track the areas that they've dropped it out of the planes but it's known to be picked up and dropped by birds so can be anywhere in tbe region.

 

[HAH]

Rabbits, foxes, wild dogs and wild pigs. The reason it's used is because it's not toxic to native Australian animals.

It's horrifically toxic to dogs.

The worst part is its dropped in little dried meat parcels. You can track the areas that they've dropped it out of the planes but it's known to be picked up and dropped by birds so can be anywhere in tbe region.

That is scary. You’re really sensible to plan thoroughly, I guess anyone living in the Nullabor (where you might stay) is able to keep their land clear? Or do people have to do constant checks? Or can you just never assume anywhere is free from bait? Eurgh.

 

[Emily]

anyone living in the Nullabor

There are very few people living out there. Just a few roadhouses and motels. It's the kind of environment where you have to fill up with fuel whenever you get a chance and make sure you always have water with you as it can be nearly 200km between stops.

 

[M.F.]

Wow, that’s a lot of driving! A colleague did it alone about 25 years ago. He bought an old classic car and fixed it up, and then did the drive. Took the train back to Sydney. Car came back on the train. Sounded like the most amazing adventure. I’d love to do the train journey one day. I’m sorry I never did these grand adventures when I lived in Australia. My work ethic was too strong!! And I used all my holidays to visit my parents in SA. So silly!!

Where is your destination?

I always love asking people what Nullabor means. I won’t say what it is in case anyone wants to guess!

 

[Atemas]

If you’re going to use shoes/boots on Ella, get going on that quickly. It took a few weeks to get Red used to hers earlier in the year when we went to France and Spain.

What an amazing adventure for you and your family. Do you have new jobs to go to when you arrive? Good luck with it all and if you have time, it would be lovely to hear about it all (and photos)

 

[Jelinga]

What an amazing and somewhat perilous drive! Could you not put the car on the train, or isn't there one?

 

[Cath]

Nullarbor Plain - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[Emily]

I’m sorry I never did these grand adventures when I lived in Australia

This will be my first trip across the Nullarbor. But, because we'll have 2kids and a dog, it will be anything but enjoyable. It's purely a means to and end on this occasion. Maybe one day we'll do it again and enjoy it. I know OH was interested in playing the gold course. Nullarbor Links - Wikipedia

If you’re going to use shoes/boots on Ella, get going on that quickly.

I've given it some more thought and I don't think we'll use boots. I can't see Ella being able to adjust. Instead, we'll use a tub and will was her feet.

Could you not put the car on the train, or isn't there one?

We could put the cars on the train but it's quite pricey. Plus then we'd have to pay for flights (likely $2k for the four humans) and then we'd need to fly Ella too. I just don't think she'd cope with the flight, I worry she'd be too stressed.

 

[Jelinga]

Nullarbor Plain - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

Isn't there a better way! Carbon flies ok On a serious note I do worry that you have two children and a dog, but on the other hand it is an amazing adventure.

 

[M.F.]

Snowie now wears towelling baby socks when we go out cos of his sensitive skin between the pads. Front paws only. No need to get used them cos they fit snugly. We use masking tape like a garter around his ankles to keep them from slipping off. Perhaps you can do this? Cheap and easy, especially if you don’t put on the masking tape. For a wee and a run around, you don’t need to worry about them slipping off. Unless she kicks back dirt, like Snowie.

We use two socks on each paw cos Snowie likes the extra padding.

 

[Emily]

Unless she kicks back dirt, like Snowie.

Yep, she does

The boot issue is that Ella hates people touching her paws. My gut feeling is that the stress of getting anything on and off her paws will be awful.

 

[Emily_Babbelhund]

Wow, what an undertaking! It makes me think of 1800 pioneers heading west in the US, though thankfully much faster and you'll (hopefully) have A/C the whole way.

Thanks @Cath for the wiki link, that was an interesting read. Before seeing the map, I naively assumed you were going through the middle of Australia, but it's still what (I guess?) could still be considered coastal. Just looking on the map, it looks like a small area...but it must actually be massive! It's a 1000 km further than driving from Germany to southern Spain, the longest sprint I've ever done in one go - mind blown.

The bait thing is scary, but I have faith that you'll find a solution you feel comfortable with. Is there any sort of antidote to the stuff that you could stock for the trip, or a fast acting emetic? When Carbón ate rat poison in Italy, the vet gave him eye drops that made him projectile vomit, and then a different kind of eye drops to make him stop. It was impressive - and got rid of EVERYTHING he'd eaten that morning in about 5 seconds. Not saying that you'd use it, but just having something on hand may help you feel better.

 

[Emily]

Is there any sort of antidote to the stuff that you could stock for the trip, or a fast acting emetic?

Definitely no antidote but that's a good idea about the "inst-vomit". I'll chat to the vet about getting a dose to take with us.

it looks like a small area...but it must actually be massive!

The longest stretch is boooooooring but also a bit cool too. It's 147km (90miles) of completely straight road. No turns.

 

[M.F.]

The insta-vomit is apomorphine. You must have an antiemetic to give, otherwise the vomiting won’t stop. I very much doubt a vet will give you these meds. I was was just reading up on them because Snowie ate drug-laced poo in the forest and had an emergency vet visit a couple of weeks ago, where he was given these. He also got given subcutaneous fluids to prevent dehydration from all the vomiting.

But perhaps the vet will have some advice on what to do in case of ingesting poison. Perhaps take some activated charcoal with you. Snowie was given some to take at home, although he wouldn’t eat it until the next morning. I think he was too nauseas from the vomit meds.

Awful that you have to worry about this.