When we transport a car across the Nullarbor, the vehicle travels on a specialised carrier as part of a scheduled interstate freight run. It isn’t driven from Melbourne to Perth as a normal road trip, which is one of the first things customers ask us about.
Before the car is loaded, our team verifies the vehicle details and checks its condition. Existing scratches, dents or other visible marks are recorded in a condition report, then handed to the customer for review and sign-off.
Once everything is checked, the vehicle is loaded, secured and prepared for the interstate run.
By the time the vehicle reaches WA, there is another handover to manage. Depending on the service booked, we arrange depot collection or contact the customer to organise delivery to their nominated address.
Why Transporting a Car Across the Nullarbor Is Different
The Nullarbor is a very different run from shorter interstate routes. Once a carrier leaves the major cities, there are long stretches between towns, limited services and plenty of heavy freight traffic. That changes how a vehicle movement needs to be planned.
For our team, the biggest difference is the distance involved. A Melbourne to Perth load isn’t simply a matter of putting a car on a truck and sending it west. The available carrier, loading capacity, vehicle size and scheduled departure all need to line up before the journey begins.
There is also a lot of heavy freight on this route. Road trains, B-doubles, fuel tankers and other heavy vehicles are common across the Eyre Highway, so drivers need to allow for the conditions rather than treating the trip like an ordinary highway drive.
How Is the Car Loaded Before the Journey?
Before your car goes anywhere, our team first confirms that the vehicle details match the booking. We check the make, model, registration details and whether the vehicle is running, modified or has any loading requirements that the carrier needs to know about.
The next step is the condition check. We inspect the vehicle for existing scratches, dents, chips or other visible marks. Anything already present is recorded in the vehicle condition report, so there is a clear record of how the car looked before transport.
We then provide the report to the customer for review and sign-off. This gives both sides a record of the vehicle’s condition before loading, rather than trying to work out later whether a mark was already there.
Once the checks are completed, the vehicle is positioned on the carrier and secured for the journey. How a vehicle is positioned depends on its size, type and the other vehicles already booked on that load.
Move Oz Wheels also carries $20 million public liability insurance and $1.6 million transit insurance.
What Happens to the Car During the Nullarbor Journey?
Once your car is loaded, it stays secured on the carrier for the journey. It travels with other vehicles on the same interstate run, rather than being driven separately by someone using your car.
The available space on the carrier depends on the vehicles being moved. A hatchback, SUV, 4WD or modified vehicle can all take up different amounts of space, so our team checks these details before the load is planned.
The driver then works through the scheduled run across the Nullarbor, sharing the road with road trains, B-doubles and other heavy vehicles.
Your vehicle remains secured while the carrier completes the journey. If weather, road conditions or freight scheduling affect the run, the delivery timing can move accordingly. That’s normal for a long-distance movement of this scale.
How Long Does It Take to Transport a Car Across the Nullarbor?
For a regular Melbourne to Perth car transport booking, our standard delivery timeframe is generally 9–13 working days. This gives the carrier enough time to complete the scheduled interstate run and handle the loading and delivery process at both ends.
If the vehicle is needed sooner, Express delivery is available on selected runs. The usual Express timeframe is 5–8 working days, subject to available space and the next suitable departure.
The same general timeframes apply when moving a vehicle from Perth to Melbourne. Standard service is usually 9–13 working days, while an Express run can take around 5–8 working days when available.
These are expected delivery timeframes rather than guaranteed arrival dates. Long-distance transport can be affected by loading schedules, road conditions and other circumstances along the route, so we confirm the expected timing when the booking is arranged.
What Happens When the Car Reaches WA?
Once the vehicle reaches WA, the delivery process depends on the service you selected at the time of booking.
For depot-to-depot car transport, our team provides the customer with the relevant depot details and collection timing. You can then arrange to collect the vehicle during the depot’s available operating hours.
If you selected door-to-door delivery, our delivery team contacts you once the vehicle is ready. We arrange a suitable time to bring the car to the agreed address, taking into account access for the carrier.
After delivery, photos of the vehicle are taken as part of the handover process. This gives us and the customer a record of the vehicle at the end of its journey.
Does the Car Get Driven Across the Nullarbor?
No. Your car is transported as freight on a vehicle carrier rather than being driven across the Nullarbor by our driver.
This is one of the common questions we get from customers moving between WA and the eastern states. The kilometres covered during the journey are travelled by the carrier, while your vehicle remains loaded and secured.
That makes a big difference for customers who don’t want to put thousands of extra kilometres on the car, particularly with newer vehicles, 4WDs, classics or cars that are not suited to a long-distance drive.
What Can Affect the Delivery Time?
A long-distance vehicle movement is planned around the available carrier and its scheduled load. If loading takes longer than expected or the next suitable departure has limited space, the timing can change.
Weather, roadworks, heavy traffic or other unexpected delays can also affect the run. We provide an expected delivery timeframe when the booking is arranged, but the final arrival day can change if conditions along the route affect the schedule.
Can You Avoid the Nullarbor by Shipping Your Car?
Yes. Road transport isn’t the only option for moving a vehicle between Melbourne and Perth. Coastal shipping can move the vehicle by sea instead of sending it across the Nullarbor by road.
For customers considering this option, our coastal car shipping Melbourne to Perth service provides an alternative way to move the vehicle to Western Australia. The right option depends on your preferred timeframe, vehicle and delivery requirements.
Road transport can be the more straightforward choice when you want your vehicle moved as part of a regular interstate carrier run. Coastal shipping may appeal to owners who would rather keep the vehicle off the long highway journey.
What Should You Do Before Your Car Is Collected?
A few simple checks before collection can make the handover much easier. Give the vehicle a clean so its condition is easy to check, and take a few photos of the exterior before handing it over.
Remove personal belongings that aren’t permitted under the transport arrangements, along with toll tags and loose items inside the cabin or boot. If you’re unsure about what can stay in the vehicle, check with our team before collection. You can also read our guide on personal items in your car during transport.
Make sure we know if the vehicle has modifications, mechanical issues or anything that could affect loading. If the car isn’t running, tell us beforehand so the right loading arrangements can be made.
Finally, keep the keys and any required paperwork ready for handover. It makes the collection process much easier and gives the driver everything needed to get the vehicle loaded safely.
Depot-to-Depot or Door-to-Door: Which One Should You Choose?
The choice usually comes down to convenience and where the vehicle can be safely accessed by the carrier. With depot-to-depot service, you drop the car at the nominated departure depot and collect it from the destination depot.
Our team provides the relevant depot details and collection timing, so you know where the vehicle needs to go and when it can be collected.
With door-to-door transport, we arrange collection and delivery closer to your nominated addresses. Before confirming the delivery point, we also consider whether a large vehicle carrier can safely access the street or property.
For customers who can easily get to a depot, depot-to-depot can be a practical option. If convenience is the priority, door-to-door removes the need to arrange the depot collection yourself.
Planning to Transport Your Car Across the Nullarbor?
A long-distance vehicle move involves more than putting a car on a truck and waiting for it to arrive. At Move Oz Wheels, we check the vehicle before loading, document its condition, secure it for transit and keep the delivery arrangements clear from the start.
If you’re planning to move a vehicle between WA and the eastern states, the right service will depend on your vehicle, timeframe and preferred delivery method. Our team can explain the available options and what to expect before the booking is confirmed.
Leave A Comment