In 1962 the road across the Nullarbor was nothing more than a dirt road.
Crossing the vast Nullarbor back in 1962, when the road was nothing more than a rough dirt track littered with corrugations and stones, was an adventure in every sense of the word for Robert Agnew, who grew up in Mooroopna.
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And doing it on a Chamberlain Champion 6G tractor, with a top speed of just 45km/h, no cab and always wearing sunglasses to keep the dust out of his 17-year-old eyes, only added to the challenge.
According to Robert, there were 1473km of unforgiving gravel road and a total of 2855km travelled.
However, Robert said the journey was something far greater than the trip itself.
It was, in fact, a convoy — an adventure shared with family and friends, and a dream built alongside his older brother, Rowan, and sister-in-law, Rosie, after they were allocated a virgin bush block north-east of Esperance, Western Australia.
I suppose, in a sense, every great adventure begins with a single leap of faith, and every journey unveils the beauty of the unknown.
But in 1962, transport options to Western Australia were limited.
So, alongside friends Ella Strong, David Lane and Barry McMillan — also from the Goulburn Valley — they did the only thing they could: loaded up their gear and set off, undeterred by the obstacles ahead.
Ella Strong looking at a Nullarbor sign written on a fridge.
Friends Ella, David and Barry were merely assisting with the trip — or shall I say, the adventure — to Esperance.
However, for brothers Robert and Rowan, it meant leaving behind their family orchard in Mooroopna, while being filled with excitement for the promise of new opportunities.
“I was also towing a 24ft two-axle trailer with a mobile welder, 14 disc plough, 3 x 44 gallon drums of diesel fuel, truck tyres, buckets of nuts and bolts and scrap steel,” Robert said.
“Rowan and Rosie drove the Ford Thames eight-tonne truck towing a 20ft caravan, Barry drove a Zepher ute and David and Ella drove a Ford Spinner ute.
“I remember we had a two-burner gas stove with an oven and a fridge.”
Over the 12-day trip from Mooroopna to Esperance, only a few minor mechanical issues occurred.
“Only one flat tyre, a front wheel bearing on the tractor and a welding job for the caravan hitch,” Robert said.
“Not bad for a gravel road with corrugations everywhere, bull-dust holes and stony sections.
“There were many rough days on the road with a lot of stones.”
The convoy pictured helping out with a good old-fashioned tow in the middle of the Nullarbor.
David, now 86, was one of the friends who joined the trip, and later drove back to Shepparton with the other two companions.
He described it as one of the most amazing experiences of his life.
“This year marks 62 years since we did it,” David said.
“I was happy to help them get across, and I remember quite a few eventful things that happened.
“There was an issue with the police about the tractor being on the road, but we had a permit, so that was sorted out quickly after Rob and Rowan went to the station. And I’ll never forget seeing an albino dingo — I’d never seen anything like it before.
“We would play cards in the evenings, and I also took many photos along the way, which I’ve since had turned into slides — such amazing memories.”
Rowan and Robert Agnew’s sister Jan Vibert and David Lane looking through the Nullarbor tractor trip slides.
Sunset on the Nullarbor, taken by David Lane in 1962.
There were plenty of adventures on this road-trip of a lifetime, according to both David and Robert.
It was an experience that has stayed with them both — and one that Robert actually undertook twice.
“I’ll never forget finally driving on to the sealed road just east of Norseman — no more dust, stones, rattling or banging, and no more hoping nothing would fall off,” Robert said.
“It was such a relief and a joy to have made it, and we celebrated that moment too.”
In 1963, Robert and Rowan embarked on a second journey across the Nullarbor.
This time, they used another Chamberlain Champion 6G tractor towing a trailer, along with a truck pulling its own trailer.
The crossing was completed in just 10 days.
“That too was a journey I will never forget,” Robert said, with a laugh.
"It’s probably rare to see such a convoy these days, but it’s an experience everyone should try.
“Cross the Nullarbor, explore and take in our incredible country — but if you’re after a faster journey, maybe skip the tractor!”
The convoy pulled over for a break.
Today, David lives on his property in Mooroopna while Marg and Robert decided after 50 years of farming they would downsize to a small block 20km north-east of Esperance.
Rowan sadly passed in 2016; his wife, Rosemary, resides in Perth with their children and grandchildren.
Their remarkable story shows that with determination, a sense of adventure and a willingness to embrace the unknown, even the roughest journeys can lead to lifelong memories and enduring bonds that remain forever in people’s hearts.
Robert Agnew, originally from Mooroopna, is still involved in farming in Western Australia today.
Rowan Agnew sadly passed in 2016, after many years in the farming industry.
David Lane today remains living in Mooroopna on his property.
Photo by
Kelly Carmody
“It was a journey we will all never forget,” Robert Agnew says.
