Great Australian Road Stops

Australia has vast, largely uninhabitable lands, with burning deserts and stretches of dry scrubland larger than most European countries. Much of its population is clustered along the coasts; you could be forgiven for thinking there’s not much to see in the middle. But for those who dare to cross these wide brown lands, whether via car, van, or truck, we have something uniquely ours to make the journey a little more comfortable.

Roadhouses are scattered across the continent, offering fuel, food, accommodation, and community in an otherwise barren landscape. With a great deal to choose from, depending on your route, here are some of our suggested roadhouses worth stopping for.

Image courtesy of The Daily Telegraph

Nullarbor Roadhouse

The Nullarbor Plain is a flat, semi-arid part of the country that it’s named for its lack of trees (null = no, arbor = tree), and is home to the longest, flattest, straight road in Australia; the Eyre Highway. The six-day journey through across the Great Australian Bight, stretching from the gold fields of WA and the Eyre Peninsula in SA, is not for the faint of heart. But amongst all the isolation and rugged wilderness is the Nullarbor Roadhouse. It’s a motel, caravan site, shop, restaurant and bar, the roadhouse has everything you need to revive from your journey.

Originally operating as a remote outback station, the Nullarbor Station once covered acres of land with paddocks of sheep, horses and cattle, before starting to sell petrol in 1956. This then expanded with a small shop, selling drinks and snacks, before becoming a much-needed rest stop. The new roadhouse celebrates its rich history with a series of murals, and the old roadhouse building was restored with historical signs, original food and drink packaging, and even the old petrol pump.

Promising to provide comfort, fresh food, friendly service (and WiFi), this charming roadhouse is the perfect stop as you travel across the Eyre Highway. While you’re here, you might want to check out the World’s Longest Golf Course, and even tee off if you have a spare 5 days to play.

Image courtesy of Visit Mildura

Hattah Roadhouse

In the north-west corner of the Mallee, in Victoria, about 480kms out from Melbourne and 70kms south of Mildura on the Calder Highway, you’ll find a hidden gem nestled between the sand dunes and the scrub known as the Hattah Roadhouse.

Enjoyed by truckies and travellers alike, this roadhouse offers much-needed respite in the form of excellent coffee, hearty burgers, and, most importantly, the best hot showers on the Calder. There’s no on-site accommodation, but they have a petrol station and plenty of parking for big rigs, making this a suitable stop for all drivers. It’s also popular amongst motorheads returning from events at Calder Park.

Situated next to the Hattah-Kulkyne National Park, this roadhouse is perfect for a stop before heading out see the beautiful freshwater Hattah lakes, or to refresh on your journey.

Image courtesy of Coober Pedy.com

Coober Pedy Roadhouse

If you’re driving north from Adelaide to Alice Springs or up to Darwin, a must-stop on your journey is the utterly unique town where people live, worship and shop underground; Coober Pedy. Also known as the “opal mining capital of the world”, this town is also famous for its below-ground dwellings, called “dugouts”, which were built to compensate for the scorching daytime heat.

A town of roughly 2,000 people on the edge of the Stuart Range and with an average summer temperature of 37 degrees, it’s not easy to live out here. The unique soil structure makes underground living possible, with a bed of hard sandstone glittered with opal and practically no vegetation or water table to worry about.

If you wish to stay the night, you can experience underground living for yourself at any of the unique hotels and B&Bs. But if you’re passing through, the Coober Pedy Roadhouse off the Stuart Highway is open 24/7 and attached to the Outback Bar and Grill, perfect for a big feed after a long day on the road.

While you’re here, look out for one of Australia’s many Big Things, the Big Winch, built in the 1970s by Claus Wirries, to celebrate the town’s opal mining industry.

Image courtesy of Now and Then

Sandfire Roadhouse

Crossing the great wide west can seem daunting, with many roads having only a few places for drivers to rest and recover. The Great Northern Highway, stretching from Perth to Wyndham, is the longest in the country, at almost 3,200 kilometres. Economically, this road is crucial for connecting the Wheatbelt, Mid-West regions, the Pilbara and Kimberly. As such, this road is key for the mining, agriculture, and tourism industries alike.

A near-essential stop if you’re travelling between Port Hedland and Broome is the Sandfire Roadhouse. Located in Eighty Mile Beach, approximately 287 km from any other roadhouse, the Sandfire is the perfect opportunity to stretch your legs or stop for the night.  

Established in 1970, this quirky old-school roadhouse features an attached caravan park with powered and unpowered sites and motel rooms – and is pet-friendly. As for the local wildlife, you’ll be entertained by the flock of resident peacocks who roam the grounds and the local camel population. The restaurant is known for its hearty meals and great service, and there are BBQ facilities onsite (and meat packs for sale) if you’d rather cook for yourself.

Image courtesy of Hells Gate Roadhouse

Hell’s Gate Roadhouse

In the Northwest of Queensland, approximately 50kms from the border to NT, lies Cliffdale Station and Hell’s Gate Roadhouse. Established in 1986, this family-owned roadhouse is named for a notorious stretch of the road that passes through a narrow gap in the escarpment about 1km south.  Historically, this road was used during the early days of the Gulf settlement, where settlers and travellers would cross by foot or horse, and it was considered a very dangerous journey.

These days, Hell’s Gate Roadhouse boasts all the usual requirements for weary travellers, with a petrol station, restaurant, and accommodation, ranging from powered and unpowered campsites to air-conditioned cabins. They even have a range of more luxurious motel-style rooms, including a private ensuite – appropriately called the “Hellton” rooms.

While you’re here, why not take a scenic helicopter flight? These let you explore the rich landscape of the Savannah Way from a whole new perspective, from Cliffdale Sation to the Gulf of Carpentaria. These flights – lasting from 20 to 60 minutes- would make for a memorable stop-over on your journey.

Image courtesy of Terry on Tour

Tilmouth Well Roadhouse

The Tanami Desert in the NT is one of the planet's most isolated and arid areas. It’s considered one of Australia’s final frontiers and wasn’t truly explored by settlers until well into the twentieth century. Far from being barren, this landscape is a crucial biological refuge for many endangered plants and wildlife. Still, crossing the desert along the predominantly dirt road can be tricky, especially after rain, and it’s crucial to be properly prepared.

Billed as ‘an oasis on the Tanami’, the Tilmouth Well Roadhouse is a refreshing break for weary travellers journeying through Central Australia. This dog-friendly roadhouse features two powered camping sites and air-conditioned cabins for a stopover, with hearty food at Clayton’s Restaurant. Living up to its oasis name, Tilmouth also boasts sprawling lawns, a bar/lounge and even a pool – perfect for a quick dip on those hot summer days.  

Situated on the Tanami Highway, approximately 200kms north of Alice Springs, this roadhouse boasts friendly staff, good pub meals and a hot shower, which is always welcome in the desert.

 

 

With so many hidden gems to discover, rest well and enjoy the local hospitality as you journey through this great wide land.