Questions cycle tourers should NOT ask at Nullarbor Roadhouses
November 11th 2006 01:55
There are some things you just don't ask at roadhouses while cycling across the Nullarbor. Go ahead and try if you want. Responses are at best going to be very sarcastic and at worst will confirm the general opinion out there that city slickers just don't understand...
Do you know what the weather is going to be tomorrow?
Answers to this question will generally be sarcastic. "Yeah sure, I'll just go and check the weather channel." or "Sure thing, I'll go and get today's copy of the local paper." Occasionally you'll see a strong wind warning for Eucla but that is about all you'll get. Your best bet is to ask other travellers or to just go outside and see for yourself.
Do you sell groceries?
This is guaranteed to make roadhouse workers grumpy. Their voices go up a notch as they say; "Groceries! Groceries! Of course we don't have groceries!" You need instead to ask them; "Do you stock basic food stuffs such as bread, milk and noodles." Click here to read about what happened when we asked this question.
Can I have a loaf of multigrain/rye/sourdough instead?
White, white or white bread guys!
What's the expiry date on that milk/bread?
Another one which is likely to elicit a grouchy response. Roadhouses freeze their milk and bread supplies and just defrost them and sell them as required. This means food which is technically out of date will often get sold. We drank out of date milk all the time without ill effects.
Where's the next town?
A few hapless tourists have been told to; "go outside, head east (or west) and just keep driving." Don't be fooled by names such as Border Village. Most "villages" are just roadhouses or, as is the case with Eucla/Border Village, are roadhouses with a nursing or police post.
Do you have budget accommodation?
Roadhouses will happily answer YES! We have budget accommodation. But we didn't think $75 per night warranted the word budget.
Where can I see kangaroos?
Ask this question and you'll be directed to go outside and check out the smelly remains of the latest roadkill lining the John Eyre Highway. At one point the John Eyre Highway was so densely covered by kangaroo carcasses we were unable to find a spot between them to stop for a drink. Your best bet for seeing kangaroos is to get up early or to hang around outside at dusk. And no, there is NOT an official kangaroo hunting season. Kangaroos in some rural areas of Australia are regularly culled by roo shooters but, generally speaking, tourists aren't taken out there in safari suits to hunt them.
Do you know what the weather is going to be tomorrow?
Answers to this question will generally be sarcastic. "Yeah sure, I'll just go and check the weather channel." or "Sure thing, I'll go and get today's copy of the local paper." Occasionally you'll see a strong wind warning for Eucla but that is about all you'll get. Your best bet is to ask other travellers or to just go outside and see for yourself.
The weather was hot and still on our first couple of days on the Nullarbor
Do you sell groceries?
This is guaranteed to make roadhouse workers grumpy. Their voices go up a notch as they say; "Groceries! Groceries! Of course we don't have groceries!" You need instead to ask them; "Do you stock basic food stuffs such as bread, milk and noodles." Click here to read about what happened when we asked this question.
Can I have a loaf of multigrain/rye/sourdough instead?
What's the expiry date on that milk/bread?
Another one which is likely to elicit a grouchy response. Roadhouses freeze their milk and bread supplies and just defrost them and sell them as required. This means food which is technically out of date will often get sold. We drank out of date milk all the time without ill effects.
Where's the next town?
A few hapless tourists have been told to; "go outside, head east (or west) and just keep driving." Don't be fooled by names such as Border Village. Most "villages" are just roadhouses or, as is the case with Eucla/Border Village, are roadhouses with a nursing or police post.
Penong is about as close to a town as you'll get on the Nullarbor
Do you have budget accommodation?
Roadhouses will happily answer YES! We have budget accommodation. But we didn't think $75 per night warranted the word budget.
Where can I see kangaroos?
Ask this question and you'll be directed to go outside and check out the smelly remains of the latest roadkill lining the John Eyre Highway. At one point the John Eyre Highway was so densely covered by kangaroo carcasses we were unable to find a spot between them to stop for a drink. Your best bet for seeing kangaroos is to get up early or to hang around outside at dusk. And no, there is NOT an official kangaroo hunting season. Kangaroos in some rural areas of Australia are regularly culled by roo shooters but, generally speaking, tourists aren't taken out there in safari suits to hunt them.
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