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A few weeks ago, the Nullarbor Roadhouse team heard about Erich Hoffman and Rashid Khallouf’s plans to cycle from Perth back to their hometown of Sydney in order to raise funds for Lifeline Australia. After months of planning, they finally began their adventure on Saturday, 2 September, and we’ve been following their journey ever since. To read more about how this trip began click here. Unfortunately, upon commencing the trip Rashid experienced significant mechanical problems with his bike, which meant the remainder of the ride was simply not safe. The difficult decision was made that Erich would continue on the 4,000km cycling trip, raising money and awareness for the incredible charity. On Saturday, 16 September we were extremely excited to welcome Erich and fellow cyclist he met along the way, Ash Nurick, to the Roadhouse. Having cycled more than 700km in 14 days, The team at Nullarbor were happy to provide Erich and Ash a well-deserved hot shower, and great Aussie cooking from our team in the restaurant. We also heard about the wonderful people he had met while crossing the Nullarbor who offered help and encouragement. From the team at Nullarbor Roadhouse we would love to say a huge congratulations to Erich for the efforts he’s gone to in order to raise money for such an important charity. Erich has already raised more than $5,000 for Lifeline Australia. Donation tins can be found at the Nullarbor Roadhouse, or you can donate online here. We have absolutely loved hosting Erich and we look forward to seeing him complete the rest of this journey. Head over to PerthtoSydney4Lifeline to see what Erich gets up to along the way. If you see him on the Nullarbor, be sure to ask how he’s going or even just give him a wave.

On 2 September, Rashid Khallouf and Erich Hoffman, from Sydney, NSW will cycle 4,000 kilometres from Perth to Sydney across the Nullarbor to raise money for Lifeline Australia. Rashid and Erich have both been training tirelessly to prepare themselves for the estimated 40-day trip. Lifeline Australia is a 24/7 crisis support and suicide prevention service available to anyone who needs it. In Australia, a call is connected to Lifeline every minute. This national charity relies on community support and donations from people like Rashid and Erich, to help them save lives. These adventurists are embarking on this ride with the goal of raising both awareness and funds for Lifeline Australia and the important work they do. Rashid and Erich have firsthand experience with Lifeline Australia. Rashid has been personally touched by suicide through friends and associates who he has lost. But most recently someone close to him sadly attempted suicide, which actually brought Lifeline Australia and the incredible work they do to Rashid’s attention. He says the organisation does a great job in assisting people who feel desperately alone. For Erich, Lifeline Australia is such an important charity because of the support they provide for thousands of Australians including himself during difficult times. He says this cycling adventure will be exciting and daunting at the same time, but the fact that they are raising money for such an important cause makes it even more worthwhile. Today, Rashid and Erich are both positive people who want to make a difference for others who are feeling like they’re stuck in the dark. Together they have raised more than $5000 and will continue to raise money as they cycle across the Nullarbor. The Nullarbor Roadhouse team are excitedly awaiting their arrival as they cross the Nullarbor and will be sure to show them some good old-fashioned Roadhouse hospitality and ensure they have provisions for the next leg of their journey! If you would like to support Rashid and Erich on their journey from Perth to Sydney and across the Nullarbor Plain, please donate to the cause here:Rashid and Erich Alternatively, Nullarbor Roadhouse will have collection tins on-site for the duration of Rashid and Erich’s journey.

The Nullarbor is vast and barren and might not seem like it would sustain life, but there is actually a diverse range of animals who live here. Creatures who make their home here have adapted to living in the extremely hot, arid conditions. Some are quite rare – which is why vast areas of the plains are heavily protected. There are certain bird species that are unique to South Australia, such as the Plains Wanderer and the Nullarbor Quail-Thrush – as well as the Nullarbor Bearded Dragon. Herds of wild camels also roam across the plains, moving in herds of 10-40. Here are a few wildlife species that you may see as you travel across the Nullarbor: The Mallee Fowl The nesting habits of this strange and rare bird keep ornithologists around the world intrigued. The female will lay an enormous egg (compared to the size of her body) and then leaves the male to look after it. He builds a large mound of twigs, earth and leaves to incubate the egg and monitors the temperature carefully, removing earth from the mound if the egg gets too hot. He keeps things just right for about 40 days, until the chick hatches. The little one is ready to spread its wings and fly within only 24 hours. Southern Hairy-Nosed Wombat The Southern Hairy Nosed Wombat shelters from the sun by burrowing into the sand, so its entire body is designed for digging. It has five digits, flat claws and a stocky and robust build so that it can dig through the tough ground. Up to 10 wombats can live together in the complex underground warrens they create beneath the surface of the earth. Dingos These wild dogs scavenge the vast plains of the Nullarbor. They are adaptable creatures and can survive in a range of different ecosystems in Australia including forests, grasslands and deserts. They usually make their homes within hollow logs or deserted rabbit holes. The Nullarbor dingos have evolved to migrate over long distances. The longest migration route measured with a radio collar was around 250 km. Red Kangaroos These kangaroos can be seen on the Nullarbor Plain as well, although they are more active at night. The largest of all kangaroo species, they are at home in deserts and scrublands with some bushes or trees for shade. They are able to conserve water and select fresh vegetation in order to survive on the vast, dry Nullarbor Plain. Nullarbor Bearded Dragon This fascinating, spiky lizard is quite rare and is only found in this region of the world. It can grow up to 14 inches long and is adapted to living in the dry heat of the flat brush ecosystem. It is distinguished by the rows of large spines down the angle of its body, which certainly makes it look more intimidating to predators. These are just a few of the many species that make their home on this vast and barren plain – so keep your eyes peeled and your camera batteries charged in case you spot them! Photo Credit: Pixabay

Did you know Nullarbor Roadhouse has its very own airstrip? This winter, we have the pleasure of hosting Chinta Air at the Nullarbor Roadhouse and are able to have guests take off into the skies right from our back door! Through our affiliation with Chinta Air, we have launched “A Flight, A Night and A Bite” which allows our guests the opportunity to enjoy a scenic flight with Chinta Air over the Head of the Bight for some staggering views of the Southern Right Whales migrating, and the breath-taking Bunda Cliffs, as well as a stay in our motel accommodation and a two-course meal in the Nullarbor Roadhouse Restaurant. We sat down with Felicity Brown the Chief Pilot of Chinta Air to discuss some of the most exciting aspects of her role, and allow our guests a chance to get to know a little more about Chinta Air and their scenic flights Can You Tell Me A Little Bit About Yourself? I’m the Chief Pilot of Chinta Air (currently the only female chief pilot in South Australia). I was formerly a secretary, a newspaper reporter, and then I managed a community resource centre before learning to fly. I’m in a relationship with 3 children. What Does Chinta Air Do? Chinta Air is an air charter company with bases across South Australia. The main base is at Ceduna, on the Far West Coast of SA. Other bases are at Rawnsley Park Station on the South side of Wilpena Pound in the Flinders Ranges, in Adelaide, and (during winter) at the Nullarbor Roadhouse. From each base, Chinta Air offers scenic flights over local attractions, and day tours to regional attractions. For example, from Nullarbor, passengers can take a day tour to Maralinga on the Great Victoria Desert, which was used as a nuclear bomb testing site in the 1950s and 1960s. Chinta Air Tours also offers an air taxi service. For example, from Nullarbor, a passenger can take an air taxi to meet up with the Indian Pacific train at Forrest. For those who really want to explore the Outback, Chinta Air offers tailor made air safaris of the Australian Outback, for example, from Adelaide to Uluru over four days, with stops in the Flinders Ranges and Coober Pedy. Chinta Air are the Outback Air Specialists Chinta Air, How Did It Start? The spark for the business began when one of the owners, Felicity Brown, learned to fly (for a bet) and competed as the pilot for a team named “Delilahs of the Desert” in the 1998 Mobil Outback Air Race. At the time, Felicity was working as a Community Resource Centre co-ordinator in regional Western Australia and a single mum. The Outback Air Race is a navigation trial for light aircraft, similar to the Variety Club Bash, and is held every two years to raise funds for the Royal Flying Doctor Service. Co-owner Noel Schwarz is a successful, innovative farmer at Ceduna on the West Coast of South Australia. In 2000, despite living in different states, the pair of passionate pilots bought an aircraft, and promptly realised that flying is a very expensive hobby. In 2002, Felicity moved across the Nullarbor to Ceduna and the stark reality occurred that the dream of flying needed to be turned into an aviation business. From their home base at Ceduna, the couple applied for an Air Operators Certificate, and a travel agency licence. This was the first time an air charter business had been established at Ceduna. Why Do You Think People Love The Tours Out On The Nullarbor? The attraction of the Nullarbor is the isolation and sense of space. At night, the ability to see stars from horizon to horizon always inspires awe. I think part of the attraction is that the Nullarbor is a destination that everybody has heard about, but aren’t really sure of what to expect. The biggest mistake with the Nullarbor is to drive across it in one day. The Nullarbor has hidden layers and unexpected sights, but these are not easily accessible. So you have to take the time, and allow the subtle beauty to wash over you to truly appreciate the Nullarbor. What Are Some Of The Most Common Reactions You Get From People Who Go On The Tour? Some of the reactions are:A must do, excellent flight, saw heaps of whales, pilot was fantastic, it puts a whole new perspective on the Nullabor and Bunda cliffs if you get the chance, DO IT!The Nullarbor is not as flat as I thought it was going to be. What Do You Love Most About Your Job? Every day is something different – from flying a scenic flight to taking people to a remote community to hosting international travellers on a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

The largest piece of limestone on earth, the Nullarbor Plain is one of the strangest landscapes in the world. As you travel across it’s windblown, barren surface you might feel more like you have left earth and are traversing the surface of another planet. Crossing this huge plain is a quintessential Australian road trip experience and the incredible vast landscapes will make you feel small and insignificant in a powerful way. The Nullarbor Plain is a unique and fascinating part of the world – here are some weird facts about it that you probably didn’t know. 1. Its’ Name Is Latin And Means “No Trees” The name Nullarbor comes from the Latin word “nullus” meaning “nothing” and the word “arbor” meaning “tree”. However, this name isn’t completely accurate – there are a few trees to be seen on the plain. They are mostly short, hardy shrubs such as saltbush and bluebush – tough plants that are resistant to drought and can grow even in hot and dry conditions. All along the outer edges of the Nullarbor you will find woodlands filled with Myall acacia trees. 2. Over 100,000 Wild Camels Roam The Plain If you spot a camel wandering across the plain don’t worry – you haven’t gotten lost and ended up in Egypt. These camels were imported from British India and Afghanistan to use as transport while building the railroads during the 19th century. The railroad workers thought they would eventually die off, but they have flourished in Australia’s deserts. Australia is the only country in the world with herds of feral camels. Other creatures that call the Nullarbor home include wombats, emus and kangaroos. 3. It’s Home To The Longest Straight Road On The Planet Can you imagine driving for 146.6km in a completely straight line, without a single bend or turn in the road? The Eyre Highway is where you will find this curve-free road, stretching between Caiguna and Balladonia. 4. The Nullarbor Nymph Once Roamed The Plain The legend of the “Nullarbor Nymph” was a very successful publicity stunt in the 1970s. Reports and grainy footage of a feral woman living half naked among the kangaroos on the Nullarbor Plain brought journalists from all over the world to the small town of Eucla (which had a population of 8 people at the time). 5. You Can Play On The World’s Longest Golf Course As you drive across the Nullarbor Plain, you could play 18 holes of golf along the world’s longest golf course – the Nullarbor Links. Each hole is in a different town or roadhouse along the epic Eyre Highway from Kalgoorlie to Ceduna, for a complete course that spans 1,365 km. A round of golf usually takes around five days to complete, but it is worth it to be able to boast that you have played this record breaking course. The Nullarbor Plain is strange and beautiful and unlike anywhere else in the world – so why not explore it on your travels in Australia? Photo Credit: Wikimedia

There is nothing quite like a road trip across the Australian Nullarbor. Fond memories of the family car packed with an overflowing boot and a warm breeze through an open window is one that many Australians’ share. But did you know that one family has a story to tell like no other. This story entails an unexpected visitor encountered by the Knowles family on their trip across the Nullarbor Plain in 1988. A visit from a UFO. The Knowles family first encountered the UFO at four o’clock in the morning when they noticed a bright light floating in the distance. Like the Knowles family you ask yourself could it be a fellow vehicle? A large road train? A distant Roadhouse? As they got closer to the bright light it swiftly moved and began hovering above their family sedan. Distracted and panicked by the bright light the Knowles swerved to avoid collision with a passing vehicle!Surely this passing vehicle would have seen the bright lights of the UFO? But how could they when the the bright floating light had left the Knowles sedan and began following the passing passengers! At first the Knowles made a U-Turn to get a better look at the strange light but eventually returned to their original path to continue on to their destination. A trick of the light? Could the Knowles family be imagining things especially when driving so early in the morning? You may think so if it wasn’t for what happened next. Continuing along the highway between Madura and Mundrabilla they’re unexpected traveling companion returned and this time it was here to stay. The Knowles family recall the sensation of something heavy touching down on top their can making it uncontrollable and heavy. Emanating a high pitched buzzing the Knowles began to feel disorientated as time began to stand still. Faye Knowles recalls “It felt like something was going into our heads…”The Knowles recall next the a sensation of wheels making contact with asphalt followed by the sound of one the sedans tires bursting. By some measure of luck the car finally came to a stop by the side of the highway and the Knowles fled into the dark bush land. The Knowles Family

For anyone considering a road trip to the Eyre Highway, there are a couple of things that should be considered before taking to the roads. Like most trips that involve traveling, a road trip around the Eyre Highway can rack up the bill quite quickly. The following are a couple of tips that travellers can keep in mind in order to keep their road trip cost lower without cutting into any potential adventures, experience, or enjoyment that travellers may want to experience. First, it is extremely important to plan out your trip. This will cut down on entertainment and travel costs more than one would likely anticipate, and this is due to the fact that people often underestimate the sheer size of the Eyre Highway and all of the things that there are to do while there. When traveling in the Eyre Highway, anyone can quickly get overwhelmed by all there is to see and do while there, and without having planned out an itinerary in advance, one can quickly end up overspending to take part in the first overpriced tourist attraction they happen upon. Furthermore, by utilising this go-with-the-flow method of doing things, anyone on a road trip through the Eyre Highway could easily end up missing out on some truly incredible hidden gems that Australia has to offer. This traveling strategy, too, often leads people to end up in much more costly accommodations due to poor planning ahead of time. Coming up with an itinerary before taking to the roads of the Eyre Highway is a smart move for any traveller looking to save money because they can plan out ahead of time and know how much everything is going to cost before they even arrive. If you are going on a road trip, fuel is always going to rack up a considerable cost. It has been said that fuel is cheapest in Australia on Tuesday and Wednesday, while it is most expensive on the weekends. For this reason, those who are traveling through the Eyre Highway on a road trip should do their best to avoid filling up their gas tanks on the weekends and aim to wait for Tuesday or Wednesday to purchase fuel while on their trip. Other tips for saving fuel include packing light to increase the fuel economy of the vehicle in use, seeing to it that the vehicle undergoes regular maintenance, and planning out trips well so the vehicle gets from point A to point B efficiently. Another fun way to save on travelling cost while on a road trip around the Eyre Highway is to try camping. This will save you on costs in accommodation, especially because Australia is home to many National Parks that allow guests to camp in them for either a small cost and, in many cases, for completely free. This involves bush camping, and spending a night every now and then during your trip camping might be a fun way to immerse yourself in all of the nature that the Eyre Highway has to offer while simultaneously cutting down on the costs that come with your trip. It’s also an added bonus that most of the popular campsites will offer basic amenities to guests, such as water, toilets and power. For those who are not interested in camping, but still want to find ways to cut down on accommodation costs, staying in hostels is a good option to consider. This gives travelers who are going on a road trip through the Eyre Highway the opportunity to find cheaper places to stay. While private rooms can range in the areas of $80-$110, dorm rooms can ring up costs as low as $20-$30 for those who do not mind sharing with other travellers. AirBnB is also a popular service in which people rent out spaces in their home for guests to stay in at rates that are much reduced from costs of more traditional forms of accommodation, such as hotels. It’s also a great way to help travellers immerse themselves in the culture, meet the locals and pick their brains about the best places to visit while in the area. Many people find some really cool and interesting places to stay this way. Keeping these tips in mind while going on a road trip through Eyre Highway can really help anyone cut back on their travel costs overall. Make sure to see all of the most interesting sites that the Eyre Highway has to offer, such as all the beautiful scenery and The Nullarbor.

The Eyre Highway is a stretch of road that is over 1500km long, connecting Western to Southern Australia, going through the Nullarbor Plain. Many travellers, both local to Australia and from abroad, flock to this famous crossing all in an effort to take a road trip along this beautiful highway. Being such a huge expanse of road, there is never a lack of activities for travellers to do and see, but here is a short list of six worthy mentions every person should do on their trip across the Eyre Highway.  1. Head of Bight One of the most famous spots in the world for whale watching, the bay in this area becomes home to dozens of mother whales and their calves during the winter season in Australia. With a properly placed perch right along the scenic coast, travellers are guaranteed to see whales up-close-and-personal if they go to this spot during the months of May-September. 2. Bunda Cliffs Just viewing these stunning cliffs online will send chills down a person’s spine. Part of the Eucla Basin, these massive cliffs are on the very southernmost part of Australia, forming one of the longest uninterrupted cliff ranges in the world. They truly are hauntingly stunning and a must-see on a trip along the Eyre Highway.  3. Nullarbor Links Golf Course For golf enthusiasts, this really is an amazing concept. Claiming to be the world’s longest gold course, the Nullarbor Links is an 18-hole, par 72 course that spans the distance between Ceduna and Kalgoorlie along the Eyre Highway (1365km). Each participating town or roadhouse along the way is home to one hole, with each hole having a green, tee, and a fairway that is part of the outback terrain. A unique experience, this is definitely a great memory to make.  4. Border Village Located right on the border of South and Western Austraila, the first stop to make is to the Rooey II, a massive kangaroo statue that travellers can pose with, epitomising their trip to the outback. Even more, there is a great sign indicating how far travellers are from other famous spots in the world and the time changes once you pass through this expanse. This really is a great spot to truly indicate just how deep in Australia a person has travelled, giving them perspective of how far they have come in their global travels too.  5. Eyre Bird Observatory When traveling across this highway, travellers that have 4WD are able to see spots that others may not. The Eyre Bird Observatory is one of those. With the opportunity to spend the night in an old telegraph station and the chance to see amazing birds, this really is a unique stopping point. 6. Esperance and Cape Le Grand National Park This is on the further western side of the highway and a bit of a drive, but it is one of the most stunning spots in Australia. With stunning white beaches and clear amazing water, these have proven to be a great way to end the long trip along the Eyre Highway.  

Imagine a golf course that spans 1,365 kilometres and takes four days to play in its entirety. Bob Bongiorno and Alf Caputo, active members of the Eyre Highway Operators Association, came up with the idea for a golf course of such an enormous scale one evening. Their imagination was stoked by a bottle of red wine at the Balladonia Roadhouse. The long road across the barren Nullarbor Plain is pretty boring, so their idea was to spice it up with golf holes along the way. For a crazy, wine-fueled idea – it turned out pretty well. The golf course became a reality and now it adds a unique and interesting dimension to the otherwise mind-numbing drive across Australia’s vast and empty interior. It turned the drive across the huge plain into something to be enjoyed rather than endured – as well as a worldwide sensation and tourist attraction. Neither Bob nor Alf ever imagined the incredible international attention and fame that this one of a kind golf course would receive. It draws visitors from all over the world, from serious golfers to casual players who are intrigued by the novelty. The course also makes the Nullarbor Plain safer by slowing down cars on what can be a notoriously treacherous stretch of road. It’s one heck of a drive – in more ways than one – and it should be added to the travel bucket list of any golfer visiting Australia. Take Your Time The longest Golf Course in the world, the Nullarbor Links begins in the gold mining town of Kalgoorlie in Western Australia and ends in the coastal town of Ceduna in South Australia. It consists of seven holes in existing golf courses, as well as 11 holes that have been purpose built along the roadhouses of the Eyre Highway. The course took nine years to build and it was first tested by Australian pro golfer Len Thomas, whose score of 78 still stands as the official course record. The average distance between each of the holes is 66 kilometres – far too vast for a golf buggy to cover. (One player from India apparently managed to play it on a unicycle – although it took him three months.) Golfers have come from all over the world to attempt this course – including visitors from Canada, Germany and the USA. Since the course opened in 2009 more than 15,000 people have taken on the challenge. Most people do it in four days, but if you want to take your time and see some of the other attractions along the highway you should give yourself at least a week. This is not mini-golf – it’s maxi-golf: putting on a gargantuan scale. Across the Nullarbor, One Putt at a Time Each hole on this incredible golfing odyssey features a green, a tee and a vast natural outback setting. The course is clearly signposted and it is possible to hire golfing equipment at every tee. The longest hole is known as Dingo’s Den and is 538 metres. The shortest at 125 metres is Brumby’s Run. The longest distance between two holes is 200 kilometres. Some of the holes have special themes. For example, the Wombat Hole commemorates the nearby colony of Southern hairy-nosed wombats. There is also a Skylab hole that is located near Balladonia, because pieces of the spacecraft Skylab fell to earth in that area in 1979. Each of the holes has some aspect of its unique design which is connected to the area or the town it is located in. Chasing the Sun Across the Great Plain Nullarbor Links is the focus of the Chasing the Sun Golf Tournament and Festival, a week of golf and sightseeing along the Eyre Highway. The 2017 edition of the festival will commence on April 1st and participants can enter online. This fantastic tournament will take you along the entire course, with plenty of great events along the way. The fun will begin with a champagne breakfast on the foreshore at Ceduna while you watch the sunrise. You’ll stop for an Oyster Tour and Tasting at the West Eyre Shellfish Oyster Farm in Denial Bay. You’ll enjoy a bush dance at a farm stay in Coorabie where you can dance the night away to great country music. At Norseman you can enjoy a performance of traditional indigenous dances. There is even a treasure hunt on a beach with a prize of $1000. The thrilling festival commences with a toast to the setting sun at the Kalgoorlie Golf Course, as well as a dinner and a presentation of the trophies. It is truly a once in a lifetime golfing experience. Want to Give it a Try? If you are feeling up to the challenge, score cards can be purchased at Kalgoorlie Golf Course, which is where the first two holes are located. You can also purchase them at the visitor centres at Norseman, Ceduna or Kalgoorlie. The scorecard costs $70 AUD. You’re not likely to run into too many other players on these vast links, so take your time and really enjoy each hole without worrying about a backup. Bring your score card up to get stamped at each hole. You can bring your own clubs or rent them at each hole. The Nullarbor Plain (Latin for “no trees”) is a desolate empty space with little shade – so bring plenty of sunscreen and a wide brimmed hat to keep the broiling sunshine out of your eyes when you are lining up your shot. When you have finally completed the entire course, you will receive a certificate at the Visitor Centre in either Ceduna or Kalgoorlie, depending on which direction you played the course. Remember, you can only claim your certificate if you have received an official stamp for every hole. Once you have completed the Nullarbor Links you will have played the longest round of golf possible in the world – which is certainly something to brag about no matter what your score!