Extract from ABC News
Feel good
By Hayden Smith and Emily JB Smith
The Cocklebiddy Roadhouse is about 1,200 kilometres east of Perth. (ABC Esperance: Emily Smith)
Talking about roadhouse life.
The remoteness came as a shock when the Bastins arrived to take up their new posts in late 2023.
"What have we done?" Ms Bastin said to her husband.
"It took us a month or two to get settled … but [now] we just love it here."
Run off their feet
Cocklebiddy life has been busier than the new managers were expecting.
A team of about 10 staff, many of whom are working holiday-makers, is needed to run the servo, kitchen, bar, and housekeeping.
The Cocklebiddy Roadhouse is home to a pair of wedge-tailed eagles. (ABC Esperance: Emily Smith)
There is also a pair of resident wedge-tailed eagles who survive on a diet of locally sourced kangaroo hearts.
"Hubby's fallen in love with them," Ms Bastin said.
The weather gods have also kept them busy.
In February 2023, parts of the Eyre Highway were closed due to bushfires.
The following month, record-breaking rain brought traffic to a standstill.
A Nullarbor golf course is a popular attraction. (ABC Esperance: Emily Smith)
Ms Bastin said they were "flat-out" during that period.
"We get a lot of people stuck here, especially with the bushfires they were stuck here for two or three days," she said.
"We had about 40 trucks out the front, so we had all the truckies then we had people who learned of the shutdowns coming back, wanting accommodation.
"Since the shutdowns, we've learned very quickly that we do need to make sure that we've got enough food in storage."
The roadhouse is accompanied by a motel for weary travellers, including vintage car enthusiasts. (ABC Esperance: Emily Smith)
Mechanical mishaps
Car breakdowns are stressful at the best of times, let alone on the Nullarbor Plain.
Cocklebiddy Roadhouse staff have been called upon to rescue unfortunate motorists.
Mid-way through this year, a whole family became temporary Cocklebiddy residents after a vehicle malfunction.
"The car had done an axle or something, so we had to go and pick up the caravan and bring it back here with the mum and all the kids," Ms Bastin said.
"They were here for over a week because they couldn't get a tow, couldn't get any parts.
"It's really hard for people and obviously spoils their experience of the Nullarbor."
She urged would-be Eyre Highway travellers to check their vehicles and load up on supplies.
A sense of humour is important when living in such an isolated environment. (ABC Esperance: Hayden Smith)
An outback 'oasis'
The Nullarbor's skies are bigger and the stars burn brighter than in the city.
Ms Bastin described the landscape as "delightful beyond expectations".
"We thought it might be brown everywhere and, you know, destitute," she said.
Cocklebiddy Roadhouse is one of many outback roadhouses along the Nullarbor. (Supplied: The Drone Way/ Ben Stamatovich)
"But we're very lucky we got some rain here in March … all of a sudden, the Nullarbor has turned into an oasis.
"It's green everywhere, there's so much wildlife around."
She said they were planning on staying put.
"We're loving it, and every day is different," Ms Bastin said.
"There's never a dull day at Cocklebiddy."
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