Meet the people who run SA’s outback roadhouses worth making the drive for
From the remote outback to beautiful Bordertown, we meet the people that run SA’s best roadhouses worth making the drive for.
Lifestyle
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If you’re adventuring across the outback, backpacking through the state or a trucker looking for the next place to refuel you and your truck, a roadhouse is your one-stop shop in SA.
They come in many different shapes and sizes, some with accommodation, general stores, restaurants and takeaways.
But what unites them is the passion of the people who devote their days to keeping them running. Let’s meet a few of these colourful characters …
Peter and Jennifer Moore – Pink Roadhouse, Oodnadatta
When they chose to buy a roadhouse, Peter and Jennifer Moore “couldn’t have asked for a better fit”.
Four years ago the couple took possession of the Pink Roadhouse in the small outback town of Oodnadatta, found 1043km north-north-west of Adelaide.
“I’m just so proud of the history here, and I’m passionate about it and there is just something that outback South Australia just has in bucket loads,” Mr Moore told The Advertiser.
“If you want to see the real Australia, then come through the outback in South Australia.”
Originally opening in 1970, the bright pink roadhouse has been an unwavering favourite for the 130 locals who call the town home as well as those travelling to and from the Northern Territory or NSW border.
Peter and Jennifer have spent most of their lives managing pubs and hotels together, and have breathed new life into the iconic roadhouse.
“We get people into Oodnadatta and instead of just ticking a box and saying they have been to the famous Pink Roadhouse, we instil in them the history … and that the history came through in the 1880s,” said 74-year-old Mr Moore.
Pink Roadhouse – Lot 42 Ikartuka Terrace, Oodnadatta SA 5734
Trevor Wright – William Creek Hotel, William Creek
It all started with a small aviation business called Wrightsair in William Creek for Trevor Wright. And then by 2013, he was also the proud owner of the local William Creek Hotel as well.
The small outback town might only have a population of 10 but there’s no denying he has the monopoly over the two biggest businesses there.
Mr Wright describes the roadhouse as being situated in a “quirky little spot in the middle of three deserts in the driest, hottest part of Australia”, but the environmental challenges hasn’t tarnished his 11-year tenure.
“It’s been a lot of fun memories and experiences helping people out,” Mr Wright said
“You also get that holistic approach to life because there’s so many different angles of what people do and come from that you wouldn’t get in day to day suburban life.”
Now the William Creek Hotel has become the “foundation” of the community and after years of improvements, its geographic isolation can’t stop its progression.
“We’ve got 52 rooms with the hotel now, and we’ve now got a solar farm that supplies 99 per cent of our power and we put in our desalination plant a few years ago … we’re pretty much self-contained,” Mr Wright said.
William Creek Hotel – LOT 1 Oodnadatta Track, William Creek SA 5710
Naga Mara – Bordertown Roadhouse, Bordertown
The Bordertown Roadhouse is owned by three people but the day-to-day operations are run by Naga Mara.
The 38-year-old hails from India and first moved to Victoria where he found himself working on a local station. He instantly fell in love with the outback lifestyle.
Fast forward to 2000, he crossed the border into South Australia and landed at the rural Bordertown Roadhouse.
“It’s the communication with the same people everyday about what’s happening in their personal life or work life,” Mr Mara said.
“It feels like I’m back in my country. I grew up in a small town like this and I love to talk to people.”
Bordertown Roadhouse – 60 North Terrace, Bordertown SA 5268
Neville and Adriana Jacob – Cadney Homestead, Cadney
The Cadney Homestead is not the first roadhouse that couple Neville and Adriana Jacob have taken ownership of over the years.
First hailing from the Adelaide Hills, the Jacobs initially started with the William Creek Hotel and their journey continued from there to the West Coast, an eight-year stint at the Pink Roadhouse and when Cadney was put up for sale, they jumped at the opportunity.
Now 18 years on from the purchase, they have decided Cadney, which is located 150km north of Coober Pedy, will be their last.
“We love it out here, it’s great,” Mrs Jacob said. “It’s a unique place to be and the nature is beautiful … it’s like that red dirt gets in your blood.”
Now the locals and tourists alike keep them toiling away into their 60s, loving their work in their rural one-stop shop.
Cadney Homestead – Cadney Park, Stuart Highway, Coober Pedy, SA, 5724
Kathy and Mark Keogh – Sheringa Roadhouse, Sheringa
Kathy Keogh and her husband Mark moved away from the hustle and bustle of city life to seek peace and a new way of life in the 90s.
After an initial move to Port Broughton, the couple decided to move further, and for the last 20 years have called the Eyre Peninsula town of Sheringa home after a fishing trip turned up their newest business.
“We came over to look at the Elliston Pub when it was on the market, and when Mark went on a fishing trip down here we saw (the Sheringa Roadhouse) was closed down and empty,” Ms Keogh said.
“I said, ‘What do you think about a roadhouse?’.”
After further discussions, they decided the pub wasn’t right for them – but the roadhouse was.
Despite its ups and downs, Ms Keogh said their determination has kept them in business, and their little slice of Sheringa has starred in movies, popular Instagram posts and many outback adventures.
Sheringa Roadhouse – 12541 Flinders Hwy, Sheringa SA 5607
Andrew Norman, Darren Murray, Gus and Tom – Mungerannie Hotel, Mungerannie
The Mungerannie Hotel is a story of what happens when four “50-year-old single blokes” come together one night and decide to buy an outback pub.
Andrew Norman is the face of the group and ensures the infrastructure works like clockwork, while Darren Murray runs the day-to-day and Gus and Tom are the behind-the-scenes guys.
Now a year on, the quartet have found their feet in the community and have enjoyed the new experiences the pub brings with it.
And they’ve helped out a few stranded travellers on the Birdsville Track over the years too, including putting-up 100 washed-out revellers on the way to big Red Bash in June last year.
“It’s an outback pub and getting to know the environment and the people, the local identities … It’s been really good,” Mr Norman said.
“It’s a bit of a community thing … a central meeting point.
“You get people on their last legs make it in and you feed them and help them on their way, or people travelling through the Outback with a story to tell … we really enjoy it.”
Mungerannie Hotel – Birdsville Track, Mungerannie SA 5733
Yalata Roadhouse, Yalata
After the original Yalta Roadhouse was condemned and demolished in 2006, the Yalata Anangu Community restarted their outback roadhouse and caravan park on their own in 2023.
Now locals and visitors alike can gain access to self-service fuel, food and beverages with an art gallery and artefact hub.
Yalata Anangu Community Chief Executive David White previously explained how the reopening would offer opportunities for the local Indigenous community and tourists.
“We’re getting people motivated and encouraged to look after and fund themselves with these little side businesses,” Mr White said.
“Everyone all along here in the Aboriginal community always said this was a goldmine.”
Yalata Anangu Community – 1/5 Yalata Sq, Yalata SA 5690
Venkat Bhoombaly – Saltwater Roadhouse
Elliston local Venkat Bhoombaly loves owning the Saltwater Roadhouse.
The people he gets to meet, the prime location with beautiful coastlines, beaches and fishing spots have all made the last three years worth the effort.
“It’s a good business in this area and it’s very different from city life,” the 39-year-old said.
“Here you can know everyone, know the community and they will all talk to you.
“In the city they don’t do that.”
Mr Bhoombaly said that while the locals help keep the lights on, he also enjoys seeing the annual arrivals of fisherman during the season and the tourists that come through as they explore the state.
Saltwater Roadhouse – 43/46 Flinders Hwy, Elliston SA 5670
Originally published as Meet the people who run SA’s outback roadhouses worth making the drive for
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