Border Village Roadhouse — Hotel in Nullarbor

The Reception Staff were very helpful, thanks. Reasonabled priced. The room assigned was nice; with a double bed, 2 bunks and a single bed, not sure why as there were only 2 of us and my wife had booked several days prior for 2. Although after we moved in, I looked and saw most of the other rooms already had guests' cars out front. There was a ramp to our room, and I saw ramps to other rooms. Air-conditioning was a bit confusing as there were 2. One for cooling and one for heating, but we worked it out. I had to return to Reception and ask about WiFi. Again, very helpful and he gave me a once use code/room/day. Water in the room was nice tasting (you have to know about water in SA), we made sure our bottles were full, and the hot water was Hot. There is a pool but with air temperature at 15C, I didn't even go looking. Petrol was $2.80 for 95. $2.62 for 91. There is a multi-faith Chapel for those interested. Bar and restaurant, which we didn't use. Poker machines, as it is on the SA side of the border with WA. I went back to Reception for a take away meal. Fish and chips wasn't on the menu but I asked and he said, "we can do that". It was great; 5 slim, whiting type, battered fillets with the best of crunchy chips (thanks Chef), sorry couldn't get through all the chips. The freezer in the small, bar size, fridge froze our freezer blocks for our esky in little time.

Just a note for future guests. They have their own diesel generators for themselves and other local, priority services. They also desalinate their own water. So please be mindful of this when visiting. Try to conserve, to assist with costs.

In general, on the way home to WA we will stay again. Thanks Staff...

Did this trip (again) in January 2023. We had prior booking for Eucla, we arrived 1:45pm due to timezone, it was hot, we were tired. Lady said we can't book before 2.00, so we sat in the car. At 2.00 we went in and was told 2.30 because they were 'short staffed'.

While we were waiting, staff were seen cleaning the coffee machine with people queued up at reception. I blew my top. That's when the manager happened to find a moment to clear the backlog. Poor front desk service and complete lack of empathy for tired travellers.

We got our key, asked for the pool, the whole reason we booked, told water restrictions, no pool. (Border Village, as we found out, apparently source their water the same way, had a full pool). Got in room, no bowls, no spoons. Wooden sticks and cups was all they had. Wanting to leave early to make Esperance next day, we wanted kids to be able to eat breakfast but would have to wait for kitchen.

So we went back to Border Village to get something we could use, and even with no accommodation booked, they offered us disposable bowls and spoons, told us the pool was full of fresh clean water. We cancelled return booking for Eucla (it was something like $200+ a night) and re-booked at Border Village. BV even offered us some internet so we could cancel Eucla.

On return a week or so later, BV proved awesome. Clean room, no drafts under the doors and windows requiring towels to stop them rattling like Eucla, cooking facilities, a pool, internet and obvious great service.

The moral of this story, don't stay at Eucla, stay at Border VIllage.

Happy travelling and...

Fuel was very expensive, $2.92 per litre versus $2.40 at nearby Eucla and $1.92 at Nullarbor a bit further away. Seems like an excessive price difference e.g when it must all come from tankers driving the same route??

Staff were lovely so that was a plus.

Unfortunately the food was terrible. Ordered grilled whiting and chips, chips were cold and fish very overcooked, almost burnt. Was tired and hungry so I ate it anyway. Decided on an ice cream for dessert to hopefully improve things. Icecream tasted like it had been thawed and refrozen several times. Clearly wasn’t my night 🤣🤣🤣

Decided to stay the night as it was late and stormy outside. Room was sold to me as the ‘executive family suite’ - last one available. The mattress was terrible, all wonky and could feel the springs. The blind had a gap of 2-3 inches each side so that the lights outside shone directly in on the bed. Pillows decent and room was clean- but sparsely equipped, e.g. no toaster or microwave.

I guess it was passable overall but could’ve been way better with some attention to what seems like very steep fuel pricing, food preparation/cooking and room furnishings.

I spent around $340 here on a room, dinner, a beer, ice cream and 35L of diesel…. I felt a tad ripped off. I’d probably plan my trip next time to try...