Our first roadhouse experience

Date: 15-04-2010
Day 68: Nundroo, SA
Distance cycled: 153km

Despite not having a good night’s rest, we both were eager to move on and make the extra distance to Nundroo. Having to pump up Sue’s rear tyre (again), our departure was delayed by 30 minutes than planned. We hoped (and prayed) that the tyre will hold…. which it thankfully did in the end. ;)

It still felt like we had to climb more hills than the flat terrain that we were expecting. After 75km, we pulled in to Penong, known as “the town of 100 windmills”. Lukas read that Penong has grown into a more self-sustainable town (so Ceduna is not the last town!) providing water to other neighbouring rural communities. 21km south of Penong is Cactus Beach which is renowned for its world famous surf and fishing. And we were wondering what people were doing with surfboards in Penong!

At the Penong General Store, which has pretty much all you need (including post office, laundry, payphone etc), we met a solo cyclist who have made thus far from Perth. Making about 150km a day, he intends to arrive in Sydney via Blue Mountains within 30 days from Perth. Safe ride and we hope he enjoys the tailwinds!

After some refreshing cold drinks and snacks, we were ready to resume our journey despite the heat of the day. Even the policeman, who drove by, thinking we are mad, said smiling, “We have cars, you know?” Yup, we used to have one. Why are we doing this again? ;=)

It was 6pm when we finally arrived in Nundroo. Unpowered campsites were the cheapest we have had for $8 but it was also the first time we experience having to pay for drinking water unlike the refills we have been getting from rainwater tanks. “It tastes better than any water you can buy”, we were once told about the rainwater in Maude. We spoilt ourselves with a good meal at the roadhouse restaurant before we called it a day.

Destinations: [NSW] North Sydney - Heathcote - Coledale - Wollongong - Robertson - Moss Vale - Goulburn - Queanbeyan - Yass - Gundagai - Wagga Wagga - Narrandera - Darlington Point - Hay - Maude - Balranald - Euston - [VIC] Mildura - [SA] Renmark - Barmera - Morgan - Burra - Orroroo - Port Augusta - Kimba - Wudinna - Streaky Bay - Ceduna - Nundroo