The Nullarbor Links and iconic Aussie roadhouses

I think the golf deserves a post of it's own... well in tandem with some blurbs about the roadhouses... They kinda go hand-in-hand! We learned that 'the course' has been open just 2 years and they have sold over 7,000 score cards (currently at $70.00 per card) and have issued as many certificates for completing the course. The course itself has been touted to have reduced the accident rate for those travellers crossing the Nullarbor drastically and been well worth the effort and the maintenance. And, as I found out, my score is far from the worst! My score - 174... worst score... 451! It would have taken them HOURS to finish a hole!!

Most of the18 holes have astro-turf/synthetic grass greens and tee's and these (reportedly and unverified) cost $38,000.00 AU each and requires sand transported from Sydney to be re-packed into them every 6-8 weeks to keep the surface in good nick. The holes in Kalgoorlie are part of the town course which is a beautiful 18 hole course that is irrigated with bore water and in amazing condition. Ceduna too, is part of a full course, however the greens on this course are a sandy/gravel mixture that are incredible slow. Norseman also has two holes and has a lovely diesel treated sand for their 'green's'.

Each hole has a sign at the tee block with a bit of information about the local history or a key figure in the area. We took a picture of each of them, but I'll just put a few of my favourites on.

I've said before that holes are spread out over 1365km/848mi with a hole or two here and there, mostly one at a time behind or alongside roadhouses. Going over to the west, we learned that some of these roadhouses are set up to rip off the travellers and some appear on the surface to be there to make for a pleasant trip.. A little bit on roadhouses. These service stations with hotel/motel and caravan parks dotting along the highway are often staffed  by migrant workers from all over the world that are 'paying the tax' to migrate here by living and working in remote Australia which is a common way to get a permanent visa to stay in this country. Otherwise, they are staffed by what I am calling "old school Aussie's". These are through and through, rough and tumble Australians that if you closed your eyes and just listened, you could imagine them settling the land 100 years ago...

The buildings themselves come in a wide range of everything from a completely modern shop with air-con, nice fittings and a small market, to dingy, scummy dilapidated buildings with barely a working light with 2 year old dust layered odds and ends in the 'shops'. Every single one, however, was a welcome respite when crossing over the long a tiresome distances throughout the trip - especially the Nullarbor.