Former truckie driver Neville Jacob knows what other drivers expect when they stop at his Cadney Homestead Roadhouse in South Australia.
Several truckies told Spy they like stopping at Cadney which is located along the Stuart Highway and 150km from Coober Pedy.
So Spy phoned the roadhouse and spoke to Neville who said on average about 20 trucks a day pulled up there.
The roadhouse has toilets and showers for truckies which is welcome in such a remote area.
“We have parking for about 15 heavy vehicles and the drivers like our rump steak during the day and night and bacon and eggs for breakfast,” Neville said.
More than 20 years ago Neville drove road trains between Adelaide and the NT and has fond memories of it.
“A lot of the drivers who come here are on the Adelaide to Darwin run but some are from Melbourne. Many of them carry refrigerated goods or general freight but some camel haulers also park here,” Neville said.
The roadhouse employs six staff including workers from France, Belgium and Italy and he considers them excellent.
One of my many contacts sent me a pic of a painting titled “The Eagle Has Landed” above the bar.
Neville explained the origins of the mural which stands out like “dogs’ you-know-what”.
“A woman from a nearby station painted it and it is a big attraction. A lot of big wedgetail eagles inhabit around here” Neville said.
The road transport industry is in Neville’s blood and I was not surprised to be told he had an old truck stored in a shed out the back.
“It is a 1987 Super-Liner but isn’t registered,” he said.
The roadhouse is open from 7am til 8.30pm and as an added attraction there is a swimming pool.