For grey nomads driving huge distances in big rigs, finding out just how few rest areas there are on certain stretches of Outback road can be a frustrating – and potentially dangerous – discovery.
However, in some spots at least, progress is being made,
Caravanners, motorhomers and other travellers driving through the Coolgardie region, south west of Kalgoorlie in WA, can now stop for more than a break at a brand new roadside rest area built specifically to combat driver fatigue.
The Shire of Coolgardie was one of 71 recipients to receive a share of $7.2 million through the Driver Reviver program to upgrade the rest area on Ladyloch Road.
The new rest area gazebo and barbecue area. PIC: Shire of Coolgardie
Upgrades included the construction of toilet and shower facilities, a gazebo, and a barbecue area.
Coolgardie is part of a strategic transport route that connects Perth and the eastern states of Australia. The route is used heavily by truck drivers and tourists, and the new rest area aims to grab their attention and remind them to take a break when driving long distances.
The Shire of Coolgardie says the upgrades are aimed at making rest sites more welcoming and comfortable for drivers in order to help them overcome fatigue and ensure they reach their destination safely.
“Providing a rest area with improved amenities such as a shower and barbecue is vital for road safety in our region and we are grateful to the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications for providing the grant,” said Shire President, Malcolm Cullen.
The new rest stop complements the Lady Loch Road Train Assembly Area which was constructed in 2019/2020.
The Driver Reviver Program is a community initiative operated by volunteers to address fatigue related road trauma.
Screw Pegs Australia is offering Grey Nomad members the chance to win one of two Fully Stacked Starter Packs – each valued at $117. The pack includes:
Click here to learn about GN member benefits, how to join … and how to win!
Shade for me is the biggest issue and clean toilets, ample rubbish disposal.
Great safety idea, just hope people don’t abuse & “move in”!
Surprising how many similar facilities there are. Well scattered and not easy to find but providing left and right-handed handicapped facilities, large parking areas and usually tables and shelter.
Of course primarily intended for truck drivers but open for all travellers
Could someone who knows the exact location please add it to WikiCamps?
These new rest areas look amazing for all road users may be they could be adopted throughout the country. What a great idea …
And I hope council will be keeping the amenities clean or leave things there for uses to clean up after themselves otherwise in time no one will use them if they become soiled and unpleasant to go into. Which may increase the likely hood of being vandalised . Let’s see how we go. Only time will tell, but I do hope they are not abused by folk who simply don’t care about these special areas to help driver fatigue …
This is actually set up as a road train hook up yard.
A dump point and accessible drinking water is the most important things for me. I am fully self sufficient but we can’t live without water and can’t travel without somewhere to empty the loo.
We’ve solved the problem of the cassette we put in a compost toilet which is the best addition to our van we’ve made apart from solar
Yes I have read about them. I don’t think I like the idea of having to empty a urine bottle somewhere every day, and having to remove the whole toilet in order to empty the solids every so often sounds awful. I much prefer to empty a cassette every few days. We also keep a second cassette in case we want to go off grid for a week or more.
There’s a dump point and water supply at the Coolgardie Railway Station, less than 500 metres from the new facilities. Good cheap meals at the Vibe servo across the road, and the IGA has an extensive range if stock, including beer and wine. This new place could be noisy with Roadtrains coming and going all night, but there’s a free camp at tge Railway Station, and only 200 metres to tge pub!
i do find some very nice, but West Australia have them very few and far between in the southwest and wheatbelt, they need more of them and larger ones to stop.
Most vans now have toilets so i dont worry too much with this but the areas are pretty shitty in most stops.
All the ones we have stopped at in QLD have been vandalised, shower heads smashed off, taps ripped out and HWS damaged.
Not saying who would do this but it makes you wonder whether to stop overnight or move on to the next town or at least away from town.
Wow we have found some great stops. Never seen any damage.
Shade ,clean toilet block and sealed surface if possible .
Seats in shade ,garbage bins , clean toilets & large parking area ,all essential in my opionion.
I look for some shade, somewhere to take a short walk to get those muscles working again, a safe place to let my dogs walk or trot around, as I have a look on board I prefer to use my own….
Heading up the Sturt Highway south to north, hit Northern Territory and the rest areas have satellites where you can collect messages on your phone – or, make thoese important phone calls
I think u mean the STUART HWY..
Why is that the grey nomads want everything for nothing and complaining about facilities most of them have vans with everything in them ( showers, toilets kitchens, air con and diesel is heating as my travels I have noticed many who think they have the right to even take over campgrounds and look down on those who just travel in a HiAce van or sleep in there car or tent not everyone as the resources to travel like kings
People in this country are free to travel as they want the last time I looked.
Truck drivers arent, they have rules & laws to abide by, including mandatory rests & breaks. And how are they supposed to do that when some rest areas & even truck parking areas at service centres are turned into caravan/motorhome villages?
Brett, the Grey Nomads are well known for their whinging. You are right, they want everything for nothing and their favourite discussion around “happy hour” is the Grey Nomad Mantra “the Government need to do more”.
As a caravanner he has a valid point. Some do think they can park at any angle taking up 2 or 3 spots. It doesn’t matter what you travel in or with, respect your fellow campers. Just a request from the sliding door campers though, please don’t slam them shut like you’re working on a construction site. We were at Lake Benaneen in NSW & left some 20 mtrs to the next camper. At about 7pm a Hiace pulls into that gap & proceeded to slam their door continually until about midnight. There was plenty of other spaces but this crowd had to have a lake side view… in the dark of night. Go figure.
Please you wicz bangers take your toilet paper with you some even pee and poo under annexes mine included.
Leave it for the truck drivers. Most modern RV’s have a toilet & shower in them. Just pull off the road anywhere in an attractive spot & spend the night. Trucks don’t have showers & toilets fitted. They’ve done a great job of keeping goods flowing over the past few years during this pandemic
I look for clean toilets, shade and picnic area when travelling away from my van.
When parking my very small vintage van, safety (as I am an older female on my own) dump points, garbage disposable and accessible drinking water, showers and toilet facilities are all priorities and shaded picnic areas are very welcome ammenities.
I have found Truckie service stations to be very accomodating if I need a shower (and I have a porta potty if needed)
I agree with a previous reader that garbage bins are often used by households which does create problems as we’re need areas where we can dispose of garbage and they are becoming harder to find.
Heading west kImba in SA has a great free camping site with showers, camp kitchen and clean toilets. A great place to stop and rest. Close to the bowling club too.
Not many rest stops have showers, a welcome addition.
Did they curtain off the ceiling with chicken wire to stop birds roosting..otherwise it’ll be a dirty filthy mess
Just a hot shower somewhere to chill and relax for awhile. Clean water to top up your water tanks. There is an area at Latham which is looked after extremely well. This is a good example of what’s nice to have as a roadside stop.
Toilets! Functional, clean toilets a must
Please
Clean toilets highest priority,, in shady, safe parking area. BBQ a great idea! Adequate serviced rubbish disposal high hygiene essential these days.
Yeah for the nomad doesn’t seem right truckers have been given nothing for years ,got crap rest areas round Australia no toilets of any kind .yet they keep the country going,even in covid times,yet a nomad gets new rest area’s and they tow a rest area be hind them. WTF. Australia governments you can do better, for the unrecognised human,s of this great country. come on government,s let’s do better .
Shade mostly, then clean toilets and a shower which helps wake me up.
Nice shady area with seating
Clean toilet
Love trees and shaded areas
Great conversations with like minded people
Marg C
Good news! Shade, tables, disability friendly and opportunity to dispose of rubbish picked up by people who care. Horrified sometimes to see the disregard for the environment.
This is not for caravans it is a Road Train Assembly Area. Caravans use to parking area in front of the Old Railway Station. Besides the noise of the air conditioner motors is so bad that the local townspeople want this truck park shut down. The noise can be heard 1 kilometre away. Truck drivers admit that the air conditioner units are noisy with some so bad that even they cannot sleep.