Description

Located near the forecourt and rusted over time, the historic boiler offers an interesting insight into the origin of one of the Nullarbor roadhouses. The sign on the side of the boiler points out: 'This pre-Second World War boiler was transported from a mine site in Menzies (WA) in 1962 to form part of the original Balladonia Roadhouse complex. The roadhouse was built upon the recommendation of government to cater for travellers attending the 1962 Empire Games in Perth. Pre-1962 all refuelling took place at Balladonia Telegraph Station 25 km east. The old roadhouse remained in service until 1974 when it was rebuilt by the Prendiville family with the new existing hotel complex. Balladonia's name is derived from the Aboriginal (Mulba's tribe) word 'bariajuinya' meaning 'big red rock by itself'.