COCKBURN’s Border Gate Roadhouse will reopen this weekend after two years of closure, rebranded as the Border Gate Diner.
Broken Hill couple Sandy and Bindi Goodlet have taken over the diner, which was built in the late 1800s when Cockburn was established as a rail interchange point for ore transportation between Broken Hill and South Australia.
“There used to be about 2000 people living out here,” said Mr Goodlet.
“Nowadays there’s three – although I’m moving out the back so that will make it four.”
Mr Goodlet said he was asked to come in and clean up the roadhouse which had shut during the COVID pandemic.
“The people who own the place, there’s not much chance of them getting back here, so we decided instead of leaving it empty, let’s open it,” he said.
Mr Goodlet used to work for the Roads Department but his contract finished last October.
“I’ve been doing nothing really,” he said. “So I thought, let’s give it a go.”
His wife will continue to work, also with the Roads Department, helping out at the diner on weekends.
The pair took over the venue about a month ago, and spent time cleaning up what had been left behind after the roadhouse’s closure.
“It was pretty rough when we got here,” Mr Goodlet said.
The dining room, which has a huge mountain mural painted on the wall, has been arranged with red and white checkered table clothes, and the bar is filled with coca cola memorabilia.
Mr Goodlet said the couple have big plans to convert the outdoor area and open up the property to offer camping again.
He said he hopes to open for meals six days a week.
“I’m going to try and stay open at least six days a week, serving food, burgers and things,” he said.
The Border Gate Diner will celebrate their grand opening this Saturday serving food from 6am.
