We were warned, by a caring local, of the smell of cat-shit. We were advised not to enter the store. In the empty block to the Deli's facing-right, hoards of cats flopped, leapt, slept and, by night, screeched. Such warnings, however, were but temptations, portents of what turned out to be a time-warp to an old corner store. Add to this the fact that all the local indigenous folks seemed to hang out the front and spend their money inside and what you have is a real outback gem.
Tidal Waters Deli has been owned and operated by the same family since well before the roads to Wyndham and Broome had heard the least rumour of asphalt, let alone the roll of a Winnebago. Not only is it a milk bar; it also doubles as a DVD - and, naturally, VHS - library, complimented wallside by numerous old movie posters.
Lollies are still sold per unit and popped into small, white paper bags. Icecreams, scooped from round aluminum tubs, are $2.
But it is the milkshakes that Tidal Waters Deli should be famous for. Icy cold, with fresh milk, generous dollops of ice cream and a price within pocket-money range. They are carefully made by the man who first opened the store many years ago, who very much prides himself on his milkshaking ability. Sure the place does smell of cat shit, but such character in a milkbar remains largely unmatched anywhere in Australia, harking back to days long before chain stores elbowed out many milkbars and before mass-produced, be-fridged flavoured milk drinks made with low fat milk drowned out the art of milkshaking.
If you are passing through Wyndham and want to experience how a corner store was run 30 years ago, pop in to Tidal Waters Deli for one of their great milkshakes or a bag of mixed jubes.
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