As land settlement increased around the Barwon and Narran Rivers, a rocky ford across the Barwon was increasingly used to cross the river. Further east near Pokataroo, William Earl had commenced a hotel known as the “Squatter’s Arms” at a point where the Barwon could be crossed.
In 1867 Collarenebri was measured out as a town, and was duly proclaimed on 12 July 1867. The town emerged along a site where tracks converged to cross the Barwon River. Stockyards and a few huts were positioned both in the new village and just to the east of it, and the township began to coalesce.
In 1882 C. R. Palmer was licensee of the Rocky Ford Hotel, which was later advertised for sale in February 1885, including two punts across the Barwon. It is likely that this location later became the Bridge Hotel, the name suggesting that it was near the bridge over the Barwon, as is the present day Tattersall’s hotel. Government gazettes show that in 1882-88 the Travellers Rest Hotel licensee was C. Waters, though no location is known for this hotel.
By 1886, there was John Brasen’s Royal Hotel in Wilson and Walgett Streets, plus his store in Walgett Street.
Today
Tattersalls Hotel
Tattersalls Hotel is a beautiful art deco building on the banks of the Barwon River at Collarenebri.