The first settlers to the area arrived in 1843. James Evans (1798-1859) and his brother-in-law William Colless (1805-1872) set out from Emu Plains with 650 head of cattle and 12 horses. They came over the Blue Mountains and arrived at what is now Coonabarabran (Bugaldie or Dandry) in 1837, and on later expeditions, arrived at Come By Chance in 1843. Evans and Colless settled by Baradine Creek at a place called Myall Lowry, now called Bungle Gully. There was plenty of water and pasture.
The village didn’t receive its unique name until after William Colless made the decision to send his sons west in search of land and opportunity, which the Colless boys had a remarkable knack of finding – or creating. The Colless brothers (George, John, Henry, Arthur, Major and later William Jnr) initially thought that all the land in the area had already been sold, so they were amazed to find a block of land that had missed allocation after the 1861 Lands Act settlement. They purchased the land and named it Come By Chance Station, reflecting their good fortune. Arthur Colless settled in the area and created the township as it is today, adopting the name from the Colless sheep station. George, John and Henry continued further west to become prominent hoteliers in Brewarrina and Bourke.
“It may interest readers to know that New South Wales boasts a small town owned in its entirety by one man. The place is Come-by-Chance, about 90 miles westerly of the main North-Western railway line, and about 450 miles from Sydney. The hotel, the general store, the police barracks, the School of Arts, and every other structure in Come-by-Chance is the property of Mr. A. Colless, who also owns the fire station just outside the town. Come-by- Chance is also remarkable for the number of residents thereabouts of the name of Evans. Probably 95 per cent of the residents bear that name….”
The Evening Telegraph, 24 August 1908
The township became an important Cobb and Co changing station, situated roughly halfway between Pilliga and Walgett, with the coach-line following the floodplain of the Namoi River all the way from Narrabri. Come By Chance also gives its name to the local creek which runs nearby. The Come By Chance Creek is also known as the Milchomi Creek, the Baradine Creek and the Bungle Gully Creek, depending on where it crosses and departs the Namoi.
Located a 40 minute drive southeast of Walgett, the small community is usually quiet— except during the Come by Chance Picnic Races. In the lead-up to this annual event, the tiny settlement buzzes with excitement, culminating in a town-wide celebration.
Visitors to Come by Chance often explore the local cemetery, which is not surprisingly dominated by Colless’ ancestors, and offers a fascinating insight into the past of this remote region. But the main attraction here is simply being in this unique place — and, of course, taking a photo next to the ‘Come by Chance’ sign.
Come by Chance Hotels
Take a pub crawl through history.
Visit Come by Chance along these Pub Routes. Discover more routes and pub history.
