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Louth

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Once a thriving river port with up to five thriving hotels at different times due to its proximity to pastoral stations, the village of Louth is now a popular stop for travellers seeking adventure along the Darling River. It’s well known for hosting NSW’s premier outback race meeting every August.

Located 132 km northwest of Cobar, 100 km southwest of Bourke and 836km northwest of Sydney, Louth was established in 1862 when an Irishman named Thomas A. Matthews selected 40 acres from the Toorale holding (where he was employed as a shipwright and wheelwright) and built a pub to cater for the passing river and land-based trade.

At one stage the town grew to have three hotels, a cordial factory, three bakeries, two butchers, a post office, three churches, a Chinese garden, a general store, and a police station.

Today, Louth is a small and friendly village which has one remaining pub (Shindy’s Inn) which is situated on the banks of the Darling River and is renowned for its fishing, yabbying, birdlife and great camping experiences.

Louth Pubs

Take a pub crawl through history.

Shindy’s Inn

PUB ROUTE STOP & EATShindy’s Inn
Royal Hotel - Louth

The Pubs of Louth

Discover HistoryThe Pubs of Louth

Visit Louth along these adjoining Pub Routes. Discover more routes and pub history.

Louth attractions.

Visitor information from the Bourke Shire Council.

Visit the historic cemetery and the emotive “Celtic Cross” an 8 metre high polished granite cross that memorialises Mary Mathews the wife of Louth’s founder. For three minutes at sunset, the sun catches the monument and shines bright.
Visit Gundabooka National Park and State Conservation Area, to witness the imposing Mount Gunderbooka, go camping in the outback and see Aboriginal rock art.
Take a tour of historic Dunlop Station, 14km downstream from Louth. Established in 1880 and once a million acres, it was the first sheep station in the world to use mechanical shears.
Explore the vast floodplain, historical buildings and the beautiful river locations of Toorale National Park and State Conservation Area.
A grazing property located 70km downstream of Bourke on the Louth – Bourke road with beautiful river views, campsites, accommodation and homestyle hospitality
A 5th generation sheep station situated near Louth on the Darling River offering guests a unique outback experience with fantastic camping and accommodation options.
Capture the magic of the Outback at one of the friendliest and most memorable race days in Country NSW – the Louth Races, hosted by the Louth Turf Club.
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Towns & Villages of the PubRoute

Discover the Towns & Villages of the Bourke, Cobar & Walgett Shire Councils

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