The ‘Barwon Route’ carves a large, rough triangle of the north-west as it traverses the black soil plains. Twisted coolabahs line the roadsides while broadacre farm fields stretch to the horizon beyond.
The route travels north from Walgett along fully sealed roadway, past the junction of the Barwon and Namoi Rivers, along the floodplain of the Barwon River to where the road crosses the River at Collarenebri, and the grand Tattersalls Hotel is there to wet your whistle just over the bridge.
Turning south and east the road becomes unsealed, and on the black soil plains it’s best to check the local road conditions – the road is typically well-maintained as it meanders through the broadacre farmland, punctuated by twisted coolabah trees which fringe the edges of grassy warrambools. (A ‘warrambool’ is a gully or depression not connected to the main river except in times of high flow or flood – essentially a billabong).
The next stop is the tiny hamlet of Rowena which languishes in the shadows of a significant grain-handling facility, and here on the very edge of town, concealed behind a nondescript facade of a store-cum-post office, is the Rowena Hotel, where a visit is an absolute must-do along the Barwon Route.
Further south along a partially sealed road is the village of Burren Junction, where the Junction City Hotel is the most prominent business, but the real attraction is the nearby bore baths where locals visit, and travellers camp for weeks to enjoy the mineral-rich hot water.
After a dip in the baths you can continue along the Hot Baths Route, or take the fully sealed road back through the wheat fields, past the crossroads at Cryon, and back into Walgett.
| Distance | Pub Stops | Duration | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 257km | 3 | 1-3 days | 5hrs |
Road Conditions
The roads on the ‘Barwon Route’ are almost entirely sealed. Through the back end of the route, near Rowena, the sealed road narrows in places to form a large single lane. Most of the road, however, is dual carriageway, sealed and well-maintained.
Pub Stops on the Barwon Route
Stop and enjoy some of the best pubs in Western NSW!
Pub Locations
The Map below displays historical hotel markers and Pub Stops along the Barwon Route. Select a location to read more.
Use the Travel Map & Itinerary for touring information to help you on your journey. Includes distances, locations, attractions and PDF downloads.,
Historical Hotels
Take a journey back in time and discover the historical pubs of outback NSW. These locations no longer exist, but they were once dotted all along roads of the Pub Route.
Read the history of these pioneering pubs of the outback.
Towns & Villages
Visit the Towns, Villages and Pubs of the ‘Barwon Route’.
