The ‘Rockholes Route’ follows the old coach road from Bourke, past Mt Oxley to Gongolgon, across to Byrock for a stop at the Mulga Creek Hotel, and back to Bourke along the Mitchell Highway.
The first leg of this route is the sealed Kamilaroi Highway which takes you to Brewarrina before turning off towards Mount Oxley. The vast floodplains around Bourke are a most remarkable land feature. The ‘Tarcoon Rd’ as it’s often referred to, is red dirt and gravel, with some clay sections.
The Tarcoon Road is typically in good condition but make sure you check local road reports as it can be a bit dicey after rain. The road barely turns on its beeline towards Gongolgon, but keep an eye out for the lonely railway spur-line which you cross just near a Byrock shortcut.
The little village of Gongolgon in the Brewarrina Shire doesn’t have much to speak of these days, but was a major stop along the old coach road that followed the Bogan River from Nyngan to Bourke, with one report predicting “it will make a fine city one day”.
The dirt continues out of Gongolgon as you follow the signs to Byrock. The rockholes, which give this route its name, can be found just behind the hotel along the road towards Cobar, past the old original Mulga Creek Hotel on the banks of the Mulga Creek, via a fully-sealed road near Tindarey. This road connects to the Kidman Way, and more importantly, the Two Rivers Route.
Alternatively, after a beer and a yarn with Paul and Gail at the Mulga Creek Hotel, you can take the fully-sealed Mitchell Highway back to Bourke to complete the Rockholes Route.
| Distance | Pub Stops | Duration | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 240km | 3 | 1-2 days | 5hrs |
Road Conditions
The roads on the ‘Rockholes Route’ are about equal parts sealed and unsealed. The unsealed section is known by locals as ‘the Tarcoon Road’ and is mostly red dirt. The road takes you past Mt Oxley in a beeline to Gonlgolgon. This road is typically good condition for all vehicles, but can be dusty in the dry and slippery in the wet. Check local road conditions before you travel.
Pub Stops on the Rockholes 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 Rockholes 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 ‘Rockholes Route’.
