The Barwon Inn was a well-known hotel situated only a few miles west of Walgett, and for many years was under the ownership/management of the Weate family.
The first record relating to the hotel dates back to 1867 when Jeremiah Barr was the licensee. The hotel was stated to be at Ulumbie, which was somewhat confusing in the knowledge that Ulumbie station was east of Walgett town and the hotel was westwards. All was revealed when it was realised that the original Ulumbi station extended to the Barwon River, and in fact included the site of present day Walgett. Barr was to be at the Barwon Inn for some years. On occasions the inn was referred to as the Barwon Hotel.
A change of ownership took place about 1900 when William R Weate became mine host. Mr Weate was to remain owner/licensee until 1905, when he apparently died, and Mrs Weate took over. She vacated the scene in 1907 or 1908 when Charles E. Tee operated the hotel. It is thought that he leased the hotel.
Subsequent licensees/managers/owners were: 1910-11 – W.M. T. Maher, 1912 – hotel reported to be sold to the Hardy Family, 1912 – Mrs Norah Kenna, 1913-18- Mrs Lousia M. Weate, 1919 Geoffrey C. G. Weate, 1923 – H. G. Crothers, 1924 – F. J. Nicholas.
While there were some indications that Crothers and Nicholas were owners, this seems not to be the case, it being reported that the property was owned by the Estate of the Late Mrs Weate.
The Barwon Inn was totally destroyed by fire in 1925 with the licence being surrendered in June that year, but the Barwon Inn lives on with a resort-style motel accommodation still on the same site.
Pubs and Breweries of Walgett
While there is no substantive hotel currently operating in Walgett, the village on the junction of the Namoi and Barwon Rivers is a major hub of pastoralism and cropping, as well as a place of great significance for Aboriginal people. During its history, there were at least eight separate hotels in Walgett at different times – and a brewery.