Walgett

Walgett is on the Country of the Gamilaraay (Kamilaroi) people, about 75 km south of Lightning Ridge. It sits where the Namoi River joins the Barwon, part of the Darling system.

History

Walgett developed in the 1850s as a river crossing and later as a port in good seasons for paddle steamers on the Barwon. In February 1965, the Freedom Ride, led by Charles Perkins and students from the University of Sydney, visited Walgett to protest against segregation and discrimination. The events drew national attention and contributed to change.

Things to do

• Barwon and Namoi rivers — riverside walks, fishing and birdwatching.
• Walgett heritage walk — historic buildings.
• Lightning Ridge — day trips to the opal fields.
• Narran Lake Nature Reserve — wetlands to the north-west (check access).

Services

Fuel, supermarkets, accommodation and a hospital.

The 1965 Freedom Ride

The Freedom Ride was a bus tour of regional NSW towns organised by Student Action for Aborigines, a group of University of Sydney students led by Charles Perkins, one of the first Aboriginal university graduates in Australia. Inspired by the civil rights movement in the United States, the riders highlighted segregation in swimming pools, pubs, clubs and cinemas. In Walgett, protesters picketed the RSL club, which refused entry to Aboriginal people, and the bus was later run off the road as it left town. National media coverage helped shift public opinion, contributing to the climate that led to the 1967 referendum. AIATSIS has resources on the Freedom Ride.

The opal fields

West of Walgett, the Grawin, Glengarry and Sheepyard opal fields are small, rugged mining settlements known for black opal. They are a quieter alternative to Lightning Ridge. Roads are unsealed and close after rain. Follow the same safety rules as at Lightning Ridge: stay away from shafts and respect claims.

Rivers and wildlife

The Barwon and Namoi rivers are lined with river red gums and coolibahs. Birdlife includes cockatoos, galahs, kites and waterbirds. When the rivers flow, fishing for golden perch and Murray cod can be good. NSW fishing rules and licences apply.

Bore baths nearby

East of Walgett, Burren Junction has an artesian bore bath that is a popular free stop for travellers. Lightning Ridge, to the north, also has bore baths. See the Great Artesian Spa Tour.

Getting there

Walgett is at the junction of the Castlereagh and Kamilaroi highways. Dubbo is about 280 km south. Lightning Ridge is to the north, Brewarrina and Bourke to the west, and Narrabri to the east. Roads are sealed, but floods can close them. Check Live Traffic NSW.

Where to stay

Walgett has motels, a caravan park and hotel accommodation. Many visitors base themselves in Lightning Ridge.

Gamilaraay community

Walgett has a large Aboriginal community and strong Aboriginal-controlled organisations, including health and community services. Visitors are welcome; be courteous, ask before taking photographs of people and support local businesses.

Suggested day

Walk the riverbank where the Namoi meets the Barwon, explore the heritage buildings, then drive to Burren Junction for a soak, or north to Lightning Ridge.

Tips

• Carry water on unsealed roads to the opal fields.
• Check road conditions after rain.
• Fill up before heading west.

History in brief

The Gamilaraay people have lived along the Barwon and Namoi rivers for thousands of years. Pastoralists moved into the region from the 1830s, and Walgett grew as a river crossing and service town. In wet years, paddle steamers could reach Walgett from South Australia via the Darling, carrying wool downstream. The river trade declined with the railways and road transport. Agriculture, including wheat, cotton and grazing, remains important.

When to visit

April to October is the most comfortable time. Summers are hot, and floods occasionally cut roads. Winter nights can be cold.

Nearby

Lightning Ridge is the main attraction nearby, with opal mines, car door tours and bore baths. Coonamble, to the south, is a farming town on the Castlereagh. To the west, Brewarrina's fish traps are one of the most important Aboriginal heritage sites in Australia.

The Grawin and the Club in the Scrub

The Grawin opal field, west of Walgett, is known for its mining settlement atmosphere and for the Club in the Scrub, a bush club with a famously rough golf course that welcomes visitors. Nearby Glengarry and Sheepyard have their own small pubs or clubs. Hours can be irregular, mobile coverage is limited and roads are unsealed, so check locally and carry water before setting out.

Come By Chance and Collarenebri

South of Walgett, the tiny village of Come By Chance is remembered in a Banjo Paterson poem of the same name. To the north-east, Collarenebri is a small river town on the Barwon, known for its Aboriginal cemetery, where graves have been decorated with coloured glass and other materials in a distinctive local tradition. Visit respectfully, as it is a place of mourning and remembrance for the local community.

Fishing on the Barwon and Namoi

The rivers around Walgett are known for golden perch and Murray cod when flows allow. A NSW recreational fishing licence is required for most anglers, and closed seasons and size limits apply, including a closed season for Murray cod. Check NSW Department of Primary Industries rules before you fish.

Floods and roads

Walgett sits at the junction of two rivers on wide floodplains, and major floods can cut roads for extended periods. Live Traffic NSW and Walgett Shire Council publish road conditions; check them before travelling, especially on unsealed roads to the opal fields.

Walgett bore baths update

Walgett Shire Council has announced that the Walgett artesian bore baths are being decommissioned following an assessment. It says new cooling baths are being installed, with an opening date to be confirmed. Check the council website before planning a soak in town. Burren Junction's bore bath, east of Walgett, has camping nearby, and Lightning Ridge's free bore baths are about an hour north.

More things to do in Walgett

Jimmy Little mural. The water tower carries a memorial mural honouring the singer Jimmy Little.

Tracker Walford Walkway. Visit NSW describes a 1.5 km riverside walk along the Namoi River, close to where it meets the Barwon.

Dharriwaa Elders Group. Visit NSW lists the Dharriwaa Elders Group's exhibition centre among the town's attractions. Check opening times before visiting.

Is Walgett worth visiting?

Walgett is a working river town rather than a tourist centre, but it rewards a stop. Learn about the 1965 Freedom Ride, walk by the river, fish the Barwon and Namoi, and use it as a base for the Grawin opal fields and Lightning Ridge. Services include fuel, a supermarket and accommodation.

Practical information

• Nearest towns: Lightning Ridge (north), Coonamble (south), Brewarrina (west).
• Best time: April to October.

Explore nearby

• Brewarrina