Visit
Walgett Shire is a meeting point for some of New South Wales’ most scenic and culturally rich drives, connecting the Kamilaroi Highway and the Great Inland Way. It’s also a proud stop on the iconic Pub Route and The Great Artesian Drive. Here, wide-open landscapes meet rare natural wonders, vibrant towns and experiences you won’t find anywhere else in Australia.
Ease into the restorative embrace of the Great Artesian Basin at our celebrated hot bore baths in Walgett, Burren Junction, Lightning Ridge and Collarenebri. These naturally heated, mineral-rich springs running at soothing 38–40 °C are free and open to the public. Whether you’ve driven all day or are simply seeking quiet reflection, the soothing waters will restore body and spirit in perfect harmony with Outback stillness.
More Information on Our Artesian Baths
Unearth the World’s Rarest Opals
A short detour north along the Great Inland Way leads to the opal haven of Lightning Ridge. Known globally for its extraordinary black opals, this town immerses visitors in geological wonder and creative passion. Try your hand at fossicking, wander underground galleries that blur art and archaeology, and let the town’s colourful energy and stark landscapes reshape your view of possibility.
Traverse Iconic Outback Trails
Wheel through unforgettable landscapes on highways that whisper of big skies and wide horizons. The Kamilaroi Highway threads together rugged farmland, ancient towns, and boundless panoramas beyond the Great Dividing Range. The Darling River Run unfurls tranquil riverscapes, hidden fishing spots, and a sense of time slowed to Outback grace.
Our pubs are cultural lodestones — places where stories are traded, memories are made and freshness of local flavour meets tradition. The Pub Route in Walgett Shire takes you off the beaten path to genuine hospitality, where every lunch, pint, and conversation becomes part of the story you take home.
Embrace Culture, Heritage & Memory
Stroll along the serene Namoi River decked by the Tracker Walford Walkway, honouring local Aboriginal heritage and the legacy of a celebrated tracker. Seek out the bold mural of Jimmy Little — a visual tribute to an iconic Indigenous musician — and pause at the Freedom Ride Pavilion, a thoughtful homage to a pivotal chapter in Australia’s civil rights journey.
Why Walgett Shire
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Revitalise in Nature: Immerse yourself in hot artesian springs that restore more than just muscles.
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Discover Hidden Beauty: Feel the thrill of uncovering rare black opals beneath Outback skies.
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Drive Legendary Roads: Let quiet highways map your journey across vast, timeless landscapes.
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Live Local Legends: Pull up a stool at a pub that prizes connection as much as a cold drink.
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Connect with Heritage: Walk our stories, our art, our history — they are as vast as the plains. Visit the Freedom Ride Memorial Park in Walgett