Coonamble on the Castlereagh River

Coonamble on the Castlereagh River combines a walk through the town centre with public art, local stories and cultural offerings. You can explore history on foot, discover features in the townscape and choose your own focus—from the Heritage Walk to the Rodeo & Campdraft.

Explore Coonamble on Foot

The Coonamble Town Heritage Walk is an informative walk through the town centre that covers 32 historically interesting sites. The route takes you to many places connected with local history, rather than focusing on just one historic stop. If you enjoy exploring Coonamble on foot, you can also walk along Coonamble’s Riverwalk. The Heritage Walk focuses on historic sites in the centre, while the Riverwalk offers another way to enjoy a stroll during your stay.

Murals and Public Art

The 25-metre-high Coonamble Water Tower depicts Australian pink and grey galahs, fence posts as a symbol of Coonamble’s rural character, as well as the sun, moon and Southern Cross. The first water tower mural is at the Coonamble Sports Ground on Castlereagh Street, opposite the Coonamble Visitor Information and Exhibition Centre. Lightning Ridge artist John Murray painted it in 2017.

The Nickname Hall of Fame in the CBD also brings local stories to life: its billboards feature caricatures of Coonamble’s best-known characters, their humorous stories and the origins of their nicknames. The town’s entrance signs showcase a different cultural design. They are contemporary interpretations of traditional Wailwan designs.

Local History and Cultural Insights

The Museum Under the Bridge is housed in a former colonial police station. The building’s former use gives the museum a tangible historical connection. For a humorous look at different chapters of local history, the Nickname Hall of Fame features well-known characters and their nicknames.

The Coonamble Information and Exhibition Centre offers information about the region and surrounding areas, and suggests attractions and activities for visitors. The Centre also features local history and locally made products. At the Coonamble Visitor Information and Exhibition Centre, you can also listen to the stories and songs in the educational kit “Sharing a Wailwan Story”. Confirm the visiting arrangements before you arrive.

The Outback Arts Gallery gives local artists the opportunity to exhibit and sell their work. It showcases work by local and regional artists, including local Indigenous artists. Together with the murals, this offers different ways to experience art and design in Coonamble: large-scale images in public spaces and works in a gallery.

Events and Getting There

The Coonamble Rodeo & Campdraft has been held since 1955 and is the largest combined rodeo and campdraft event in the Southern Hemisphere. It offers a different focus from local history and artworks, centring on the combination of rodeo and campdraft. If you’re planning your trip around the event, check the dates before making arrangements.

CountryLink operates a daily return bus service from Lightning Ridge to Dubbo via Gulargambone and Coonamble. Check the current timetable before travelling, as service details may change. When planning your trip, you can consider the town’s cultural attractions and the bus connection as two different aspects of your journey.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Marks Point, Mandurama, Fitzroy Falls, La Perouse, Yarra, Mulwala, Yarrahapinni, Smiths Lake.

For the overarching travel guide: New South Wales.