Tilpa

Tilpa Hotel

Less than 10 people live in this tiny outpost, so there's just a handful of houses, a playground and the legendary Tilpa Hotel. A classic, character-filled pub made of corrugated iron and timber, it was established in 1894 to service the river boat trade. Today you can chat to the friendly locals as you tuck into a meal or enjoy a cold drink. The pub also offers comfortable accommodation if you wish to stay the night.

Tilpa Hotel, Tilpa

The Tilpa Hotel’s walls are an entertaining read, covered in travellers’ messages. Visitors pay to leave a message, with the money donated to the Royal Flying Doctor Service. Further north along the river, you’ll find Trilby Station, a working sheep station, which also has a campground, cabins and caravan sites.

Trilby Station, Louth

Louth

Two hours' drive northeast you’ll find the village of Louth. Stop at Shindy’s Inn, a friendly pub on the banks of the Darling River with its walls covered in photos. This famous pitstop is also the town’s only shop and cafe. Look out for the towering monument to Mary Matthew, one of the founders of the town, in the town cemetery.

Visit in August for the famous Louth Races. This annual event brings together travellers from far and wide for a fun weekend of horse racing, fashion and entertainment. It’s an outback experience not to be missed, and you can also enjoy it while camping by the river.

Gundabooka National Park, south of Bourke, Outback NSW

National parks

The White Cliffs area around Tilpa is home to fascinating opal mines and abundant birdlife, making it a perfect spot to birdwatch, bushwalk and camp. Explore the stunning Paroo-Darling National Park nearby, where you can paddle or walk around peaceful Peery Lake or camp at Coach and Horses campground.

Gundabooka National Park, Gunderbooka

Get off the beaten track at the Gundabooka National Park towards Bourke and keep an eye out for red kangaroos. Don’t miss the Mulgowan (Yappa) Aboriginal Art Site walking track where you can see ancient rock art from the local Indigenous people.

Gundabooka National Park, Gunderbooka

Getting there & where to stay

Tilpa is a 10-hour drive from Sydney, just over nine hours from Canberra, a 10.5-hour drive from Melbourne and a 9.5-hour drive from Adelaide. You can fly into Broken Hill and hire a car for the five-hour drive. You may need a 4WD for unsealed roads and national parks. Places to stay include the Tilpa Hotel and outlying stations that offer an authentic outback experience.