Outback Hotels
Some of the pubs and hotels we visited on the drive from Darwin to Sydney..
Larrimah Hotel, NT - a tiny town 497km south of Darwin, population 10, we met 6 of them in the pub. Larrimah has recently been in the news for the mysterious case of missing person Paddy Moriarty and his kelpie 'Kellie' in December 2017. They were last seen leaving the pub and neither have been seen since. Paddy's seat is roped off in the pub and no one is allowed to sit on it, the owner hoping that he will return one day.
The entire town was called upon during the inquest, but still with no arrests made. There are rumours that involve the local pie lady, as Paddy used to tell passing tourists that the pub had better pies than her shop.
The ABC has made a documentary on it - a really interested story.
Daly Waters Pub, NT- 620km south of Darwin, population 9, again you can meet most of them in the pub. It used to be a refuelling stop for QANTAS flights from Sydney to Singapore (in the 1920's?) and the hanger is still there. Coined the 'original outback pub' it has been featured in a few Australian films, the walls and ceilings are covered in memorabilia, (mostly bras and undies - that they claim they wash every few months as the pub doesn't have any window panes and the garments get dusty).
Good pub meals, good local characters and you can camp or stay in the motel - an iconic stop in the middle of Darwin and Alice Springs.
The Junction Hotel - Oorominna Station, NT - 30mins south of Alice Springs, sadly only open for functions.
Oodnadatta Pink Roadhouse, SA - small outback town on the Oodnadatta Track, 4WD only, population 200ish (includes surrounds). Sunset was drawing near so we ended up camping here as the next town was about 6 hours away, and it was.... an experience. We had to keep our dog in our swag as the dingos were getting closer and louder, and we also slept with a knife under our pillow. So look, I'm not sure I would recommend an over night stay here.
 |
Williams Creek Hotel, SA- also on the Oodnadatta Track, population 10, has a 9 hole golf course that is predominantly on red dirt. Just to the north is Anna Creek Station which is the largest cattle station in the world, it is the same size as Israel.
Lyndhurst Hotel, SA - population 20 or less. If you are driving north from Adelaide, this is where the bitumen road ends and you can then take the dirt roads for either the Oodnadatta Track or the Strzelecki Track. Last stop to refuel and check tires.
Prairie Hotel, Parachilna SA - where the desert meets the Flinders Rangers, 422km north of Adelaide and has a population of 9.
The hotel is known for it's creative local food which includes their signature 'feral' menu; kangaroo meetwurst and emu pate. The old heritage rooms have recently been refurbished and are quite deluxe, especially for being in the middle of nowhere. They have an art gallery and often host weddings, films, events.
North Blinman Hotel, SA - in the Flinders Rangers, a small old mining town population 35. A really nice pub inside, have amazing food and friendly owners.
Silverton Hotel, NSW - 26km west of Broken Hill, a small old mining town, population 50. A cute little sleepy town, some of the original sandstone buildings are still intact and is home to some art galleries, a gaol and museums. Some colourful characters and artist still live in the area. Mad Max 2, Dirty Deeds and Priscella Queen of the Desert were all filmed around here.
While having a beer here we were joined by some local donkeys, we feed them carrots and then they fell asleep while standing next to us.
Palace Hotel, Broken Hill NSW - most famously known for where Priscella Queen of the Desert was filmed. You can stay in the Palace Suite where the characters stayed. Most of the rooms have access to the balcony that looks out over Broken Hill. Very colourful inside, murals covering the ceilings and walls, there's live music and it can get quite busy at night.
Comments
Post a Comment