Fast facts
- Peaceful historic country town, home to the largest combined rodeo and campdraft in the southern hemisphere.
- Between Warrumbungle National Park and the Macquarie Marshes
- 565 km north-west of Sydney, population 500
Why go there
Coonamble is a delightful country town, the gateway to the wetlands of the Macquarie Marshes and the rugged scenery of Warrumbungle National Park. You can see find examples of Art Deco style buildings in the town's main street as well as walls adorned with portraits of local identities.
There are opal fields to the north, and the Pilliga State Forest, with its stands of eucalypts close by.
History
Coonamble’s name derives from an Aboriginal term meaning "full of dirt".
In 1840, James Walker was the first to lease land in this district, which he called the Koonamble Run.
The town began life in 1861, but fire destroyed almost all the 19th century and early 20th century buildings in the main street in 1929. Many buildings were later restored in Art Deco style.
Coonamble is also the birthplace of Sir Edward Hallstrom, the pioneer of refrigeration.
Things to do
- Search for birds at the Macquarie Marshes, which are best after rain causes the area to flood.
- Discover the forested ridges, barren spires and deep gorges of Warrumbungle National Park, a 45-minute drive east of town.
- Take a picnic down to the Warrena Weir for an afternoon of swimming, waterskiing and soaking up the sun.
Events
- The Coonamble Rodeo and Campdraft in June is the biggest combined rodeo and campdraft in the southern hemisphere.
Don’t miss
- The Coonamble Museum for an outline of the town’s history.
- A visit to one of the area’s historic country pubs – Coonamble has four pubs.
- An afternoon lazing in leafy Smith Park by the riverside.
- The nearby historic towns of Gulargambone and Quambone, famous for having the State's smallest operating library.
