Condobolin is a charming country town of 3,500 people (2016) in Central West New South Wales. It is a great spot for fishing and water sports.
Understand
Condobolin is located on the Lachlan River near the centre of New South Wales, and has adopted the motto "The Heart of NSW". Australians may remember the Lachlan River from the Banjo Paterson's poem/song "Clancy of the Overflow" (and indeed, "The Overflow" station described in it is in Nymagee, a small town 175 km away.
The area was first inhabited by the Wiradjuri people and in 2016, 22.1% of residents identified as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander, much higher than the Australian average.
Condobolin is pronounced /kənˈdoʊbɑːlən/. The town is often shortened to "Condo", and you will see this on the front of some stores.
Get in
By bus
There are daily NSW TrainLink coaches between Cootamundra and Condobolin, and there are coaches between Parkes and Condobolin Monday to Friday.
By train
There is a weekly NSW TrainLink train that runs from Sydney to Broken Hill which stops at Condobolin. It goes towards Broken Hill on Monday and returns to Sydney on Tuesday.
By plane
There is an airport in Condobolin, but there are no commercial flights.
Get around
Condobolin is small enough that you can walk anywhere within the town. There are no local bus services (other than some school buses), but the Condobolin Taxi Service operates taxis.
See
- Utes in the Paddock (go south along Diggers Avenue; it is just past the Condobolin Showground and the River View Caravan Park; it's about 1.5 km from the Condobolin Post Office), ☏ 61 2 6895 1900, ✉[email protected]. 24 hours. 20 utes painted to look like other objects. There are utes designed to look like a jar of vegemite, a bottle of Bundaberg rum, a piano, an outhouse and more. Free.
Do
- Gum Bend Lake (go west on Bathurst Street and continue along Gum Bend Road; there is a 6-km walking/cycling track). 24 hours. An artificial lake great for boating, water skiing, bird watching, swimming and picnicking. Free.
- Reservoir Hill Lookout (go west along Brady Street). Get a view of Condobolin. Free.
- Lachlander Museum, Madline Street (next to the post office), ✉[email protected]. Museum describing the history of the Lachlander newspaper. Must phone in advance to arrange a viewing time.
- Condobolin & District Historical Museum, 46 Bathurst Street, ☏ 61 2 6895 4010, ✉[email protected]. Museum describing the history of Condobolin.
- Condobolin Railway Museum, 46 Bathurst Street, ☏ 61 421 451 309 (0421 451 309 if calling from within Australia), ✉[email protected]. Museum describing the history of the railway in Condobolin. Must arrange time in advance. Entry by donation.
Buy
Eat
- Condo Bakery, 78 Bathurst Street, ☏ 61 2 6895 3262, ✉[email protected]. M-F 4:30AM-4PM, Sa 4:30AM-1PM. Country bakery.
- Royal Hotel, 71 Bathurst St, ☏ 61 2 6895 2009, fax: 61 2 6895 4989, ✉[email protected]. Lunch noon-2PM, dinner 6-9:30PM.
Drink
Sleep
- Gum Bend Lake (go west on Bathurst Street and continue along Gum Bend Road; there is a 6-km walking/cycling track). Very popular free camping/caravan site. Has toilet and shower facilities with free hot water, as well as a playground and picnic tables. Free.
- Allambie Motel, 21 William St, ☏ 61 2 6895 2722.
- Condobolin Hotel Motel, 110 Bathurst Street, ☏ 61 2 6895 2040.
- Condobolin Motor Inn, 20 William St, ☏ 61 2 6895 2233.
- Imperial Hotel, 64 Bathurst St, ☏ 61 2 6895 2139.
- Riverview Caravan Park, Diggers Avenue, ☏ 61 2 6895 2611.
- Railway Hotel, 46 Molong Street, ☏ 61 2 6895 2650.
- Royal Hotel, 71 Bathurst St, ☏ 61 2 6895 2009, fax: 61 2 6895 4989, ✉[email protected].
Connect
There is free wifi in the Royal Hotel. There are payphones in town. There are computers/internet/printing/photocopying services (paid) in the Western Plains Regional Development Centre, 18 William Street.
Go next
Consider going to West Wyalong, Parkes, Lake Cargelligo, Dubbo or Griffith.