TOD Tour 2.0 Day 40 - Daly Waters

Wayside Inn

The 300kms to Daly Waters seemed ridiculously easy during a morning run. We stopped at Renner Springs and Elliot along the way for fuel and comfort.

In our previous trips through the Territory, we have stayed at the Roadhouse just short of the Daly Waters turn off. In fact, we were unaware of the village or the Wayside Inn at its centre.

Like most of these little places, they have had to adapt or burn to the ground (and many pubs in many town have mysteriously had electrical faults take them out, even when not connected to electricity). Adaption is a waste of time if it relies on locals, who in the main are too aged or too frail to keep supporting an old pub. The answer is to call the pub historic, pay for a killer cook who can develop a signature dish and develop powered caravan sites out the back. It’s a recipe we have seen repeated all over Australia. In Daly Waters, it’s brilliantly pulled off because the pub is old and looks it. A small stage in the beer garden hosts performers to keep the punters drinking and eating at night. It looks rustic because it is. It’s decorated with old hats, flags and signed guitars. Low ceilings, cold beer and loads of cheap backpacker staff. Covered in galvanised sheets, the place is hot and sweaty and you just want to sit and suck down beers and listen music and shoot the breeze with other travelers.

Wayside collections

The place is full of personal souvenirs - bank notes from all lands, hats, business cards, thongs, shoes, bras and even undies! People who visit feel compelled to leave something personal behind. Every wall, every inch of ceiling, outside trellises, the bar itself ... they are covered with paraphernalia.

In other words, everything about the place works a treat.

Click for today's photos

To our delight, Tamworth singer songwriter Allison Forbes arrived mid afternoon to entertain at the pub. We had a chat and then enjoyed her first and second sets over dinner. Very talented lady.