Boggabri (population 856 in 2016) is a village in the New England region in New South Wales, Australia.
Boggabri is on the Kamilaroi Highway between Gunnedah to the south and Narrabri to the north. Boggabri was built 20 km to the south in the 1830s, but the settlement was relocated after a flood to its present site in the 1860s. The European explorers John Oxley (in 1818) and Allan Cunningham (in 1827) passed through the area. John Clarke, an escaped convict from the Hunter region, had settled with the local Aboriginal people by 1826. The first farm in the district was established by 1835. The name of the village comes from the Gamilaraay word bagaaybaraay, meaning "having creeks", possibly referring to the nearby Namoi River. Wheat, wool, and cotton are farmed in the district, and there are large reserves of coal nearby. Boggabri is in the Narrabri Shire Local Government Area.
Boggabri is on the Kamilaroi Highway/B51, 39 km north-west of Gunnedah and 58 km south-east from Narrabri. The Oxley Highway/B56 heads east from Gunnedah to Tamworth (115 km from Boggabri, 77 km from Gunnedah).
Trains run from Sydney to Moree daily (Route 243), departing Central Station in Sydney at 9:30AM, arriving at Werris Creek at 14:57PM, at Gunnedah at 3:15PM, at Boggabri at 4:10PM, at Narrabri at 4:52PM, and arriving at Moree at 6PM.
The train departs Moree daily (Route 244) at 8:05AM, arriving at Narrabri at 8:45AM, at Boggabri at 9:47AM, at Gunnedah at 10:14AM, at Werris Creek at 11:05AM, and arriving at Central Station in Sydney at 4:39PM.
It is possible to change trains at Werris Creek for services to Tamworth and Armidale, however bookings are not available from Werris Creek Railway Station itself, so reservations need to be made long before departure. The service (Route 233) departs Werris Creek daily at 2:57PM, arrives at Tamworth at 3:37PM, and arrives at Armidale at 5:35PM. The service (Route 224) departs Armidale at 8:19AM, arrives at Tamworth at 10:06AM, and arrives at Werris Creek at 11:07AM before continuing on to Sydney.
A timetable and map can be downloaded here. Bookings are essential.
The nearest airports with regularly scheduled flights are at Narrabri (via Link Airways), Gunnedah, and Tamworth.
Private transport is essential, as there is no taxi service or local bus service.
The nearest car rental agencies are in Narrabri, Gunnedah, and Tamworth.
Dripping Rock, -30.655198°, 150.041605°. A 50-m-high waterfall and swimming hole in pristine bushland is accessable from the carpark. The waterfall is more impressive after rain.
Boggabri Arts Shed, 173-175 Merton Street, -30.703278°, 150.044238°, +61 407 604 379. M-F 9AM-5PM, Sa 9AM-noon, other times by appintment. Art and exhibitions.
Boggabri Museum, 25 Brent Street (Corner of Brent Street and Wee Waa Lane.), -30.7048775°, 150.04100002°, +61 427 434 612, pjhaire@gmail.com. Sa 9AM-12:30PM, other times by appointment. Alternative contact: +61 2 6743 4761
Gins Leap, -30.655198°, 150.041605°. According to local lore, two young Aboriginal lovers jumped to their deaths from the top of this rocky outcrop while being pursued by the young woman's tribe, as she was promised to one of her elders. There are also graves of local settlers. Picnic facilities and an interpretive sign.
Nelson's Honey Factory, 66 Lynn Street, -30.704539°, 150.046898°, +61 2 6743 4388. By appointment only.
Barbers Pinnacle and Barbers Lagoon, Rangari Road (Manilla Road) (10 km east of Boggabri on the Rangari (Manilla) Road, past the Iron Bridge over the Namoi River), -30.673135°, 150.093988°. Named after George "The Barber" Clark, an escaped convict and stock thief who lived in the vicinity of the lagoon from 1826-1831. Ask at the Boggabri Museum for the location of the obelisk that marks the general location of George Clark's hut and stockyards. Also ask at the museum regarding fossicking around the lagoon. Barber's Pinnacle is a hill just north of the lagoon. 2021-02-18
Deriah Aboriginal Area, 67 km north of Boggabri (Head north on the Kamilaroi Highway, turn right onto Turrawan Road, cross the Namoi River, go past the Maules Creek Road turn-off, take the next right onto Pikes Lane, turn right onto Kaputar Road, turn right onto Eulah Creek Road, turn right onto Carinya Road), -30.350754°, 150.034981°, +61 1300 072 757, parks.info@environment.nsw.gov.au. 7AM-7PM. Biruu gaba lookout walking track, Deriah Aboriginal information bay, Wagun picnic area. Toilets. Picnic tables. Barbecue facilities. Trails suitable for mountain bikes. Trails suitable for four-wheel-drive vehicles only. No pets. No smoking.
Boggabri IGA Xpress Plus Liquor, 145-147 Merton Street (diagonally opposite the Commercial Hotel), -30.7038686°, 150.0444632°, +61 2 6743 4201. daily 7AM-7:30PM. Supermarket, liquor.
Boggabri Meats, 165 Merton Street (next to Boggabri Hardware and Rural Supplies), -30.70269°, 150.044231°, +61 2 6743 4201. M-Sa 7AM-5PM. Butchers
Boggabri Pharmacy, 2/132 Morton Street, Boggabri (diagonally opposite the IGA supermarket), -30.704472°, 150.044019°, +61 2 6743 4344. M-F 9AM-5PM, Sa 9AM-noon.
Thomsons Newsagency, 144 Merton Street, -30.704034°, 150.044095°, +61 2 6743 4327. Newsagency
The Bluebird Cafe, 132 Merton Street, -30.7043975°, 150.0432189°, +61 2 6743 4148. M-F 4:30AM-2PM. cafe fare
Vault Restaurant and Accommodation, 135 Merton Street, -30.7043658°, 150.0437835°, +61 2 6743 4400, vault153@yahoo.com.au. Reservations required
Royal Hotel, 96 Brent Street (Corner of Brent Street and Rees Avenue), -30.705121°, 150.045328°, +61 2 6743 4410. Pub fare
Commercial Hotel, 160 Merton Street, -30.703563°, 150.044157°, +61 2 6743 4371. Pub fare
Boggabri RSL Memorial Club, 77-79 Laidlaw Street (opposite the post office and the Royal Hotel), -30.7051054°, 150.0452211°, +61 2 6743 4345. Tu-Su noon-2PM, 5:30-8PM. Restaurant fare, takeways. See the takeaway menu here.
Grab and Go, 130 Wee Waa Street (Kamilaroi Highway), -30.699532°, 150.043428°, +61 2 6743 4100. bakery, takeaways
Gillwest (BP Service Station), 11 Grantham Street, -30.710623°, 150.041758°, +61 2 6743 4591. Takeaways.
Royal Hotel, 96 Brent Street (corner of Brent Street and Rees Avenue), -30.705121°, 150.045328°, +61 2 6743 4410.
Commercial Hotel, 160 Merton Street, -30.703563°, 150.044157°, +61 2 6743 4371.
Boggabri RSL Memorial Club, 77-79 Laidlaw Street (Opposite the post office and the Royal Hotel), -30.7051054°, 150.0452211°, +61 2 6743 4345. Su-M 11AM-9PM, Tu-Sa 10AM-10PM.
Royal Hotel, 96 Brent Street (corner of Brent Street and Rees Avenue), -30.705121°, 150.045328°, +61 2 6743 4410. Phone for rates and availability
Commercial Hotel, 160 Merton Street, -30.703563°, 150.044157°, +61 2 6743 4371. Phone for rates and availability
There are no banks in Boggabri. The nearest banks are in Gunnedah and Narrabri. It is advisable to obtain cash before departing for Boggabri, and to use EFTPOS wherever possible once there.