Quick FactsOverview
About Collarenebri Bore Bath
Collarenebri Bore Bath, Australia is a free public artesian bore bath on the main street of Collarenebri in the Walgett Shire of northern New South Wales, approximately 80 kilometres south-east of Walgett and around 100 kilometres west of Lightning Ridge. Opened in September 2024, it is the newest Great Artesian Basin bore bath on the Great Artesian Drive route in New South Wales. The facility was funded under Round 3 of the Murray-Darling Basin Economic Development Program, with $920,124 from the Australian Government and approximately $600,000 from Walgett Shire Council, totalling around 1.6 million dollars.
The pool draws bore water from the Great Artesian Basin and regulates it via a reticulating pump system to a consistent temperature of 40 to 42 degrees Celsius. The design features an access ramp and tiered pool entry, making it more accessible than most older bore baths in the region. Toilets and picnic tables are on site. The facility is within walking distance of the primitive campground and sits adjacent to the sportsground. For visitors seeking free geothermal pools in Australia on the New South Wales outback network, Collarenebri is among the most recently built and well-funded community bore baths in the state.
Location & Access
Getting to Collarenebri Bore Bath
Collarenebri Bore Bath is on Wilson Street in the centre of Collarenebri, directly on the main street and straightforward to find on arrival. Collarenebri is reached via the Gwydir Highway from Moree to the east or Walgett to the west. From Walgett the drive is approximately 80 kilometres on sealed road. From Moree the distance is around 140 kilometres. Lightning Ridge is approximately 100 kilometres to the south-west via Walgett. All approach roads from major regional centres are sealed and suitable for caravans and motor homes.
A large parking area approximately 200 metres from the bore bath on Walgett Street is available for larger vehicles. Camping is available at the Football Ground across the bridge on the Gwydir Highway. No four-wheel drive is required. The Tattersalls Hotel is within easy walking distance and can provide accommodation and meals for those staying overnight. For visitors researching free hot springs in Australia in northern New South Wales, this is a town-centre stop requiring no navigation off sealed roads and no permits or passes. The bore bath is staffed and managed by Walgett Shire Council, which can be contacted on 02 6828 6139 for current opening information.
Suitability & Accessibility
Who Collarenebri Bore Bath Suits
Collarenebri Bore Bath suits outback road travellers and Grey Nomads passing through northern New South Wales on the Gwydir Highway, as the facility is free, centrally located, and requires no off-road driving. The bore bath is the newest on the Great Artesian Drive route and was designed with modern accessibility in mind, featuring a built-in access ramp and tiered pool entry rather than the ladder or step-down entry typical of older bore baths in the region.
The facility is family friendly with toilets and picnic tables on site. The access ramp and tiered pool design make it more inclusive than most rural bore baths in New South Wales. Visitors with specific mobility requirements should contact Walgett Shire Council on 02 6828 6139 before visiting to confirm current access arrangements. The site is walking distance from the primitive campground for those already staying in Collarenebri.
The bore bath is best visited during the cooler months from autumn to spring. It closes during summer and typically reopens around Easter each year, with the exact date confirmed by the council. At 40 to 42 degrees Celsius the pool is on the warmer side; short initial sessions are advisable. For those researching geothermal pools in Australia in outback New South Wales, this is one of the most accessible and well-funded community bore baths in the state.
Safety & Etiquette
Collarenebri Bore Bath Safety Tips
Collarenebri Bore Bath is generally safe for visitors in good health. The pool operates at 40 to 42 degrees Celsius, regulated by a reticulating pump system, which is toward the hotter end of the range for artesian bore baths. Visitors new to artesian soaking should enter slowly, allow the body to adjust, and limit initial sessions to around 10 to 15 minutes before taking a break. Staying well hydrated before and after soaking is important, particularly during warm weather in northern New South Wales. No diving is permitted and the bore bath is a smoke-free facility.
The facility is a free public space managed by Walgett Shire Council with no permanent lifeguard on site. Children should be supervised at all times. The access ramp and tiered pool design make entry and exit safer than a traditional ladder-entry bore bath, but wet surfaces around pool edges should still be approached carefully. Standard pool footwear is recommended.
As with all Great Artesian Basin bore baths, soaps, shampoos, and sunscreen oils should not be used in or near the pool water. The artesian water is a shared public resource and contamination affects other bathers. The bore bath closes each summer; checking current operating status with Walgett Shire Council on 02 6828 6139 or via the Explore Lightning Ridge website before making a long detour is strongly advised. The bore bath was new in 2024 and operational schedules may still be refined in early seasons of operation, making a quick check before visiting even more worthwhile. No diving is permitted and the bore bath is a smoke-free facility.
