Photo: Lakeyboy ( talk ) / Public domain
In the vast, red heart of the Northern Territory, Daly Waters Pub is an icon of outback legend. This historic pub, established in the 1930s, is a riot of character—its walls plastered with banknotes, bras, and business cards left by travellers from across the globe. It's a quintessential Australian roadhouse where cold beer, hearty meals, and tall tales flow freely beneath a corrugated-iron roof.
Highlights & What to See
- The Pub Itself: Step inside to see the incredible collection of memorabilia—every inch of the ceiling and walls is covered in currency, stickers, and oddities. Don't miss the 'bra tree' outside.
- Outback Atmosphere: Join locals and travellers for a cold beer on the verandah, listen to live music (often bush bands), and swap stories around the campfire.
- Daly Waters Historic Village: Wander the nearby remnants of the original Overland Telegraph station and the old airstrip used during WWII.
- Stockyard Gallery: A small gallery showcasing Indigenous art and local crafts, just a short walk from the pub.
- Stargazing: With minimal light pollution, the night sky here is spectacular—lie back on a swag and watch the Milky Way.
Suggested Time to Spend
Most travellers stop for a couple of hours to soak up the pub's atmosphere, grab a meal, and snap photos. If you're camping (the pub offers powered and unpowered sites), an overnight stay lets you enjoy the evening entertainment and a sunrise over the outback. It's a perfect lunch or dinner break on the Stuart Highway.
Nearby Areas Worth Combining
- Mataranka: Famous for its thermal pools and the Elsey National Park, about 1.5 hours north.
- Katherine: The gateway to Nitmiluk (Katherine Gorge) and Cutta Cutta Caves, roughly 2 hours north.
- Devils Marbles (Karlu Karlu): A stunning field of giant granite boulders, about 2.5 hours south.
- Tennant Creek: A historic gold-mining town with the Nyinkka Nyunyu Cultural Centre, 3 hours south.
- Litchfield National Park: Waterfalls, swimming holes, and termite mounds, a 4-hour drive north-west.
Please check official sources for current details.
Note: opening hours, prices and booking requirements change often — please check official sources for current details.
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Image credits
- Katherine — Tourism NT / Attribution
- Devils Marbles (Karlu Karlu) — Iain Whyte ( Iainwhyte ) / CC BY-SA 2.5
- Tennant Creek — Tourism NT / Attribution
- Litchfield National Park — Bäras / CC BY-SA 3.0
- Nitmiluk National Park (Katherine Gorge) — huskyte77 / CC BY-ND 2.0