Tilpa

Tilpa, New South Wales is a tiny town in the Australian Outback, located on the Darling River. It is best known for its classic pub and unique local quirks. As of 2021, Tilpa had a population of 46.^[1]

Tilpa New South Wales
The Darling River at Tilpa c. 1945. The punt can be seen behind the new bridge
Tilpa
Coordinates	30°56′11″S 144°25′0″E / 30.93639°S 144.41667°E / -30.93639; 144.41667
Population	46 (as of 2021)
Established	1800s
Elevation	88 m (289 ft)
Location	917 km (570 mi) NW of Sydney 340 km (211 mi) NE of Broken Hill 144 km (89 mi) NE of Wilcannia

Tilpa started as an important place on the Darling River in the 1800s. It was a busy river port. Paddle steamers—boats moved by large wheels—would stop here. They delivered supplies to big sheep farms (called stations) nearby. They would then load up the boats with bales of wool to take down the river.

The town was a necessary crossing point on the river. A floating platform called a punt was used to move sheep, horses, and people across the water for a small fee.

In the late 1800s, the town grew a little. The famous Tilpa Hotel was built in 1894 and is still open today. It is one of the last true old pubs in the Outback.

In 1963, a bridge was built to replace the old river punt. This made it easier to cross the Darling River.

Today, Tilpa is a very small community. Most of the work in the area is still farming, mainly sheep grazing. The town now gets many visitors who are traveling the famous Darling River Run route. Tourists often stop at the old Tilpa Hotel, which is the heart of the town.

1. ↑ Australian Bureau of Statistics (28 June 2022). "Tilpa (State Suburb)". 2021 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 1 May 2025.