Ardlethan, NSW: Best things to do

Ardlethan, NSW, is a road trip break on the Newell Highway. The best things to do in Ardlethan are walking along Mirrool Creek and paying tribute to the Kelpie Statue.

Ardlethan, NSW, is a service town in country New South Wales. It’s about half way between Narrandera and West Wyalong on the Newell Highway. It’s part of the Coolamon Shire, and is on the edge of the Riverina region and Outback New South Wales.

Countryside near Ardlethan, NSW. Photo courtesy of Destination NSW.

Reasons to visit Ardlethan, NSW

Let’s not pretend that Ardlethan is a destination in its own right. It’s more of a potential pit stop, and you’ll probably pass through on the inland route from Brisbane to Melbourne. The Ariah 62 Coffee Stop will sort you out for a bite to eat and a caffeine fix. But if you’re passing through, then the BP Truckstop north of town is the more likely stop.

Ardlethan’s history is largely a story of gold mining, then tin mining. But these days, it acts as a service centre for surrounding agricultural properties.

Things to do in Ardlethan are thin on the ground. But there is plenty of parkland surrounding Mirrool Creek. If you want somewhere to stretch the legs while on a road trip, there are far worse places for a stroll.

Things to do in Ardlethan, NSW: The Kelpie Statue

The other attraction in Ardlethan is the Kelpie Statue. Ardlethan likes to boast that it is the birthplace of the kelpie, the sheepdog that was bred and evolved in Australia. There’s plenty of controversy over where kelpies really originated, but Ardlethan has its story and is running with it.

Ardlethan is also on Burley-Griffin Way between Canberra and Griffith.

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