Black Stump Rest Area

Coolah is one of several towns to claim bragging rights as the home of the legendary Black Stump. It was here that the colloquial saying ‘Beyond the Black Stump’, meaning ‘beyond the limits of civilisation’ is said to have originated. Supporting Coolah’s claim is a document showing land boundaries declared by Governor Darling in 1826. This boundary line passes through the centre of a property known as ‘Black Stump Run’. The local Aboriginal Gamilaraay people called the area ‘Weetalibah-Wallangan’, meaning ‘the place where the fire went out and left a burnt stump’. In 1905, a fire engulfed the Black Stump Wine Saloon, which was said to be the location of the original black stump. Today, a rest area and replica stump mark the historic location. It contains picnic shelters, an electric barbecue and flushing toilets. Be sure to visit the township of Coolah, which is close by and offers accommodation and great food choices.