A Guide To Lockhart: Eat, Stay & Play

Forget standard country-town stops. Lockhart and nearby The Rock aren’t just dots on a map — they’re open-air galleries, stargazing hideaways and slow-living gems bursting with creativity, community and comfort. This pocket of the Riverina almost demands you wander, pause, breathe — one sculpture, sunrise coffee or starlit sky at a time.

MORNING

Ease into the day in Lockhart, a heritage village known for its art, architecture and warm, country welcome.

Start with a wander along Green Street, where historic verandahs shade local boutiques, cafés and shops.

Your must-do: The Spirit of the Land Sculpture Trail. These incredible open-air artworks — crafted from recycled farm materials — are scattered throughout the streetscape and celebrate resilience, ingenuity and the spirit of rural Australia.

Before leaving town, stop into the Greens Gunyah Museum for a hit of local history, rare farm machinery and stories from Lockhart’s pioneering families.

AFTERNOON

When hunger strikes, settle in for lunch at the Commercial Hotel Lockhart, a 1906 pub famed for generous servings, hearty classics and a proper country welcome. Reviewers rave about the chicken schnitzels (“the best I’ve eaten”) and consistently warm hospitality.

Before you head off, swing by Lockhart’s local favourite deli, That Butcher Shop, known for award-winning sausages and top-quality local cuts.

Leave Lockhart behind and enjoy the 40-minute countryside drive to The Rock, rolling past golden paddocks, big skies and quiet backroads.

Your first stop: the striking Water Tower Mural — a bold, colourful celebration of local stories and the surrounding landscape.

Next, visit Marrocka Emu Farm, where you can get up close with emus, learn about the farm’s history and enjoy a uniquely Australian wildlife experience.

If the sun’s out, cool down with a refreshing swim at The Rock Pool, a relaxed community hangout perfect for families, couples or anyone needing a break after the drive.

EVENING

Make your way to your accommodation and freshen up before the night’s highlight.

For dinner, you can choose to cook with the award-winning local produce you picked up earlier, or enjoy another pub-style classic at the Commercial Hotel or Ex-Servicemen’s.

Then, once darkness falls, we recommend a night under the starts - either open air at home or check out the The Rock Regional Observatory. Under the crystal-clear Riverina sky, you’ll spot planets, star clusters and distant galaxies — a night of pure magic, whether you're solo, with a partner or travelling with kids.

STAY & UNWIND

Whether you’re rolling into the caravan park, checking into the Lockhart Motel, or choosing the charm of Avalon Farm Stay, there’s no wrong way to unwind here. Enjoy modern comfort, peaceful farm surrounds, and star-filled skies that make you slow down without even trying. Stay a night or stay the weekend — Lockhart’s gentle pace stays with you long after you head home.