Looking for a great pub camping spot to add to your road trip? Then don't miss visiting Grong Grong on the Newell Highway in New South Wales.
When the historic Royal Hotel in Grong Grong, New South Wales, was threatened with closure during the COVID pandemic, the local community chipped in — literally — and saved it.
Visiting Grong Grong, NSW
In small country towns all over Australia, there are pubs that are the heart of their communities. More than just a place to have a drink and a feed, they are places to gather, have a yarn and, importantly in remote communities, connect with others. Some are part of Australian history, folklore and the subject of many a song.
Grong Grong is a small town in the Riverina region of New South Wales, just 20km or so east of Narrandera and just a short detour off the Newell Highway. In 2018, the Newell was straightened to bypass Grong Grong and to eliminate a notorious 25km/h bend in the road that had caused many accidents, particularly truck rollovers.
The name Grong Grong is an Aboriginal term meaning ‘bad camping ground’ or ‘very bad camping ground’.
Signage tells tells the history of the Royal
Saving the Royal Hotel Grong Grong (Grongy Pub)
Like many businesses around the country, the Royal Hotel struggled during COVID. It was on the market, and under threat of closure if a buyer was not found. For a town with a population of 150, where the pub is the lifeblood of the community, it would have spelled disaster.
We visited Grong Grong in early June last year on a trip north and stayed in the free camping area behind the pub, which began welcoming campers in 2023 after a few years' break. The campsite has bathroom facilities (including a hot shower) and a barbecue.
New managers of about three weeks (at the time of our visit), Leah and Henk, welcomed us warmly, and over dinner that Friday night we chatted with local businessman Cain Gawne, who told us the inspirational story of how the local community saved its pub.
Chair Cain Gawne with new managers Leah and Henk
Gawne was approached by several members of the community with the idea for local residents to chip in financially to save the historic hotel. He helped them to come up with the business model to sell 287 shares at $5000 per share which would give them enough to purchase the pub outright and give it a much-needed refurbishment.
Gawne felt that for the pub to remain a real community asset, and to be used and valued by the community, there should be at least 60 per cent local ownership. That was achieved and other shares were sold around Australia and overseas, with Gawne calling in some favours from his many business contacts. Gawne is chair of the board of nine community members which now runs the pub on behalf of shareholders.
A mural welcomes campers out the back of the Royal Hotel
With more than $1 million raised, everyone rolled up their sleeves and took part in a 70-day working bee to undertake a total renovation with new roof, floors and commercial kitchen. Where once walls divided the bar into men’s and women’s drinking areas, the whole space was opened up and a new liquor licence was obtained to make it a more family-friendly venue.
The pizza at the Royal was delicious
The bustling bar of the Royal Hotel
On a Friday night, the pub was loud and bustling with activity — families having dinner, farmers and workers having a well-earned drink, committee members selling raffle tickets and staff running meals out the kitchen door. The menu includes the usual pub fare such as steaks, schnitzels, parmas, fish and chips and a selection of burgers and pizzas.
The Royal Hotel celebrated 100 years in 2023 and well worth visiting on your journey through town. Tap into its Facebook page for all the latest news and events.
Camping at the Royal
Camping out the back of the Royal is free if you patronise the pub. There is no power or water. There is a toilet that is left unlocked all night. There are plans to improve amenities for travellers including showers and a communal firepit. Outdoor dining and live entertainment on Sundays are also in the pipeline.
Campers are welcome out the back of the Royal Hotel
Other spots to camp with your caravan
If you call into Grong Grong and there’s no space behind the pub, there is free powered camping for up to 72 hours across the railway line at the Grong Grong Earth Park where there is a clean and modern clean amenity block with toilet facilities, baby change tables and hot showers.
The nearby Grong Grong Earth Park also has caravan sites
If you prefer a caravan park stay, Narrandera Caravan Park in Gillenbah is only a 20-minute drive west along the Newell Highway.
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