White Cliffs Hotel Review: Is It Worth Your Stay

If you are planning a short stay in the far west of New South Wales and wondering whether the White Cliffs Hotel can serve as a comfortable base, this review lays out what the property offers, how it stacks up against local alternatives, and what you can actually do in the surrounding opal-mining town. The information draws on the official tourism listing from Visit NSW, traveller reviews on TripAdvisor, and the hotel’s own website — all verified as of early 2025.

Last checked: 2026-07-15

Property Name: White Cliffs Hotel · Location: Corner of Keraro Rd. & Johnston St., White Cliffs NSW 2836 · Phone: 08 8091 6606 · Room Types: Family rooms with air-conditioning and private bathrooms

Is White Cliffs Worth Visiting for a Couple of Days?

White Cliffs, a remote outback township roughly 300 kilometres north-east of Broken Hill, is a destination that divides opinion. Some travellers treat it as a quick overnight stop on the way to the Mundi Mundi plains; others find the town’s opal-mining character and underground dwellings worth a dedicated long weekend. The White Cliffs Hotel sits at the centre of that decision, because for most visitors it is the most straightforward accommodation option — a surface-level pub with motel-style rooms, a bar, and a restaurant.

The Visit NSW listing describes the hotel as being within short walking distance of most local sites. The hotel’s 16 rooms are ensuited and air-conditioned. For a couple or a small family arriving by car, the combination of free parking, free WiFi, and a daily breakfast service removes a lot of the logistical friction that comes with outback travel.

Accommodation at White Cliffs Hotel

The hotel offers family rooms with private bathrooms and air-conditioning. TripAdvisor data indicates the property has 16 rooms and an average user rating of 3.8 out of 5. The price range for a standard room hovers around AU$129–AU$148 per night. Rooms are marketed toward families, groups, couples, backpackers, and solo travellers, which suggests the hotel is accustomed to a mixed clientele rather than a single traveller type.

Activities and Attractions

Within a few minutes’ walk from the hotel you can reach the White Cliffs General Store, which doubles as a supplementary tourist information point, as noted by the Sydney Morning Herald Traveller guide. The town map PDF lists several opal-related attractions within walking or short driving distance: Red Earth Opal Mine Tour at 100 The Blocks, PJ’s Underground Dugout Tour, Jock’s Place, and Top Level Opal. The hotel itself can arrange coach group visits and fly-in tours, with collection available from the nearby sealed airstrip.

Travel Logistics

Getting to White Cliffs requires a car or a chartered flight to the local airstrip. The hotel sells AVGAS fuel and can pick up fly-in guests, which is a practical service for private pilots. The Salt & Charcoal travel guide recommends staying two to three days — calling three days the “sweet spot” — and notes that accommodation, especially underground options, can be limited, so early booking is advised.

What is White Cliffs Famous For?

White Cliffs is best known as a historic opal-mining town where residents have literally carved their homes into the hillsides to escape the extreme outback heat. The Frugal Frolicker travel blog describes the town as a place where people live in underground “dugouts,” a practice that dates back to the early opal rushes.

Opal Mining History

The town’s economy and identity revolve around opal. The Red Earth Opal Mine Tour at 100 The Blocks is one of the most accessible ways to see a working mine. The Sydney Morning Herald Traveller guide lists several underground homes and opal attractions — Jock’s Place, Top Level Opal, and PJ’s Underground Dugout Tour — all open daily with published phone numbers.

Outback Landscape

Beyond the mines, the landscape is classic far-western NSW: flat, red, and vast. The White Cliffs Common area offers scenic drives, and the town’s solar power plant — one of the earliest in the state — is a point of interest listed on the local attractions map. The stark scenery is a draw for photographers and travellers who want to experience the Australian outback without the crowds of Alice Springs.

The White Cliffs Hotel Pub

The hotel’s pub is itself a local landmark. Having served travellers since 1893, it is one of the oldest continuously operating bush pubs in the region. The Australian Hotels Association NSW recognised it with the Best Bush Pub award in both 2023 and 2024. The pub functions as a de facto community hub, serving lunch and dinner daily, with dinner orders taken after 6:30 pm from Monday to Thursday and on Saturday, according to the town map PDF.

What is There to Do at White Cliffs?

For a town of roughly 100 residents, White Cliffs punches above its weight in things to do. Most activities cluster around opal tourism, the hotel itself, and the surrounding landscape.

Mine Tours and Fossicking

The Red Earth Opal Mine Tour at 100 The Blocks is the most prominent commercial tour. PJ’s Underground Dugout Tour and Jock’s Place offer additional perspectives on underground living and opal mining. The Sydney Morning Herald guide notes that these attractions are open daily and can be contacted by phone. For visitors who want to try their luck, fossicking areas are available, though you will need the appropriate permits.

Local Dining at the Hotel

The White Cliffs Hotel’s bar and restaurant are the primary dining options in town. TripAdvisor lists opening hours of 9:00 am to 10:00 pm daily, with lunch served between 12:00 and 14:00 and dinner from 18:00 to 20:00. The menu features classic Australian pub fare — the hotel’s own website does not list specific dishes, so travellers with dietary restrictions should call ahead. The town map PDF confirms that pub dinners are available Monday through Thursday and Saturday, with orders after 6:30 pm.

Scenic Drives and Walks

The White Cliffs Common area and the solar power plant are listed on the local attractions map as points of interest. The Salt & Charcoal guide recommends a drive to the nearby Mundi Mundi lookout for sunset views. The town itself is compact enough to explore on foot, and the hotel’s central location puts most sites within a short walk.

When Was the White Cliffs Hotel Built?

The White Cliffs Hotel’s own website states that the pub has been serving thirsty outback travellers since 1893. That makes it one of the oldest surviving buildings in the town and a direct link to the early opal-mining era.

History of the Building

The hotel was originally built to serve the mining community that flocked to White Cliffs after opal was discovered in the 1880s. The town grew rapidly during the 1890s, and the pub became a central gathering place for miners, teamsters, and travellers.

Renovations and Modernization

While the building retains its historic character, the rooms have been modernised with air-conditioning, private bathrooms, and WiFi. The hotel’s ownership by locals Sarah and Matt, as reported by Visit NSW, suggests a commitment to maintaining the property as a working pub rather than a museum piece. The 2023 and 2024 Best Bush Pub awards confirm that the hotel is being actively managed and invested in.