Ashford

Ashford is a hamlet (population 652 in 2016) in the New England region in New South Wales, Australia.

Understand

Albury Street, located in the centre of Ashford

The site of Ashford was originally surveyed in 1851 as Edgerton, and renamed to Frazer's Creek when a post office opened in 1853. The name changed to Ashford Frazer's Creek in 1860, and finally to Ashford in 1863. No one knows why the name Ashford was applied. A police station was opened in 1864 and the first school opened in 1868. The bushranger Frederick Ward, better known as Captain Thunderbolt, rode through the district in 1867. Tobacco farming and a local coal mine were major industries but these have long ceased, and cattle farming and sheep farming now dominate the local economy. Ashford is in the Inverell Shire Local Government Area.

Tourist information centre

• 1 Inverell Tourist Information Centre, 11/31 Campbell Street (opposite the Empire Hotel, on the river), ☏ +61 2 6728 8161, tourism@inverell.nsw.gov.au. M-F 9:30AM-5PM, Sa-Su and public holidays 9AM-2PM, closed Christmas Day and Good Friday. 

Get in

By car

Ashford is 58 km north of Inverell via Ashford Road; and it is 72 km south of Texas (Queensland) via Texas Road, Bruxner Highway(B60), Bonshaw Road.

Ashford is 73 km south-west of Yetman via Warialda Road/Fossickers Way (B95), Yetman Road, Wallangra Road; and it is 143 km south-west of Glen Innes via the Bruxner Highway, Bonshaw Road.

Ashford is 60 km north-west of Emmaville via Strathbogie Road, Gordons Road, pass the Kangaroo Flat Road turn-off on the right and continue ahead as Emmaville Road, turn left onto Bonshaw Road.

Ashford is 238 km north of Tamworth via B95, Manilla, Barraba, Bingara, Delungra Road (Bingara Road), through Delungra, Delungra Road, Yetman Road, Graman Road, Ely Street.

Ashford is 182 km north of Armidale via Bundarra Road, Thunderbolts Way (turn right), Bundarra, through Gilgai, Inverell, Ashford Road.

Ashford is 159 km east of Moree via Gwydir Highway, at Warialda turn left onto Stephen Street/Warialda Road/B95, at Coolatai turn right onto Coolatai Road, Wallangra Road.

Driver rest areas

• 2 Ashford Rest Area, corner Duff Street and Bala Street. Shelter. Picnic tables. Barbecues. Children's playground. No toilet. 

By coach

As of Feb 2021, Transport NSW are trialling a route (Route 499) between Inverell and Moree via Goondiwindi. This coach departs Inverell F only at 4PM, arrives at Ashford at 4:44PM, arrives at Goondiwindi at 7:10 PM, and arrives at Moree at 8:50PM. This coach departs Moree F only at 5:40AM, and arrives at Goondiwindi at 7:18AM, at Ashford at 10:10AM, and arrives at Inverell at 11AM. Seats for this service can only be booked by phoning Reynolds and Fogarty directly.

• Reynolds and Fogarty, 5 Greenbah Rd, Moree, ☏ +61 1300 679 287, office@moreebus.com.au. 

• 3 Coach stop (Caltex Ashford), corner of Duff Street and Albury Street. Tickets and reservations cannot be made at the service station. (updated Feb 2021)

By plane

The nearest airports with regular scheduled services are in Inverell (through Link Airways), Moree, and Goondiwindi (in Queensland).

Get around

Private transport is essential, as there is neither a taxi service nor a local bus service in Ashford.

The nearest car rental agency is in Inverell.

See

• 1 Beaumont Crossing, Beaumont Road (6 km east of Ashford via Bukkulla Road, turn left into Beaumont Road). Fishing. (updated Feb 2021)
• 2 Fisherman's Bend, Apple Tree Flat Road (44 km north-west of Ashford via Bonshaw Road, turn left onto Apple Tree Flat Road). Fishing hole. Four-wheel-drive only (updated Feb 2021)
• 3 Kwiambal National Park, Limestone Road (20 km north-west of Ashford - turn left into Martyn Street, right onto Kniepp Street, left onto Limestone Road, then right again onto Limestone Road - do not proceed straight ahead onto Sandy Creek Road), ☏ +61 1300 072 757, parks.info@environment.nsw.gov.au. Toilets. Picnic tables. Barbecue facilities. Potable water. Bushwalking trails - Dungeon Lookout, Junction Walk, Macintyre Falls Lookout, Limestone Caves Walking Track, Slippery Rock Walking Track. Accommodation and camping - see website for further information and bookings. Free entry. 
• 4 Old coal mine site, Coalmine Road (15 km north of Ashford via Bonshaw Road - do not turn right but continue ahead onto Coalmine Road). Drive past the site of the old coalmine on the right. Turn around and go back the way you came to return to Ashford. (updated Feb 2021)
• 5 Pindari Dam, Pindari Dam Road (26 km south-east of Ashford via Bukkulla Road, turn left onto Pindari Dam Road), ☏ +61 2 6728 8161. Open 24 hours. Camping, barbecues, picnic areas, toilets, shower facilities, fishing, water sports, boat ramps, bushwalking. Phone number is the Inverell Tourist Information Centre (updated Feb 2021)
• 6 Three Mile, Bonshaw Road (4.5 km north-east of Ashford via Bonshaw Road). Rest area at the junction of Frazers Creek and the Severn River. Picnic area with picnic table and barbecue (bring own wood), no toilets. Dirt walking trail over the bridge on the right. (updated Feb 2021)
• 7 Wells Crossing (8 km south-east of Ashford via Bukkulla Road, corner of Bukkulla Road, and Wells Crossing Road). Swimming hole, fishing, canoeing. Shelter, picnic tables, wood barbecue facilities (bring own wood), no toilets. Water must be treated or boiled for 10 minutes before consumption. (updated Feb 2021)

Do

• 1 Ashford Show, Ashford Showground (6 km north-east of Ashford via Bonshaw Road, turn right and cross over the Severn River bridge, turn right onto Emmaville Road and take the first turn-off on the right). Held in February. (updated Feb 2021)

• Self guided walking tour. Walk around the village and ponder what Ashford was like in its prime. View a map of Ashford here. (updated Feb 2021)

Sports

• 2 Ashford Memorial Bowling Club, 29 Bala Street (opposite the swimming pool), ☏ +61 2 6725 4202, office@ashfordbowling.club. M Tu 3-7PM, W 2-6PM, Th 2-9PM, F noon-10PM, Sa noon-9PM, Su noon-6PM. Lawn bowls. (updated Feb 2021)
• 3 Ashford Memorial Swimming Pool (New England Aquatics), 36 Bala Street (opposite the bowls club), ☏ +61 2 6722 3939, kyle@newenglandaquatics.com.au. See website for hours and fees. (updated Feb 2021)

Buy

Self catering

Due to the limited options available, it is advisable to stock up on groceries, medicines, fishing supplies, camping supplies, and other essentials before departing for Ashford.

• 1 Campbell and Freebairn Chemist, 38 Albury Street (next to the old Strand Theatre), ☏ +61 2 6725 4013. M-F 8:30AM-6PM, Sa 8:30AM-12:30 PM. Prescription Service (M-F) - if scripts are left by 11:45AM, they will be dispensed in Inverell and returned to Ashford after 2PM. (updated Feb 2021)

Eat

• 1 Ashford Memorial Bowling Club, 29 Bala Street (opposite the swimming pool), ☏ +61 2 6725 4202, office@ashfordbowling.club. M Tu 3-7PM, W 2-6PM, Th 2-9PM, F noon-10PM, Sa noon-9PM, Su noon-6PM. Download the regular menu here. Pizza Th - download the pizza menu here. Reservations are essential (updated Feb 2021)

Drink

• 1 Ashford Memorial Bowling Club, 29 Bala Street (opposite the swimming pool), ☏ +61 2 6725 4202, office@ashfordbowling.club. M Tu 3-7PM, W 2-6PM, Th 2-9PM, F noon-10PM, Sa noon-9PM, Su noon-6PM. (updated Feb 2021)

Sleep

Accommodation options in Ashford are very limited.

Accommodation

• 1 Ashford Memorial Bowling Club, 29 Bala Street (opposite the swimming pool), ☏ +61 2 6725 4202, office@ashfordbowling.club. M Tu 3-7PM, W 2-6PM, Th 2-9PM, F noon-10PM, Sa noon-9PM, Su noon-6PM. Single bed rooms only from $60 per night - see website for full rates and room details (updated Feb 2021)

Caravan parks

• 2 Ashford Caravan Park, Bukkulla Street (not to be confused with Bukkulla Road) (corner of Martyn Street and Bukkulla Street), ☏ +61 2 6725 4455. 24 sites with power and town water, camping OK. Laundry facilities, free wood-fired barbecues (subject to fire bans), pets welcome subject to conditions. As of Apr 2021 the ablutions facilities are in demountable buildings while the regular ones are being renovated. Unpowered from $10/night, powered from $13/night, payable at the Ashford Rural Transaction Centre. (updated Apr 2021)

Camping

• 3 Lemon Tree Flat campground (Kwiambal National Park), Atholwood (30 km north-west of Ashford - turn left into Martyn Street, turn right into Kniepp Street, turn left onto Limestone Road, turn right at the intersection with Sandy Creek Road, pass the turn-off to the Ashford Lime Caves on the right, turn left at the intersection with Goberts Road, turn sharply right onto Lemon Tree Flat Road, pass the Junction Trail on the left), ☏ +61 1300 072 757. Pit toilets, picnic tables, barbecues (free gas/electric, wood barbecues may or may not have firewood, so bring your own), car park, limited water must be treated or boiled for 10 minutes - best to bring your own in case. Reservations are essential (updated Feb 2021)
• 4 Pindari Dam, Pindari Dam Road (26 km south-east of Ashford via Bukkulla Road, turn left onto Pindari Dam Road), ☏ +61 2 6728 8161. Open 24 hours. Camping, barbecues, picnic areas, toilets, shower facilities, fishing, water sports, boat ramps, bushwalking. Phone number is the Inverell Tourist Information Centre (updated Feb 2021)
• 5 Wells Crossing (8 km south-east of Ashford via Bukkulla Road, corner of Bukkulla Road, and Wells Crossing Road). Swimming hole, fishing, canoeing. Shelter, picnic tables, wood barbecue facilities (bring own wood), no toilets. Water must be treated or boiled for 10 minutes before consumption. (updated Feb 2021)

Cope

Emergency

• 4 Police station, 52 Martyn Street (opposite the Ashford Central School), ☏ +61 2 6725 4317. Not open 24 hours. 

Fuel

• 5 Caltex Ashford, 27 Duff Street (corner of Duff Street and Albury Street), ☏ +61 2 6725 4070. M-Su 7AM-7PM. Limited groceries. Lottery agent. Takeaway food. Hot beverages. Cold drinks. Snacks. 

Public telephones

• 6 Public telephone, 35 Albury Street (opposite the post office). 

Public toilets

• 7 Ashford Rural Transaction Centre, 32 Albury Street (next to the post office). Open 24 hours. Disabled access 
• 8 Ashford Sportsground, corner Bala Street and Frazer Street (next to tennis courts). M-F 7:30AM-4:30PM. 
• 9 Ashford Caravan Park, 40 Bukkulla Street (corner Bukkulla Street and Martyn Street). Open 24 hours. Disabled access 

Banks

There are no branches of any banks in Ashford. It is advisable to do any necessary banking, and to obtain enough cash, before departing for Ashford, and to use EFTPOS as much as possible once there

• 10 Bank@Post (Australia Post), 32 Albury Street (corner Albury Street and Duff Street, opposite Caltex Ashford), ☏ +61 2 6725 4455. M-F 9AM-5PM. agent for Commonwealth Bank, Westpac Bank, National Australia Bank 

Services

• 11 Australia Post, 32 Albury Street (corner Albury Street and Duff Street, opposite Caltex Ashford), ☏ +61 2 6725 4455. M-F 9AM-5PM. 
• 12 Ashford Rural Transaction Centre, 32 Albury Street (corner Albury Street and Duff Street, opposite Caltex Ashford), ☏ +61 2 6725 4455. M-F 9AM-5PM. Centrelink. Public library. Office facilities. Medicare. NSW Government Access Centre 

Go next

• Texas (Queensland) - north of Ashford: 71 km via Bonshaw Road, turn left onto Bruxner Highway, pass Bonshaw Store, turn right onto Texas Road, cross the Dumaresq River bridge (51 min)
• Tenterfield - north-east of Ashford: 143 km via Bonshaw Road, turn right onto Bruxner Highway, turn right onto New England Highway (1 hr 34 min)
• Glen Innes - south-east of Ashford: 94 km via Bonshaw Road, turn right onto Emmaville Road, turn right onto Strathbogie Road, At Glen Innes continue ahead on Grafton Street (1 hr 16 min)
• Emmaville - south-east of Ashford: 60 km via Inverell Street/Bonshaw Road northbound, turn right at the intersection with Coalmine Road and stay on Bonshaw Road, cross the Severn River bridge, turn right into Emmaville Road, pass the Kangaroo Flats Road turn-off on the left and continue ahead as Gordons Road, turn left onto Strathbogie Road, continue ahead to Emmaville (50 min)
• Armidale - south-east of Ashford: 82 km via Ashford Road, at Inverell turn right onto the Gwydir Highway then left onto Tingha Road, through Gilgai, cross the Copes Creek bridge and continue ahead as Thunderbolts Way, go through Bundarra, turn left onto Bundarra Road (2 hr 6 min)
• Inverell - south of Ashford: 58 km via Bukkulla Street/Ashford Road (43 min)
• Tamworth south of Ashford: 244 km via via Inverell Street, turn right onto Ely Street, continue on bend to the left onto Graman Road, turn left onto Delungra Road, pass through Graman, turn right at the intersection with Yetman Road and continue ahead on Delungra Road, continue south through Delungra on the B95 Bingara Road, continue ahead on the B95 south through Bingara, Barraba, and Manilla (3 hr 2 min)
• Delungra - south-west of Ashford: 51 km via Inverell Street, turn right onto Ely Street, continue on bend to the left onto Graman Road, turn left onto Delungra Road, pass through Graman, turn right at the intersection with Yetman Road and continue ahead on Delungra Road (49 min)
• Warialda - south-west of Ashford: 79 km via Frazer Street/Wallangra Road, cross the Macintyre River bridge and turn right onto Yetman Road, turn left onto Coolatai Road, at Coolatai turn left onto Warialda Road/Fossickers Way (B95) (1 hr 4 min)
• Moree - west of Ashford: 159 km via Frazer Street/Wallangra Road, cross the Macintyre River bridge and turn right onto Yetman Road, turn left onto Coolatai Road, at Coolatai turn left onto Warialda Road/B95, at Warialda turn right onto the Gwydir Highway (1 hr 51 min)