We stopped in Lockhart today for lunch and this iconic cafe had a sold sign in the window. The insides looked like they were renovating. The booth seating was gone and it looked like a demolition site.
Some members would remember a pic of this cafe in pick this place a while ago.
I hope they eventually redo it in the style it was.
Gerty Dancer said
04:30 AM Sep 22, 2012
I'm sad about that... for many years through my childhood and on until 4 years ago I stopped there on my way to visit rels. Oh well, nothing lasts forever I spose.
Thanks for the post Pam...
kandagal said
05:35 PM Sep 22, 2012
Is Lockhart 'the verandah town' & has that nice litle caravan park at the end of town on the creek?
Gerty Dancer said
05:42 PM Sep 22, 2012
Thats the one Kandagal, there used to be big peppercorn trees in the main street for nice shady parking. Most of those are gone now, apparently susceptible to bugs of many kinds. But the verandas remain.
Bluebird said
11:07 PM Nov 26, 2012
Hi Folks,
We are the new owners of the Blue Bird Cafe in Lockhart and I wanted to let you know what is happening with the much loved cafe. We bought the place in July at which point it had already been closed for a year. It was suffering from the effects of two floods and an extended period of being closed up (no to mention general age related sagging), and so we decided that this was the best opportunity it would to have for a complete physical renaissance.
We are currently working hard to restore the lovely 109 year-old building which, was originally an oyster bar before it underwent a Hollywood makeover in the 1930s to become the iconic milk bar cafe it is today. We intend to take the cafe back to the look and feel of its heyday (between the 1930s and 1960s), retaining the booths and the art deco features. The booths needed much restoration and re-engineering to ensure that they will last another 100 years. We are also going to get the milk bar up and running again as a refrigerated ice cream fridge and soda fountain. That particular project is still a few months away but we have been working hard since August to bring the cafe up to scratch again so that we can re-open.
Fingers crossed we will be ready by Christmas so hopefully we will see people on their travels in 2013.
Check out our blog http://bluebirdlockhart.blogspot.com.au to follow the restoration project.
Good on you Louise and Roger!!! Long may the Blue Bird serve yummy ginger-beer spiders! Welcome to our forum, and thanks for your news.
We hope we'll see you next year.
BarbandDaz said
01:26 AM Nov 27, 2012
Thank you Louise and Roger.
Good luck with the renovations and we look forward to coming in and saying HI to you both next year when we travel to Lockhart.
Barb
Pam said
05:18 AM Nov 27, 2012
Great to know such a unique place is being restored.
sandsmere said
03:27 PM Nov 27, 2012
Good stuff Bluebirds .
We are in Victoria at the moment , and will be heading to Tamworth in January for the Country Music festival .
Hope you are open by then . Will call in and check it out anyway .
Cheers , Brian
Bluebird said
12:39 PM Nov 30, 2012
If anyone is going through town the front door might be 'open' and we have the drinks fridge full of classics such as Portello, Double Sarsparilla, Ginger Beer and lots of others.
We are also stocking Lemon and Paeroa! And as of late yesterday we have icecreams
-- Edited by Bluebird on Friday 30th of November 2012 12:55:33 PM
neilnruth said
11:10 PM Nov 30, 2012
Thanks for joining our forum to let us know. A great move. Hope we can visit one day too. Broken Hill has a similar art deco milk bar.
Bluebird said
06:00 PM Dec 3, 2012
Hi Nomads,
I am delighted to let you know that the Blue Bird Cafe in Lockhart is open for limited trading while we renovate. So if you are in our town your purchase of refreshments from The Blue Bird...ice creams, cold drinks and snacks will help fund the restoration project and for free, we will throw in a lively discussion of the process and a viewing of the historic artifacts found under the floor and behind shelves.
Regards, Louise and Roger
Cruising Cruze said
12:54 PM Jan 20, 2013
Just one questian Roger
are you the one that used to ride a Gold-Wing Gl 1500 in Lockhart many years ago ( 1991 or so )
-- Edited by Cruising Cruze on Sunday 20th of January 2013 01:49:21 PM
Bluebird said
07:46 PM Jan 20, 2013
Well folks,
You might be interested to know that you can now come to the Blue Bird Cafe in Lockhart for coffee or tea and to go with it, a muffin or a traditional toastie just like the old days. We are still working on the renos but we are definitely making headway and every week we have new refreshments to offer...and a little bit more of the cafe opened up for service with some of the old tables and chairs now restored and back in action. So stop in when you are in Lockhart for a cuppa and a chat and we will happily share with you stories of the journey so far.
Regards, Louise and Roger
neilnruth said
11:40 PM Jan 20, 2013
Wow! That's a random question. I'll watch for the answer. Good to hear you are making progress on the Bluebird. All the best. We'll call in if ever down that way.
Bluebird said
01:26 AM Jan 21, 2013
Cruising Cruze wrote:
Just one questian Roger
are you the one that used to ride a Gold-Wing Gl 1500 in Lockhart many years ago ( 1991 or so )
-- Edited by Cruising Cruze on Sunday 20th of January 2013 01:49:21 PM
Err, no. I have ridden a Lead-Wing, once. Just up to the shops... And not here.
I'm actually a Triumph man and have a Cafe Racer waiting for some TLC,
if I neded a two wheeled road train I'd have a Rocket Tourer in a flash
(Apologies to any GL owners or fans, they are pretty amazing)
Gerty Dancer said
03:28 AM Jan 21, 2013
Lockhart would have been pretty hot lately, I remember a 48day there in the 1980's, hope you are all ok and everybody's coming in to buy ice-creams and Spider drinks....
Bucko said
11:10 AM Apr 14, 2013
Hi Bluebird,
I would love to come and see you guys, I haven't had a good toasted sandwich for a long time, is there a camp spot near town to stay overnight?
-- Edited by Bucko on Sunday 14th of April 2013 11:11:10 AM
Bluebird said
03:45 PM Apr 14, 2013
Latest updates? Our menu is getting a bit bigger each week. We are making our own sausage rolls and cakes daily. The cafe' side is getting a bit busier, plenty of nomads are calling in (thanks, especially to those that help by buying things). We've even had a couple of reviews.
Spiders are back! And the espresso machine is getting a workout...
See you when we are looking at you.
Bluebird said
11:00 PM Apr 14, 2013
Hi Bucko,
Thank you and I am pleased to report that Lockhart has a newly refurbished caravan park with cabins available as well as caravan site. You can contact the park via http://www.visitnsw.com/destinations/country-nsw/wagga-wagga-area/lockhart/accommodation/lockhart-caravan-park-9033669
It features a stunning dragon made out of farm implements...a past winner of the National Farm Art Award Competition which forms part of the Spirit of the Land Festival in October each year. It is well worth a look, as is the local Greens Gunyah Museum and the Doris Golder Gallery. Doris is one of our regular customers and the creator of some gorgeous work of wool art. She creates portraits of famous Australians using wool on canvas. They are quite impressive.
We look forward to welcoming you to Lockhart and the Blue Bird.
Regards, Louise and Roger
Bucko said
01:50 AM Apr 15, 2013
Hi Bluebird,
I was interested in spending some money with you not the caravan park, I'm on a limited budget, pensioner, the caravan parks are too expensive for constant use on a pension, if there isn't a free camp somewhere close, than I can't stop, sorry, good luck with the cafe.
Bluebird said
02:53 AM Apr 15, 2013
Fair enough, I'll try to find out what the options are...
Bucko said
03:48 PM Apr 15, 2013
Thanks Gerty, I'm at Wilk's park at the moment, I was hoping that there was a free camp closer to Lockhart, I don't like going back and forwards, prefer to keep going in whatever direction I'm heading and lay over where ever I can to see the sights, unfortunately I had a phone call and have to go to Sydney for a family funeral, where abouts do you live on the south coast?, I live just ouside of Bombala, were neighbours, sort of..
-- Edited by Bucko on Monday 15th of April 2013 03:49:23 PM
Bucko said
06:25 PM Apr 15, 2013
Thanks for checking it out anyway.
Gerty Dancer said
07:27 PM Apr 15, 2013
Bucko, Lockhart is within easy distance of Wagga. Theres a number of camp spots there, one of them is Wilks Park.. #801 in Camps 7
Gerty Dancer said
11:18 PM Apr 15, 2013
Ok then head on down to Urana. Theres a spot close to the river somewhere, its years since I was there, but I remember stopping there for a picnic cuppa. Maybe if you cant find it you could ask at one of the shops like the newsagent. You could keep on to Jerilderie or even Finley or Tocumwal. Nice camp spots along the river there, but they'll be busy as its school hols. Lets know how you get on and where? And do stop at the Bluebird... we always stopped there... give it my love.
Bluebird said
03:27 AM May 10, 2013
We have a new sign out the front, we think it looks great
Also, we hope to see plenty of nomads at The Spirit of The Land Festival on the 12th and 13th of October.
Bluebird said
11:05 PM Mar 19, 2014
Bucko wrote:
Hi Bluebird,
I was interested in spending some money with you not the caravan park, I'm on a limited budget, pensioner, the caravan parks are too expensive for constant use on a pension, if there isn't a free camp somewhere close, than I can't stop, sorry, good luck with the cafe.
I know it's a while ago, but FYI Bucko I have heard the Lockhart Showgrounds ARE a free camping spot, don't think the council mentions it...
We stopped in Lockhart today for lunch and this iconic cafe had a sold sign in the window. The insides looked like they were renovating. The booth seating was gone and it looked like a demolition site.
Some members would remember a pic of this cafe in pick this place a while ago.
I hope they eventually redo it in the style it was.
I'm sad about that... for many years through my childhood and on until 4 years ago I stopped there on my way to visit rels. Oh well, nothing lasts forever I spose.
Thanks for the post Pam...
Hi Folks,
We are the new owners of the Blue Bird Cafe in Lockhart and I wanted to let you know what is happening with the much loved cafe. We bought the place in July at which point it had already been closed for a year. It was suffering from the effects of two floods and an extended period of being closed up (no to mention general age related sagging), and so we decided that this was the best opportunity it would to have for a complete physical renaissance.
We are currently working hard to restore the lovely 109 year-old building which, was originally an oyster bar before it underwent a Hollywood makeover in the 1930s to become the iconic milk bar cafe it is today. We intend to take the cafe back to the look and feel of its heyday (between the 1930s and 1960s), retaining the booths and the art deco features. The booths needed much restoration and re-engineering to ensure that they will last another 100 years. We are also going to get the milk bar up and running again as a refrigerated ice cream fridge and soda fountain. That particular project is still a few months away but we have been working hard since August to bring the cafe up to scratch again so that we can re-open.
Fingers crossed we will be ready by Christmas so hopefully we will see people on their travels in 2013.
Check out our blog http://bluebirdlockhart.blogspot.com.au to follow the restoration project.
Regards,
Louise and Roger
Welcome to our forum, and thanks for your news.
We hope we'll see you next year.
Thank you Louise and Roger.
Good luck with the renovations and we look forward to coming in and saying HI to you both next year when we travel to Lockhart.
Barb
Good stuff Bluebirds .
We are in Victoria at the moment , and will be heading to Tamworth in January for the Country Music festival .
Hope you are open by then . Will call in and check it out anyway .
Cheers , Brian
If anyone is going through town the front door might be 'open' and
we have the drinks fridge full of classics such as Portello, Double Sarsparilla, Ginger Beer and lots of others.
We are also stocking Lemon and Paeroa!
And as of late yesterday we have icecreams
-- Edited by Bluebird on Friday 30th of November 2012 12:55:33 PM
I am delighted to let you know that the Blue Bird Cafe in Lockhart is open for limited trading while we renovate. So if you are in our town your purchase of refreshments from The Blue Bird...ice creams, cold drinks and snacks will help fund the restoration project and for free, we will throw in a lively discussion of the process and a viewing of the historic artifacts found under the floor and behind shelves.
Regards,
Louise and Roger
Just one questian Roger
are you the one that used to ride a Gold-Wing Gl 1500 in Lockhart many years ago ( 1991 or so )
-- Edited by Cruising Cruze on Sunday 20th of January 2013 01:49:21 PM
You might be interested to know that you can now come to the Blue Bird Cafe in Lockhart for coffee or tea and to go with it, a muffin or a traditional toastie just like the old days. We are still working on the renos but we are definitely making headway and every week we have new refreshments to offer...and a little bit more of the cafe opened up for service with some of the old tables and chairs now restored and back in action. So stop in when you are in Lockhart for a cuppa and a chat and we will happily share with you stories of the journey so far.
Regards,
Louise and Roger
Err, no. I have ridden a Lead-Wing, once. Just up to the shops... And not here.
I'm actually a Triumph man and have a Cafe Racer waiting for some TLC,
if I neded a two wheeled road train I'd have a Rocket Tourer in a flash
(Apologies to any GL owners or fans, they are pretty amazing)
Hi Bluebird,
I would love to come and see you guys, I haven't had a good toasted sandwich for a long time, is there a camp spot near town to stay overnight?
-- Edited by Bucko on Sunday 14th of April 2013 11:11:10 AM
Our menu is getting a bit bigger each week. We are making our own sausage rolls and cakes daily.
The cafe' side is getting a bit busier, plenty of nomads are calling in (thanks, especially to those that help by buying things).
We've even had a couple of reviews.
Spiders are back!
And the espresso machine is getting a workout...
See you when we are looking at you.
Thank you and I am pleased to report that Lockhart has a newly refurbished caravan park with cabins available as well as caravan site. You can contact the park via http://www.visitnsw.com/destinations/country-nsw/wagga-wagga-area/lockhart/accommodation/lockhart-caravan-park-9033669
It features a stunning dragon made out of farm implements...a past winner of the National Farm Art Award Competition which forms part of the Spirit of the Land Festival in October each year. It is well worth a look, as is the local Greens Gunyah Museum and the Doris Golder Gallery. Doris is one of our regular customers and the creator of some gorgeous work of wool art. She creates portraits of famous Australians using wool on canvas. They are quite impressive.
We look forward to welcoming you to Lockhart and the Blue Bird.
Regards,
Louise and Roger
Hi Bluebird,
I was interested in spending some money with you not the caravan park, I'm on a limited budget, pensioner, the caravan parks are too expensive for constant use on a pension, if there isn't a free camp somewhere close, than I can't stop, sorry, good luck with the cafe.
Fair enough, I'll try to find out what the options are...
Thanks Gerty, I'm at Wilk's park at the moment, I was hoping that there was a free camp closer to Lockhart, I don't like going back and forwards, prefer to keep going in whatever direction I'm heading and lay over where ever I can to see the sights, unfortunately I had a phone call and have to go to Sydney for a family funeral, where abouts do you live on the south coast?, I live just ouside of Bombala, were neighbours, sort of..
-- Edited by Bucko on Monday 15th of April 2013 03:49:23 PM
Thanks for checking it out anyway.
You could keep on to Jerilderie or even Finley or Tocumwal. Nice camp spots along the river there, but they'll be busy as its school hols.
Lets know how you get on and where?
And do stop at the Bluebird... we always stopped there... give it my love.
Also, we hope to see plenty of nomads at The Spirit of The Land Festival on the 12th and 13th of October.
I know it's a while ago, but FYI Bucko I have heard the Lockhart Showgrounds ARE a free camping spot, don't think the council mentions it...