MERRIWAGGA Merriwagga is a small and somewhat remote community that is encounted when traveling the Griffith, Hillston Kidman Hgy. Merriwagga is north of Goolwah. There is an air of remoteness in this district brought about by a flat and scrubby landscape. Merriwagga is also a very small town, but that said there is a high level of pride in evidence, that the traveller will favourably note. The village was surveyed and gazetted on 4 April 1924 and is laid out in an irregular rectangular pattern. It is surrounded by the Merriwagga State Forest, a loosely forested area of approximately 15 km2. Merriwagga railway station lies between Goolgowi station and Goorawin station. It is dominated by three massive grain silos and two grain receivable depots. The Black Stump Hotel across the road boasts the tallest bar in Australia, it was established in 1926. The name relates to the Black Stump Story telling the tragic death of Mrs. Barbara Blain. She burnt to death in March 1886 at Black Stump Tank, approximately halfway between Merriwagga and Gunbar. Her story and the life of the early pioneer women is commemorated in the Memorial to Pioneer Woman of the Merriwagga District, situated next to the picnic area between Black Stump Hotel and the grain receivable depots. Merriwagga Post Office opened on 26 May 1924. Merriwagga has all of the main congregational churches, in a mix of old and new buildings. The Merriwagga War Memorial is located near the Black Stump Memorial. The Kidman Hgy is a must travel route for the traveler, and so a visit to Merriwagga is assured. The Black Stump stories will be of interest.