Bellata – Terry Hie Hie
Terry Hie Hie Aboriginal Area
Pronunciation: Terry Hi Hi
Allow: 2 Hrs
The Terry Hie Hie Aboriginal Area stretches north of the Mt Kaputar National Park and encompasses many important Kamilaroi sites. There is a delightful picnic area with interpretive signs and two looped walking trails which are great for woodland bird spotting.
From Bellata turn right onto Wilga Street. This road turns into Berrigal Creek Road. Follow this road for 34kms and veer left at the Y-intersection with Melburra Road. Terry Hie Hie Aboriginal Area is a further 14km, just north of the village.
Pilliga Pottery & Barkala Farmstay
Dandry Road,
Coonabarabran NSW 2357
Open 7 days
Phone 02 68422239
Allow 1-2 Hrs
Pilliga Pottery, built by a German family, is located an easy 95km south of Narrabri just off the Newell Highway towards Coonabarabran.
Travellers are encouraged to make the detour into their extensive studio workshop, gallery and Blue Wren Bush Cafe, where you can relax and enjoy Devonshire Tea, fresh coffee, tasty lunches and delicious dinners in a magical European inspired setting, surrounded by the beautiful woodlands of the Pilliga Forest. Explore the pottery complex and watch the artists transform local clay into wonderful shapes and patterns, including the famous Blue Wren design.
The pottery is located on Barkala Farm, which offers pet-friendly and family friendly farmstay in unique hand-crafted guesthouses, including the iconic Old Schoolhouse, which has been featured in many magazines.
Activities for guests include pottery classes, bushwalking, a stroll through the native and sculpture gardens, bird watching tours (by appointment), star gazing, and enjoying a swim in summer.
Bird watchers take note, the property is a haven of distinctive birds, with over 120 species resident or regular migrants, including 8 threatened species. Campers are welcome (unpowered sites), with campfires available in season. Pilliga Pottery is a great place to get away, an unforgettable experience for people of all ages.
Kamilaroi Highway–The Opal Connection
From the great divide to the great outback the Kamilaroi Highway runs through Narrabri on its way to Bourke. This scenic drive is the most convenient route to Lightning Ridge from Narrabri, with plenty to see along the way. Head through Wee Waa and Burren Junction where a bitumen road links Narrabri with Lightning Ridge.
Burren Junction
The area between Wee Waa and Burren Junction was first settled by white man in the 1830s after being inhabited by the Kamilaroi Aboriginal tribe for some 40,000 years. Taking advantage of the region’s rich fertile soils, sheep and cattle grazing eventually led the way to wheat and, overwhelmingly, cotton production. The town of Burren Junction, just outside Narrabri Shire, was established when the railway forged out west. At this time the township bustled with every service necessary for life in a remote country area. Today, though a shadow of its former vitality, Burren boasts a general store, post office, hotel with cabin accommodation, bowling club and Artesian Bore Baths. Undoubtedly Burren Junction’s biggest draw card, the Bore Baths underwent major renovations in 2007. Free camping and the allure of the hot, all healing waters draws crowds of caravans, motor homes and campers year around.
Lightning Ridge
Lightning Ridge, located in outback NSW on the world's richest deposit of black opal, is a place that abounds with characters and attractions as colourful as their gems! Soak in the free hot artesian bore baths, experience mining or visit one of the unique collections and homes of the characters of the Ridge. Take a step back in time, or try your luck fossicking, whatever your taste, there is something to tickle everyone's fancy.