Family Farm, Family Values, Genuine Country Hospitality
We are Joe and Jacinda Barry and our five children Jess, Megan, Archie, Clay and Pippa.
We purchased Carinya in 2012. As the drought set in we sold off our cattle and reduced sheep numbers. To diversify, we began inviting grey nomads to come and stay in exchange for giving a hand on the farm.
Many of our guests over the years have turned into life long friends, and we are grateful to have met so many amazing, unassuming people from all walks of life that we have the privilege of calling our friends. We are renowned for treating our guests like they’re family, because essentially, if you are coming here with a genuine interest in what we do and why we do it, then you’re our type of people!
We pride ourselves on being a low impact camping experience and love that our guests We pride ourselves on being a low impact camping experience and love that our guests feedback to us is all about making wonderful memories and lasting friendships.
We are now very excited to offer a number of packages to visitors to our farm, whether you’re staying here or a day visitor. Have a look at our site and choose a package that suits you.
What We Offer
Discover our iconic destination for yourself and see why we have such a high returning guest rate and fabulous reviews.
- 10 mins from the centre of Lightning Ridge.
- Eco, flat, sandy campsites catering from tents to motorhomes. (Please leave no trace of camping when you have finished your stay).
- Private campfires welcome – collecting firewood from your surrounds. (Please be aware of our native fauna habitat and do not burn hollow timber).
- We also have a communal campfire, come along and meet our volunteers and other guests.
- Composting toilets available onsite. (BYO toilet paper).
- Semi self contained Eco camping packages available.
- Limited powered low impact camping packages available.
- Bespoke Glamping package options.
- Complimentary Introductory farm tour is included with your stay.
Please see below for our range of camping and accommodation options.
Accommodation Packages
Gidgee Glamping Package
Our Bespoke outback off grid Glamping option, aptly named ‘The Gidgee’ is a camper trailer set up for glamping. It is nestled amongst the beautiful Gidgee and Wilga trees on our iconic red sandhills.
Powered Camping Package
Our Powered camping option offers low impact camping sites suitable for tents through to motor homes.
Eco Camping Package
Our Eco Camping option offers 300 acres of low impact, semi self-contained off grid ‘sites’ suitable for tents through to motorhomes.
Things to do
Exclusive Bespoke Farm Tour
- Bookings essential
- Minimum numbers apply.
- Allow 3 hours
Our Exclusive Bespoke farm tour includes:
- Local artisan catering to enjoy in our newly installed picnic area nestled beneath the magnificent Wild Orange tree and Wilgas.
- The history of Dunambral Station and how Carinya began.
- Yum Yum Where Does It Come From? About the authors.
- Acknowledgement to our local Yuwaalaraay Elders and ancestors.
- Local native bush tucker and medicine.
- Aboriginal land management and conventional farming land management.
- Our livestock and cropping enterprise.
- Biodiversity in marginal farming regions.
- Geotechnology specific to our region.
- Bird Watching.
- Feral Pest Management.
- Understand the importance of the Australian Wool industry.
- Learn about our town and our involvement with local community groups.
- Meet the crew along with our volunteers and let us share with you our passion we call Carinya Station.
‘The more we learn, the more we realise how much we don’t know’
Introductory Farm Tour
- Bookings Essential
- 9-10am
Our laid back, stroll along tour encaptures what our guests love the most, it is absolutely interactive, and often takes the direction of what our visitors are most interested in.
Our introductory tour includes:
- Yum Yum – Where does it come from?
- Acknowledgement to our local Yuwaalaraay elders and ancestors.
- Learn the history of Carinya Station and its famous Australian connections.
- Cuddle our pet farm animals.
- Meet the Carinya Crew and let us share with you what we love.
Getting Here
Directions from Castlereagh Highway
Once you turn off the highway into Lightning Ridge. Stay on this road through to T section.
- Tum Right onto Gem St Go past pool and turn Left onto Pandora St. This takes you past artesian baths. Continue on this road approx. 10km until you come to a T section. Turn Right onto Ridge Road.
- Travel 4km. Carinya is signposted on the Right.
- After Rain Gate 1 will be CLOSED. If It is CLOSED, please continue along for 500M to Gate 2.
- Head around to the back of the house then straight ahead towards shearing shed. On the Left are our Farm Stay hosts. Please check in with them when signing in at the shed.
Directions from Collarenebri
*If you’re planning on travelling the back road from Collarenebri, we suggest calling into the service station and getting information about road conditions.
- At the intersection, Turn Right on to Herbert St. After 400M. Trum Left onto the Narran St.
- Travel on this road 37KM, which after approx. 10KM turns into dirt. Until you reach a 4 Ways. Turm Left.
- Travel on this road for approx. 21KM. Until you see a sign at the T section pointing right towards Lightning Ridge (Ridge Road).
- Travel on this road for 10KM and you will see ‘Carinya’ Sign Posted on the left
- Head around to the back of the house then straight ahead towards shearing shed. On the Left are our Farm Stay hosts. Please check in with them when signing in a the shed.
There are many different routes that can be taken when driving from any of the capital cities to Lightning Ridge. The following is an overview of the routes from Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide that may help you in planning your Outback Beds experience.
| From | Routes | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Brisbane | Warrego Hwy <> Gwydir Highway <> Castlereagh Hwy | 730km |
| Sydney | Western Freeway >Castlereagh Highway | 792km |
| Melbourne | Hume Highway <> Newell Highway <> Castlereagh Highway | 1,225km |
| Adelaide | Barrier Highway <>Darling River Run <> Castlereagh Highway | 1,330km |
Towns & Touring
Lightning Ridge
Home of the beautiful Black Opal, Lightning Ridge shows its varying colours depending on how you look at it.
Culgoa National Park
With the Coolibah-lined Culgoa River running through it. Culgoa National Park is a birdwatchers paradise and a must-see after spring rains for those interested in outback wildflowers.
Contact us for information & bookings
For more information on rates, accommodation, bookings, etc, please contact us directly by visiting our website or giving us a call. We look forward to hearing from you!
Phone: 0427944775
