Welcome to Bindara on the Darling
Bindara in Outback NSW – expect the unexpected. There’s a farmstay on the Darling River that may have slipped under your radar. No matter whether you’ve flown or driven into luxury resorts or ramshackle stations, rough or chic, this one is a standout.
Here you will find the very best of genuine Australian country hospitality. Your hosts, Barb, David & Sharyn Arnold, have lived at Bindara Station in western NSW for close on 40 years and their love of the land is totally infectious.
“They will make you feel welcome from the moment you arrive and relish the opportunity to share their lifestyle with you”.
Bindara has seven double rooms across a couple of cottages, two of which can sleep four people. The historic homestead and the guest accommodation are set in the shade of big old River Red Gums, a few paces from the riverbank and only a five-minute drive from their airstrip.
The river plays an enormous role in life at Bindara. Not only is it a source of food (fish and yabbies) but it’s teeming with birdlife, and is a Mecca for wildlife
Sustainable future
With a lifetime of living in the outback, the Arnolds are acutely aware of the need to be as self-sufficient as possible.
A thriving fruit and vegetable garden piled with natural mulch, a windlight power generator, solar panels on the water pump and for those who order a meal, freshly grown (or caught) produce on your plate are testament to the hard work that goes into the clever and sustainable use of what nature has on offer.
There are wonderful walking trails along the river so grab a mud map and see if you can find the points of interest, or just do a casual walk with your camera at the ready. You may prefer to catch yourself some yabbies or yellow bellies or just sit on the riverbank in contemplation and absorb the romance of the Darling. It’s unlikely, though, that you’ll find yourself drifting too far away from the main campfire, the social hub of your outback stay.
Experience the outback – ‘Stay in the outback with friends’.
The Arnold family invite you to experience the outback with them at Bindara on the Darling, south of Kinchega National Park, Menindee.
Bindara is the perfect location to stop and unwind. The property first settled in 1849 as Netley, has a wealth of colonial & river history including historic buildings and cemetery. A wide range of native wildlife and more than 150 species of birds to spot, the chance to fish or yabbie in the river, canoe the Darling, or simply sit on the riverbank, watch the activity and absorb the sounds of nature.
Barb and family, offer visitors a range of accommodation, plus campsites right on the river with access to bathroom facilities and warm outback hospitality. Guests at Bindara also have the opportunity to purchase produce from the bio-organic orchard and veggie garden Or try a History tour, taking in such things as the beautiful Homestead, the outbuildings, station cemetery, and much more that only Barb can show you. And the campfire meals are delicious too!
Bill & Barb Arnold lived on the river all their married life. First on the Murray before moving to the Darling in 1975, and in 1981 the move further upstream to Bindara.
Their two children Sharyn & David received their primary education through the School of the Air under the supervision of their mum and completed their higher education in Victoria. Both now married, have children of their own, but continue to be involved with the property.
Accommodation Options
Jillaroos’ Quarters
Built in the 50’s as part of the shearers complex it was relocated to the present position for use by the station Jillaroos.
Cooks Quarters
King size double or twin singles, plus a set single bunks include linen & towels, with kitchenette.
Boundary Riders Cottage
Three bedrooms available room by room or entire cottage.
Campsites
River campsites with access to bathroom facilities & campfire ring.
Things to do
- Walking tracks along the bank – upstream from the homestead.
- Grab a mudmap and see if you can find all the points of interest including the special canoe tree.
- Take the birdlist, your camera & binoculars and see how many you can see.
- Canoe available to take yourself paddling.
- Fishing is great right from the bank and there may be a yabbie or two still to be had for cooking on the campfire BBQ.
- There is the 4WD challenge for those who like to put themselves over the edge.
- Plenty of places where you can chill out on the riverbank under the trees with a good book or sit and yarn around the campfire.
- History &/or Cultural Tours are available by arrangement, check with Barb at the homestead.
- Other interesting looks are: station cemetery, bio-organic orchard & gardens either with our Station Tour Guide to hear the stories or self-guided.
Getting Here
- From Pooncarie – approx 92kms. Cross the Darling at Pooncarie, after about 3km keep right at the sweeping bend T intersection (Polia Road). Continue for approx 20kms to the next T intersection and turn right here at little Bindara road sign(Polia/RooRoo Roads). Follow this road approx. 68km to Bindara.
- From Menindee – approx 90kms. Travel through Kinchega National Park and follow the signs to Tandou Farm, then take next road left (Old Pooncarie Road) towards Pooncarie. Approx 27kms to Bindara, usually one double gate and 2 single gates shut across road. Open to come through and shut gate behind you.
There are many different routes that can be taken when driving from any of the capital cities to Menindee.
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 <>Darling River Run (Unsealed) | 1,387km |
Sydney | The Great Western Highway > Mitchell Highway >Darling River Run (Unsealed) | 1,105 |
Melbourne | Calder Highway <>Darling River Run (Unsealed) | 802km |
Adelaide | Barrier Highway <> Menindee-Broken Hill Rd | 630km |
Towns & Touring
More Information
For more information on rates, accommodation & bookings, please contact us directly by visiting our website or giving us a call. We look forward to hearing from you!
Phone: 08 8091 7412
Mobile: 0429 917 412