The ultimate Outback NSW experience
The Murray’s of Trilby Station have called the banks of the Darling River home for seven generations, grazing merino sheep since 1860.
An authentic family run property of 320,000 acres, Liz and Gary have raised their four children at Trilby and are passionate about their outback way of life. They enjoy sharing their experiences and lifestyle with visitors to the station, offering guests a unique glimpse into station life not often accessible to outsiders… and with all the comforts of home.
Offering self-contained cottages, B&B, twin rooms in the Shearer’s Bunkhouse, powered sites and secluded river and billabong campsites, they have something to suit everyone.
Why not recapture the spirit of the wide, open spaces as you take a peek at the station with a ‘mud map’ in your hand…. throw a line in and fish for Cod and Yellow-belly …. boil your yabbies on an open fire and eat them fresh …. walk with the wildlife….smell the bush…. canoe this great river…. Or simply relax on the riverbank under the shade of the massive river red gums.
Pets are welcome at the campsites and powered sites, though must be on a leash at all times as you’ll be sharing your space with out livestock, goats, emus, kangaroos and the odd pig!
Accommodation
Mitch’s Hut
A new edition to our accommodation here at Trilby is Mitch’s Hut, a cute purpose built cottage for couples.
River Campsites
Our secluded river campsites are dotted along more than 3km of Darling River frontage.
Powered Sites
Facilities include a gas BBQ, camp kitchen, gazebo, paved campfire area and bathrooms.
Shearer’s Bunkhouse
Today’s shearer’s would be hard pressed to find more comfortable lodgings anywhere.
Jillaroo’s Cottage
This cottage has been transformed from its once humble beginnings to very comfortable guest accommodation.
Overseer’s Cottage
The fully renovated Overseer’s Cottage, originally built in the 1960’s for the station overseer and his family.
About Us
Liz and Gary have lived at Trilby since their marriage in 1981. Gary is a 5th generation Murray who settled here on the Darling River in 1860, when you could buy 60 acres for 60 pounds sterling anywhere in NSW.
They have four children… Alex – 38, having completed her Masters in Architecture in 2009, has established Design Tribe Dubbo, Tom – 36, is home on the station most of the time along with his wife Jess and son Hubert, but flies helicopters for rescue work (mainly bushfires or floods) when called on to do so; AJ – 27, ditched is Uni studies to chase his dream – and is now a Commercial helicopter and fixed-wing pilot, based at Victoria River Downs near Katherine in the NT; and Will – 25, is home working on the station after a year Jackarooing in the Northern Territory and then gaining his pilot’s license.
Gary is very hard to get off the station, commenting work is his hobby, but Liz enjoys the challenges of remote area hiking; which she likens to ‘physical meditation’ – having tackled the Kokoda Track, Mt Kilimanjaro, the Larapinta Trail, The Anti-Atlas Mountains in Morocco, the stunningly beautiful Simien Mountains in Ethiopia, Mt Everest Base Camp with Alex and AJ, the Indian Himalayas in Ladakh, Northern India, the Milford Track in New Zealand, The Annapurna’s in Nepal (Nepal is just one of those countries you’ll long to return to after your first visit), the Indian Himalaya India, this time the Darjeeling and Sikkim region and the Al Hajar mountains of Oman. Hiking the Amalfi Coast was a real break from tradition, a fabulous hike among lemon groves with superb views, and there’s no doubt Liz and Alex will enjoy further hikes in Italy in the future.
This year? … the plan is a couple of weeks in Turkey followed by a week-long hike around Wadi Rum and Petra in Jordan, hopefully third time lucky since Covid has put paid to the last two attempts!
Things to do
We want your visit to Trilby Station to be memorable and we take great pride in our accommodation and the quality service we provide for all our guests. R and R is what we’re about …so if you want to just put your feet up and relax with a good book and a drink – then do it.
But if you do fancy a spot of fishing or yabbying, or maybe to paddle a canoe – the majestic Darling River and billabong are there waiting. Ask Liz for her station Bird List and enjoy bird watching and bush walking with the wildlife on the many walking tracks around the accommodation complex.
And if the ways-of-the-west are what you seek – grab one of Liz’s Mud Map tours and head off for a peek about. Wandering around this historic station sets you to wondering what life must have been like in this remote spot at the turn of the century. It’s fascinating and will draw you in for sure.
More than 85% of guests at Trilby wish they’d stayed at least a second night, to take advantage of the station Mud Map drives, the chance to catch and cook yabbies, maybe paddle lazily down the river, observe seasonal station activities, The Dunlop Station tour next door ( highly recommended. Every day except Mondays and Wednesdays, beginning with 11am morning tea at the 1880’s stone homestead) or take in the amazing Mathew’s Monument at sunset each evening in Louth, followed by a cold beer at Shindy’s Inn. A station stay is far more than just an overnight ‘motel stop’ – and it’s wise to plan time to enjoy the unique experiences on offer here.
Unfortunately, due to Public Liability constraints, we cannot have guests participating in station work in any way, shape or form, however you are welcome to observe the goings on if it’s within reach for you to get to yourself.
Getting Here
Whatever you do – do not solely use a GPS or in car sat navigation system – look at a road map too!! They are riddled with faults in outback areas and will send you hundreds of km out of your way. Trilby Station is located on the west/north side of the river, between Louth and Tilpa.
From Louth:
Cross the Darling River on Weelong Rd and after 3km turn left at the T section onto Toorale rd. Sign here says Trilby 19kms. Follow for 19km and turn left at the Trilby Station large billboard. It is 3km from here to the Homestead and accommodation complex. Our actual address is 10965 Toorale Rd, though this isn’t quite accurate…. so don’t be lead down a non existent track with gates!
From Tilpa:
Follow the Tilpa to Louth road (Toorale Rd) on the western side of the river for approx 70km. On your right you’ll see the Trilby Station large billboard. Turn right here and follow 3km into the Homestead and accommodation complex. Our actual address is 10965 Toorale Rd, though this isn’t quite accurate…. so don’t be lead down a non existent track with gates!
Driving to Louth
There are many different routes that can be taken when driving from any of the capital cities to Louth. 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) | 1,016km |
| Sydney | The Great Western Highway > Mitchell Highway > Darling River Run (Unsealed) | 960km |
| Melbourne | Hume Highway <> Cobb Highway <> Long Paddock <> Darling River Run (Unsealed) | 1,027km |
| Adelaide | Barrier Highway <> Darling River Run (Unsealed) | 930km |
Towns & Touring
Louth
The Darling River township of Louth (present population about 30), was established in 1859 when an Irishman named Mathews built a pub to cater for the passing land and river-boat trade.
Gundabooka National Park
Situated less than 1 hours drive from Bourke on the Kidman Way, Gundabooka National Park provides the traveller with a wonderful place to explore the wonders of the landscape.
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: 02 6874 7420
