Belah Shearers' Quarters
Gundabooka National Park
Overview
Don't feel like camping? Experience national park accommodation with a difference at Belah Shearers' Quarters in Gundabooka National Park, near Bourke in outback NSW.
| Accommodation type | Other |
|---|---|
| Where | 893 Ben Lomond Road, Gunderbooka, NSW, 2840 - in Gundabooka National Park |
| Bedrooms | 6 |
| Maximum guests | 12 |
| Facilities | Picnic tables, barbecue facilities, showers, toilets, electric power, balcony, kitchen, plates and cutlery, pots and pans, air conditioning |
| What to bring | Drinking water, food supplies, bed sheets, blankets, pillows, towels, firewood |
| Please note |
|
Not far from Bourke you can step back in time and stay somewhere a little different at Gundabooka National Park. Belah Shearers' Quarters was built in the mid 20th century to accommodate shearers when Gundabooka was a functioning sheep station.
Today, this heritage accommodation features 6 bedrooms, a verandah, kitchen, eating area, shower and toilet block, and can accommodate up to 12 people, making it ideal for larger groups.
While still maintaining its historic charm, Belah Shearers' Quarters today offers modern facilities including electricity, air-conditioning and an amenities block with hot showers.
Take a virtual tour of Belah Shearers Quarters captured with Google Street View Trekker.
Also see
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Yanda campground
Camp by the Darling River at Yanda campground in Gundabooka State Conservation Area, near Bourke. This remote campground offers caravan camping with fishing and paddling in Outback NSW.
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Redbank Homestead
For a taste of outback heritage accommodation, historic Redbank Homestead, in Gundabooka State Conservation Area, offers fishing, paddling and walking, near Bourke.
-
Dry Tank campground
Stay overnight in Gundabooka National Park at Dry Tank campground. Bring your tent, caravan or trailer to enjoy a night of national park camping near Bourke in outback NSW.
-
Darling River campground (Yapara Paaka Thuru)
Camp by the riverbank at Darling River campground (Yapara Paaka Thuru) in Toorale National Park, near Bourke. Watch animals and birds flock to the river, go fishing, and discover the history and scenery of outback NSW.
Map
Map legend
Local alerts
For the latest updates on fires, closures and other alerts in this area, see https://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/camping-and-accommodation/accommodation/belah-shearers-quarters/local-alerts
Bookings
- National Parks Contact Centre
- 7am to 7pm daily
- 1300 072 757 (13000 PARKS) for the cost of a local call within Australia excluding mobiles
- parks.info@environment.nsw.gov.au
Operated by
- Bourke office
- Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 4.30pm.
- 02 6830 0200
- npws.bourke@environment.nsw.gov.au
- 51-53 Oxley Street, Bourke NSW 2840
Park info
- in Gundabooka National Park in the Outback NSW region
Gundabooka National Park is always open but may have to close at times due to poor weather or fire danger.
Visitor info
All the practical information you need to know about Belah Shearers' Quarters.
Getting there and parking
Belah Shearers' Quarters is in Gundabooka National Park. To get there:
From Bourke:
- Drive south from Bourke on Kidman Way for approximately 49km and turn right onto Ben Lomond Road
- Continue along Ben Lomond Road for approximately 43km until you reach Belah Shearers' Quarters entrance, which is on the right-hand side of the road.
Road quality
Check the weather and road conditions before you set out as roads to Gundabooka National Park may be closed.
- Unsealed roads
Vehicle access
- 2WD vehicles
Weather restrictions
- Dry weather only
Parking
Parking is available at Belah Shearers’ Quarters.
Best times to visit
There are lots of great things waiting for you in Gundabooka National Park. Here are some of the highlights.
Autumn
It's a great time to visit the park with the weather being a bit cooler, and after summer rain, the park may be looking a little greener than usual.
Spring
Join in on a Discovery tour to find out more about the park, the amazing landscape and the animals who live here.
Winter
Crisp clear days await you, it's perfect weather for walking and if you don't feel like camping out, you can book into the comfort of Redbank Homestead.
Weather, temperature and rainfall
Summer temperature
Average
20°C and 33°C
Highest recorded
47°C
Winter temperature
Average
6°C and 17°C
Lowest recorded
-2.5°C
Rainfall
Wettest month
January and February
Driest month
June
The area’s highest recorded rainfall in one day
108.8mm
Facilities
Toilets
The toilet block is external.
- Flush toilets
Picnic tables
Barbecue facilities
- Fire rings (bring your own firewood)
- Gas/electric barbecues (free)
Showers
The shower block is external.
- Hot showers
Electric power
Balcony
Kitchen
The kitchen has a stove, fridge, microwave, toaster and kettle. There is a dining area with long benches.
Plates and cutlery
Pots and pans
Air conditioning
Maps and downloads
Accessibility
Disability access level - medium
Assistance may be required to access this area. There are 3 steps into the property. The toilet and shower blocks are external but wheelchair accessible.
Permitted
Camp fires and solid fuel burners
Fires are permitted in the fire pit at the property only. Collecting firewood is not permitted, please bring your own firewood or fuel stove.
Prohibited
Amplified music is not permitted.
Generators
Pets
Pets and domestic animals (other than certified assistance animals) are not permitted. Find out which regional parks allow dog walking and see the pets in parks policy for more information.
Smoking
NSW national parks are no smoking areas.
Learn more
Belah Shearers' Quarters is in Gundabooka National Park. Here are just some of the reasons why this park is special:
An emphasis on conservation
A visit to Gundabooka National Park offers the wonderful opportunity to spot some of Australia's rarest birds and animals. Several threatened species - including the little pied bat, kultarr, pink cockatoo and painted honeyeater - have been recorded in the area. The park also includes 21 different plant communities, including threatened plant species like the curly bark wattle.
- Little Mountain walking track Ideal for outback birdwatching and walking with kids, Little Mountain walking track offers a gentle walk with scenic views of Gundabooka National Park, near Bourke.
An important place
Gunderbooka range is highly significant to the Ngemba and Kurnu Baakandji people of western NSW. Before it became a national park, the area was home to the Ngemba and Kurnu Baakandji people of western NSW. Ceremonial events were held within the range. On your visit, you'll see Aboriginal rock art, with motifs including dancers and animals.
- Yapa (Mulgowan) Aboriginal art site walking track Yapa (Mulgowan) Aboriginal art site walking track offers a unique Outback experience with Aboriginal rock art and birdwatching in Gundabooka National Park, near Bourke.
Pastoral history
Though noted by Charles Sturt in 1829, the Gunderbooka range wasn't used by pastoralists until the late 1800s. The range was included in neighbouring sheep stations which were then subdivided after World War I. Today, three of these smaller stations - Ben Lomond, Belah and Mulgowan - make up Gundabooka National Park. Check out the old homesteads, quarters, fences, tanks, shearing sheds and yards on your visit.
Rewarding walks
There are a number of opportunities to stretch your legs along one of the well-signed walks in Gundabooka National Park. Take the wonderful Mulareenya Creek Art Site track and see fascinating Aboriginal rock art. Walking the Little Mountain track is also well worth the effort with impressive views awaiting you at the summit.
- Bennetts Gorge picnic area Stop and relax at Bennetts Gorge picnic area when you visit Gundabooka National Park. Enjoy a barbecue or bring a picnic hamper before walking on to Mt Gunderbooka.
- Valley of the Eagles walk Valley of the Eagles walk starts at the popular Bennetts Gorge picnic area and explores the imposing Mount Gunderbooka in Gunabooka National Park.
The beautiful outback
Gundabooka National Park is located in northwest NSW, approximately 50km southwest of Bourke and 110km northwest of Cobar. The 63,903ha national park extends from the Darling river banks to the Gunderbooka range. Vast stretches of grassy woodlands, open plains and rust-coloured rock dominate the landscape.
- Little Mountain walking track Ideal for outback birdwatching and walking with kids, Little Mountain walking track offers a gentle walk with scenic views of Gundabooka National Park, near Bourke.
Plants and animals protected in this park
Animals
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Emu (Dromaius novaehollandiae)
The largest of Australian birds, the emu stands up to 2m high and is the second largest bird in the world, after the ostrich. Emus live in pairs or family groups. The male emu incubates and rears the young, which will stay with the adult emus for up to 2 years.
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Wedge-tailed eagle (Aquila audax)
With a wingspan of up to 2.5m, the wedge-tailed eagle is Australia’s largest bird of prey. These Australian animals are found in woodlands across NSW, and have the ability to soar to heights of over 2km. If you’re bird watching, look out for the distinctive diamond-shaped tail of the eagle.
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Red kangaroo (Macropus rufus)
The red kangaroo is one of the most iconic Australian animals and the largest marsupial in the world. Large males have reddish fur and can reach a height of 2m, while females are considerably smaller and have blue-grey fur. Red kangaroos are herbivores and mainly eat grass.
Plants
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Mulga (Acacia aneura)
Mulga are hardy Australian native plants found throughout inland Australia. With an unusually long tap root, the mulga is able to withstand long periods of drought.