Willandra Cottage
Willandra National Park
Overview
If you're looking for a weekend getaway in the bush, you can’t go wrong with Willandra Cottage. This rustic cottage offers affordable accommodation just moments from the historic Willandra Homestead.
| Accommodation type | Cottage |
|---|---|
| Where | 74 Willandra Entrance Road, Hillston, NSW, 2675 - in Willandra National Park |
| Bedrooms | 2 |
| Maximum guests | 6 |
| Facilities | Barbecue facilities, carpark, showers, toilets, electric power, kitchen, plates and cutlery, pots and pans |
| What to bring | Food supplies, bed sheets, towels, drinking water, firewood |
| Price |
$50 per night for 4 people. $10 per additional person (maximum 6). |
| Entry fees | Park entry fees apply |
| Bookings | For bookings, please contact NPWS Griffith park office on (02) 6966 8100. No deposit required. Pay on arrival using a self-registration envelope. |
| Please note |
|
Pull up a chair and unwind as you take in the serenity and beauty of Willandra National Park from the cottage lawn. Ideal for families and small groups, the cottage contains two bedrooms, lounge, kitchen, bathroom and an enclosed verandah.
Enjoy amazing bird watching and bushwalking opportunities before you wander over to Willandra Homestead to get a taste of the area’s long pastoral history. It’s also only a short walk to Willandra Billabong Weir, or if you're feeling energetic, why not continue along Nilla Yannagalang Billana walking track and loop back to the Homestead?
At night, return to the simple comforts of a hot shower and tasty dinner and take advantage of this historic site. Don’t forget to take advantage of the clear skies for a bit of star gazing.
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/willandra-cottage/local-alerts
General enquiries
- 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
- Griffith office
- Monday to Friday, 9am to 4pm. Closed 1pm to 2pm.
- 02 6966 8100
- npws.riverina@environment.nsw.gov.au
- 200 Yambil Street, Griffith NSW 2680
Park info
- in Willandra National Park in the Murray-Riverina region
Willandra National Park is always open but may have to close at times due to poor weather or fire danger.
-
Park entry fees:
$8 per vehicle per day. The park uses a self-registration fee collection system. Please bring correct change.
Buy annual pass.
Visitor info
All the practical information you need to know about Willandra Cottage.
Getting there and parking
Willandra Cottage is in Willandra Homestead precinct. To get there:
From Hillston:
- Drive 53km west along Mossgiel Trunk Road (unsealed and impassable after rain).
- Turn north onto Trida Road and drive another 20km until you see the park entrance signposted on the right (east).
- Drive another 10km east along Willandra Creek trail
- Follow the signposts to Willandra Cottage
From Cobb Highway:
- Turn east at Mossgiel and drive 61km east
- Turn north onto Trida Road and drive another 20km until you see the park entrance signposted on the right (east).
- Drive another 10km east along Willandra Creek trail
- Follow the signposts to Willandra Cottage
Road quality
Access roads close after rain. Please check the Carrathool Shire website for current road closure information.
- Unsealed roads
Vehicle access
- 2WD vehicles
Weather restrictions
- Dry weather only
Parking
Parking is available next to Willandra Cottage.
Best times to visit
There are lots of great things waiting for you in Willandra National Park. Here are some of the highlights.
Autumn
Like spring, this season is also a time of mild weather.
Spring
Spring brings mild weather and fantastic birdwatching opportunities, as well as being the best time for wildflower displays. Drive, cycle or walk the scenic Merton trail or follow the Nilla Yannagalang Billana walking trail to make the most of what's on offer at this time of year.
Weather, temperature and rainfall
Summer temperature
Average
17°C and 32°C
Highest recorded
46°C
Winter temperature
Average
7°C and 16°C
Lowest recorded
-4.4°C
Rainfall
Wettest month
October
Driest month
February
The area’s highest recorded rainfall in one day
119.6mm
Facilities
- Bedding configuration: 1 queen and 1 bunk (2 bedrooms). 1 bunk in sleep out.
- Furnished living room.
- Bathroom with shower/bath and 1 toilet.
- Please leave the cottage in a clean and tidy manner and take your garbage with you.
- This cottage uses bore water.
Toilets
- Flush toilets
Barbecue facilities
- Fire rings (bring your own firewood)
Carpark
Showers
- Hot showers
Electric power
Kitchen
Gas stove, oven, microwave, toaster, kettle and dining table.
Plates and cutlery
Pots and pans
Maps and downloads
Accessibility
Disability access level - no wheelchair access
Prohibited
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.
Pets and domestic animals (other than certified assistance animals) are not permitted. For more information, please see the OEH policy.
Smoking
NSW national parks are no smoking areas.
Learn more
Willandra Cottage is in Willandra National Park. Here are just some of the reasons why this park is special:
A closer look at Aboriginal culture
Evidence of Aboriginal people's lives on this land can best be seen on the scalds near Halls Lake, near the Merton trail, where erosion has exposed a number of objects. Take a look at (but please don't touch) the remains of oven hearths, broken pieces of grinding dishes and stone flakes. Nilla Yannagalang Billana, the only formal walking track in the park, means 'walking along together' in Wiradjuri.
- Merton motor trail Whether you’re driving or cycling, the Merton motor trail at Willandra National Park is the perfect way to experience the park’s various wildlife habitats and historic past.
Plain to see
Windmill, cane, spear and white top - the names of Australian native grasses really have evolved to become far more fun than their original Latin terms. These grasses now make up most of the ground cover on the park's plains. Saltbush and cottonbush dominated - and still does - but Europeans quickly recognised the nutritional value of these plants and a century of grazing has changed the environment. A hike through the wetlands, woodlands and grasslands of the park, rich with birds and animals, is a reminder of how nature continues to adapt.
- Nilla Yannagalang Billana The Nilla Yannagalang Billana is an easy walking track that follows Willandra Creek and passes sites of great historical and cultural significance.
The ringer looks around
Big Willandra Station once stretched from Hillston to Mossgiel and covered an area eight times that of what is now Willandra National Park. Some buildings from the huge merino stud are in ruins, while others have been restored. In its time, Big Willandra saw it all: illegal squatting, leasehold, freehold, homesteading, the establishment of the Western Lands Commission, resumptions and soldier settler occupation. Today, you can enjoy cheap heritage accommodation, ideal for a weekend family or group getaway.
- Merton motor trail Whether you’re driving or cycling, the Merton motor trail at Willandra National Park is the perfect way to experience the park’s various wildlife habitats and historic past.
- Nilla Yannagalang Billana The Nilla Yannagalang Billana is an easy walking track that follows Willandra Creek and passes sites of great historical and cultural significance.
- Willandra Homestead Visit Willandra Homestead, the lovingly restored pastoral station of Big Willandra. Step back in time, enjoy a barbecue and watch waterbirds on Willandra Creek.
- Willandra shearing precinct Explore the rustic and distinctive woolshed and shearers’ quarters of the Willandra Shearing precinct to experience the fascinating working history of Big Willandra.
What bird is that?
Could there really be 195 species of birdlife within an area of less than 20,000ha? The diversity of Willandra's natural environment — from woodland and wetland to grassland and open plain — provides a variety of habitats. The result is an eclectic mix that includes emu, swan, seagull, night heron, raptor and duck. Set yourself the challenge to see how many different birds you can spot during your visit.
- Nilla Yannagalang Billana The Nilla Yannagalang Billana is an easy walking track that follows Willandra Creek and passes sites of great historical and cultural significance.